Abstract: The instrument includes a connector block (24) suitable for receiving a removable memory card (12), a printed circuit (20), a case including an opening (16) for insertion of the memory card, and contacts (48) for reprogramming the microcontroller (22). The reprogramming contacts (48) are disposed on the printed circuit (20) at a distance from terminals (26) for making contact with the memory card, in the space that the connector block (24) occupies on the printed circuit, and they are available from the inside volume of the connector block. The instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the reprogramming contacts, with access to these contacts being possible via the opening in the case and the inside volume of the connector block by inserting an insert (52) into the instrument instead of and replacing a memory card.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a physiological signal, such as an electrocardiogram or electrogram, that was previously collected, filtered, sampled and digitized. The device memorizes the digitized signal and analyzes it by decomposing the signal into a plurality of N parameterized bump functions, where each bump function is a continuous function defined by three successive intervals, respectively, a first monotonic parameterized function, an affine function, and a second monotonic parameterized function, with one of the monotonic parameterized functions being increasing and the other decreasing. The parameterized functions are preferably half-Gaussian functions, and the affine function preferably has a null slope. Each N bump function is classified by recognizing at least one parameter characteristic of each wave, and allotting a standardized label, selected among a plurality of predetermined labels, according to one or to more of the characteristic parameters thus recognized.

Abstract: The instrument includes a connector block (24) suitable for receiving a removable memory card (12), a printed circuit (20), a case including an opening (16) for insertion of the memory card, and contacts (48) for reprogramming the microcontroller (22). The reprogramming contacts (48) are disposed on the printed circuit (20) at a distance from terminals (26) for making contact with the memory card, in the space that the connector block (24) occupies on the printed circuit, and they are available from the inside volume of the connector block. The instrument is essentially lacking in any opening dedicated to accessing the reprogramming contacts, with access to these contacts being possible via the opening in the case and the inside volume of the connector block by inserting an insert (52) into the instrument instead of and replacing a memory card.

Abstract: Detection of a discontinuity, a disconnection or loss of conductivity, of cables connected to a physiological signal recorder, in particular a Holter recorder of ECG signals by measuring an impedance of the line(s). To measure the impedance of the line comprising the connecting cable connecting an external electrode placed on a patient to a signal terminal (12) of the recorder (10), one generates a current impulse, applies this impulse to the line, measures the variation of voltage resulting on the terminal from the signal during the application duration of the current impulse, and determines the impedance of the line based upon the voltage variations thus measured. The current impulse is a biphasic impulse including two successive cycles of opposite polarities, the durations and the amplitudes of these two cycles being selected so as to define approximately equal respective loads and of contrary signs.

Abstract: A device for analyzing a signal, in particular a physiological signal such as an electrocardiogram or electrogram. The signal to be analyzed is preferably one that was previously collected, filtered, sampled and digitized. The device memorizes the digitized signal (stores in memory), and analyzes it by decomposing the signal into a plurality of N elementary waves, and classifying each N elementary waves by recognizing at least one parameter characteristic of each wave, and allotting a standardized label, selected among a plurality of predetermined labels, according to one or to more of the characteristic parameters thus recognized. The decomposition of the signal is into N parameterized bump functions (1-5), where each bump function is a continuous function defined by three successive intervals, respectively, a first monotonic parameterized function, an affine function, and a second monotonic parameterized function, with one of the monotonic parameterized functions being increasing and the other decreasing.

Abstract: A device for noninvasive measurement of blood pressure, in particular for continuous monitoring of blood pressure for an ambulatory patient. This device includes at least one sensor, placed on the thoracic wall of a patient, that is able to transform the acoustic signals generated by the closing of the cardiac valves and transmitted through the thorax into an electronic phonocardiographic signal. The phonocardiographic signal is processed to discriminate and extract a vibratory profile (18) related to the cardiac noise periodically produced at the end of the systole. At least one predetermined parameter of the vibratory profile is analyzed, in particular the amplitude (20) separating the extrema from the signal, and according to this parameter, a value of the phono-arterial index representative of the blood pressure is delivered.

Abstract: Detection of a discontinuity, a disconnection or loss of conductivity, of cables connected to a physiological signal recorder, in particular a Holter recorder of ECG signals by measuring an impedance of the line(s). To measure the impedance of the line comprising the connecting cable connecting an external electrode placed on a patient to a signal terminal (12) of the recorder (10), one generates a current impulse, applies this impulse to the line, measures the variation of voltage resulting on the terminal from the signal during the application duration of the current impulse, and determines the impedance of the line based upon the voltage variations thus measured. The current impulse is a biphasic impulse including two successive cycles of opposite polarities, the durations and the amplitudes of these two cycles being selected so as to define approximately equal respective loads and of contrary signs.

Abstract: A Holter-type apparatus for the recording of physiological signals indicative of cardiac activity. This apparatus has a base unit formed of a flexible sheet carrying the electrodes collecting the physiological signals and the conductive connection elements connected to the electrodes. The base unit has a central area receiving a recording case and which contains contact areas forming the proximal terminations of the respective conductive connection elements. The recording case is equipped to be fastened to the base unit central area and to have electrode contacts that make electrical contact with contact areas of the base unit. The base unit also can carry a battery to supply power to the recording case. The base unit is advantageously made of a sheet of flexible printed circuit material carrying a conducting pattern forming the aforementioned electrodes, conductive connection elements and contact areas.

Abstract: A system and methods for the automatic update of the software of an external programmer implant is that is used to program and configure an active implantable medical device implant and acquire data obtained by the implant. The programmer comprises software composed of an assembly of software objects. The implant comprises a memory containing parametric data for the functioning of the implant and an assembly of software objects necessary for the functioning of the programmer in connection with the aforementioned of parametric data. The programmer and the implant communicate bi-directionally.

Abstract: A test circuit and method for the integrity of electrode cables of a typical Holter machine for the recording of physiological signals, notably cardiac activity. This machine comprises: a plurality of signal terminals (16), which are ready to be connected each to a proximal extremity (20) of a cable (18) whose distal extremity (22) is connected to an external electrode (24) to be placed on the patient; amplifiers (30) receiving signals applied on the signal terminals; and circuit means for testing the integrity of the totality of electrical connections to the patient, comprising a current source (36), means (38, 40) to apply this current on terminals and means (34) to measure the voltage drop produced by the impedance of the circuit path (42) including the cable connected to the corresponding terminal and in which circulates the test current.

Abstract: A programmable interface for typical Holter machine for recording a physiological signal, notably of cardiac activity. This apparatus (10) comprises the normal plugs (14) for connection to external electrodes and a processing circuit (20) for acquiring and recording the physiological signal, and a programmable interface comprising: at least one voltage supply plug (and preferably two supply plugs V+, V-), at least one ground plug, at least one digital plug (preferably two or more digital plugs D1, D2), cooperating with the processing circuit (20), at least one analog/digital mixed plug (A/D3), on the one hand connected to an analog signal input of the machine, and on the other hand cooperating with the aforementioned processor circuit, and a logic circuit (28) for programming the interface to transfer signals through the plugs of the interface.

Abstract: A process of physiological data compression, notably cardiac activity, especially for a recording of an electrocardiogram or a Holter electrogram. This process is characterized by the following successive operations: (a) acquisition of data by collection of an electrical signal and sampling of this signal at a given frequency; (b) determination of the first derivative of the sampled signal; (c) determination of the second derivative of the sampled signal; (d) analyze predictively the sampled signal according to a plurality of values of first and second derivatives and selection, for the current sample, of a mode of coding from among a plurality of predetermined coding modes which are commutable dynamically, in a manner to optimize the global code volume created for coding the aforementioned plurality of future values; and (e) compression of data by the implementation of the coding mode chosen at stage (d). Decompression occurs by the inverse of the compression mode of coding.

Abstract: An electronic device provides a universal interface between sensors and an acquisition and processing system of the signals originating from the sensors, wherein the various sensors are connected to standardized terminals (1 . . . 6), appearing all identical to the user and comprising energization (M) and amplifying (A, A.sub.p) elements, capable of being adapted to said sensors, and identification means (R.sub.ECG, R.sub.PRE) for automatically recognizing the sensor present in the terminal, so as to allow programming the signal amplification, energization and processing elements.

Abstract: A process and device for processing and displaying an electrocardiogram signal read at a speed greater than the speed of recording, in which process a plurality of types of pathological complexes are selectively and simultaneously detected with the aid of discriminators on the signal read, and on each of a plurality of distinct display locations there is displayed each signal sequence presenting a complex of a type corresponding to said display location. The process and device are more particularly applicable to the statistical processing such as the drawing up of a histogram of the pathological occurrences of an electrocardiogram signal.

Abstract: There is disclosed liquid flow control apparatus (particularly for use where the flow takes place in the form of drops over at least part of the flow path). A valve in the flow path is controlled by a servo system in dependence on the difference between desired and actual rate of flow signals. A linear to exponential signal converter sets the desired rate of flow signal which is displayed by means of two relatively movable display members one of which is movable to a position dependent on the desired rate of flow and carries a logarithmic scale which is juxtaposed with a logarithmic scale on the other member. For example, the other member may be movable to a position dependent on the size of the drops, and the volume rate of liquid flow for any given time can be read off from the juxtaposed scale. The apparatus also includes a throttle valve comprising two relatively movable throttling members positioned on opposite sides of a flexible tube.