Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning near infrared (NIR) and visible light images and creating co-registered images are provided. A system can include a visible light image capturing device, an near infrared image capturing device, a housing unit, a light source configured to emit light at multiple wavelengths, and a processor configured to use image segmentation algorithms to measure a target issue or wound, detect hemodynamic signals, and combine the visible light image and a hemodynamic image to create a single image.

Abstract: Provided is a reliable or accurate optical detection method or such an optical imaging method. Also provided is an application technique using such a method. At least a part of an optical path starting from a light-emitting source or reaching a photodetector includes a plurality of optical paths. At a predetermined position of the optical path, beams of light after passing through the plurality of optical paths are mixed. This mixed light is used for optical detection or optical imaging. An optical-length difference among beams of light passing through the plurality of optical paths may be longer than the coherence length. Means for feed-backing predetermined characteristics of a target to the optical characteristics to be used for optical detection or optical imaging may be included. Such means may be used separately from the above. Such means may be applied to another technique, an application material or an application program.

Abstract: A device and method for guided insertion of microelectrodes into tissue is provided. The device includes a flexible optical fiber for optical coherence tomography imaging, a metal layer coating the optical fiber for recording electrical signals and an outer insulation layer coating the metal layer along the optical fiber length. The method includes inserting an optical fiber coated with a metal layer and further coated with an insulation layer into a tissue, collecting intraoperative image data through the optical fiber by optical coherence tomography, receiving the image data on a computer and displaying the image on a monitor, using the image data to determine a location in the tissue, receiving an electrical nerve signal through the metal layer and measuring the electrical nerve signal on a electrophysiological recording system.

Abstract: A programmable light source has a broadband light emitter disposed to direct light to an optical filter. The optical filter has a collimator lens in the path of the directed light from the emitter, a dispersion optic in the path of incident light from the collimator lens and angularly disposed to form a spectrally dispersed output beam from the incident beam, a focusing lens in the path of the spectrally dispersed output beam, and a spatial light modulator in the focal region of the focusing lens, the spatial light modulator disposed to reflect sequential spectral portions of the spectrally dispersed output beam back toward the focusing lens.

Abstract: A contact-type endoscope surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probe includes a gradient-index (GRIN) lens, a transparent substrate adhered to the GRIN lens, and a rough metallic layer adhered to an opposite side of the transparent substrate from the GRIN lens. The GRIN lens focuses light from a Raman spectrometer onto the rough metallic layer, and the rough metallic layer is positioned at the distal end of the contact-type endoscope SERS probe.

Abstract: Examples described herein include electronic devices which may serve as hemochromatic analyzers, leveraging sensors and computation available on the electronic devices themselves, such as smartphones and smartwatches. In this manner, minor to no hardware modification may be required to a mobile phone or other electronic device to allow the device to predict hemoglobin levels.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement apparatus includes: a main light source; a sub-light source; a light guide member that guides the light which has been emitted from the main light source and the sub-light source and has been incident on a base end to a leading end; an insert of which at least a leading end portion is inserted into a subject and which includes at least the leading end of the light guide member and a light absorption member that absorbs the pulsed laser light, and generates photoacoustic waves; and a photoacoustic wave detection unit that detects the photoacoustic waves. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus has, as an operation mode, a failure detection mode that drives the sub-light source and detects a failure of a photoacoustic wave generation unit including the light guide member and the light absorption member.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a wireless wearable computer with fitness machine connectivity for improved activity monitoring using caloric expenditure models.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a heart muscle function identify anomalies in the heart muscle function of a patient, relative to a predetermined cardio-profile. Concurrently, they also detect aberrations in the characteristics of perturbations that may have caused the anomaly. In detail, the aberrations are detected relative to a predetermined response matrix for the perturbation, and characteristics of the perturbation are weighted according to their potential influence on the anomaly. The anomalies that are identified from the cardio-profile are then evaluated relative to the corresponding perturbation aberration to determine whether clinical intervention is warranted.

Abstract: A concave optical sensor comprising at least one light source having at least one wavelength, wherein the light source is configured to emit light beams, and at least one light receiver responsive to the light beams emitted from the light source. Both the at least one light source and the at least one light receiver are positioned on a concave segment. The concave segment cane be an elastic segment or can further be provided with a resilient element configured to press the sensor against a body part to obtain optimal coupling and to prevent motion artifacts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hemodynamically characterizing a neurological or fitness state by dynamic scattering light (DLS) is disclosed herein. In particular, a non-pulsatile blood-shear-rate-descriptive (BSRD) signal(s) is optically generated and analyzed. In some embodiments, the BSRD signal is generated dynamically so as to adaptively maximize (i.e. according to a bandpass or frequency-selection profile) a prominence of a predetermined non-pulsatile physiological signal within the BSRD. In some embodiments, the BSRD is subjected to a stochastic or stationary-status analysis. Alternatively or additionally, the neurological or fitness state may be computed from multiple BSRDs, including two or more of: (i) a [sub-200 Hz, ˜300 Hz] BSRD signal; (ii) a [˜300 Hz, ˜1000 Hz] signal; (iii) a [˜1000 Hz, ˜4000 Hz] signal and (iv) a [˜4000 Hz, z Hz] (z>=7,000) signal.

Abstract: A catheter and guide wire assembly for measurement of blood pressure in a living body, including a tubular shaft, which is connected to a tubular extension, which is connected to a permeable helical coil, which has a distal end that is secured in a distal tip, and a core member, which is attached in a distal portion of the tubular shaft and extends through the tubular extension and the helical coil, and is secured in the distal tip. The catheter and guide wire assembly has an outer diameter of about 0.35 mm and an open, inner lumen, which includes the tubular shaft, the tubular extension, the helical coil, and the core member. The catheter and guide wire assembly has a total flow-resistance index less than about 1.2×106 mm?3, and more preferably less than about 1.0×106 mm?3, and even more preferably less than about 0.7×106 mm?3.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for cuff-less blood pressure measurement in a mobile device. A key aspect of this disclosure is the discovery of a new location for blood pressure measurement at the fingertip of a subject and that reflectance-mode photoplethysmography can be used to help make this measurement. Through experiments in human subjects, it was discovered that it is indeed possible to measure systemic blood pressure by having a subject press the fingertip against a reflectance-mode photo-plethysmography-force sensor unit under visual guidance and then compute blood pressure from the resulting variable-amplitude blood volume oscillations and applied pressure via an oscillometric algorithm.

Abstract: The devices and methods generally relate to vibratable sensors for measuring ambient fluid pressure, in particular implantable sensors. The devices and methods are particularly well-suited to implantation within the body of a living animal or human to monitor physiological conditions, such as portal and/or hepatic venous blood pressure, and allow frequent, remote interrogation of venous pressure using the resonance frequency of an implanted sensor. The sensor devices are relatively small compared to conventional devices for measuring fluid pressure and can be implanted in the porto-hepatic venous system, whereas conventional devices are too large. The small size of the device is accomplished by using a thick sensor membrane, compared to conventional devices, and by limiting the size of additional elements of the device relative to the size of the sensor membrane. The thicker sensor member also obviates the need for multiple sensor arrays and maintains the accuracy and robustness of the sensor device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus that includes an antenna (34), configured to, by drawing energy from a magnetic field, provide a main supply voltage. The apparatus further includes operational circuitry (46, 22) configured to operate only if a derived supply voltage, derived from the main supply voltage and supplied to the operational circuitry, is greater than a threshold value, and modulating circuitry (36, 40, 42), configured to modulate a load of the antenna by alternatingly (i) connecting current-drawing circuitry to the main supply voltage, thus causing the main supply voltage to drop below the threshold value, and (ii) disconnecting the current-drawing circuitry from the main supply voltage without disconnecting the operational circuitry from the main supply voltage. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method is provided for non-contact cardiac assessment of a subject. Images of the subject are captured from at least two synchronized independent imaging devices spaced equidistant from the subject and positioned such that each imaging device captures an image of the subject different from other imaging devices. Spectral components of the captured images are extracted. The extracted spectral components are analyzed. A signal corresponding to cardiac information is identified in the extracted spectral components. The identified signal corresponding to the cardiac information is extracted from the extracted spectral components.

Abstract: An electrode device is disclosed comprising: an elongate, implantable body comprising elastomeric material, a plurality of electrodes positioned along a length of the implantable body; an electrical connection comprising one or more conductive elements extending through the elastomeric material and electrically connecting to the electrodes; and a reinforcement device extending through the elastomeric material. The length of the implantable body is extendible by placing the implantable body under tension. The reinforcement device limits the degree by which the length of the implantable body can extend under tension. At least one of the electrodes can extend circumferentially around a portion of the implantable body. A delivery device and method of delivery for an electrode device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for visualization of electrophysiology information sensed by electrodes on a catheter, includes recording times of electrode signal acquisition, designating a reference electrode signal acquisition, assigning a relative time to each recorded time of electrode signal acquisition relative to the reference electrode signal acquisition, identifying the electrodes with signal acquisition, correlating assigned relative times to identified electrodes to generate a sequence of electrode signal acquisitions, and generating a visual representation of the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions generating a visual representation with a graphical image of the electrodes, wherein individual electrodes are visually marked to represent the sequence of electrode signal acquisitions.

Abstract: Methods for treating cardiac complex rhythm disorder in a patient can include receiving a plurality of electrical signals from a sensor system, wherein each electrical signal corresponds with a separate location on a cardiac wall of the heart of the patient, and wherein each electrical signal comprises an electrogram waveform; and ranking the electrical signals relative to each other based on at least a uniformity and a frequency of the electrogram waveform of each electrical signal.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that provide improved diagnosis from the processing of physiological data. The methods include use of multiple algorithms and intelligently combing the results of multiple algorithms to provide a single optimized diagnostic result. The algorithms are adaptive and may be customized for particular data sets or for particular patients. Examples are shown with applications to electrocardiogram data, but the methods taught are applicable to many types of physiological data.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described that provide improved diagnosis from the processing of physiological data. The methods include use of multiple algorithms and intelligently combing the results of multiple algorithms to provide a single optimized diagnostic result. The algorithms are adaptive and may be customized for particular data sets or for particular patients. Examples are shown with applications to electrocardiogram data, but the methods taught are applicable to many types of physiological data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for super-resolving electromagnetic localization by obtaining electric field data and/or magnetic field data captured over a period of time by at least one multi-channel recording device having a first resolution, applying holographic backpropagation constrained by sparsity approximation and/or low-rank approximation in a near-field and/or a far-field to the captured data, reconstructing electromagnetic energy flow information at a second resolution in one iteration, the second resolution being higher than the first resolution in at least two of three spatial dimensions, and generating data indicating an energy source location, an energy sink location, and/or a causality relation based on the electromagnetic energy flow information at the second resolution.

Abstract: An envelope is comprised of two sheets of material that are placed one on top of each other with their interior sides facing each other with their edges sealed to each other with an adhesive to form an airtight enclosure. The envelope has at least one medical patch inside it that is attached to the interior side of at least one of the sheets and a layer of medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive surrounding the at least one medical patch. The pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to a part of the surface of the interior side of the sheet in order to attach the sheet of material and the at least one medical patch to the body of a patient. The medical patch can be an electrode for measuring a patient's vital signs or delivering an electric shock or a transdermal patch for delivering a drug to a patient.

Abstract: A patient treatment unit and method analyzes and treats pain in tissues by applying an electrical pulse train to the affected tissue. The impedance of the affected tissue is measured, and the measured impedance is correlated to a level of pain in the patient. The pulse train is further applied in response to the measured impedance to reduce the patient's pain. The patient treatment unit includes a probe stimulus generator that outputs the pulse train. The treatment unit also includes a pair of probes for contacting the patient's body and receiving the pulse train. The pulse has improved shaping based on isolation of high voltage from a low voltage control. The unit further includes a body impedance analysis circuit that senses voltage and current via the probes when the probes are contacting the patient and observe the impedance. A monitor is electrically coupled to the body impedance analysis circuit and provides an indication of the measured impedance indicative of the patient's level of pain in real-time.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for supporting a user when positioning an accessory for a magnetic resonance examination on an examination object, the actual position of the accessory is acquired by an acquisition unit, and a target position of the accessory is determined by a detection unit. The actual position and the target position of the accessory are compared with regard to deviation of the actual position from the target position of the accessory. Output information representing any deviation that is found to exist is provided to a user via an output unit.

Abstract: A system to detect a medical device within a biological subject, the system comprising: an imaging system operable to generate image data derived from the biological subject and image data derived from the medical device; and a processor operable to detect the medical device and evaluate the image data derived from the medical device to identify the nature of the medical device. Further, a system to match a signature from a detected medical device within a biological subject with signature information held in a databank for a plurality of medical devices, the databank also holding specification information corresponding to the plurality of medical devices, the system being operable to match a signature relating to a detected medical device with signature information held in the databank and to provide some or all of the specification information for the matched signature to identify the nature of the medical device.

Abstract: A medical system comprises a surgical device including a tracking system. The medical system also includes a memory storing anatomical data describing a patient anatomy. The medical system also includes a processor configured for generating a first model, that includes a set of anatomical passageways including a first proximal branch connected to a first distal branch, from the stored anatomical data describing the patient anatomy. The processor is also configured for determining, by the tracking system, a shape of an elongate flexible body of the surgical device positioned within the first proximal branch and the first distal branch of the set of anatomical passageways. The processor is also configured for computing, based on the determined shape of the elongate flexible body, a total set of forces acting on the set of anatomical passageways in response to the surgical device positioned within the first proximal branch and the first distal branch.

Abstract: An estimation method performed by a computer includes: executing a first identifying process that includes identifying a candidate for a limb having a problem by evaluating left and right balance at the time of movement based on measurement data of a motion sensor attached to an animal moving on four limbs, and executing a second identifying process that includes identifying the limb having a problem among the limbs which are considered as the candidates for a limb having a problem based on a detection result of a nutation movement by detecting the nutation movement from the measurement data.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an activity monitor for measuring physical activity of a subject. The activity monitor is configured to obtain a first set of physical activity data over a first time period, for example during the day, and a second set of physical activity data over a second time period, for example during the night. A processor processes the data obtained by the activity monitor to calculate a physical activity ratio which is the ratio of the physical activity measured during the first time period to the physical activity measured in the second time period. The processor also calculates a first overall value which represents an activity level of the subject during the first time period. The physical activity ratio together with the first overall value may be used to assess the severity of symptoms of COPD displayed by a subject or to identify respiratory disease comorbidity information for example psychological issues such as low motivation, or sleep quality issues displayed by the subject.

Abstract: Various patient monitoring systems can include a sensor configured to collect three dimensional information. The systems can identify a location of a patient support surface based on the three dimensional information. The systems can set a two dimensional planar threshold based on the patient support surface. The systems can identify a patient location above the patient support surface based on the three dimensional information and compare the patient location to the two dimensional planar threshold. Exceeding the threshold can be indicative of a high risk of a patient fall. An alert can be generated based on the threshold being exceeded. The systems can repeat the identification of the patient support surface location and the setting of the threshold to account for changes in the patient area.

Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to health monitoring and assessment systems, and more particularly to perform postural stability assessment of a user and quantify the assessed postural stability. In an embodiment, the system, by monitoring specific actions (which are part of certain tests done for the postural stability assessment) being performed by a user, collects inputs which are then processed to determine SLS duration, the body joint vibration, and the body sway area of the user, while performing the tests. By processing the SLS duration, the body joint vibration, and the body sway area together, a postural stability index score for the user is determined, and based on this score, postural stability assessment for the user is performed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various patient measurement devices having an extendable elongate body and a deployable arm rotatably coupled to the elongate body. The elongate body has a first body comprising a lumen defined along a length of the first body and a second body extendably disposed within the lumen of the first body. The deployable arm is rotatably coupled to an end of the second body and is rotatably movable between a retracted position and a deployed position. Also disclosed are various methods of using the device to take various range-of-motion measurements, other physical capability measurements, and anthropometric measurements.

Abstract: A rehabilitation evaluation apparatus includes a sensor signal acquisition unit configured to acquire a sensor signal output from a detection sensor, a selection unit configured to select at least one myoelectric signal having a correlation with the sensor signal acquired by the sensor signal acquisition unit from among the plurality of second myoelectric signals on the second-side part acquired by the myoelectric-signal acquisition unit, and a similarity output unit configured to select a first myoelectric signal that has been output from a myoelectric sensor attached in a place that is left-right symmetric to a place of the myoelectric sensor that has output the second correlated myoelectric signal selected by the selection unit from among a plurality of first myoelectric signals on the first-side part acquired by the myoelectric-signal acquisition unit, calculate a similarity between these correlated myoelectric signals, and outputs the calculated similarity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for tracking a movable target (3), in particular tissue (5), the apparatus (1) comprising at least one applicator (7) for marking the target (3) with at least one type of markers (11), and at least one tracking system (9) which is adapted for monitoring at least the at least one type of markers (11). In order to provide an apparatus and a method for tracking a movable target (3), in particular tissue (5) which improve the reliability of the target tracking and which reduce the risk of damaging a target, it is intended according to the invention that the at least one applicator (7) is adapted for generating a randomly distributed pattern (13) of markers (11) on the target (3).

Abstract: Body joint tracking is applied in various industries and medical field. In body joint tracking, marker less devices plays an important role. However, the marker less devices are facing some challenges in providing optimal tracking due to occlusion, ambiguity, lighting conditions, dynamic objects etc. System and method of the present disclosure provides an optimized body joint tracking. Here, motion data pertaining to a first set of motion frames from a motion sensor are received. Further, the motion data are processed to obtain a plurality of 3 dimensional cylindrical models. Here, every cylindrical model among the plurality of 3 dimensional cylindrical model represents a body segment. The coefficients associated with the plurality of 3 dimensional cylindrical models are initialized to obtain a set of initialized cylindrical models. A set of dynamic coefficients associated with the initialized cylindrical models are utilized to track joint motion trajectories of a set of subsequent frames.

Abstract: A non-invasive sensing system for measuring the concentration of a substance within an object, the system including a support element adapted to be placed near to, or against, a surface of the object, a first transmitting antenna mounted upon or within the support element for transmitting electromagnetic radiation signals into the object, and a second receiving antenna mounted upon or within the support element, and adjacent to the first transmitting antenna, for receiving at least a portion of the electromagnetic radiation signals that are reflected back to the same surface of the object covered by the support element, due to the transmitted electromagnetic radiation signals having interacted with the substance within the object being measured.

Abstract: A living body observation system includes a light source apparatus configured to be able to emit light in a first wavelength band, light in a second wavelength band, and light in a third wavelength band, a processor configured to perform control to emit illumination light including the lights in the first to third wavelength bands, a first image pickup device configured to have a sensitivity in each of the first and third wavelength bands, a second image pickup device configured to have a sensitivity in the second wavelength band, and a spectral optical system configured to emit the lights in the first and third wavelength bands included in reflected light from an object irradiated with the illumination light toward the first image pickup device and emit the light in the second wavelength band included in the reflected light toward the second image pickup device.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes: a sensor configured to be indwelled in vivo; an identifying unit configured to identify a setting position of the sensor; a calculation unit configured to calculate a concentration of a specified substance contained in a sample, based on a signal given from the sensor; and a storage unit configured to store plural pieces of arithmetic information, wherein the calculation unit selects one of the plural pieces of arithmetic information from the storage unit, based on the sensor setting position identified by the identifying unit and calculates the concentration of the specified substance contained in the sample by using the selected arithmetic information.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes electrode compositions formed from processes that sputter metal in a manner that produces pillar architectures. Embodiments of the invention can be used in analyte sensors having such electrode architectures as well as methods for making and using these sensor electrodes. A number of working embodiments of the invention are shown to be useful in amperometric glucose sensors worn by diabetic individuals. However, the metal pillar structures have wide ranging applicability and should increase surface area and decrease charge density for catalyst layers or electrodes used with sensing, power generation, recording, and stimulation, in vitro and/or in the body, or outside the body.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes: a measuring unit to measure a signal value corresponding to a concentration of a specified substance contained in a first sample; an acquiring unit to acquire a reference value pertaining to the specified substance contained in a second sample; a calculation unit to calculate a concentration value of the specified substance contained in the first sample, based on the signal value and the reference value; a determination unit to determine whether a variation in the concentration value of the specified substance contained in the first sample is equal to or less than a threshold value; and an output unit to output, to a display unit, recommendation information representing recommendation for acquiring the reference value when the variation in the concentration value of the specified substance contained in the first sample is equal to or less than the threshold value.

Abstract: One variation of the method for managing blood loss of a patient includes: receiving an image of a physical sample; extracting a feature from an area of the image corresponding to the physical sample; estimating a blood volume indicator of the physical sample according to the extracted feature; estimating a patient blood loss based on the blood volume indicator; estimating a euvolemic patient hematocrit based on an estimated patient blood volume and the estimated patient blood loss; receiving a measured patient hematocrit; and generating a volemic status indicator based on a comparison between the measured patient hematocrit and the estimated euvolemic patient hematocrit.

Abstract: Device comprising polyurethane material for indicating pH at a locus, preferably as indication of presence of microbes, comprising a polyurethane network having immobilised therein one or more hydrophilic copolymers, the or each said copolymer comprising: hydrophilic monomer; and indicator monomer, which provides an indication in response to a change in hydrophilic state of said hydrophilic monomer and/or copolymer; characterised in that the or each copolymer further comprises one or a plurality of ionisable groups or moieties or polymerisable monomers having one or more characteristic pKa values in the range 5 to 10 and which are responsive to pH at the locus in the range pH 5 to pH 10 and in that hydrophilic state of hydrophilic copolymer is dependent on ionisation of said ionisable groups, moieties or monomers; kit and device comprising the material and process for preparation thereof; and use in detecting or sensing microbes or pH.

Abstract: Provided is an information acquiring apparatus having: a calculating unit generating image data, based on signals acquired by transducers receiving an acoustic wave generated from an object by a plurality of times of light irradiation to the object; and a display controlling unit causing a display unit to display an image, wherein the calculating unit generates first image data using the signals corresponding to part of the plurality of times of light irradiation before the plurality of times of light irradiation complete, the display controlling unit causes the display unit to display an image based on the first image data before the plurality of times of light irradiation complete, the calculating unit generates second image data using the signals corresponding to more than the part of the plurality of times of light irradiation after the plurality of light irradiation complete

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining physiological information based on distortion factors and physiological signals. Physiological signals are received by a system. The system may receive or determine a value indicative of oxygen saturation. The distortion factors may be calculated based on the value indicative of oxygen saturation and the physiological signals. The distortion factors may be used to determine physiological information.

Abstract: A system includes an enclosure having a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The enclosure includes a display coupled to the processor where the display is visible from an exterior of the enclosure; and a battery within the enclosure coupled to the processor and the display. The enclosure includes a probe tip coupled to an exterior of the enclosure. The probe tip includes first, second, and third sensor openings. A first distance between the first and second sensor openings is different than a second distance between the first and third sensor openings. The enclosure includes code stored in the memory where the code is executable by the processor, and includes code to receive first data associated with the first and second sensor openings, code to receive second data associated with the first and second sensor openings, and code to perform SRS using the first and the second data.

Abstract: System and method for non-invasive monitoring of physiological measurements of a subject, including at least one monitoring device, to detect changes in measured physiological signals, the monitoring device including at least one measuring unit, wherein each measuring unit includes: at least two light emitting sources, and at least one sensor, to detect light beams emitted from the at least two light emitting source, and a computerized device, in communication with the at least one monitoring device, the computerized device to receive data from monitoring device, wherein the monitoring device is configured to be removably attachable to the subject's body.

Abstract: Method and device for outputting one or more signals associated with a monitored analyte level of an individual, the one or more signals including a substantially real time monitored analyte level and a rate of change information associated with the monitored analyte level, outputting a carbohydrate intake event indication, determining one or more data associated with one or more therapy information related to the monitored analyte level and the meal event indication, and outputting the determined one or more data over the outputted one or more signals associated with the monitored analyte level and the carbohydrate intake event indication are provided.

Abstract: A drowsiness detecting device includes a feature extractor, a detecting rule storage unit, a normalizer, and a drowsiness detector. The feature extractor extracts a feature value on heartbeats of a user based on intervals between the heartbeats. The detecting rule storage unit retains a detecting rule for drowsiness detecting. The normalizer updates a normalization coefficient. The drowsiness detector detects drowsiness of the user based on the feature value, the detecting rule, and the normalization coefficient. The normalizer updates the normalization coefficient based on the feature value when the drowsiness detector does not detect the drowsiness of the user.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for measuring and analyzing startle response of a subject comprises a stimuli delivery module, whereby startle stimuli and prepulse stimuli are delivered to subject; said diagnostic system comprises at least one sensor module, whereby the startle response of subject are detected and recorded; said sensor module comprises at least one electrode and one eyeblink response measuring means; and said diagnostic system comprises a diagnosis module whereby the features of the startle response and prepulse inhibition of subject are extracted and analyzed.

Abstract: The invention features methods and systems useful for monitoring attention. The methods and systems can be used as part of an EEG brain-to-computer interface that measures the attention level of a subject and trains the subject to improve attention.