Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a hermetically sealed housing and a first light emitting diode (LED) enclosed within the housing configured to detect light corresponding to a selected light wavelength. A conductive element extends from the LED for carrying a current signal corresponding to the light detected by the LED, the intensity of the detected light being correlated to a change in a physiological condition in a body fluid volume or a tissue volume proximate the LED.

Abstract: The invention relates to prediction of a rapid symptomatic drop in a subject's blood pressure, e.g. during a medical treatment or when operating an aircraft. To this aim, a pulse shape parameter (Pps) with respect to a peripheral body part (105) of the subject (P) is registered by means of a pulse oximetry instrument (110) adapted to detect light response variations in blood vessels. An initial pulse magnitude measure is calculated based on a pulse shape parameter (Pps) received at a first instance. During a measurement period subsequent to the first instance, a respective pulse magnitude measure is calculated based on each of a number of received pulse shape parameters (Pps). It is further investigated, for each pulse magnitude measure in the measurement period, whether or not the measure fulfills a decision criterion relative to the initial pulse magnitude measure. An alarm triggering signal (?) is generated if the decision criterion is found to be fulfilled.

Abstract: New algorithms to estimate cardiovascular indices by analysis of the arterial blood pressure (ABP) signal. The invention comprises recording and identification of cardiovascular descriptors (including ABP signal, diastolic pressure, systolic pressure, pulse pressure, and end systole), calculation of cardiovascular system parameters, and calculation of aortic blood flow, stroke volume, cardiac output, total peripheral resistance, and characteristic time constant.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present technique, there is provided methods and systems for detecting the location of a sensor and determining calibration algorithms and/or coefficients for calculation of physiological parameters based on the detected location. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving a signal corresponding to absorption of at least one wavelength of light by a patient's tissue, generating a plethysmographic waveform from the signal, determining an identifying characteristic of the plethysmographic waveform, and determining a location of the sensor based on a comparison of the identifying characteristic with at least one defined criterion.

Abstract: According to embodiments, techniques for using continuous wavelet transforms and spectral transforms to identify pulse rates from a photoplethysmographic (PPG) signal are disclosed. According to embodiments, candidate pulse rates of the PPG signal may be identified from a wavelet transformed PPG signal and a spectral transformed PPG signal. A pulse rate may be determined from the candidate pulse rates by selecting one of the candidate pulse rates or by combining the candidate pulse rates. According to embodiments, a spectral transform of a PPG signal may be performed to identify a frequency region associated with a pulse rate of the PPG signal. A continuous wavelet transform of the PPG signal at a scale corresponding to the identified frequency region may be performed to determine a pulse rate from the wavelet transformed signal.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus measure blood oxygenation in a subject. A light source is activated to cause a first emission at a first wavelength and a second emission at a second wavelength. A detector detects a composite signal indicative of an attenuation of the first and second wavelengths by tissue of a patient. The composite signal is demodulated into a first intensity signal and a second intensity signal. Blood oxygenation in the subject is determined from the first and second intensity signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices and, more particularly, to optical medical sensors used for sensing physiological characteristics of a patient. In one embodiment, a system includes a physiological sensor having a photodetector array with a plurality of photodetectors configured to receive light from patient tissue. The physiological sensor also includes a multiplexor configured select and output a signal from the photodetector array. The physiological sensor may also include a signal analyzer configured to determine the signal quality for each of the output signals of the photodetector array and select an output signal, based on the signal quality determination, for the calculation of a physiological parameter of the patient. In another embodiment, a system includes a pulse oximetry sensor having a multiplexed array of photodetectors configured to receive light from patient tissue.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field a method of and apparatus for processing a photoplethysmograph signal to support the analysis of photoplethysmograph signals in clinical scenarios. A derivative of a photoplethysmograph signal acquired over a time period is calculated. The derivative of the acquired photoplethysmograph signal with respect to time is analyzed and displayed in an x-y diagram as a function of the acquired photoplethysmograph signal or vice versa.

Abstract: A method and system for biometric identity confirmation is based on the pulse wave of a subject. During an initial enrollment mode, pulse wave data for a known subject are used to generate subject characterization data for the known subject. During a subsequent operational mode, pulse wave data for a test subject are analyzed using the subject characterization data to confirm whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. The subject characterization data can be a probability density in a phase space in which at least two quasi-periodic variables based on the pulse wave (e.g., blood pressure and volume time-series data) are correlated.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure seeks to smooth a perfusion index measurement through use of a baseline perfusion index measurement and/or through the use of multiple PI calculations. The combination of the baseline perfusion index measurement reduces an error between a calculated measurement of PI and actual conditions.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus includes: a detecting unit configured to obtain a detection signal of a timing of chest compression during execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation; a pulse oximeter configured to detect a change of a blood volume at the timing of the chest compression based on the detection signal, and configured to obtain an oxygen saturation from the change of the blood volume; an evaluating unit configured to perform evaluation related to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the oxygen saturation; and an outputting unit configured to perform an outputting operation in accordance with a result of the evaluation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to non-invasively measure fetal blood oxygen saturation levels. Optical sensors capable of producing and detecting multiple wavelengths of tissue penetrating light are placed on the surface of the maternal abdomen, and the light beams directed to pass through at least a portion of the uterus containing the fetus. The fetal heart rate is monitored by Doppler ultrasound, and pure maternal optical signal related to maternal arterial blood flow are also measured. The optical sensors collect composite signals containing both maternal and fetal hemoglobin absorption spectral data and modulated by their respective pulsatile blood flows. The composite signals processed in the time domain and frequency domain, the pure maternal pulsatile optical signal used to extract the maternal contribution to the composite signal, and the fetal pulsatile signal is used to lock onto and extract the fetal contribution to the composite signal, and a fetal blood oxygen level deduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to the detection of human biovibrations using a digital signal processing (DSP) actigraph worn by the individual, and in at least one method using any noise existing in the signals. Human biovibrations result from the human body having reverberations and oscillations from bodily functioning. The DSP actigraph has been shown to be able to identify heart beat and breathing of an individual. The invention includes a method comprising: recording movement data of an individual that includes biovibrations data, determining when the movement data substantially falls within a predetermined threshold representative of death, and providing a notification. The invention in at least one embodiment includes a method comprising: monitoring activity counts for zero crossing mode, above threshold mode, and proportional integrative mode, providing a notification when all three activity counts are within a respective predetermined range for a period of time.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion test apparatus, systems, and methods for analyzing tissue oxygen saturation levels in patients are disclosed. A system for analyzing data related to tissue oxygenation in a patient includes a blood pressure device, a tissue oxygen sensor, and a control module in communication with the blood pressure device and tissue oxygen sensor. The control module includes a processor that computes various tissue characteristics associated with tissue oxygenation, including ischemia slope and recovery slope. During a vascular occlusion test, the control module can be configured to control an inflatable cuff based on tissue oxygen measurements obtained from the tissue oxygen sensor.

Abstract: A probe includes: light emitting and receiving sections; an attachment band including a first surface facing the living tissue and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a part of the first surface in which one of a hook portion and a loop portion is provided, a part of the second surface in which the other is provided, the attachment band to be wrapped around the living tissue to engage the hook and loop portions with each other; and a compressible member attached to the first surface, being in contact with the living tissue when the attachment band is attached to the living tissue, the compressible member which is larger in width than the attachment band and ends of which extend beyond ends of the attachment band.

Abstract: An alarm suspend system utilizes an alarm trigger responsive to physiological parameters and corresponding limits on those parameters. The parameters are associated with both fast and slow treatment times corresponding to length of time it takes for a person to respond to medical treatment for out-of-limit parameter measurements. Audible and visual alarms respond to the alarm trigger. An alarm silence button is pressed to silence the audible alarm for a predetermined suspend time. The audible alarm is activated after the suspend time has lapsed. Longer suspend times are associated with slow treatment parameters and shorter suspend times are associated with fast treatment parameters.

Abstract: A cardiopulmonary resuscitation monitoring apparatus includes: a light source section configured to cause light, which includes at least infrared light, to be incident on a living body; a light receiving unit configured to receive at least one of transmitted light that is transmitted through the living body and reflected light that is reflected from the living body; a calculating unit, based on DC components of received light intensities of the received light, configured to calculate a ratio of the DC components of the received light intensities of the received light during execution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation; an evaluating unit configured to perform evaluation related to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the ratio calculated by the calculating unit; and an outputting unit configured to perform an output in accordance with a result of the evaluation performed by the evaluating unit.

Abstract: A variable indication estimator which determines an output value representative of a set of input data. For example, the estimator can reduce input data to estimates of a desired signal, select a time, and determine an output value from the estimates and the time. In one embodiment, the time is selected using one or more adjustable signal confidence parameters determine where along the estimates the output value will be computed. By varying the parameters, the characteristics of the output value are variable. For example, when input signal confidence is low, the parameters are adjusted so that the output value is a smoothed representation of the input signal. When input signal confidence is high, the parameters are adjusted so that the output value has a faster and more accurate response to the input signal.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals, including the determination of a measurement of oxygen saturation and respiration rate in the measured signals during a calculation of a physiological parameter of a monitored patient. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to oximetry-based measurements but extends to other types of measurements.

Abstract: A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyse the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system can be used as a general monitor, or more specifically, to for infant or adult apnea, and to guard against sudden infant death syndrome.

Abstract: A patient monitor has multiple sensors adapted to attach to tissue sites of a living subject. The sensors generate sensor signals that are responsive to at least two wavelengths of optical radiation after attenuation by pulsatile blood within the tissue sites. A patient monitor uses the plurality of signals to reduce the effects of noise.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for estimating blood constituent concentration of a user under low perfusion conditions using a spectrophotometry-based monitoring device; the method comprising: measuring a plurality of photoplethysmographic (PPG) signals; measuring a cardio-synchronous (CV) signal; detecting an instantaneous heart rate and determining a heart rate variability from the CV signal; selecting reliable projected PPG signals; estimating a value of said blood constituent concentration from the magnitude of said reliable projected PPG signals. The disclosed method requires diminished computational load compared to conventional methods based on frequency domain approach as FFT or DCT. The disclosure also pertains to a monitoring device for estimating blood constituent concentration in tissue under low perfusion of a user.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present technique, there is provided methods and systems for detecting the presence of venous pulsation by adjusting the sensitivity of a detection algorithm based on a sensor characteristic and/or notifying a caregiver of the presence of venous pulsation by ceasing display of physiological parameters. An exemplary embodiment includes receiving one or more signals from a sensor, the one or more signals corresponding to absorption of light in a patient's tissue; calculating one or more physiological parameters of the patient based on the one or more signals; displaying the patient's physiological parameters; enabling detection of venous pulsation with variable sensitivity based on a location of the sensor; and suspending or terminating the display of the one or more of the patient's physiological parameters when venous pulsation is detected.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for monitoring hemodynamics are described. The systems and methods generally involve directing light toward an area of the body and detecting the resulting scattered light. The scattered light is detected and an electrical signal representative of the scattered light intensity is generated from the detected light. The electrical signal is analyzed by measuring temporal fluctuations of such signals to monitor pathological states over time including hemorrhagic shock, hypoxia, and tissue graft vascularization. Such monitoring can have significant benefits to patients.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and processes to gather and analyze data to monitor, track, and provide care. The major subsystems of the invention include the Medical Digital Assistant (“MDA”), Server, Monitoring Devices, Dispensing Devices, Server, Dashboard, and Application Software. The invention includes the method for conducting data acquisition, monitoring, analysis, and reporting to diagnose and treat medical conditions such as diagnosing and treating specific medical conditions such as fertility and congestive heart failure.

Abstract: A network for monitoring bodily functions of a patient is disclosed. The network comprises at least two distinct network nodes that can be connected to a body of the patient. At least two of the network nodes can have at least one medical function, such as, for example, a diagnostic function and/or a medication function. The network nodes can communicate directly with one another via the body of the patient and can interchange data and/or commands.

Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn system that continuously measures pulse oximetry and blood pressure, along with motion, posture, and activity level, from an ambulatory patient. The system features an oximetry probe that comfortably clips to the base of the patient's thumb, thereby freeing up their fingers for conventional activities in a hospital, such as reading and eating. The probe secures to the thumb and measures time-dependent signals corresponding to LEDs operating near 660 and 905 nm. Analog versions of these signals pass through a low-profile cable to a wrist-worn transceiver that encloses a processing unit. Also within the wrist-worn transceiver is an accelerometer, a wireless system that sends information through a network to a remote receiver, e.g. a computer located in a central nursing station.

Abstract: A personal monitoring device has a sensor assembly configured to sense physiological signals upon contact with a user's skin. The sensor assembly produces electrical signals representing the sensed physiological signals. A converter assembly, integrated with, and electrically connected to the sensor assembly, converts the electrical signals generated by the sensor assembly to a frequency modulated inaudible ultrasonic sound signal. The ultrasonic signal is demodulated from an aliased signal produced by undersampling.

Abstract: A physical configuration of cables connecting a monitoring apparatus to a human patient, where said patient and his immediate surroundings define a potentially infectious contaminated zone. The configuration provides for the monitor and main trunk cable to lie outside of the contamination zone, and one or more serial cables connect to the trunk cable and enter the contamination zone to provide contact with the patient. This physical configuration prevents contamination of the monitor and trunk cable, so they may be reused on successive patients, while lightweight and inexpensive serial cables contacting the patient and his contamination zone may be disposable. Examples of monitoring various physiological variables are provided to exemplify the universal concept of such physical configuration. Adaptation for wireless transmission is also described.

Abstract: The present invention involves a method and an apparatus for analyzing measured signals, including the determination of a measurement of oxygen saturation and respiration rate in the measured signals during a calculation of a physiological parameter of a monitored patient. Use of this invention is described in particular detail with respect to oximetry-based measurements but extends to other types of measurements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for using StO2 values to predict an outcome of a subject's health status.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system comprising a meter and a disposable cartridge for analyzing a fluid sample typically blood that is drawn into the cartridge by capillary action, negative pressure, positive pressure, or a combination thereof. The cartridge has at least one flow path, and includes at least one optical chamber for spectroscopic measurement, and at least one biosensor for biosensor measurement. The meter has a sample slot for receiving the disposable cartridge. The cartridges have electrical output contacts, and the meter slot has electrical input contacts. When the output contacts mate with the input contacts, the optical chamber becomes positioned for spectroscopic measurement. The present invention can provide joint-diagnostic spectroscopic and biosensor measurements.

Abstract: The blood pressure monitoring apparatus and method are disclosed that can monitor a blood pressure of a subject using an electrocardiogram signal, a pulse wave signal and a body characteristic information of the subject, wherein the electrocardiogram signal and the pulse wave signal of the subject are monitored to remove a noise signal generated from monitoring of the pulse wave signal, allowing monitoring a precise blood pressure of the subject, and calculating the pulse wave analysis information using the monitored pulse wave signal, and using the electrocardiogram signal and the pulse wave signal to calculate a pulse transit time (PPT), and plugging a calculated pulse wave propagation time, pulse wave analysis information and body characteristic information of the subject into a predetermined regression equation to monitor the blood pressure.

Abstract: An ECG data acquisition device (10) can be mechanically engaged with a portable device (20) to form a combined unit. The ECG data acquisition device (10) includes a housing (11), at least two electrodes located on the surface of the housing (11) for obtaining ECG signals from a user, and a circuit assembly (100). The circuit assembly (100) includes an analog signal processing module (102), a processing module (104) having an analog/digital converter (1041), and a processor (1042) to execute a preloaded program to perform the ECG acquisition and data processing, and a communication module (106) for communicating with the portable device (20).

Abstract: An alarm suspend system utilizes an alarm trigger responsive to physiological parameters and corresponding limits on those parameters. The parameters are associated with both fast and slow treatment times corresponding to length of time it takes for a person to respond to medical treatment for out-of-limit parameter measurements. Audible and visual alarms respond to the alarm trigger. An alarm silence button is pressed to silence the audible alarm for a predetermined suspend time. The audible alarm is activated after the suspend time has lapsed. Longer suspend times are associated with slow treatment parameters and shorter suspend times are associated with fast treatment parameters.

Abstract: A system determines cardiac output and stroke volume by using non-invasive oximetric signals, such as SPO2 data and waveform, to determine blood flow quantitatively. A non-invasive system determines cardiac output or stroke volume. The system includes an input processor for receiving signal data representing oxygen content of blood of a patient at a particular anatomical location. A computation processor uses the received signal data in calculating a heart stroke volume of the patient comprising volume of blood transferred through the blood vessel in a heart cycle, in response to, a blood volume derived in response to oxygen content of patient blood and at least one factor representing reduction in blood flow volume from a patient heart to the particular anatomical location. An output processor provides data representing the calculated heart stroke volume to a destination device.

Abstract: Present embodiments include providing an initial estimate of a value representative of a blood flow characteristic at a current timestep, and determining a probability distribution of transition, wherein the probability distribution of transition includes potential values of the blood flow characteristic at the current timestep with associated probabilities of occurrence based solely on the initial estimate. Present embodiments further include obtaining an initial measurement of the blood flow characteristic, and determining a probability distribution of measured values, wherein the probability distribution of measured values includes potential values of the blood flow characteristic at the current timestep with associated probabilities of occurrence based on the initial measurement.

Abstract: An exemplary implantable microarray device includes an inlet for a body fluid, a plurality of individual reaction cell arrays where each reaction cell array includes a series of reaction cells configured to receive the body fluid, a sensor array to sense a reaction result for an individual reaction cell array where the reaction result corresponds to a reaction between the body fluid and at least one reagent in each of the reaction cells of the individual reaction cell array and a positioning mechanism to position an individual reaction cell array with respect to the sensor array. Various other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vital information measuring device includes: a first light emitter for outputting light having a first wavelength; a second light emitter for outputting light having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a light detector for detecting the light outputted from the first light emitter and the light outputted from the second light emitter; an emission controller for controlling the first light emitter and the second light emitter to emit the respective light at sampling frequencies different from each other a detection controller for controlling the light detector to detect the light from the first light emitter and the light from second light emitter in synchronism with the emission timing of the first light emitter and the emission timing of the second light emitter, respectively; and a storage for storing therein a light detection signal outputted from the light detector as measurement data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for determining a physiologic parameter of a patient. Specifically, embodiments provided herein include methods and systems for determining or predicting the presence and/or severity of stress in a patient based on heart rate variability. The information relating to stress may be used as part of a broader physiological assessment.

Abstract: A system and method for determining physiological parameters of a patient based on light transmitted through the patient. The light may be transmitted via a broadband light source and received by a detector. The light may be selectively detected at a detector. Based on material characteristic of the detector, specific wavelengths of light are detected by the detector for use in monitoring the physiological parameters of the patient.

Abstract: The sensor mounting time period informing apparatus is provided with the detecting part, the timer part, the discriminating part, and the informing part. The detecting part detects whether or not the sensor is mounted on the living body for measuring biological information. The timer part counts the elapsed time period during which the sensor is continuously mounted on the living body based on the detection results of the detecting part. The discriminating part discriminates whether or not the elapsed time has reached the specified standard time. The informing part issues a notification when the elapsed time has reached the standard time based on the discrimination result of the discriminating part.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a handheld multi-parameter patient monitor capable of determining multiple physiological parameters from the output of a light sensitive detector capable of detecting light attenuated by body tissue. For example, in an embodiment, the monitor is capable of advantageously and accurately displaying one or more of pulse rate, plethysmograph data, perfusion quality, signal confidence, and values of blood constituents in body tissue, including for example, arterial carbon monoxide saturation (“HbCO”), methemoglobin saturation (“HbMet”), total hemoglobin (“Hbt”), arterial oxygen saturation (“SpO2”), fractional arterial oxygen saturation (“SpaO2”), or the like. In an embodiment, the monitor advantageously includes a plurality of display modes enabling more parameter data to be displayed than the available physical display real estate.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to analyze two measured signals that are modeled as containing desired and undesired portions such as noise, FM and AM modulation. Coefficients relate the two signals according to a model defined in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, a transformation is used to evaluate a ratio of the two measured signals in order to find appropriate coefficients. The measured signals are then fed into a signal scrubber which uses the coefficients to remove the unwanted portions. The signal scrubbing is performed in either the time domain or in the frequency domain. The method and apparatus are particularly advantageous to blood oximetry and pulserate measurements. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by applying a set of rules to a spectral transform of the scrubbed signal. In another embodiment, an estimate of the pulserate is obtained by transforming the scrubbed signal from a first spectral domain into a second spectral domain.

Abstract: A biological signal measuring apparatus includes: a light emitter which emits at least two light beams having different wavelengths to living tissue of a subject; a light receiver which receives the light beams that are emitted from the light emitter, and which converts at least one of the light beams to at least one electric signal that corresponds to a reception light intensity of the at least one of the light beams; a detector which detects temporal variation of the reception light intensity from the electric signal; a selector which selects a pulse oximeter mode in which at least one of an oxygen saturation and a pulse rate is calculated and a capillary refilling time measurement mode in which a capillary refilling time is calculated; and a calculator which, based on the temporal variation of the reception light intensity, performs a calculation in the mode that is selected by the selector.

Abstract: A device for continuous, uninterrupted patient monitoring includes a portable, self-contained Patient Worn Hub (PWH) device. The PWH is a compact, lightweight patient monitoring device designed to remain with the patient for the duration of care. Parameter measurement devices connect to the PWH. Third party parameter measurement devices connect to the PWH via the use of a connection assembly that translates the information provided by the third party device to the protocol embedded within the PWH. The PWH is able to communicate with a bedside monitor via wired cables or wirelessly. Measured values are shown on external displays and/or on an optional integrated PWH touchscreen display. The PWH includes internal memory for storage of patient data and trends. The PWH optionally includes a docking station for providing operating and battery charging power.

Abstract: A medical system according to embodiments of the present invention includes at least one sensor configured to monitor physiological status of a patient and to generate sensor data based on the physiological status, a user interface device, a processor communicably coupled to the user interface device, the processor configured to: present via the user interface device an array of two or more possible input elements, the input elements each comprising a class of patients or a diagnosis and treatment pathway; receive a selected input element based on a user selection among the two or more possible input elements; acquire the sensor data and process the sensor data to generate physiological data; and present via the user interface screen the physiological data according to a template that is customized for the selected input element.

Abstract: A system for adjusting power employed by a medical device incorporating light emitting devices and being used for measuring patient medical parameters, includes a plurality of light emitting devices. A power unit is coupled to the light emitting devices and powers the light emitting devices responsive to respective control signals which determine power to be applied to the light emitting devices. A control unit for provides the control signals and is coupled to the power unit. The control signals intermittently turn off at least one of the plurality of light emitting devices in a power save mode in response to a determination that a patient medical parameter value measured by the medical device, using an active light emitting device of the plurality of light emitting devices, is at a safe level.

Abstract: When monitoring physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) of a patient, a threshold limit (30) is set (e.g., automatically or manually) and the monitored parameter is continuously compared to the threshold limit, which may be constant or may vary with time. An alarm (36) is triggered if the monitored parameter exceeds the threshold limit at any time, or if the monitored parameter has not reached a target value by the end of a predefined time period by which an administered drug or therapy should have been effective.