Cardiovascular Testing Patents (Class 600/479)
  • Publication number: 20150148625
    Abstract: An improved sensor (102) for respiratory and metabolic monitoring in mobile devices, wearables, security, illumination, photography, and other devices and systems uses an optional phosphor-coated broadband white LED (103) to produce broadband light (114), which is then transmitted along with any ambient light to a target (125) such as the ear, face, or wrist of a living subject. Some of the scattered light returning from the target to detector (141) is passed through narrowband spectral filter set (155) to produce multiple detector regions, each sensitive to a different waveband wavelength range, and the detected light is spectrally analyzed to determine a measure of respiration of the subject, such as respiratory rate, volume, effort, depth, or respiratory variability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: David Alan Benaron
  • Publication number: 20150148635
    Abstract: An improved sensor (102) for rate monitoring in mobile devices, wearables, security, illumination, photography, and other devices and systems uses an optional phosphor-coated broadband white LED (103) to produce broadband light (114), which is then transmitted along with any ambient light to target (125) such as the ear, face, or wrist of a living subject. Some of the scattered light returning from the target to detector (141) is passed through spectral filter set (155) to produce multiple detector regions, each sensitive to a different waveband wavelength range, and the detected light is analyzed to determine an interval between repetitive events such as heartbeat or respirations, in part based on a noninvasive measure of components of the bloodstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: David Alan Benaron
  • Publication number: 20150138556
    Abstract: An apparatus worn by a subject includes an energy-harvesting power source, at least one physiological sensor and/or at least one environmental sensor coupled to the energy-harvesting power source. The at least one physiological sensor senses physiological information from the subject and the at least one environmental sensor senses environmental information in a vicinity of the subject. The energy-harvesting power source may include one or more of the following: a solar cell module configured to collect and store solar energy, a piezoelectric device or a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device configured to collect and store energy caused by movement of the subject and/or energy emanating from an environment in which the subject is located, a thermoelectric or thermovoltaic device configured to collect and store energy caused by thermal energy or temperature gradients in an environment in which the subject is located, a cranking or winding mechanism configured to store mechanical energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer
  • Publication number: 20150141769
    Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for assessing, predicting and/or estimating effectiveness of fluid resuscitation of a patient and/or an amount of fluid needed for effective resuscitation of the patient, in some cases, noninvasively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Isobel Jane Mulligan, Gregory Zlatko Grudic, Steven L. Moulton
  • Publication number: 20150141774
    Abstract: A subject information detecting unit I1 includes a sensor mount I21, having an opening I22 at a portion to be in contact with a subject I91 and an internal cavity I23 communicated with the opening I22, the cavity defining a closed spatial structure in a state where the subject information detecting unit I1 is mounted on the subject such that the opening I22 faces the subject I91; a sensor I31 disposed on the sensor mount I21 and receiving pressure information deriving from pulsating signals in a blood vessel I92 in the subject I91, the sensor detecting the pulsating signals in the blood vessel in the subject; and a film member I11 separating the opening I22 from the sensor I31 and blocking the permeation of moisture. The sensor I31 detects the pressure information deriving from pulsating signals from the blood vessel I92 in the subject I91 and propagating through the opening I22, the cavity I23 and the film member I11.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation, Bifrostec Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ogawa, Atsushi Okumoto, Atsuo Takeuchi, Eiji Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150141766
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatus and method for optical measurement of cardiovascular recovery and/or a respiration rate. In some embodiments, an apnea detector generates an alert signal if the computed respiration rate drops below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Ilya Fine
  • Patent number: 9034023
    Abstract: Dynamic colorectal PDT methods, devices and photosensitizer compositions to treat abnormal cell growth in anal tissue such as perianal and intra-anal intraepithelial neoplasia grade III are presented. Dynamic colorectal PDT method comprises the steps of administering topically, intravenously or orally a photosensitizer composition; irradiating; monitoring treatment parameters before, during and/or after irradiation. Photosensitizer composition comprises Temoporfin and excipients/carriers, appropriate for the application method. An applicator is provided for colorectal PDT treatments enhancing irradiation delivery and monitoring treatment parameters. Preferably, applicator is made of a material, used to monitor the fluence rate simultaneously while doing optical spectroscopy. Measurement probe devices are provided for monitoring PDT treatment parameters in-vivo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Biolitec Pharma Marketing Ltd
    Inventors: Bastiaan Kruijt, Eric M van der Snoek, Henricus J. C. M. Sterenborg, Arjen Amelink, Dominic J. Robinson, Wolfgang Neuberger
  • Publication number: 20150133745
    Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a communication interface for communicating with a wireless network; a photo sensor for receiving non-invasive biometric information of a user; at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the portable apparatus to receive a noisy biometric information using a photo sensor; filter the noisy biometric information to provide filtered input data for reducing noise; derive the input data to provide local maxima values of the input data; define at least one local maxima value pair; determine a weight value for the at least one local maxima value pair; select a local maxima value pair of the highest weight value; and generate an estimate of a pulse based on the selected local maxima value pair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Vili Forsell, Tero Karkkainen
  • Patent number: 9028415
    Abstract: A blood flow monitor with a visual display. The monitor may include a probe monitoring circuit configured to be associated with a blood vessel. The probe monitoring circuit may transmit a burst signal and receive a reflected signal, where a frequency shift in the reflected signal represents a flow rate associated with the blood vessel. A mixer may be provided in electrical communication with the probe. A signal processing circuit in electrical communication with the output of the mixer may be configured to drive the visual display with a signal representing the flow rate associated with the blood vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Cook Medical Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Donald A. Henry
  • Patent number: 9031640
    Abstract: [Subject] To provide laser Doppler blood flow measuring method and device which achieve multi-dimensional measurement efficiently at a high degree of accuracy over a wide range with a simple optical system and device. [Solving Means] Laser light from a semiconductor laser 12 is split and formed into sheet lights Ls using a cylindrical lens 22, and the sheet lights Ls are crossed with each other at a predetermined position. A lens system 30 configured to form an image of scattered lights into a linear shape at a linear irradiation site Lx where the sheet lights Ls cross with each other is provided. An optical fiber array 32 having a plurality of optical fibers 34 is provided at an image-forming position of the lens system 30. Avalanche photodiodes 42 configured to convert the scattered lights which are shifted in frequency by the Doppler effect caused by the blood flow into electric signals for the each optical fiber 34 are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignees: Institute of National Colleges of Technology, Japan, National Univeristy Corporation of Toyama
    Inventors: Tadashi Hachiga, Hiroki Ishida, Shunsuke Akiguchi, Hiroki Shirakawa, Tsugunobu Andoh, Yasushi Kuraishi
  • Patent number: 9031641
    Abstract: A medical device system and associated method to control a laser Doppler unit to emit light from a coherent laser light source and collect a photodetector signal produced by the laser Doppler unit by a signal processor comprising a bandpass filter. The bandpass filter is applied to the photodetector signal to determine a tissue perfusion measurement from the filtered signal. A monitoring unit is enabled to receive the tissue perfusion measurement to detect a physiological condition of the patient in response to the tissue perfusion measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vinayakrishnan Rajan, Raphael Alexander Schneider
  • Publication number: 20150126875
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a description of various methods and systems associated with determining possible presence of Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In one example, a camera of a client device, such as a mobile phone, may acquire a series of images of a body part of a user. A plethysmographic waveform may be generated from the series of images. An autocorrelation function may be calculated from the waveform, and a number of features may be computed from the autocorrelation function. Based on an analysis of the features, a determination may be made about whether the user is experience AF. Such determined may be output to a display of the mobile phone for user review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Ming-Zher Poh
  • Publication number: 20150126820
    Abstract: There is provided a method of determining a measure of the cardiac output, CO, of a patient, the method comprising obtaining measurements of one or more physiological characteristics of the patient, the physiological characteristics including at least the heart rate, HR, of the patient, the systolic blood pressure, S, of the patient and the diastolic blood pressure, D, of the patient; and processing the measurements to determine a measure of the cardiac output of the patient; wherein the measure of the cardiac output of the patient is derived using the relationship (I), CO=K2HR(S?D)(PTT)2, and/or CO=K2HR(?D)(PAT?PEP)2 where K1 and K2 are patient-specific calibration factors, PAT is the pulse arrival time, PEP is the pre-ejection period and PTT is the pulse transit time, the time taken for a pulse wave to travel between two points in the body of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jens Muhlsteff
  • Publication number: 20150126833
    Abstract: Disclosed techniques include monitoring a physiological characteristic of a patient with a sensor that is mounted to an inner wall of a thoracic cavity of the patient, and sending a signal based on the monitored physiological characteristic from the sensor to a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Anderson, Noah D. Barka, Erin D. Grassl, Matthew D. Bonner
  • Publication number: 20150119725
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for obtaining at least one bodily function measurement are presented. A mobile device includes an outer body sized to be portable for user, a processor contained within the outer body, and a plurality of sensors physically coupled to the outer body. The sensors are configured to obtain a first measurement indicative of blood volume and a second measurement indicative of heart electrical activity in response to a user action. A blood pressure measurement is determined based on the first measurement and the second measurement. The sensors also include electrodes where a portion of a user's body positioned between the electrodes completes a circuit and a measurement to provide at least one measure of impedance associated with the user's body. A hydration level measurement is determined based on the measure of impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Russel Allyn MARTIN, Leonid SHEYNBLAT, Douglas Wayne HOFFMAN
  • Publication number: 20150119657
    Abstract: A monitoring device configured to be attached to the ear of a person includes a base, an earbud housing extending outwardly from the base that is configured to be positioned within an ear of a subject, and a cover surrounding the earbud housing. The base includes a speaker, an optical emitter, and an optical detector. The cover includes light transmissive material that is in optical communication with the optical emitter and the optical detector and serves as a light guide to deliver light from the optical emitter into the ear canal of the subject wearing the device at one or more predetermined locations and to collect light external to the earbud housing and deliver the collected light to the optical detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Steven Francis LeBoeuf, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Michael Edward Aumer, Steven Matthew Just
  • Publication number: 20150112206
    Abstract: According to the present invention, the application of thermal stimulus which are effective on medical conditions are provided in a database. And the increase rate of blood flow before and after applying stimulus to a specific site is compared with the increase rate in the database storing the rate of increase which is previously effective on a medical condition. And when the increase rate of blood flow by application of the thermal stimulus at a selected specific site reaches the increasing blood rate flow which is previously effective on a medical condition, the effect of thermal stimulus is recognized. And the increase rate of blood flow which is effective on a medical condition is 30% or more, preferably 100% or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Kenji Ryotokuji
  • Publication number: 20150112207
    Abstract: A pulse wave sensor includes a sensor substrate that has a first main surface and a second main surface that are in a front-back relationship with each other, has formed therein a first opening part and a second opening part that pass through the first and second main surfaces, and includes a non-transparent portion at least between the first opening part and the second opening part, a light emitting element disposed within the first opening part and having a light emitting surface, and a reflected light detection element having a detection surface on which light reflected after being emitted from the light emitting surface of the light emitting element is incident.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Masashi INOUE
  • Publication number: 20150112208
    Abstract: The technology described in this document is embodied in a method that includes processing data in a first dataset that represents time-varying information about at least one pulse pressure wave propagating through blood in a subject acquired at a location of the subject. The method also includes providing, based on the data, information about a medication regimen of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: David Da He, Richard Robehr Bijjani, Bogart Vargas
  • Publication number: 20150105671
    Abstract: A biological information measurement device includes a device main body and a band configured to secure the device to a body part of a user. The device main body contacts the user's skin to thereby acquire biological information about the user, and presents a non-rectangular parallelogram surface in plan view. The parallelogram surface has two longitudinal edges disposed along a longitudinal direction, and two oblique edges disposed along an oblique direction that is transverse to, but not perpendicular to, the longitudinal direction. The band is attached to the oblique edges of the device main body, and generally extends in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Junya SHIBUYA, Yoshihiro Hidai, Shigemitsu Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150105670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of vital signs such as a respiratory rate or a heart rate. In particular, a system (1) for determining a vital sign of a subject (100), comprising an imaging unit (2) for obtaining video data of the subject, a marker (10, 20, 60, 61) directly or indirectly attached to a body of the subject, wherein the marker comprises a graphical pattern (11, 21), an image processing unit (3) for detecting said marker in said video data, and an analysis unit (4) adapted to extract a vital sign parameter related to the vital sign of the subject from said video data and to determine the vital sign from said vital sign parameter. Further aspects of the invention relate to a device and a method for determining a vital sign of a subject and a computer program for carrying out said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Erik Bresch, Jens Muehlsteff, Timo Tigges, Alexander Dubielczyk, Caifeng Shan
  • Publication number: 20150105672
    Abstract: A photobiological measurement apparatus 1 may include a second received light quantity information calculation unit 33 for calculating measurement data relating to cerebral activity, a data display controller for displaying the measurement data for a specified area of a subject's brain, is characterized: is being provided with a reference light-receiving probe 14, which is disposed at a position separated by a first setting distance r1 from the light-transmitting prober 12 that is shorter than a second setting distance r2, and a first received light quantity information calculating unit 32, which calculates skin blood flow data relating to the skin blood flow using first received light quantity information ?A1 from the light transmitting probe 12 to the reference light-receiving probe 14, and in displaying the skin blood flow data at a specified position of the subject's scalp by indicating the measurement position on the subject's scalp and displaying the skin blood data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishikawa, Yoshihiro Inoue, Takashi Amita, Satoru Kohno, Yoshinori Masuda, Haruhide Udagawa
  • Publication number: 20150105637
    Abstract: Medical devices, plug-ins, systems, and methods for CPR quality feedback are disclosed. The medical devices can calculate peripheral circulation relevant parameters based on measured signals containing at least partial hemodynamic characteristics. Amplitude and area characteristics included in the peripheral circulation relevant parameters can further be determined for providing feedback and control relating to CPR quality during the compression process. Also, compression interruption during CPR can be evaluated based on a pulse waveform generated from the measured signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Xuezhong Yu, Jun Xu, Fei Han, Liangliang Zheng, Huadong Zhu, Cheng Wang, Xiaocui Zhang, Chen Li, Jingming Yang, Xingliang Jin
  • Publication number: 20150105666
    Abstract: A PPG or other cardiac signal is analysed by calculating its amplitude in a narrow frequency range around the estimated heart rate or a harmonic of the heart rate. Cardiac signals from a patient in different states, e.g., exercise and non-exercise or limb lowered and limb raised can be analysed and the amplitude in the narrow range compared to determine various vascular conditions such as peripheral arterial disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Iain Guy David Strachan
  • Publication number: 20150099986
    Abstract: A mask configured to be attached to the face of a subject includes a wall section that defines an internal space and covers at least a portion of a nose and a mouth of the subject, an expired gas introduction section that is disposed in the internal space and introduce the subject's expired gas, and a communication section defining a communication channel through which the subject's expired gas introduced from the expired gas introduction section is introduced into an expired gas concentration detection sensor. The position of the expired gas introduction section in the internal space is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Masayuki Inoue
  • Publication number: 20150099949
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for displaying physiological information with a physiological monitor. A physiological parameter, for example oxygen saturation, is computed from a received physiological signal, for example a PPG signal. At least one metric associated with the received physiological signal is determined, for example a statistical measure of uncertainty associated with the determined physiological parameter. Display parameters are determined, for example a width parameter, based on the metrics and a trace of the computed physiological parameter for a subject is displayed. In some embodiments, the width of the displayed trace may be varied based on the width parameter. In some embodiments, additional or alternative characteristics of the displayed trace may be varied based on respective display parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: James Wallace
  • Publication number: 20150099943
    Abstract: A wearable physiological sensing device with optical pathways is described. The wearable physiological sensing device may include at least one light source; a first light pipe coupled with the at least one light source, the first light pipe at least partially circumscribing an extremity of a patient, and including at least one aperture for radiating light from the light source into the extremity. The wearable physiological sensing device may also include a second light pipe including at least one aperture for receiving the light radiated through the extremity, the second light pipe at least partially circumscribing the extremity of the patient, and an optical receiver coupled with the second light pipe configured to receive the light and output one or more signals representative of the received light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: BRIAN KEITH RUSSELL
  • Publication number: 20150099987
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating heart rate variability for mental state analysis is disclosed. Video of an individual is captured while the individual consumes and interacts with media. The video is analyzed to determine heart rate information with heart rate variability (HRV) being calculated and being understood to be in response to stimuli from the media. The analysis of heart rate variability is based upon a sympathovagal balance derived from a ratio of low frequency heart rate values to high frequency heart rate values. Heart rate variability is analyzed to determine changes in an individual's mental state related to the stimuli. Heart rate variability is determined and thereby mental state analysis is performed to evaluate media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Viprali Bhatkar, Rana el Kaliouby, Youssef Kashef, Ahmed Adel Osman
  • Publication number: 20150099985
    Abstract: A physiological signal measurement apparatus is capable of automatically adjusting a measure position and suitable for installed on a support element to measure a physiological signal of a user. The physiological signal measurement apparatus includes a movable element, a physiological signal sensing element, a pressure sensing unit and a microcontroller unit. The movable element has a first pressure. The user exerts a second pressure on the physiological signal sensing element, and exerts a third pressure on the support element. The pressure sensing unit senses the first pressure, the second pressure and the third pressure to generate a first pressure signal, a second pressure signal and a third pressure signal. The microcontroller unit receives the physiological signals and the pressure signals, and controls the movable element by the pressure signals and the physiological signals, in order to increase the quality of signal measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventors: Chong-Rong WU, Yuan-Hsiang LIN
  • Patent number: 9002440
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for characterizing circulatory blood volume and autoregulatory compensatory mechanisms to maintain circulatory blood volume is disclosed. A biological signal that emulates the arterial pulse wave is collected from a sensor. Three derived parameters are extrapolated from the biological signal. The first parameter, circulatory stress, reflects of the changes of the heart rate frequency. The second, circulatory blood volume, reflects the changes in the frequency strength of the heart rate frequency. The third, Pulse Volume Alteration (PVA) Index is a ratio of the sum of the strengths of the heart rate frequency harmonics to the strength of the heart rate frequency of the unprocessed biological signal. Each parameter is compared to a threshold value and assessed to determine an adequacy of circulatory blood volume and an appropriateness of the autoregulatory mechanisms used to maintain circulatory blood volume adequacy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Intelomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan K. Berkow, Anne M. Brumfield
  • Publication number: 20150094577
    Abstract: Electrophysiology mapping and visualization systems are described herein where such devices may be used to visualize tissue regions as well as map the electrophysiological activity of the tissue. Such a system may include a deployment catheter and an attached hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. A position of the catheter and/or hood may be tracked and the hood may also be used to detect the electrophysiological activity of the visualized tissue for mapping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, Edmund A. Tam
  • Publication number: 20150087928
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a hydration monitoring technology. In one implementation, a hydration monitoring device measures whole body hydration levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The hydration monitoring device uses a light-based measurement technique to transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the hydration monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of hydration. The hydration monitoring device monitors operating condition signals associated with the hydration monitoring device. By monitoring operating condition signals, the hydration monitoring device determines whether the operating condition signals satisfy an analysis condition, and modifies the optical sensing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Podhajsky, Arlen J. Reschke
  • Publication number: 20150088003
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a monitoring technology. In one implementation, a monitoring system measures whole body biometric levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The monitoring system includes a monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure biometric levels during different activities and at rest. A light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of certain physiological parameters. PPG pulse data is selected that satisfies a data integrity condition. Based on analysis of the selected PPG pulse data, the monitoring device computes a biometric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Podhajsky, Arlen J. Reschke
  • Publication number: 20150088431
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a monitoring technology. In one implementation, a monitoring system measures whole body biometric levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The monitoring system includes a monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure biometric levels during different activities and at rest. A light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of certain physiological parameters. In one implementation, operating contexts are sensed in a monitoring device. A monitoring profile is selected based on the sensed operating contexts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Podhajsky, Arlen J. Reschke
  • Publication number: 20150088002
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein provide a hydration monitoring technology. In one implementation, a hydration monitoring system measures whole body hydration levels by analysis of changes in vascular volume caused by pulsatile pressure waves and in tissue volume in response to the pulsatile pressure. The hydration monitoring system includes a hydration monitoring device, which uses a light-based measurement technique to measure hydration levels and heart rate during different activities and at rest. In one implementation, a light source operatively connected to a light sensor, transmits light, reflectively or transmissively, through tissue. The light sensor detects absorption of the light. Based on wavelength measurements of the detected light, the hydration monitoring device produces a PPG waveform representing characteristic effects of hydration. Based on analysis of the PPG waveform, the hydration monitoring device determines a hydration metric representative of hydration levels in the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald Podhajsky, Arlen J. Reschke
  • Publication number: 20150080742
    Abstract: An OCI medical device includes a coherent light source, a light sensor, a first processing unit adapted to calculate OCI Data from the light sensor, a control unit which allows taking or loading of at least one Reference OCI Value, a second processing unit adapted to calculate the Intra-Individual Relative Assessment of the OCI Data of an Imaging Zone and the at least one OCI Reference Value, and display means adapted to show at least one Relative OCI Value. Uses and a method for assessing the blood flow of a body region use OCI imaging and include an Intra-Individual Relative Assessment between OCI Data of the Imaging Zone and at least one Reference OCI Value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: AIMAGO S.A.
    Inventors: Marc Andre, Michael Friedrich, Tyler Thacher, Andrey Naumenko, Romain Farkas
  • Publication number: 20150080745
    Abstract: The present invention is a Miniature Vein Enhancer that includes a Miniature Projection Head. The Miniature Projection Head may be operated in one of three modes, AFM, DBM, and RTM. The Miniature Projection Head of the present invention projects an image of the veins of a patient, which aids the practitioner in pinpointing a vein for an intravenous drip, blood test, and the like. The Miniature projection head may have a cavity for a power source or it may have a power source located in a body portion of the Miniature Vein Enhancer. The Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to one of several improved needle protectors, or the Miniature Vein Enhancer may be attached to a body similar to a flashlight for hand held use. The Miniature Vein Enhancer of the present invention may also be attached to a magnifying glass, a flat panel display, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: ACCUVEIN INC.
    Inventors: Fred Wood, Ron Goldman, Stephen P. Conlon, Vincent Luciano
  • Publication number: 20150080746
    Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul D. Mannheimer
  • Publication number: 20150073271
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for revascularization assessment. The methods can in some cases include one or more of the steps of measuring blood perfusion as a function of time to obtain time series data, mathematically transforming the time series data into a power spectrum, calculating at least one parameter of the power spectrum within a specific frequency range, and using the at least one calculated parameter as a discriminator for the first population and the second population.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Kijoon Lee, Renzhe Bi, Jing Dong, Justin Dauwels
  • Patent number: 8977347
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a video-based system and method for estimating heart rate variability from time-series signals generated from video images captured of a subject of interest being monitored for cardiac function. In a manner more fully disclosed herein, low frequency and high frequency components are extracted from a time-series signal obtained by processing a video of the subject being monitored. A ratio of the low and high frequency of the integrated power spectrum within these components is computed. Analysis of the dynamics of this ratio over time is used to estimate heart rate variability. The teachings hereof can be used in a continuous monitoring mode with a relatively high degree of measurement accuracy and find their uses in a variety of diverse applications such as, for instance, emergency rooms, cardiac intensive care units, neonatal intensive care units, and various telemedicine applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Lalit Keshav Mestha, Survi Kyal, Beilei Xu, Himanshu J. Madhu
  • Patent number: 8977348
    Abstract: A system is provided including a thoracic bio-impedance or bio-reactance (TBIR) analysis module, a photoplethysmograph (PPG) analysis module, and a cardiac output module. The TBIR module is configured to obtain TBIR information from a TBIR detector, and the PPG analysis module is configured to obtain PPG information from a PPG detector. The cardiac output module is configured to determine the cardiac output of a patient using the TBIR information and the PPG information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Mark Su, Lockett Wood
  • Publication number: 20150065830
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method is disclosed. The method includes receiving continuous photoplethysmographic (PPG) data of a subject from a sensor and calculating a continuous blood characteristic (BC) based on the continuous PPG data. The method also includes calculating a first quality metric of the continuous PPG data based on a sequence of the continuous BC. The method further determines whether the first quality metric satisfies a stability criterion and sending a first notification to the sensor in response to determining that the first quality metric satisfies the stability criterion. The first notification instructs the sensor to collect compressed PPG data of the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Harris Karp, Bahman Ebrahimi Kashef, SM Shajedul Hasan
  • Publication number: 20150065891
    Abstract: Method of determining atrial fibrillation including determining if a patient's pulse beats form an irregular pattern and only if so, indicating the presence of an irregular pulse to the patient and obtaining an electrocardiogram for determining atrial fibrillation. Initially, a pulse is detected at regular time intervals of a first appendage of the patient when motionless using a pulse detector secured to the first appendage and pulse rhythms from a succession of time intervals are detected each corresponding to a respective interval of time between successive pulse beats of a sequence of the pulse beats. Then, an electrically conductive unit is attached to a second appendage of the patient, or a wearable electrocardiogram is attached to the patient, and electrocardiograms signals are detected simultaneously with pulse rhythms while the first appendage is motionless and analyzed to determine whether, in combination, they are indicative of atrial fibrillation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Joseph Wiesel
  • Publication number: 20150065892
    Abstract: A pulse wave measuring device includes: a connector that is disposed on a main unit; an external sensor that includes an external light-emitting module radiating light to a human body to be measured and an external light-receiving module receiving at least one of reflected light and transmitted light originating from the external light-emitting module and the human body so as to measure a pulse wave; an first controller that switches the external light-emitting module ON and OFF; an second controller that switches the external light-receiving module ON and OFF; and an external sensor connection determination section that determines a connection between the external sensor and the connector in accordance with a transient response of the external light-receiving module, wherein, after the external sensor connection determination section determines that the external sensor is connected to the connector, a measurement of the pulse wave by using the external sensor is started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Kazushige OUCHI, Takuji SUZUKI, Kenichi KAMEYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150065889
    Abstract: A Photoplethysmography-based sensor for measuring heart rate is provided herein. The sensor may include a first light source and a second light source configured to illuminate a body tissue by a first light and a second light respectively; and a first and a second light detectors, each configured to detect light comprising portions of said first light and of said second light, transferred through the body tissue; and a processor with an analog measurement part configured to: receive light intensity readings of at least a portion of light as sensed by each one of both sensors and coming from each one of both sources; and calculate a measure of tissue absorption based on ratios of light portions transmitted by each one of both sources and measured by each one of both detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Life Beam Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosef GANDELMAN, Zvi Orron, Yoav Aminov, Omri Yoffe, Roy Rozenman, Jonathan Aprasoff
  • Publication number: 20150065888
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for obtaining a value of at least one vasodilation parameter representing the cutaneous local thermal hyperemia response of a subject. The temperature of a sampling site is raised from a first temperature to a second temperature and maintained for an initial heating period, and an initial maximum red blood cell flux (RBCF) of the sampling site and a mean arterial pressure of the subject is obtained. An initial maximum cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC1,max) is calculated by dividing the initial maximum RBCF by the mean arterial pressure. The CVC1, max or at least one other parameter derived therefrom is used as the vasodilation parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Chung-Shin Huang, Yuan-Feen Tsai, Shwu-Fen Wang
  • Publication number: 20150065890
    Abstract: An optical biometric system (1) is characterized by being provided with: a first received light amount information acquisition unit (25) which acquires skin blood flow data relating to a skin blood flow in a wide range of the scalp of a subject by controlling the transmission/reception of light to/from a light transmission/reception unit (30) using a wide-range control table; and a selection control table creation unit (24) which causes a storage unit (23) to store a selection control table for acquiring X pieces of first received light amount information (?A1) selected from among N pieces of first received light amount information (?A1), and in that when acquiring multiple pieces of measurement data relating to the brain activity in a predetermined range of the brain of the subject by controlling the transmission/reception of light to/from the light transmission/reception unit (30) using a control table, a light transmission/reception control unit (21) acquires skin blood flow data relating to a skin blood f
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Ishikawa, Yoshihiro Inoue, Takashi Amita, Satoru Kohno, Haruhide Udagawa, Yoshinori Masuda
  • Patent number: 8971985
    Abstract: What is disclosed is a system and method for estimating minute ventilation by analyzing distortions in reflections of structured illumination patterns captured in a video of a thoracic region of a subject of interest being monitored for respiratory function. Measurement readings can be acquired in a few seconds under a diverse set of lighting conditions and provide a non-contact approach to patient respiratory function that is particularly useful for infant care in an intensive care unit (ICU), sleep studies, and can aid in the early detection of sudden deterioration of physiological conditions due to detectable changes in chest volume. The systems and methods disclosed herein provide an effective tool for non-contact minute ventilation estimation and respiratory function analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar A. Bernal, Lalit Keshav Mestha, Beilei Xu
  • Publication number: 20150057508
    Abstract: A physiological information measuring apparatus includes a first detection unit, having a first light emitting unit and a first light receiving unit, separated from one another by a first distance. A second detection unit of the physiological information measuring apparatus has a second light emitting unit and a second light receiving unit, separated from one another by a second, different distance. Alternatively, the second detection unit shares the first light emitting unit with the first detection unit and has a second light receiving unit. Alternatively, the second detection unit shares the first light receiving unit with the first detection unit and has a second light emitting unit. A measuring unit of the physiological information measuring apparatus measures the physiological information of a user based on light received by the light receiving unit or light receiving units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Atsushi NARUSAWA
  • Patent number: 8965472
    Abstract: A near infrared spectrophotometric (NIRS) sensor assembly for non-invasive monitoring of blood oxygenation levels in a subject's body is provided that includes a pad, at least one light source, a near light detector, a far light detector, and a cover. The light source is operative to emit near infrared light signals of a plurality of different wavelengths. The near light detector is separated from the light source by a first distance that is great enough to position the first light detector outside of an optical shunt field extending out from the light source. The far light detector is substantially linearly aligned with the near light detector and light source, and is separated from the near light detector by a second distance, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Paul Benni