Abstract: Systems and methods are described for obtaining and acting upon information indicative of circulatory health and related phenomena in human beings or other subjects.

Abstract: A probe for application to a selected area of a subject's skin covering a body part, which selected area serves as a measurement site for measuring changes in the pulsatile arterial blood volume thereat, includes: a base for application to the selected area of the subject's skin at the measurement site; a pressure applicator for applying a static pressure to the subject's skin at the measurement site; and a sensor for sensing changes in the pulsatile arterial blood volume at the measurement site. The pressure applicator is designed to apply to the measurement site a static pressure of a magnitude to partially unload the wall tension of, but not to occlude, the arteries. The pressure applicator is configured to substantially prevent venous distention and blood pooling at the measurement site by permitting free venous drainage through tissues surrounding the measurement site.

Abstract: A method and technique for the continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement technique of the present invention utilizes ultrasound measurements to determine the diameter of the blood vessel in which the blood pressure is being measured as well as the flow rate of blood at both an input point and an output point along the blood vessel. The system utilizes a transmission line model to relate various blood vessel measurements with electrical components. The transmission line model, in combination with data management techniques including state variable representations and Kalman filtering, is used to develop a blood pressure measurement in real time.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods for detecting arterial disease in vivo include obtaining acoustic signals from a sensor held on an external body region proximate an artery. A complex frequency grid of frequencies and associated lifetimes of the obtained acoustic signals is generated. A predictive model of complex frequencies associated with peak-perturbation acoustic signals attributed to boundary perturbations in vivo that occur with early stage arterial disease is provided. A predictive model of complex frequencies associated with line-perturbation acoustic signals attributed to boundary perturbations in vivo that occur with later stage arterial disease and thickening of arterial junctions is also provided. It is determined whether peak and/or line-perturbation acoustic signals of the predictive models are present to detect whether the subject has arterial disease.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for obtaining and acting upon information indicative of circulatory health and related phenomena in human beings or other subjects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for obtaining and acting upon information indicative of circulatory health and related phenomena in human beings or other subjects.

Abstract: A telemetric sensing system for monitoring physiological parameters for diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure in a patient. This system includes one or more implantable sensing devices implanted in a cavity of the patient's cardiovascular system, and a non-implantable reader unit. The implantable sensing device has an inductor and at least one sensor with an option of having electronic components, as well as a mechanism for anchoring the device inside the patient's body. The external readout device has at least one inductor coil with a telemetric device that provides for at least one of electromagnetic telecommunication and wireless powering of the sensing device. This wireless system provides a means for effective monitoring, management and tailoring of treatments for patients suffering from congestive heart failure as well as many other diseases.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the cardiovascular system parameters using indicator dilution and non-invasive or minimally invasive detection methods is disclosed. Intravascular indicators are stimulated, and emissions patterns detected for computation of cardiac output, cardiac index, blood volume and other indicators of cardiovascular health.

Abstract: A method of evaluating human stress using photoplethysmography (PPG) includes defining at least one PPG parameter, radiating light having at least one wavelength, which reacts to a blood component to be measured, at a measuring target and measuring a PPG signal from the measuring target during a predetermined period of time, and evaluating a level of human stress using a plurality of stress indexes obtained from the PPG parameter.

Abstract: Methods for the detection of vascular conditions such as vasodilation in a subject are described. The methods involve receiving a signal corresponding to an arterial blood pressure and calculating one or more cardiovascular parameters from the arterial blood pressure. The cardiovascular parameters are calculated using factors impacted by vascular conditions such as vasodilation. Factors impacted by these vascular conditions include the area under the systolic portion of the arterial blood pressure signal, the duration of systole, and the ratio of the duration of the systole to the duration of the diastole. By monitoring cardiovascular parameters that are calculated using factors impacted by vascular conditions such as vasodilation for changes indicating the vascular conditions, such vascular conditions can be detected.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards apparatuses and methods for the automated measurement of blood analytes and blood parameters for bedside monitoring of patient blood chemistry. Particularly, the current invention discloses a programmable system that can automatically draw blood samples at a suitable programmable time frequency (or at predetermined timing), can automatically analyze the drawn blood samples and immediately measure and display blood parameters such as glucose levels, hematocrit levels, hemoglobin blood oxygen saturation, blood gases, lactate or any other blood parameter.

Abstract: The present invention is of system, device, and method for detecting and localizing obstruction in a blood vessel. More particularly, the present invention is of a balloon catheter having an expandable balloon which comprises a plurality of strain gauges operable to report relative degrees of expansion of local portions of a wall of the expandable balloon. Incomplete expansion of a local portion of the balloon, under common pressure within the balloon, indicates presence of an obstruction, such as a region of plaque, within the blood vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus and methods of the present invention provide a non-invasive measurement of blood pressure with a frequency that approximates a continuous measurement. Blood pressure measurement provides information that is both clinically and diagnostically significant. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a non-invasive measurement of blood pressure, includes obtaining a first input signal and a second input signal indicative of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, respectively; tracking a signal indicative of pulse pressure; continuously measuring a third signal indicative of mean blood pressure; and processing the signals to obtain a measurement indicative of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, wherein at least a portion of the measurement indicative of systolic and diastolic blood pressure is continuous.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a detection device for detecting irregular intravascular pressure, the device including an analyzer for automatically analyzing intravascular pressure upstream of the suspected location of irregular blood flow, and a comparing device that correlates the recorded intravascular pressure to a standard whereby variation in the intravascular pressure during multiple tests is indicative of irregular blood flow. Also disclosed is a system for providing a warning of potential health problems due to irregular blood flow, the system including a detecting device as set forth above and a communicating device operatively connected to the detecting device for communicating a warning when the device indicates an irregularity of intravascular pressure during at least two uses of the device.

Abstract: A microprocessor unit receives input data from a work measuring station, a sphygmomanometer, and a heart rate sensor and combines such data to provide output signals to a display device indicative of various physiological parameters relating to cardiovascular fitness such as heart work index, total peripheral resistance to blood flow, and caloric need. A carrying case for the aforesaid equipment converts into an exercise stool by means of folding or removable legs.

Abstract: Peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed through measurements of oxygen saturation. In a specific implementation, peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed based on changes in oxygen saturation in tissue. Ischemia is induced, and then measurements of changes in oxygen saturation in tissue are made. Based on changes in oxygen saturation during a hyperemia phase, a diagnosis is provided of whether a patient has or does not have peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing information (e.g., a left atrial pressure, a NYHA class, echocardiographic information, etc.), based at least in part on the information, determining a weight and, based at least in part on the weight, determining a threshold for use in intrathoracic impedance monitoring. Such an exemplary method may include comparing an intrathoracic impedance to the threshold, comparing an intrathoracic impedance change to the threshold, or comparing a product of intrathoracic impedance and time to the threshold. Various exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning at least one sensor in a body lumen, the apparatus including a fixation element, a sensor, and a connecting element that connects the sensor to the fixation element, the connecting element extending at least partially into the lumen so that the sensor is located radially inward from a wall of the lumen.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and related apparatus for determining a cardiac parameter from either the arterial blood pressure signal or the photoplethysmographic signal to quantify the degree of amplitude modulation due to respiration (pulse pressure variation) and predict fluid responsiveness. The method involves the application of Lempel-Ziv complexity to a filtered and segmented physiologic signal for direct determination of the fluid status of a patient. Real-time monitoring of fluid status involves the implementation of the disclosed method as part of a bedside monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, apparatus is provided, including a sensing electrode configured to be implanted at a non-cardiac site in a vicinity of an aorta of a subject and to detect an electrical parameter of the aorta, and a control unit configured to receive the detected parameter and to generate an output in response to the detected parameter. Additional embodiments are also described.

Abstract: There are provided transmission means (1) for transmitting an ultrasonic signal from a surface of a skin of a subject toward a blood vessel (21) of the subject, reception means (3) for receiving a reflected ultrasonic echo and converting the ultrasonic echo into an electric signal to obtain the ultrasonic echo signal in a depth direction from the surface of the skin, movement detection means (5) for analyzing a phase of the ultrasonic echo signal in a direction traversing the blood vessel to calculate a movement amount in each of a plurality of regions including a blood vessel wall and a vicinity of the blood vessel wall, analysis means (7) for analyzing a state of the blood vessel based on a variation in the calculated movement amount in each of the regions, boundary position detection means (8) for detecting a boundary position between the blood vessel wall and a blood flow region of the blood vessel based on a result of the analysis by the analysis means, and stability judgment means (15) for comparing the

Abstract: Peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed through measurements of oxygen saturation. In a specific implementation, peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed based on changes in oxygen saturation in tissue. Ischemia is induced, and then measurements of changes in oxygen saturation in tissue are made. Based on changes in oxygen saturation during the induced ischemia phase, a diagnosis is provided of whether a patient has or does not have peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: A method of reconstruction of the standard 12-lead surface EKG given values of the electrical potential from an implanted medical device is described. This implanted device can be oriented in an arbitrary fashion and reconstruction technique is obtained through physical measurement of the orientation of the implanted device or correlation with a standard 12-lead EKG obtained from the patient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for continuous intravascular measurement of whole blood concentration, blood pressure, and pulse pressure. The intravascular catheter incorporates a sensor to measure whole blood sound velocity, attenuation, backscatter amplitude, and blood flow velocity and also incorporates existing technologies for multiple physiologic measurements of whole blood. Pulse wave velocity and wave intensity are derived mathematically for purposes of estimating degree of local vascular tone.

Abstract: A heart rate monitor implements power saving algorithms while monitoring a subject's heart rate. The monitor continuously monitors a subject during an initial period to determine an initial heart rate. After the initial heart rate is acquired, power may not be provided for portions of the monitor until a heart beat is expected to occur. At some point before the expected heart beat occurs, power is returned to the components which have not received power. The expected heart beat is then detected, and power to selected portions of the monitor is terminated again until another expected heart beat approaches in time. By providing power to monitor components just before an expected heart beat, the monitor may still detect the heart beat and determine the corresponding heart rate of the user. The period of time during which power is terminated for some components may be determined from the detected heart rate. The number of heart beats during which power is terminated for selected monitor components may vary.

Abstract: Peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed through measurements of oxygen saturation. In a specific implementation, peripheral vascular disease is diagnosed based on changes in oxygen saturation in tissue. Ischemia is induced, and measurements of changes in oxygen saturation in tissue are made. Based on changes in oxygen saturation during an accumulation phase, a diagnosis is provided of whether a patient has or does not have peripheral vascular disease.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system by which research data can be collected and analyzed during the course of the research testing, and the research testing itself possibly modified to account for conclusions drawn from the research data. In a first aspect of the invention, a research subject can respond to a protocol stored on a server by manipulating input keys on a remotely located client device onto which a research protocol has been installed. The protocol can include questions concerning the subject's physical or mental well being such as whether their symptoms are relieved or not, or even exacerbated. The protocol can also include calling for data obtained by coupling the client device with another medical device such as a glucose monitor. In a preferred embodiment, the subject is presented with narrowly structured questions and suggested answers provided by the protocol. The set of possible answers is restricted.

Abstract: The present application discloses a cordless charger for a wearable patient monitor. When a patient (10) is diagnosed with a heart condition, or suspected heart condition, they are prescribed a patient monitoring system. The system includes monitors (12) that the patient (10) wears to collect the data of interest. Each day, the patient swaps the monitor (12) he or she is wearing with a fully charged monitor (12) from a cordless charger (14). In this manner, a fresh monitor (12) is always available for monitoring the patient (10). The cordless charger (14) includes a battery (50) that powers the processes of the charger and recharges batteries (34) of the monitors (12). Data from the monitors can be either offloaded to the charger memory (70), or transmitted to a remote database (32) via the patient's Bluetooth enabled cellular phone (30) or other like device.

Abstract: A method of measuring human brain activity includes the steps of simultaneously measuring pulses at two locations on a human subject that each receives blood from a different carotid artery that feeds a respective one of left and right hemispheres of the brain of the human subject, determining pulse characteristics from the measured pulses, and evaluating relative left and right hemisphere activity of the brain of the human subject based on the determined pulse characteristics. The method may use dual photoplethysmograhic blood pulse sensors that measure left and right hemisphere activity by determining pulse amplitude difference and time or phase differences between the earlobes while the subject carries out various mental functions. The data from the sensors are processed to provide a measure of brain function and the mental activity of the subject.

Abstract: A mattress assembly that includes a lower portion for support of a patient's legs, an upper portion for the support of the patient's torso, and an evacuation assembly. The upper portion including an enclosure defining an interior space and a compressible material within the interior space. The evacuation assembly including a vacuum pump communicating with the interior space and operable to evacuate the interior space and compress the compressible material such that the upper portion of the mattress supporting the patient's torso is lowered with respect to the lower portion of the mattress supporting the patient's legs, and such that the upper portion of the mattress becomes stiffer to facilitate CPR on the patient.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for monitoring a patient's blood and cardiac condition. Patients with diabetes oftentimes wear diabetes management equipment (e.g., a glucose monitor, an external insulin pump, or a device having dual functionality). Such patients risk silent myocardial infarction. Herein described is regular cardiac ischemia/infarction monitoring—which if not monitored can lead to (silent) myocardial infarction. Moreover herein described are combined blood monitoring functionality and cardiac condition monitoring functionality via a single device, meaning that the patient is not required to wear additional equipment. Adding this functionality to already-existing equipment is significantly less invasive than requiring a patient to wear one piece of equipment to monitor his/her blood and a second piece of equipment to monitor his/her cardiac condition.

Abstract: A navigation-assisted fitness device broadly comprising a location determining component, a fitness monitoring component and a display. The location determining component determines location data for a user of the device as the user exercises. The fitness monitoring component is coupled with the location determining component and calculates fitness information for the user as the user exercises. The display displays the fitness information and other information and data. The fitness information may include an indication of the intensity level of the user's exercise, the total amount of calories burned by the user during the exercise, the amount of fat calories burned, and the amount of carbohydrate calories burned. The device calculates the ratio of fat calories burned versus carbohydrate calories burned based on the intensity level.

Abstract: In centrifugal pumps 10, 30, 60, 70, and 80 having a rotating centrifugal impeller 14, the flow rate and head of the pumps are estimated on the basis of transverse force applied to the centrifugal impeller 14 during rotation of the centrifugal impeller 14, and evaluation is also made for a circulatory state of the pulsating cardiovascular system. Thereby, it is possible to measure the flow rate and head of the centrifugal pumps and evaluate circulation functions during circulatory assistance by the centrifugal pump.

Abstract: A system and method for taking non-invasive blood pressure and other vascular parameter measurements includes placing a vascular compression device about an appendage of a subject. An arterial/venous occlusion cuff is placed about a base of the appendage. The vascular compression device is activated to generate compression ischemia in the appendage. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is pressurized to generate arterial/venous occlusion in the appendage. The vascular compression device is deactivated. The arterial/venous occlusion cuff is gradually depressurized to allow blood and other body fluids to flow into the appendage and thereupon determine vascular parameters such as, for example, systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure, venous blood pressure, arterial blood flow, blood vessel compliance, and appendage blood volume.

Abstract: Techniques for assessing a physiological profile of a patient include advancing a catheter shaft of a bifurcated renal catheter system into an aorta of the patient, deploying branches of the bifurcated renal catheter system into the renal arteries of the patient, detecting a renal arterial physiological parameter with a sensing mechanism, and assessing the physiological profile of the patient based on the physiological parameter. Related techniques include modifying or initiating pharmacological or surgical treatments for the patient based on the assessment.

Abstract: An instrument for deploying a cardiac valve prosthesis, including a plurality of radially expandable portions, at an implantation site, includes a plurality of deployment elements each independently operable to obtain the radial expansion of a radially expandable portion of the valve prosthesis. The instrument includes a microprocessor configured to processes signals from one or more sensors and to optimize deployment of the valve prosthesis.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an electronic stethoscope system that automatically detects coronary artery disease in patients. The system uses an electronic stethoscope to record acoustic data from the fourth left intercostal space of a patient. A processing technique is then applied in order to filter the data and produce Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) data of magnitude versus frequency. If a bell curve is identified in the data between a predefined frequency range (e.g., 50 and 80 Hz) with a peak magnitude of greater than a predefined threshold (e.g., 2.5 units), the system automatically provides an output indicating that the patient is likely to have 50 to 99 percent stenosis of the coronary artery. If no bell curve is present, the patient may have artery stenosis of less than 50 percent. An interface module may be used to transfer diagnosis information to the stethoscope and data to a general purpose computer.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product used to determine at least one cardiovascular parameter Pm, for example, the pulse, average arterial pressure (MAP), systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, arterial wave form, speed of the blood flow, systole duration, or diastole duration, by a measuring device which detects, in a non-invasive manner and in a time interval, several signals Flm of an artery, through which blood flows, as a reaction to an application of force to the artery.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system comprising a sensor signal processor configured to receive a plurality of electrical sensor signals produced by a plurality of sensors and at least one sensor signal produced by an implantable sensor, a memory that includes information indicating a co-morbidity of a subject, a sensor signal selection circuit that selects a sensor signal to monitor from among the plurality of sensor signals, according to an indicated co-morbidity, a threshold adjustment circuit that adjusts a detection threshold of the selected sensor signal according to the indicated co-morbidity, and a decision circuit that applies the adjusted detection threshold to the selected sensor signal to determine whether an event associated with worsening heart failure (HF) occurred in the subject and outputs an indication of whether the event associated with worsening HF occurred to a user or process.

Abstract: The invention relates to cardiac-activity based prediction of a rapid drop in a patient's blood pressure during hemodialysis. A proposed alarm apparatus includes an input interface, primary and secondary analysis units and an alarm-generating unit. An electrocardiogram signal (HECG) of the patient is received via the input interface by the primary analysis unit, which in response thereto produces a heart-rate-variability signal (PHRV). The secondary analysis unit determines an intensity of ectopic beats (PEBC) based on the electrocardiogram signal (HECG). The alarm-generating unit investigates whether the intensity of ectopic beats (PEBC) is relatively low or relatively high. In case of a relatively low intensity, the unit triggers an alarm signal (?) indicative of an estimated rapid blood pressure decrease if the heart-rate-variability signal (PHRV) fulfills a first alarm criterion.

Abstract: The present invention combines into a single housing a multiplicity of features that may be used separately or together to facilitate stress reduction in the user. A central computer receives inputs and sends signals to facilitate activation of a visual display as well as an audio output. Several power supply options are provided. A pulse sensor may be attached to the user to sense their pulse rate. The audio input provides a soothing noise such as a beating sound, the frequency of which may be adjusted, for example, 30 to 120 beats per minute. A voice synthesizer may speak directions to the user such as, for example, instructing the user to breathe in and out at a certain rate. A timer and speed control permit ready adjustment of the frequency of beats as well as the frequency during which voice synthesizer messages are provided. A microphone and tape recorder allow the user to tape record their own stress reducing instructions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and apparatus to monitor cardiovascular signals such as arterial blood pressure (ABP), pulse oximetry (POX), and intracranial pressure (ICP). The system can be used to calculate and monitor useful clinical information such as heart rate, respiratory rate, pulse pressure variation (PPV), harmonic phases, pulse morphology, and for artifact removal. The method uses a statistical state-space model of cardiovascular signals and a generalized Kalman filter (EKF) to simultaneously estimate and track the cardiovascular parameters of interest such as the cardiac fundamental frequency and higher harmonics, respiratory fundamental frequency and higher harmonics, cardiac component harmonic amplitudes and phases, respiratory component harmonic amplitudes and phases, and PPV.

Abstract: Heart monitoring system includes implantable medical device and service center.

Abstract: A blood pressure measurement device. The device comprises a measurement component for measuring blood pressure and a display component for displaying the blood pressure data measured. The display component is adapted to display simultaneously at least two sets of blood pressure measurement data measured at different date or time. Alternatively, the device further comprises a measurement state control component for recording and storing at least one measurement state related to the measurement of the blood pressure, and means for providing the at least one measurement state. Alternatively, the device further comprises an interfacing component that comprises a bi-direction multifunctional port, for exchanging blood pressure data measured between the blood pressure measurement device and at least one external device.

Abstract: A patient's peripheral pulse volume and blood pressure are measured. The quantities are used to obtain a quantitative measure of peripheral vascular function. The quantitative measure can be one or more of pulsatile limb blood flow, total limb blood flow, limb vascular compliance and limb vascular resistance.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more than one biological parameter is provided. The apparatus comprises two or more than two layers, each layer comprising a flexible substrate, the two or more than two layers comprising two or more than two sensors for sensing the one or more than one biological parameter; a signal conditioning module in communication with one or more than one of the two or more than two sensors; a signal processor in communication with the signal conditioning module and producing a processed signal; a communication module in communication with the signal processor and transmitting the processed signal to a storage module, a display device, a host processing system, or a combination thereof; and a power module to provide power to the two or more than two sensors, the signal conditioning module, the signal processor, and the communication module.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for treating erectile dysfunction by using controlled intermittent pressure cycles in synchronization with the heart beat. The apparatus comprises two boots, one encircling a patient's leg, and the other encircling the patient's penis. A pneumatic system including the pneumatic apparatus also comprises a heart monitor for recording and/or displaying the patient's heart beat and initiating the deflation and inflation of the boots at the appropriate times. The system may also include a valve assembly for controlling the flow of air into the pneumatic apparatus.

Abstract: A venous refill testing system includes a sensor for sensing patient blood volume at a testing location along a patient's leg during and after dorsiflexion of the patient's foot, and a controller unit having means for automatically determining a time of cessation of dorsiflexion of the patient's foot and for automatically evaluating whether a venous refill time following the time of cessation of dorsiflexion of the patient's foot is less than approximately twenty seconds. The sensor is operably connected to the controller unit, and the controller unit can be actuated to initiate sensing of patient blood volume with the sensor.

Abstract: A subject's heart rate is determined by recognizing heart beat patterns in a heart beat signal. A heart rate monitor receives a Doppler signal reflected from an artery of a target, performs demodulation and heart beat recognition techniques on the received signal to determine a set or sequence of features in each frame of the signal. Once a feature sequence is extracted from the signal, pattern classification is performed to determine if the extracted feature sequence is associated with one or more heart beats. The pattern classification may include finding the optimal state sequence by calculating the probability of each allowable state sequence based on the extracted feature sequence and heart beat models or additional noise models. Another pattern classification technique may determine a heart beat candidate using frame energy and dynamic thresholding methods followed by computing the probabilities between the feature sequence and each stored heart beat model or additional noise models.

Abstract: An electronic data processing device with dual-CPU for processing and sensing information related to heart beatings of a human body includes the first CPU and the second CPU. The first CPU, which is low power type, is connected to the second CPU to execute the first process with a slow operation. The second CPU, which provides a computing ability stronger than the first CPU, executes the second process with a quick arithmetic operation. The first CPU outputs an interrupt to the second CPU to command the second CPU executing the second process. The second CPU outputs an interrupt to the first CPU to command the first CPU to transmit the cardiograph digital data to the second CPU.