Abstract: A ventilator (1) with a control unit (49). The control unit (49) controls the inhalation valve (41) and the exhalation valve (43) in order to raise an inhalation pressure level from a first pressure level to a predefined second pressure level and to maintain the inhalation pressure level for a first predefined time period and the control unit (49) controls the inhalation valve (41) and the exhalation valve (43) to raise the second pressure level to a predefined third pressure level and to maintain the third pressure level for a second predefined time period. The control unit (49) takes into consideration predefined values (80) for controlling the pressure levels and for controlling the time periods.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes: a first conversion circuit that, among optical signals of channels included in wavelength division multiplexed optical signal, converts electric field signals that indicate electric field components of the optical signal of a predetermined channel, from time domain signals into frequency domain signals; a filter that passes the electric field signals converted into the frequency domain signals with a passband; a second conversion circuit that converts the electric field signals, from the frequency domain signals into the time domain signals; an amplitude measurement circuit that measures first amplitudes of the electric field signals and second amplitudes of the electric field signals; and a notification circuit that notifies a power measurement device that measures power of the optical signal of the predetermined channel, of the first amplitudes and the second amplitudes used in correction of a measurement error of the power of the optical signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting worsening cardiac conditions such as worsening heart failure events are described. A system may include sensor circuits to sense physiological signals and signal processors to generate from the physiological signals first and second signal metrics. The system may include a risk stratifier circuit to produce a cardiac risk indication. The system may use at least the first signal metric to generate a primary detection indication, and use at least the second signal metric and the risk indication to generate a secondary detection indication. The risk indication may be used to modulate the second signal metric. A detector circuit may detect the worsening cardiac event using the primary and secondary detection indications.

Abstract: Two biomarkers are provided for obstructive apnea. A first biomarker determines amplitude and timing of inspiratory efforts from a bioelectric signal. The respiratory rate is compared with a normal pre-detection rate, and the amplitude of the effort is compared with a normal amplitude. The obstructive apnea is likely present if a series of inspiratory efforts are above a normal amplitude and with increasing amplitude, but at a normal rate. A second biomarker determines heart rate and respiratory rate. A normal lower threshold for heartbeat interval is established, and if subthreshold events occur (short RR intervals), a commencement time for each sequence of subthreshold events is compared for a respiratory rate-normalized window. If the number of subthreshold events exceeds a minimum for the window, obstructive apnea is likely present.

Abstract: Equipment for carrying out cardiac autonomic neuropathy tests includes a base unit to which a mouthpiece is connected, forming an autonomous system for measuring the pressure and/or the pattern of breath, provided with a series of LEDs aimed at informing a patient, who is undergoing the test, about correctness or incorrectness of a test execution. The mouthpiece is provided with a flow sensor, aimed at measuring a patient's pattern of breath, and a pressure sensor. The mouthpiece includes also an atmospheric pressure sensor aimed at measuring the environmental pressure. The equipment includes also a sensor, aimed at measuring the heartbeat, applied by simple contact to the patient's wrist area, and an orthostatic measuring device aimed at measuring any change of the patient's position. Data can be introduced or analysed and the type of exam to do can be selected. Results of the tests can be stored in a memory.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a management system, including an access point, a plurality of docking station devices, and a backend server. Each docking station device includes an interface, a sensor, a wireless sensor network transceiver circuit, a Wi-Fi transceiver circuit, and a control circuit. The interface is configured to couple electronic devices. The sensor is configured to measure a value. The wireless sensor network transceiver circuit is configured to receive and transmit data from and to the other docking station devices. The Wi-Fi transceiver circuit is configured to receive and transmit data from and to the access point. The backend serve is communicatively connected to the access point and one or several of the docking station devices. The docking station devices are communicatively connected to each other to form a mesh network.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a breathing assistance apparatus comprising a conduit for conveying gases therein, the conduit comprising circuitry. The circuitry may comprise at least one heater wire part to heat gases in the conduit, in use, and at least one sensor wire part comprising at least one sensor for monitoring a parameter of the gases in the conduit. There is also provided a controller to control provision of AC power or AC voltage to the heater wire part; and control selective reading of the sensor. The controller may be configured to read the sensor at or about a particular portion of the AC power waveform provided to the heater wire part.

Abstract: Example blood pressure apparatus using active materials and related methods are described herein. An example apparatus includes a band to be worn around a limb of a user, an active material carried by the band and a controller to: (1) apply an activation signal to the active material to constrict blood flow in the limb, and (2) reduce the activation signal to allow blood flow in the limb.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program wherein the method comprises: identifying a plurality of extrema points in a detected biosignal; comparing the identified extrema points with a plurality of sets of reference points wherein different sets of reference points correspond to different frequencies of the biosignal; and identifying the set of reference points that most closely fit the identified extrema points to determine a frequency of the biosignal.

Abstract: In one example, a system includes an elongated body defining a lumen where the elongated body includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. An anchoring member may be positioned on the proximal portion of the elongated body. The system further includes a sensor located on the elongated body where the sensor may be configured to sense at least one flow parameter of a fluid within the lumen. In some examples, the system includes processing circuitry configured to determine at least one of a density parameter or a temperature parameter of the fluid in the lumen based on the sensed at least one flow parameter of the fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining at least one geographic region of a plurality of geographic regions, at least one data variable, and/or at least one health variable, estimating a current prevalence of a data variable in a geographic region of the plurality of geographic regions, determining a trend in a relationship between the data variable and the geographic region at a current time, determining a second trend in the relationship between the data variable and the geographic region at at least one prior point in time, determining if the trend in the relationship is irregular within a predetermined threshold with respect to the second trend from the at least one prior point in time, and, upon determining that the trend in the relationship is irregular within a predetermined threshold, generating an alert.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for predicting the performance of production animals by analysis of heart and lung sounds to determine likelihoods the animals will develop BRD or other diseases or ailments. Vital signs of animals are recorded during an adrenergic sympathetic “flight or fight” situation. A cardio-pulmonary rate ratio is determined for each animal by dividing a normalized adjusted heart rate value by a normalized adjusted respiratory value. From the ratios calculated for each animal in a group, a ratio range is established. Ratio values at a lower end of the ratio range indicate higher relative respiration rates and poor lung performance due to disease. Ratio values at an upper end of the range may indicate low cardiac output and an inability to tolerate rapid weight gain. Ratio values at either end of the range may indicate compromised cardio-pulmonary function.

Abstract: A method for generating a filtered EMG signal includes obtaining a combined signal, wherein the combined signal comprises an ECG signal and an EMG signal. A first high pass filter is applied to the combined signal and an ECG model signal is generated, based on the high pass filtered combined signal. The method further includes, generating a partially filtered EMG signal by subtracting the ECG model from the high pass filtered combined signal. A second high pass filter is then applied to the partially filtered EMG signal to generate a second EMG signal and to the ECG model signal to generate a second ECG model signal. A filtered EMG signal is generated based on the second EMG signal and the second ECG model by way of a gating technique.

Abstract: A method of measuring signals from a surface. The method comprises: placing on the surface a flexible sensing device having an array of coated electrodes, wherein at least one electrode of the array is metallic and is at least partially coated by a polymer; and collecting signals from the sensing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to heart sound measurements using mobile devices. In an embodiment, a medical system for monitoring heart sounds of a subject comprises a medical device configured to obtain, during a first sampling interval, a first physiological signal. The medical system further comprises a mobile device comprising an accelerator, wherein the accelerator is configured to obtain, during a second sampling interval, a second physiological signal. And, the medical system comprises an analysis component configured to extract heart sounds data from the second physiological signal.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for facilitating the navigation of a catheter between first and second locations within a subject based on display of serial images corresponding to positions of the catheter at successive incremental times. Image production includes sensing catheter positions to produce location data for each time increment. For each position Pi, the corresponding location data is processed to respectively produce an image Ii reflecting the position of the catheter at a time Ti. Each image Ii is successively displayed at a time equal to Ti+d, where d is an image processing visualization delay. Upon a condition that the catheter is displaced to a selected interim location between the first and second locations, the processing of the location data is switched from being performed by a first process associated with a first visualization delay to a second process associated with a second different visualization delay.

Abstract: Provided are robotic systems and methods for navigation of luminal network that detect physiological noise. In one aspect, the system includes a set of one or more processors configured to receive first and second image data from an image sensor located on an instrument, detect a set of one or more points of interest the first image data, and identify a set of first locations and a set of second location respectively corresponding to the set of points in the first and second image data. The set of processors are further configured to, based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations, detect a change of location of the instrument within a luminal network caused by movement of the luminal network relative to the instrument based on the set of first locations and the set of second locations.

Abstract: A medical characterization system is configured to input medical-related continuous parameters and discrete data so as to calculate a characterization timeline indicative of a physiological condition of a living being. A data source is in sensor communications with a patient so as to generate a continuous parameter. The data source also provides test data responsive to the patient at a test time. The test data is available to a characterization processor at a result time. The characterization processor is also responsive to the continuous parameter so as to generate a medical characterization as a function of time. A characterization analyzer enables the characterization processor to update the medical characterization in view of the test data as of the test time.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for monitoring a sensor module mounted in a sensor platform, wherein the sensor platform includes an adhesive side and a pocket, wherein the pocket is designed to receive the sensor module, to facilitate sensing by the sensor module of physiological attributes, and to allow insertion and removal of the sensor device from the pocket.

Abstract: Method for measuring respiratory vibration on a human or animal skin, including emitting an emission light at a first position on the skin and receiving a diffused light from the emission light at a second position on the skin; storing a vibration signal including a light intensity of the diffused light received over time; wherein the vibration signal corresponds to a mechanical vibration of the skin, and extracting a respiratory parameter from the vibration signal. In particular, at least one of the first position and the second position is in proximity to or at a trachea, a neck or a chest. The system for carrying out the method includes an emitter, a receiver, a circuit, and a processing unit. A set of a sensor module and a skin adhesive patch is also provided.

Abstract: An occurrence of one or more “care events” is detected by an electronic device monitoring environmental data and/or user data from one or more sensors. The electronic device transmits one or more alerts regarding the detected occurrence to at least one other electronic device. In some cases, the electronic device may cooperate with at least one other electronic device in monitoring, detecting, and/or transmitting. For example, the electronic device may detect the occurrence based on sensor data received from a cooperative electronic device or such data in combination with the electronic device's sensor data. By way of another example, the electronic device may detect the occurrence and signal a cooperative electronic device to transmit one or more alerts.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for preparing nutrition, health, and/or wellness recommendations for an animal. The systems and methods involve collecting data from the animal, analyzing the data, and providing the nutrition, health, and/or wellness recommendation based upon the analyzed data.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring a patient condition. In some examples, a medical device system includes processing circuitry configured to determine a plurality of pulse transit time (PTT) intervals, determine, based on an accelerometer signal, a posture of a patient from a plurality of postures corresponding to each PTT interval of the plurality of PTT intervals, classify each PTT interval of the plurality of PTT intervals based on the respective posture of the patient corresponding to the respective PTT interval, and monitor, based on the classified plurality of PTT intervals, a patient condition.

Abstract: A phase-tracking self-injection-locked (SIL) radar includes an SIL oscillator, a phase-tracking SIL loop and a frequency-locked loop. The SIL oscillator generates an electrical oscillation signal and receives an electrical injection signal related to the electrical oscillation signal for self-injection locking. The phase-tracking SIL loop receives the electrical oscillation signal and outputs the electrical injection signal to the SIL oscillator with a constant phase difference between the electrical oscillation signal and the electrical injection signal. The frequency-locked loop receives the electrical oscillation signal and produces an electrical control signal to control the phase-tracking SIL loop or the SIL oscillator for eliminating the frequency shift of the SIL oscillator caused by the phase-tracking SIL loop.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for assessing the heart failure status of a patient and, more particularly, to generating a trend parameter based on a distribution of the patient's respiration rate. Systems and methods provide for detecting, using an implantable device or a patient-external device, patient respiration and computing a respiration rate based on the detected patient respiration. A distribution of the respiration rate is calculated, and a trend parameter based on the respiration rate distribution is generated. The trend parameter is indicative of a patient's heart failure status. An output signal indicative of the patient's heart failure status may be generated based on the trend parameter.

Abstract: A method of measuring vital signals using a millimeter-wave radar sensor system includes performing a first set of radar measurements using a millimeter-wave radar sensor to produce a first set of radar data; determining a first set of range gate measurements from the first set of radar data; determining high response range gates from the first set of range gate measurements; and extracting vital signal information from the high response range gates.

Abstract: A method and system for sleep apnea detection are disclosed. The method comprises detecting at least one respiratory signal and utilizing a detection algorithm to automatically detect at least one sleep apnea event from the at least one respiratory signal. The system includes a sensor to determine at least one respiratory signal, a processor coupled to the sensor, and a memory device coupled to the processor, wherein the memory device includes a detection algorithm and an application that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to utilize the detection algorithm to automatically determine at least one sleep apnea event from the at least one respiratory signal.

Abstract: A first sensing element including an accelerometer-based sensor for sleep disordered breathing (SDB) care.

Abstract: A blood pressure data processing apparatus including a peak selection unit, a frequency component suppression unit, a respiratory fluctuation calculation unit, an attenuation amount calculation unit, and a respiratory cycle determination unit. The frequency component suppression unit suppresses components of the selected peak frequency within the first spectrum, and generates a second spectrum. The respiratory fluctuation calculation unit calculates a first respiratory fluctuation in second blood pressure data, and calculates a second respiratory fluctuation in third blood pressure data, which is a time domain representation of the second spectrum. The attenuation amount calculation unit calculates an attenuation amount of the second respiratory fluctuation relative to the first respiratory fluctuation. The respiratory cycle determination unit determines a cycle corresponding to the selected peak frequency as a respiratory cycle of a user if the attenuation amount is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to produce a composite heart sound signal of a patient using a first signal including heart sound information over a first physiologic interval and a second signal including heart sound information over the first physiologic interval.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a sleep stage of a user involves receiving a respiratory flow signal of a user, obtaining at least one respiratory feature from at least part of the respiratory flow signal, and determining a sleep stage from the at least one respiratory feature.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a cardiac health of a subject by measuring an indicator of the cardiac health of a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a wearable device configured for being detachably attached to a thoracic region of the subject, the subject being ambulatory or at rest, a communication device and a network server. In one embodiment, the wearable device is configured for sensing and communicating at least one of the electrocardiogram signals and sensor data representing the one or more clinically relevant health parameters of the subject to the communication device. Further, the communication device is configured for communicating at least the electrocardiogram signal and the sensor data representing the one or more clinically relevant health parameters of the subject to the network server using a first communication channel and a second communication channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to determining a fetal heart rate from an ultrasonic Doppler echo signal. Rather than extracting the Doppler signal from the carrier signal using synchronous demodulation, quadrature demodulation is used, which allows to distinguish between systolic and diastolic movements. This velocity direction can be used to cut out unwanted parts of the signal (systolic or diastolic heart activity), thus eliminating double counting heart rates. In particular, a binary sign signal (15?) may be used to cut out unwanted signal episodes, resulting in a processed reference signal (10?) having only the signal parts of one heart activity. Another aspect relates to determining a first and a second heart rate from at least two channels having a different depth range, and selecting one of the first and second heart rate based on external information of the fetal or maternal heart rate.

Abstract: A sleep state determination method using biometric and motion information includes acquiring motion information of a user using a motion sensor; determining a primary sleep state of the user based on the acquired motion information; acquiring biometric information of the user using a biometric sensor when the primary sleep state is determined; and determining a final sleep state of the user by combining the acquired biometric information and the primary sleep state.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises obtaining one or more photoplethysmography (PPG) signals from one or more PPG sensors of a monitoring apparatus, the PPG signals being generated based upon optically detecting pulsed variations in blood flow; obtaining a motion sensor signal from a motion sensor in the monitoring apparatus; identifying, based upon the motion sensor signal, one or more periods of motion (e.g., low motion) of the monitoring apparatus; and selectively obtaining and storing segments of the PPG signals based on a temporal relationship between the segments of the PPG signals and the identified periods of motion.

Abstract: Provided is a pulmonary edema monitoring apparatus, which is always attached to the body and is capable of continuously monitoring whether a pulmonary edema occurs, for a patient with advanced disease or a shock patient. This pulmonary edema monitoring apparatus includes: an ultrasound frequency module which is attached to the chest of a patient, generates an ultrasound, and receives a reflection wave reflected from the inside of a human body; and a control module which measures the intensity (this is referred to as “ultrasound radio frequency data”) of the reflection wave, determines whether a pulmonary edema occurs on the basis of an increasing rate of the ultrasound radio frequency data according to a degree of multiple reflection, and provides an alarm.

Abstract: A pulse wave signal is registered and an occurrence of human limb movements detected during sleep using a pulse wave sensor and an accelerometer. The values of RR intervals and respiratory rate are measured at preset time intervals ?ti based on pulse wave signal. Mean P1, minimal P2, and maximal P3 values of RR intervals, the standard deviation of RR intervals P4, average respiratory rate P5 and average number of limb movements P6 are determined based on the above measured values. Function value F(?ti) is determined thereafter as: F(?ti)=?K1P1?K2P2?K3P3+K4P4+K5P5+K6P6, where K1-K6 are weight coefficients characterizing the contribution of the corresponding parameter to function value F(?ti); whereat the onset and termination of sleep phase favorable to awakening is determined by increments of function F(?ti).

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for determining at least one geographic region of a plurality of geographic regions, at least one data variable, and/or at least one health variable, estimating a current prevalence of a data variable in a geographic region of the plurality of geographic regions, determining a trend in a relationship between the data variable and the geographic region at a current time, determining a second trend in the relationship between the data variable and the geographic region at at least one prior point in time, determining if the trend in the relationship is irregular within a predetermined threshold with respect to the second trend from the at least one prior point in time, and, upon determining that the trend in the relationship is irregular within a predetermined threshold, generating an alert.

Abstract: An information providing system for a vehicle includes: first and second mobile terminals worn by a driver and fellow passenger, respectively of the vehicle, and an information providing device, which are communicated with each other. Further, the information providing device includes a control unit that executes information provision control for generating information indicating that the physical condition of the fellow passenger is the predetermined state and transmitting the generated information to the first mobile terminal, in a case where it is determined that the physical condition of the fellow passenger is the predetermined state.

Abstract: In devices that determine levels of substance use, a substance level in a test sample provided to the testing device by a test subject is determined. A sequence of images are captured to include a portion of the face of the test subject providing the test sample and a display of the testing device. A value indicative of the substance level detected within the test sample is determined. A validity indicator indicating validity of the value indicative of the substance level is determined. A current location is determined. The value indicative of the substance level, the validity indicator, and the current location are sent to a remote server.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring a patient on an air support system. The system comprises a capacitive sensor system having a capacitive sensor positioned at the underside of an air filled mattress, and a respiration signal processing module that receives the output of the capacitive sensor system and is configured to monitor patient respiration. Respiration is monitored by: periodically sampling the capacitive sensor system output to obtain measurements of incremental body displacement; analyzing a plurality of the samples to determine one or more values for parameters of patient respiratory rate; and determining when one or more of the parameter values indicate abnormal respiration. A corresponding method and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A biological sound analyzing apparatus is provided with: an obtaining device configured to obtain biological sound information, which indicates a change in biological sounds with time; a first calculating device configured to calculate first information, which indicates a variation degree based on a first reference value of the biological sounds in a first period, on the basis of the biological sound information; a second calculating device configured to calculate second information, which indicates a variation degree based on a second reference value of the biological sounds in a second period, on the basis of the biological sound information, wherein the second period is longer than the first period; and an outputting device configured to output noise information, which indicates noise included in the biological sounds, on the basis of the first information and the second information. This makes it possible to preferably analyze the noise included in the biological sounds.

Abstract: Device, system and method to monitor user breathing patterns utilizing posture and diaphragm (breathing) sensor signals. The user worn device comprises a housing attached to a retractable belt that is worn around the user's trunk. The housing contains both posture and breathing sensors. The device monitors the output signals of these sensors and measures the state of both the user's posture and diaphragm (e.g. changes in the belt's length or force on the belt as a function of user breathing) to analyze breathing signals. The system's processor receives, processes, and transmits sensor signal data, and can also calibrate and interpret these signals utilizing various algorithms. In a preferred embodiment, the posture sensor is an accelerometer, and the retractable belt winds around a spring tensioned spool in the device's housing. The software can produce posture adjusted user respiration data, and can also be used for breath training and other purposes.

Abstract: A detector (210) for indicating bodily functions of a person in the surroundings of the detector (210) is proposed. The detector (210) comprises a support structure and a Continuous-Wave (CW) radar module (214) supported by the support structure. The radar module (214) is configured to emit microwaves and receive microwaves that have been reflected in the surroundings of the detector (210), wherein the radar module (214) is configured to determine data indicating bodily functions from microwaves reflected on a person. The detector (210) further comprises a collimator (216) supported by the support structure and configured for collimating the emitted microwaves in one spatial direction, or towards a plane.

Abstract: A method and an electronic apparatus for displaying reference locations for locating ECG pads and a recording medium using the method are provided. In the method, a body image is retrieved and a skin area in accordance with a skin color in the body image is detected. A feature analysis is performed on the skin area to detect two physical nipples and obtain locations of the two physical nipples in the body image. The relative locations of a plurality of ECG pads to one or two nipples predefined by medical statistics are retrieved to compute reference locations of the ECG pads in the body image according to the locations of the two physical nipples. Finally, the body image is displayed on the display and the reference locations of the ECG pads in the displayed body image are indicated.

Abstract: A tube and connector assembly for warming an intravenous fluid comprises a tube, a temperature sensor, and a connector. The tube includes a single hollow generally cylindrical side wall with an inner surface along which the intravenous fluid flows. The tube further includes first and second electrically conductive wires, each within the side wall and electrically connected to one another to carry electrical current to warm the intravenous fluid. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the fluid flowing through the tube. The connector includes first, second, and third side walls. The first side wall receives the tube. The second side wall is positioned opposite the first side wall and is configured to receive line tubing. The third side wall is spaced apart from the second side wall and includes threads on an inner surface thereof configured to receive a line connector for the intravenous line.

Abstract: A method of determining a biophysical model for a lung of a patient from multiple x-ray measurements corresponding to different breathing phases of the lung is provided. The method includes extracting multiple displacement fields of lung tissue from the multiple x-ray measurements corresponding to different breathing phases of the lung. Each displacement field represents movement of the lung tissue from a first breathing phase to a second breathing phase and each breathing phase has a corresponding set of biometric parameters. The method includes calculating one or more biophysical parameters of a biophysical model of the lung using the multiple displacement fields of the lung tissue between different breathing phases of the lung and the corresponding sets of biometric parameters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for scoring in real time neural signals of a subject with respect to a reference state characterized by k=1 . . . K reference covariance matrices, the method including the following steps: (i) obtaining neural signals from the subject; (ii) computing a covariance matrix of the neural signals; (iii) computing the Riemannian distances between the covariance matrix and k=1 . . . K reference covariance matrices; (iv) computing a continuous score s in real time based on at least one of the distances computed in step (iii). Also disclosed is a system and method for self-paced modulation or external modulation of neural activity of a subject.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for determining the frequency of a periodic physiological process of a subject, particularly respiration rate or heart rate, are disclosed. In one arrangement plural time windows of physiological data are obtained. Reference features corresponding to modulation modes are identified. Modulations of the reference features are extracted. Quality parameters are obtained by processing the extracted modulations. The quality parameters represent how strongly the extracted modulation exhibits a waveform of the periodic physiological process. The extracted modulations are processed to calculate the frequency of the periodic physiological process of the subject.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to produce a combined heart sound signal of a patient using a first signal including heart sound information over a first physiologic interval and a second signal including heart sound information over the first physiologic interval.