Abstract: A biological information monitoring apparatus includes: a measurer which is configured to measure biological information of a subject; a display on which a measurement value of the biological information measured by the measurer is displayed; a calibration controller which, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, is configured to perform a calibration process on the measurer; a time measurer which is configured to acquire a remaining time before the calibration process is ended; and a display controller which is configured to cause an index indicating the remaining time to be displayed on the display.

Abstract: The invention presents a method for deriving respiratory data from single lead ECG recordings for monitoring the autonomic nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems independently and simultaneously. The ECG derived respiration for ANS monitoring devices generally includes a method for non-invasive monitoring of the respiratory activity for the assessment of the parasympathetic and sympathetic (P&S) branches of the autonomic nervous system. The EDR signal is used to analyze and assess the individual activities of, and interactions between the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions of the ANS. The present invention applies a QRS peak detection algorithm to ECG signal. The peak amplitudes and respective time locations are then used to generate the respiration signal. The EDR provides an approximate but reliable estimate of the respiratory activity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for management of physiological data, for example data obtained from monitoring an electrocardiogram signal of a patient. In one example use, digital data is obtained and episodes of arrhythmias are detected. Snapshots of the digitized ECG signal may be stored for later physician review. One or more techniques may be used to avoid recording of redundant data, while ensuring that at least a minimum number of episodes of each detected arrhythmia can be stored. The system may automatically tailor its data collection to the cardiac characteristics of a particular patient. In one technique, memory is allocated to include for each detectable arrhythmia a memory segment designated to receive ECG snapshots representing only the respective arrhythmia. A shared memory pool may receive additional snapshots of as the designated memory segments fill.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor providing readings of a blood pressure of the patient and storage means for storing the readings as a pressure curve over time. Blood pressure is measured. The frequency difference between heart rate and breathing rate is used to separate the respiratory effect from the heart activity. In particular, the Fourier transform of the blood pressure and the spectral density are used to determine the contribution of each frequency. The respiratory and cardiac power spectra are determined. The ratio between both powers is calculated as the quotient of the integrals over the cardiac power spectrum and the respiratory power spectrum. A parameter usable to characterize volume responsiveness is determined using above ratio and a correction factor.

Abstract: An implantable respiration monitor can be used to detect disordered breathing or periodic breathing events that can be categorized, such as according to one or more of sleep, exercise, and resting awake states. The categorized frequency of such events can be compared to independently specifiable thresholds, such as to trigger an alert or responsive therapy, or to display one or more trends. The information can also be combined with detection of one or more other congestive heart failure (CHF) symptoms to generate a CHF status indicator or to trigger an alarm or responsive therapy or to display one or more trends. The alert can notify the patient or a caregiver, such as via remote monitoring. The sleep state information can be further categorized according to central sleep apnea (CSA) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) events.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to devices, systems, and/or methods for collecting, processing, and/or displaying stroke volume and/or cardiac output data. For example, a device for assessing changes in cardiac output and/or stroke volume of a subject receiving airway support may comprise a processor; an airway sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the airway sensor is configured and arranged to sense pressure in the subject's airway, lungs, and/or intrapleural space over time; a blood volume sensor in communication with the processor, wherein the blood volume sensor is configured and arranged to sense pulsatile volume of blood in a tissue of the subject over time; and a display configured and arranged to display a representative of an airway pressure, a pulsatile blood volume, a photoplethysmogram, a photoplethysmogram ratio, the determined cardiac output and/or stroke volume, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A monitoring device may include a display, an input device to receive patient-related data, and logic. The logic may determine the pulse pressure of the patient based on the patient-related data, calculate a respiratory variation of the pulse pressure of the patient, and generate a first value based on the respiratory variation of the pulse pressure of the patient and a mean pulse pressure of the patient. The logic may also output the first value to the display. The logic may update the first value in a continuous, real-time or near real-time manner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for sampling parametric data provided with a patient monitoring device. A disclosed method includes sampling parametric data associated with a patient and adjusting a sampling interval during the sampling of the parametric data based on a change in a frequency of a periodic physiological event associated with the patient. A disclosed system includes a server computer operative to sample parametric data associated with a patient and to adjust a sampling interval during the sampling of the parametric data based on a change in a frequency of a periodic physiological event associated with the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for easily and accurately measuring a biological signal by using a wristwatch-type measurement module. After a band of the wristwatch-type measurement module is tightened to wear on a user's wrist, the band is further tightened to make the wristwatch-type measurement module closely contact the user's wrist. An operation mode of the wristwatch-type measurement module closely contacting the user's wrist is switched from a normal mode to a measurement mode, and a user's biological signal is measured from the user's wrist through the wristwatch-type measurement module in the measurement mode. The user's biological signal is then displayed through the wristwatch-type measurement module.

Abstract: Some method examples may include pacing a heart with cardiac paces, sensing a physiological signal for use in detecting pace-induced phrenic nerve stimulation, performing a baseline level determination process to identify a baseline level for the sensed physiological signal, and detecting pace-induced phrenic nerve stimulation using the sensed physiological signal and the calculated baseline level. Detecting pace-induced phrenic nerve stimulation may include sampling the sensed physiological signal during each of a plurality of cardiac cycles to provide sampled signals and calculating the baseline level for the physiological signal using the sampled signals. Sampling the sensed physiological signal may include sampling the signal during a time window defined using a pace time with each of the cardiac cycles to avoid cardiac components and phrenic nerve stimulation components in the sampled signal.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus for monitoring cardiopulmonary activity signals comprises a pulse-series generator configured to generate a series of probing pulses and a series of reference pulses, a transmitting antenna configured to emit the probing pulses to a chest portion and a series of scattered pulses generated from the probing pulses by the scattering of the chest portion, a receiving antenna configured to receive the scattered pulses, a mixer including a first input port configured to receive the reference pulses and a second input port electrically connected to the receiving antenna and a signal-processing module configured to generate cardiopulmonary activity signals after the scattered pulses and the reference pulses are processed by the mixer.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a physiological (e.g., an ECG) signal during application of chest compressions. The method includes acquiring a physiological signal during application of chest compressions; acquiring the output of a sensor from which information on the velocity of chest compressions can be determined; and using the information on the velocity to reduce at least one signal artifact in the physiological signal resulting from the chest compressions.

Abstract: A medical device system and method that includes sensing a heart sound signal from a first external sensor, determining whether a pulmonary hypertension signature is detected in response to the sensed heart sound signal, sensing a lung sound signal from a second external sensor, determining whether a heart failure signature is detected in response to the sensed lung sound signal, and determining therapy parameters in response to determining whether a pulmonary hypertension signature is detected and determining whether a heart failure signature is detected.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and a kit for stress and relaxation management. A cardiac activity sensor (101) is used for measuring the heart rate variability (HRV) signal of the user and a respiration sensor (102) for measuring the respiratory signal of the user. The system contains a user interaction device (103) having an input unit (104) for receiving user specific data and an output unit for providing information output to the user. A processor (106) is used to assess the stress level of the user by determining a user related stress index. The processor is also used to monitor the user during a relaxation exercise by means of determining a relaxation index based on the measured HRV and respiratory signals, the relaxation index being continuously adapted to the incoming measured signals and based thereon the processor instructs the output unit to provide the user with biofeedback and support messages.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and devices of processing photoplethysmography signal information. The methods for processing will allow numerous medical observations and diagnoses from a simple, non-invasive probe.

Abstract: Provided are a somatic data-measuring apparatus that can easily and accurately measure the optimal exercise intensity for the subject being measured, and a somatic data measurement method.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, receiving a user selection of a heart failure symptom, receiving a user selection of an abnormal psychological condition, receiving information about a physiological patient status parameter, and determining a heart failure status using the received information.

Abstract: An accelerometer senses equine respiratory structural vibrations. The accelerometer includes a sensing surface configured to be attached to one of hair, skin, bone, ligament, cartilage, and other tissue of a horse. The accelerometer is responsive to respiratory structural vibrations of the horse and outputs a signal corresponding to the respiratory structural vibrations.

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: A method and system for automatically gating an imaging device is disclosed. Physiological process information of a patient may be derived from a plethysmographic signal, for example, by analyzing the plethysmographic signal transformed by a continuous wavelet transform. Other techniques for deriving physiological process information of a patient include, for example, analyzing a scalogram derived from the continuous wavelet transform. The physiological process information may be used to automatically gate imaging data acquired from an imaging device in order to synchronize the imaging data with the physiological process information.

Abstract: A body-worn sensor that measures respiratory rate and other vital signs using an acoustic sensor (e.g., a small-scale sensor). The body-worn sensor features a chest-worn patch sensor that combines both the acoustic sensor and an ECG electrode into a single adhesive patch. To measure blood pressure, the device additionally performs a ‘composite’ PTT-based measurement that features both pressure-dependent and pressure-free measurements. The acoustic sensor measures respiration rate by recording sounds related to the patient's inspiration and expiration. The acoustic sensor is typically placed near the patient's trachea, but can also be placed on the middle right and left side of the chest, and the middle right and left side of the back.

Abstract: A method of analysing cardiac functions in a subject using a processing system is described. The method may include applying one or more electrical signals having a plurality of frequencies to the subject and detecting a response to the applied one or more signals from the subject. A characteristic frequency can then be determined from the applied and received signals, and at least one component of the impedance (e.g., reactance, phase shift) can be measured at the characteristic frequency. The impedance or a component of impedance at a characteristic frequency can be determined for a number of sequential time instances. A new characteristic frequency may be determined within a cardiac cycle or the same characteristic frequency may be used throughout the cardiac cycle during which instantaneous values of impedance are determined. These values may be used to determine an indicia of cardiac function.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating coordinated functioning of medical devices over a network. The system includes a communication circuit to receive an input indicative of an action to be performed by a first medical device from a processing unit coupled to a social health record data bank. The communication circuit is configured to send an instruction to the first medical device to initiate the action by the first medical device in association with information of a patient associated with the first medical device stored in and retrieved from the social health record data bank. The system further includes a control circuit configured to monitor the action performed by the first medical device and instruct the first medical device to pause performing the action for a defined period of time based on an instruction from the processing unit indicative of an action to be performed by a second medical device.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaluating a mechanically ventilated patient's hemodynamic status, adapted to provide a respiratory variation diagram of a hemodynamic variable, and being capable of deriving the value of a hemodynamic parameter for each mechanical breath cycle as well as an assessment of its suitability for the hemodynamic analysis on basis of the respiratory variation diagram. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of wireless sensors for monitoring one or more parameters of a subject is provided. The wireless sensors can be attachable to or implantable in the subject and form a network. The sensors can include a sensing component configured to detect a signal corresponding to at least one condition of the subject. The sensors further can include a communication component configured to wirelessly transmit the detected signal to at least another of the plurality of wireless sensors, and wirelessly receive a signal transmitted from at least one of the remaining sensors in the network.

Abstract: A respiration inducing apparatus is provided, and includes a respiration waveform data collection unit for collecting respiration waveform data from a user; a storage unit for storing a respiration waveform template; a controller for comparing the respiration waveform data and the respiration waveform template and determining a respiration fidelity based on a similarity of a comparison result; and a user interface unit for displaying at least one of the respiration waveform data, the respiration waveform template, and the respiration fidelity.

Abstract: A device is presented for evaluating whether an episode of sleep apnea is occurring in a patient suffering from chronic sleep apnea disorder, for delivery of appropriate therapy. The device includes circuitry adapted to respond to a cardiac signal generated by the heart. Switching circuitry diverts passage of the heart signal through both a high impedance path and a substantially lower impedance path, and a differential amplifier processes the resulting signal pairs to ascertain the difference in magnitude between the two signals of each pair. An analyzer thereof determines changes in the patient's ventilation, from which inordinately reduced patient ventilation is detected to assess possible occurrence of an episode of sleep apnea. If the analyzer denotes change of ventilation between otherwise regular respiratory cycles, an actual episode of sleep apnea is indicated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new and improved non-invasive bed sensing system for detecting and monitoring physiological movements such as heartbeat and respiration. The system may employ a hydraulic fluid to transduce the physiological pressures to an integrated pressure sensor and a new and improved signal processing method to identify individual cardiac pulses from the electronic signals generated by the hydraulic transducer. The system provides increased sensitivity capable of capturing quantitative pulse and respiration rates with subtle changes, ability to distinguish between instances of low pulse rate and shallow breathing, and improved comfort over existing system.

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.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods provide for acquiring respiration information. A respiration information device includes timer circuitry to time a plurality of shorter time apertures and a plurality of longer time apertures. A respiration sensor, which may be implemented as a transthoracic impedance sensor, is configured to generate a signal indicative of patient respiration. For each aperture of the plurality of shorter time apertures and for each aperture of the plurality of longer time apertures, an estimated characteristic of the respiration is determined. Respiration metrics are developed using one or both of the estimated respiration characteristics of the shorter time apertures and the estimated respiration characteristics of the longer time apertures.

Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention relates to an implantable electronic device, comprising a heart rhythm detection unit, a respiratory dynamics detection unit, an evaluation unit and at least one connection to at least two electrode poles. The at least two electrode poles are connected to the heart rhythm detection unit, and the heart rhythm detection unit is configured to supply a heart rhythm signal representing the heart rhythm as an output signal. The at least two electrode poles are connected to a respiratory dynamics determination unit, and the respiratory dynamics detection unit is configured to supply a respiratory dynamics signal representing the respiratory dynamics as the output signal. Moreover, the heart rhythm detection unit and the respiratory dynamics detection unit are connected to the evaluation unit, and the evaluation unit is configured to evaluate the heart rhythm signal in conjunction a temporally associated respective respiratory dynamics signals.

Abstract: A method may include controlling a ventilator to introduce mean airway pressure (MAP) variations in a patient to induce slow waves of substantially fixed amplitude and period to the patient. The method may also include analyzing arterial blood pressure in the patient with respect to the MAP variations and determining, based on the analyzing, whether an autoregulatory mechanism associated with the patient's brain is operating properly.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for analyzing relative compliance in the peripheral vasculature. Such apparatus, systems and methods generally involve generating a plethysmograph (PG) signal, generating one or more pressure waveforms and comparing the pressure waveform(s) relative to the PG signal to determine compliance indexes associated particular regions of the vasculature. A relative compliance ratio may also be determined by comparing arterial and venous relative compliance indexes. Apparatus, systems and methods are also provided for analyzing a PG waveform. Such apparatus, systems and methods generally involve generating a plethysmograph (PG) signal and comparing amplitude modulation of the PG signal relative to baseline modulation of the PG signal to estimate a relationship between left ventricular end diastolic pressure and stroke volume.

Abstract: In a method and device for positioning a linear array of electrodes mounted on a distal end section of an elongated flexible member in a patient's respiratory airways at the level of the patient's diaphragm, a length of the elongated flexible member pre-determined to position the linear array of electrodes at the level of the patient's diaphragm is inserted through the patient's respiratory airways. Signals representative of an electrical activity of the patient's diaphragm (EAdi) are detected through the electrodes of the linear array, a presence or absence of ECG signal components is detected in the EAdi signals, and the position of the linear array of electrodes in the patient's respiratory airways is detected in response to the presence or absence of the ECG signal components in the EAdi signals.

Abstract: A method is provided for analyzing respiration of a subject (20). Using a non-contact microphone (22), a raw signal indicative of airflow sounds of the respiration is generated. The raw signal is analyzed to determine a first set of one or more parameters of the respiration. An algorithm is applied to the first set of parameters to derive a second set of one or more estimated parameters of the respiration that are not generally directly measurable in the raw signal. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the respiration rate of a patient includes attaching a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and a pressure sensor to a patient, producing a first respiration signal based on variations detected in signals provided by the ECG electrodes attached to the patient, and producing a second respiration signal based on pressure variations detected in the pressure sensor secured to the patient. The method also includes selecting at least one of the first respiration signal and the second respiration signal based on respective signal qualities and producing a respiration rate from the selected signal. The method also includes providing indicia of the respiration rate. The method may also include displaying ECG signals with the indicia of the respiration rate.

Abstract: A photoplethysmography apparatus and method is provided for high resolution estimating of Time-Frequency Spectra (TFS) and associated amplitudes using Variable Frequency Complex Demodulation (VFCDM), in a two-step procedure using a Time-Varying Optimal Parameter Search (TVOPS) technique to obtain TFS, followed by VFCDM to obtain even greater TFS resolution and instantaneous amplitudes associated with only specific frequencies of interest, via the combined TVOPS and VFCDM.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bio-signal monitoring system which includes a bio-signal transfer device which measures and analyzes a bio-signal and sends the analyzed bio-signal and first identification information; a reception device which includes at least one or more receivers, each receiver transferring information received from the bio-signal transfer device and second identification information; and a monitoring server which analyzes information received from each receiver and judges location and physical condition of a user, wherein the first identification information includes ID of the user and ID of the bio-signal and the second identification information includes ID of the receiver.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for defining, identifying and using health-related significant events are disclosed. One aspect is a programmable device having machine executable instructions for performing a method to assist with managing a patient's health. In various embodiments, at least one previously-defined event is detected based on a number of acquired health-related parameters. The at least one detected event is recorded with an associated time when the at least one detected significant event occurred. An action is triggered based on the at least one detected event. The at least one detected event is displayed with at least one trended health-related parameter in a single display area. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for conducting and terminating spontaneous breathing trials on patients receiving mechanical ventilation. The disclosure describes a novel spontaneous breathing trial manager for a medical ventilator with rapid initiation and continuous monitoring of a patient's tolerance of the spontaneous breathing trial and displaying of that tolerance as a function of time, which provides for bedside adjustment of the spontaneous breathing trial parameters and automatic termination of a spontaneous breathing trial based on a time interval expiration or poor patient tolerance of the SBT.

Abstract: A method and system for detection of respiratory variation in pulse oximetry are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes detecting a pattern consistent with a respiratory cycle of a waveform representing cardiac oscillations and identifying an abnormality based on the pattern. A system is further provided including a database and a module. The database to store data representing a physiological condition of a patient over a period of time, wherein the data comprises data corresponding to respiratory activity and data corresponding to cardiac oscillations, wherein the data corresponding to respiratory activity comprises a first waveform and the data corresponding to the cardiac oscillations comprises a second waveform; and a module for detecting a pattern of the second waveform consistent with a cycle of a first waveform and detecting an abnormality in the pattern.

Abstract: Ventilation information may be presented. Output signals may be received that convey information related to one or more breathing parameters of a subject receiving assisted or controlled mechanical ventilation. Based at least in part on the received output signals, volumetric components of a tidal volume of the subject may be determined. The volumetric components may include an alveolar dead space, an effective alveolar tidal volume, and/or other volumetric components. The alveolar dead space is the volume of inspired gas that occupies alveoli but does not take part in oxygen exchange in the lungs of the subject. The effective alveolar tidal volume is the volume of inspired gas that takes part in oxygen exchange in the lungs of the subject. A visual representation that textually or graphically represents the tidal volume, and/or textually or graphically represents the volumetric components separately from each other may be presented via a user interface.

Abstract: A portable testing unit for biometric identity confirmation includes a housing with an orifice to receive a breath sample from the test subject, a spirometric sensor, and a pulse sensor adjacent to the orifice. A processor analyzes spirometric data from the spirometric sensor and simultaneous pulse wave data from the pulse sensor during the breath sample, together with stored subject characterization data for a known subject to confirm whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. A communications link enables the processor to communicate to the external station whether the identity of the test subject matches the known subject. For example, this portable testing unit can be used to control access to a secure facility or computer, authenticate the identity of a party in a financial transaction, or confirm the identity of the subject of an alcohol monitoring test.

Abstract: A method and device (10) are provided for monitoring regular movement of a human body (34), such as an infant's body. The method includes attaching the device (10) to the body (34) with a protuberance (24) of the body in abutment with the body, so that the protuberance is deflected as the body moves regularly. The deflection of the protuberance (24) is monitored and an alarm (18,19,20,52) is activated if the pattern of deflection of the protuberance changes to a predetermined extent, e.g. if it is disrupted.

Abstract: A physiologic parameter monitor includes a parameter value determiner that determines a parameter value indicative of a response of a human or animal subject to fluid intake during fluid therapy. The parameter value determiner determines the parameter value based on a signal indicative of a non-invasively obtained state of the subject. The physiologic parameter monitor also includes a display that displays the parameter value in a human readable format.

Abstract: A medical device system and method for monitoring a cardiac signal in a patient senses ventricular R-waves and computes a morphology metric of an R-wave and a corresponding preceding morphology metric of a preceding R-wave. One of a difference and a ratio of the R-wave morphology metric and the preceding R-wave morphology metric is compared to an established detection threshold for discriminating premature ventricular contractions from premature atrial contractions. A cardiac signal measurement is computed from the sensed R-waves in response to detecting a premature ventricular comparison based on the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the early detection of life-threatening conditions of persons, wherein such risks exist, for example, due to a preceding operation. The system detects a plurality of vital parameters depending on the person to be monitored by means of a detector unit that is subsequently evaluated by an evaluation logic using a neuronal network. Individual parameters that exceed thresholds and constellations of parameters that represent a critical health condition of the person are displayed in different forms by means of a display device, depending on the risk. Said risk is determined in that the probability of the presence of a health anomaly is first determined and then evaluated.

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: An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea and hypopnea and to identify an occurrence of periodic respiration. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject.

Abstract: A system comprises a risk analysis module and a worsening heart failure (WHF) detection module. The risk analysis module measures at least one first physiological parameter of a subject using a physiological sensor of an ambulatory medical device, and determines a heart failure (HF) risk score for the subject according to the at least one measured first physiological parameter. The HF risk score indicates susceptibility of the subject to experiencing a HF event. The WHF detection module measures at least one second physiological parameter of the subject using the same or different physiological sensor, and generates an indication of prediction that the subject will experience a WHF event when the at least one second physiological parameter satisfies a WHF detection algorithm. The risk analysis module adjusts generation of the indication by the WHF detection algorithm according to the determined HF risk score.