Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index of a living subject, including an inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures an inferior-limb blood pressure of an inferior limb of the subject, a superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures a superior-limb blood pressure of a superior limb of the subject, an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index determining device for determining the inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index based on the inferior-limb blood pressure measured by the inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device and the superior-limb blood pressure measured by the superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device, a heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device which detects a heartbeat-synchronous signal that is produced from the subject, a pulse-period-related-information obtaining device for obtaining, based on the heartbeat-synchronous signal detected by the heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device, pulse-period

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a degree of arteriosclerosis of a living subject, including: a pulse-wave detecting device adapted to be worn on a first portion of the living subject; a pressing device adapted to be worn on a second portion of the subject located on a distal side of the first portion, for pressing the second portion so as to restrict a flow of blood at the second portion; and an arteriosclerosis-related information obtaining device which obtains arteriosclerosis-related information used for evaluating said degree of arteriosclerosis of the subject, based on a peak point of an incident-wave component, and a peak point of a reflected-wave component, of a pulse of a pulse wave that is detected by the pulse-wave detecting device in a state in which the flow of blood is restricted by the pressing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a heart sound of a living subject, including a pressure-pulse-wave sensor which is adapted to be worn on a body portion of the subject that is distant from a chest of the subject, detects a pressure pulse wave produced by an artery of the body portion, and generates a pressure-pulse-wave signal representing the detected pressure pulse wave; and a heart-sound extracting device for extracting, from the pressure-pulse-wave signal generated by the pressure-pulse-wave sensor, a heart-sound component representing the heart sound of the subject.

Abstract: An augmentation-index determining apparatus, including a cuff, a cuff-pressure changing device which changes a pressing pressure of the cuff, a pulse-wave extracting device which extracts a pulse wave from the cuff, a peak-occurrence-time determining device for determining, based on a high-cuff-pressure pulse wave which is extracted by the pulse-wave extracting device when the cuff-pressure changing device makes the pressing pressure of the cuff higher than a systolic blood pressure of a subject, a time of occurrence of a peak point of an incident-wave component of the high-cuff-pressure pulse and a time of occurrence of a peak point of a reflected-wave component of the high-cuff-pressure pulse wave, and an augmentation-index determining device for determining, based on the respective times of occurrence of the respective peak points of the incident-wave and reflected-wave components of the high-cuff-pressure pulse, respective times of occurrence of respective peak points of incident-wave and reflected-wave c

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of physiologic parameters associated with a living subject. In one aspect, the invention comprises a monitoring apparatus capable of non-invasively and continuously monitoring the blood pressure, heart rate (ECG), and weight of the subject. The apparatus further includes a display, input device, and one or more communications links such that data and other information may be communicated between the apparatus and one or more remote locations. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a portable monitoring station disposed in the subject's home, which is kept in communication with a remote medical facility via a wireless interface and PSTN or data network. Two-way communications of monitored data, video, audio, and other types of information is provided to facilitate remote care of the subject, and obviate the need for an in-home caregiver or frequent trips to the medical facility.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate in an environment comprising extreme levels of noise and vibrations is disclosed. Blood pressure signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are detected using a first acoustic sensor, or array of sensors, placed on the patient's skin over the brachial artery. A second acoustic transducer is placed on the outside of a pressure cuff the patient away for detecting noise and vibrations. Pressure is applied to the artery using the pressure cuff forcing the artery to close. The pressure is then reduced and while reducing the pressure the acoustic signals detected by the first and second acoustic sensor as well as a signal indicative of the pressure applied to the artery are provided to a processor. The signal of the first acoustic sensor is then processed using an adaptive interferer canceller algorithm with the signal of the second acoustic sensor as interferer.

Abstract: A reusable/disposable enclosure for an blood pressure cuff for a sphygmomanometer includes a pouch having an opening therein for holding a blood pressure cuff and further includes a flexible fastener operatively arranged to open the pouch and at least partially close the pouch when the blood pressure cuff is enclosed therein. The flexible fastener includes a first strip having at least one male rib portion extending therefrom and a second strip having at least two female rib portions extending therefrom, which form a channel for complementarily accepting the male rib portion. Thus, the first and second strips may be matingly engaged to one another for partially closing the enclosure. The enclosure is translucent and includes a fibrous outer surface and a fluid impermeable inner surface. The outer surface is comfortable to a user and the fluid impermeable surface prevents contamination and/or soiling of the blood pressure cuff contained therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a blood pressure of a superior limb or an inferior limb of a living subject, including a blood-pressure measuring device which includes a measuring member adapted to be worn on a measurement portion of the superior or inferior limbs and measures a blood pressure of the measurement portion, and a pressing device which includes a pressing member adapted to be worn on the measurement portion or a distal portion of the subject relative to the measurement portion, and which presses the pressed portion with a prescribed blood-flow promoting force that is lower than a systolic blood pressure of the subject.

Abstract: Central Venous Pressure (CVP) is non-invasively determined with accuracy comparable to invasive measurement techniques. To do so, curves are plotted based on non-invasively determined patient information obtained by applying a controllable variable (pressure) to a vein of interest at a non-distal point and taking certain measurements (such as pressure and volume measurements) from the patient. An example of a controllable variable is voltage applied in incremental inflation/deflation of a vascular cuff (1). A curve is plotted based on datapoints (such as a volume increase curve or a volume decline curve). Pertinent, accurate CVP and/or blood volume information is obtained from the slope of the non-invasive-based curve. Accurate CVP information is provided without the risks and disadvantages of invasive measurements.

Abstract: A cuff pulse wave detecting apparatus including: a main portion; a cuff which is remote from the main portion and which is adapted to be worn on a body portion of a living subject; and a pressure sensor which is connected to the cuff for detecting a pressure in the cuff, the cuff pulse wave detecting apparatus detecting a cuff pulse wave as a pressure oscillation transmitted from the subject to the cuff, wherein the pressure sensor is provided between the main portion and the cuff.

Abstract: A cuff of a wrist-mount blood pressure monitor capable of oppressing an artery of the wrist securely without having effects of muscle, tendon or bone existing in the wrist area is presented. This cuff 10 of a wrist-mount blood pressure monitor comprises a first air bag 14A as a first inflatable portion, and a second air bag 16A as a second inflatable region disposed between the first inflatable portion 14A and the wrist, being made of a material of a higher stretchability than the material for the first air bag 14A.

Abstract: A non-invasive blood pressure measurement device is used for determining blood pressure of an artery. The device comprises a housing unit, a base unit and a sensing unit. The base unit is pivotally connected to the housing unit and comprises electrical circuitry, a flexible ring, and a receptacle. The sensing unit comprises a pressure transducer for sensing pulses of the underlying artery, the transducer having a sensing surface, a flexible diaphragm having an active portion for transmitting blood pressure pulses of the underlying artery, interface means coupled between the sensing surface of the transducer and the flexible diaphragm for transmitting the blood pressure pulses within the underlying artery from the flexible diaphragm to the sensing surface of the transducer, a compressible ring, and connection means for detachably connecting the sensing unit to the receptacle of the base unit.

Abstract: The invention automatically adjusts the parameters that map pressures at a monitoring site, such as blood pressures in the chamber of a heart, to digital values. Adjusting the mapping parameters keeps the data in range while preserving sensitivity. A histogram of the digital pressure data is generated and the contents of the lowest and highest bins of the histogram are checked. Depending on whether the boundary bins of the histogram are full or empty, the mapping parameters are adjusted. A new histogram is generated using digital values generated with the adjusted mapping parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for non-invasively measuring arterial compliance using the combination of noninvasive arterial tonometry and noninvasive cuff oscillometry. Some embodiments include an accurate calibration method using an oscillometric signal to calibrate the pressures of tonometric signals in a contralateral arterial site. The exact time at which two of the three oscillometric blood pressures (systolic pressure, mean pressure, diastolic pressure) are acquired are identified with precise locations on the un-calibrated tonometric pressure waveform. These two blood pressures are then used to calibrate the tonometric pressure waveform along (optionally) with adjustments for head pressure. For example, a left brachial arterial cuff osciilometric signal is acquired coincidentally with an un-calibrated right radial arterial pressure tonometric signal.

Abstract: A method of processing oscillometric blood pressure pulse data taken from a subject is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining a pressure pulse period of a cardiac cycle of the subject and identifying a duration of a pressure pulse detected within the pressure pulse period. Then, a duty cycle of the pressure pulse is calculated with respect to the pressure pulse period, wherein the calculated duty cycle is used to determine selected blood pressure parameters.

Abstract: In an apparatus capable of accommodating a sphygmomanometer and medicine, a housing is formed with a first receiving space adapted for accommodating the sphygmomanometer therein, and a second receiving space adapted for accommodating the medicine therein. An operating unit is mounted on the housing and is manually operable so as to generate input signals. A timing unit is mounted in the housing and is coupled to the operating unit for receiving the input signals therefrom. The timing unit is capable of serving as a clock, and sets predetermined time information in accordance with the input signals from the operating unit. A display unit is mounted on the housing, and is coupled to and controlled by the timing unit for showing time information thereon.

Abstract: At the time of measuring a blood pressure, when an MPU controls a pressure in a cuff, detects a pulse wave generated due to pressurizing of a cuff pressure via a band-pass filter or the like, calculates a wave feature value of the detected pulse wave and calculates the blood pressure so as to output it using the calculated wave feature value, the MPU detects the pulse wave in a range of the cuff pressure where the pule wave can be detected. Therefore, since a blood pressure measuring process constituted of detection of the pulse wave, calculation of the wave feature value and calculation of the blood pressure is executed within the range of the cuff pressure where the pulse wave can be detected, the process is prevented from being executed within a range where the pulse wave cannot be detected, thereby measuring the blood pressure with good accuracy.

Abstract: An arteriosclerosis evaluating apparatus including a left-superior-limb-blood-pressure measuring device including a cuff, a right-superior-limb-blood-pressure measuring device including a cuff, a ratio determining means for determining a ratio between a left-superior-limb blood pressure measured by the left-superior-limb-blood-pressure measuring device and a right-superior-limb blood pressure measured by the right-superior-limb-blood-pressure measuring device, an information obtaining device which obtains information that is related to a velocity at which a pulse wave propagates in a first body portion of the subject that includes at least a portion of the left superior limb or a second body portion of the subject that includes at least a portion of the right superior limb, and a display device which displays the left-and-right-superior-limb blood-pressure ratio determined by the left-and-right-superior-limb-blood-pressure-ratio determining device, and the pulse-wave-propagation-velocity-related information o

Abstract: According to the invention a sphygmomanometer for continuous plethysmographic measurement of blood pressure includes at least one inflatable pressure pad which is attachable to a body part containing an artery, arterial signal sensors for determining arterial blood flow, and a valve-controlled pressure chamber connected to a gas source and to the inflatable pressure pad and including a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in the pressure chamber or in the pressure pad. The pressure chamber has separate inlet and outlet valves which are controlled dependent on signals of the arterial signal sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating a function of an autonomic nerve of a living subject, including a heart-rate measuring device which iteratively measures a heart rate of the subject, a cuff-pressure changing device which changes a pressure in a first cuff adapted to be wound around an inferior limb of the subject, and a pressure in a second cuff adapted to be wound around a superior limb of the subject, so as to press the inferior and superior limbs, and a dispersion-degree determining device for determining a first degree of dispersion of the heart-rate values iteratively measured by the heart-rate measuring device after the cuff-pressure changing device starts pressing the inferior and superior limbs.

Abstract: A blood-pressure estimating apparatus, including a pulse-wave detecting device which detects a pulse wave from a portion of a living subject, a blood-pressure measuring device which includes an inflatable cuff adapted to be worn on the portion of the subject and measures, with the cuff, a diastolic blood pressure and a systolic blood pressure of the portion of the subject, and a mean-blood-pressure estimating device which converts, based on a minimum magnitude and a maximum magnitude of the pulse wave detected by the pulse-wave detecting device and the diastolic and systolic blood pressure measured by the blood-pressure measuring device, a magnitude of a gravity center of an area defined by the pulse wave into an estimated mean blood pressure of the portion of the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating arteriosclerosis of a living subject, including a pulse-wave detecting device which detects a pulse wave from each of a first portion and a second portion of the subject, each of the respective pulse waves detected from the first and second portions containing an incident-wave component, an augmentation-index determining device for determining, based on the pulse wave detected from the first portion by the pulse-wave detecting device, a first augmentation index indicative of a degree of augmentation of an amplitude of the pulse wave detected from the first portion, from an amplitude of the incident-wave component of the pulse wave detected from the first portion, and determining, based on the pulse wave detected from the second portion by the pulse-wave detecting device, a second augmentation index indicative of a degree of augmentation of an amplitude of the pulse wave detected from the second portion, from an amplitude of the incident-wave component of the pulse wave detected fro

Abstract: A dual-purpose medical curing device of this invention includes: a main casing; a control circuit capable of executing blood pressure measurement and acupuncture point stimulation disposed inside the main casing; a bladder connected to or embedded in the main casing, the bladder being electrically connected to the control circuit; and a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the control circuit. The plurality of electrodes are attached to skin of a tester's arm over acupuncture point of pericardium channel and proximity through a conductive line or a wristlet, by doing this, the blood pressure measurement and acupuncture point stimulation can be done at the same time, thereby preventing heart disease.

Abstract: A blood pressure monitor for sports enthusiasts is provided which preferably includes a cuff having a fabric portion and an inflatable bladder portion and adapted to be positioned to substantially surround a portion of one of the patient's arms, an inflator in fluid communication with the bladder portion of the cuff to inflate the bladder portion responsive to the user, a measurer in fluid communication with the bladder portion of the cuff for measuring blood pressure of the patient when the bladder portion substantially surrounds the portion of the patient's arm, a first tube having a first end portion connected to and in fluid communication with the cuff and a second end portion connected to and in fluid communication with the inflator, and a second tube having a first end portion connected to and in fluid communication with the cuff and a second end portion connected to and in fluid communication with the measurer.

Abstract: An apparatus for blood pressure measurement capable of heart function assessment for readily putting on a living subject, comprising an inflatable cuff including a pressure-pulse-wave sensor, which is combined into one body with the cuff at an upper-stream side end of the cuff, when wrapped around an upper-arm portion, so as to detect, at the upper-stream side than a blood-flow stopped position, the pressure-pulse-wave, which is of the same waveform as an aorta waveform while blood-flow is stopped, and an ejection time calculating means (a heart function parameter calculating means), by which an ejection time ET can be calculated as a time difference from a rising-point to a dicrotic notch of the pressure-pulse waveform for heart function assessment.

Abstract: A vital sign monitoring apparatus has estimated blood pressure calculation device for calculating estimated systolic blood pressure and estimated diastolic blood pressure from information relevant to blood pressure successively measured based on the relationship between information relevant to blood pressure and systolic blood pressure and the relationship between information relevant to blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure, systolic and diastolic duration measurement device for successively measuring a systolic duration and a diastolic duration, and blood flow volume calculation device for calculating a blood flow volume based on the estimated systolic blood pressure and the estimated diastolic blood pressure successively calculated and the systolic duration and the diastolic duration successively measured.

Abstract: A vascular-endothelial-cell-function evaluating apparatus including a pressing device including a cuff that is adapted to be worn on a first portion of a living subject, and a cuff-pressure changing device that changes a pressure in the cuff so as to press the first portion of the subject in a pressing period, a pulse-wave detecting device that detects a pulse wave including a plurality of heartbeat-synchronous pulses, from the first portion of the subject, or a second portion of the subject located on a distal side of the first portion, and a pulse-wave-second-half-information obtaining device that obtains a plurality of sets of pulse-wave-second-half information that represent respective characteristics of respective second-half portions of respective heartbeat-synchronous pulses of the pulse wave that are detected by the pulse-wave detecting device at respective different times, the respective second-half portions of the respective heartbeat-synchronous pulses being respective portions of the respective pu

Abstract: An ankle-blood-pressure measuring apparatus for measuring a blood pressure of an ankle of a living subject, including an inflatable cuff which is adapted to be worn on the ankle of the subject; a cuff-pressure changing device which decreases a pressure in the cuff from a pressure higher than a systolic blood pressure of the ankle; a distal-pulse-wave detecting device which is adapted to be worn on a distal portion of the subject that is located on a distal side of the ankle and detects a distal pulse wave produced from the distal portion; an increasing-point detecting device for detecting at least one increasing point where a magnitude of the distal pulse wave continuously detected by the distal-pulse-wave detecting device when the pressure of the cuff is decreased by the cuff-pressure changing device, significantly increases; and an ankle-blood-pressure determining device which determines a pressure of the cuff when the increasing-point detecting device detects the second increasing point, as a systolic bloo

Abstract: To provide a cuff for a blood pressure monitor having a curled elastic member which is easily attached to an arm, does not make the subject feel pain when attached, and exhibits a characteristic of excellent fitting. A curled elastic member 1A has one end portion 12 extending outward so as to enwind the other end portion 11 inward. Specifically, from the other end portion 11 to a position where the other end portion 11 is mutually opposite, the radius of curvature gently increases. From the mutually opposite portion to the one end portion 12, the radius of curvature largely increases.

Abstract: A continuous blood-pressure monitoring device apparatus including a cuff, a first determining device, a detecting device which detects a pressure pulse wave produced by an artery, a second determining device, a monitoring device, an information obtaining device a first change-value determining device, a second change-value determining device, and a relationship checking device.

Abstract: An augmentation-index measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, a fourth-order-differentiating device for subjecting a cuff pulse wave obtained from the cuff, to a fourth-order differentiation, and thereby obtaining a fourth-order-differentiated waveform, a peak-point determining device for determining, based on the fourth-order-differentiated waveform obtained by the fourth-order-differentiating device, a peak point of an incident-wave component contained in the cuff pulse wave and a peak point of a reflected-wave component contained in the cuff pulse wave, and an augmentation-index determining device for determining an augmentation index of the subject that indicates a proportion of one of a first magnitude of the cuff pulse wave at a time of occurrence of the peak point of the incident-wave component and a second magnitude of the cuff pulse wave at a time of occurrence of the peak point of the reflected-wave component, to the oth

Abstract: An augmentation-index measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, an augmentation-index determining device for determining an augmentation index of the subject based on a cuff pulse wave obtained from the cuff, and a preliminary pressing device for preliminarily pressing, before the cuff pulse wave is obtained, for the determination of the augmentation index, from the cuff having a pulse-wave detection pressure, the portion of the subject using the cuff having a pressure higher than the pulse-wave detection pressure.

Abstract: A blood-pressure measuring apparatus including a cuff which is adapted to be worn on a portion of a living subject to press the portion, an augmentation-index determining device for determining an augmentation index of the subject based on a cuff pulse wave obtained from the cuff, and a cuff-pulse-wave obtaining device for obtaining, during a pressing period in which the cuff presses the portion of the subject for measuring a blood pressure of the subject, the cuff pulse wave from the cuff so that the augmentation-index determining device determines the augmentation index based on the obtained cuff pulse wave.

Abstract: A blood pressure Holter system includes a pneumatic constriction sleeve to be worn on an arm of the user and includes a first sensor for acquiring systolic and diastolic values of arterial pressure of the user. A second sensor is carried adjacent a chest of the user for sensing movement of the user's body. The system further includes a detection and classification circuit for detecting and classifying movement of the user's body for producing an index of a state of physical exertion corresponding to systolic and diastolic values of arterial pressure. A fuzzy logic controller processes the systolic and diastolic values of arterial pressure using fuzzy logic.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for detecting various vascular conditions using an occlusive arm cuff plethysmograph. The system includes data acquisition hardware, including the occlusive arm cuff plethysmograph, for obtaining arterial and endothelial function data from a patient, processing means utilizing application or analysis software for analyzing the arterial and endothelial function data, and a database of computer models, such as brachial artery pressure versus lumen area curves (P-A curves) and brachial artery pressure versus compliance curves (P-C curves), developed by analyzing data for a plurality of subjects where their vascular conditions were known. The processing means diagnoses and predicts various vascular conditions pertaining to the patient by comparing or correlating the analyzed arterial and endothelial function data with the computer models stored within the database and presents the findings on a display.

Abstract: Provided is an electronic blood pressure monitor capable of realizing functions of blood pressure measurement in a shorter time and blood pressure measurement with more of correctness in the same and one construction thereof. The electronic blood pressure monitor includes: an oscillometric measuring section capable of calculating a blood pressure with a high precision using much of biogenic information though a time is required since a blood pressure is calculated during a period in which the cuff pressure is gradually changed; and an SPD measuring section completing measurement in a short time though a fluctuation in precision of measurement arises according to an individual difference with less of biogenic information since a blood pressure is calculated using only one or several pulse waves. Since the oscillometric measuring portion performs a calibration processing for the SPD measuring section simultaneously during measurement thereof, a complicated calibrating operation can be practically excluded.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a standard pulse-wave-propagation-velocity-related value for a living subject, comprising: a blood-pressure measuring device for measuring a blood pressure of the subject; an age determining device for determining an age of the subject; and a standard-pulse-wave-propagation-velocity-related-value determining device for determining the standard pulse-wave-propagation-velocity-related value for the subject, based on the blood pressure of the subject measured by the blood-pressure measuring device and the age of the subject determined by the age determining device, according to a predetermined relationship between (A) (a1) blood pressure and (a2) age and (B) standard pulse-wave-propagation-velocity-related value.

Abstract: An arterial-pulse-wave detecting apparatus, including a plurality of pulse-wave detecting devices which are adapted to be worn on a plurality of portions of a living subject, respectively, and detect respective pulse waves that are produced in synchronism with each other from respective arteries of the plurality of portions of the subject, a memory device which stores the respective pulse waves produced in synchronism with each other and detected by the plurality of pulse-wave detecting devices, and a pulse-wave-display control device for controlling a display device to display the respective pulse waves produced in synchronism with each other and stored by the memory device, such that the respective pulse waves are superposed on each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index of a living subject, including an inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures an inferior-limb blood pressure of an inferior limb of the subject, a superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device which measures a superior-limb blood pressure of a superior limb of the subject, an inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index determining device for determining the inferior-and-superior-limb blood-pressure index based on the inferior-limb blood pressure measured by the inferior-limb blood-pressure measuring device and the superior-limb blood pressure measured by the superior-limb blood-pressure measuring device, a heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device which detects a heartbeat-synchronous signal that is produced from the subject, a pulse-period-related-information obtaining device for obtaining, based on the heartbeat-synchronous signal detected by the heartbeat-synchronous-signal detecting device, pulse-period

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, takes a sequence consisting of a predetermined number of individual measurements. The apparatus computes a best estimate of the physiological parameter from values obtained in two or more of the measurements. The apparatus automatically takes a sequence of measurements and then stops. The apparatus can operate unattended so that it is not necessary for a physician or other health care worker to be present while measurements are being made. The use of the invention to measure blood pressure of a patient reduces the effect of “white coat” hypertension on the best estimate. Preferred embodiments of the apparatus ignore results of a first measurement in the sequence. The patient is already familiar with the apparatus when subsequent measurements are taken. This further reduces the possibility that the patient's reaction to the process of measurement will affect the results of the measurement.

Abstract: A system installed in a motor vehicle for inferring a vehicle operator's stress level from body sensors and from environmental data related to the position and operation of the vehicle. The system functions in a training phase using machine learning techniques to derive a model of an individual operators stress reaction to the environment in which the vehicle is operated and, using the results of this training phase, the system is subsequently used to predict stress levels to be expected when certain traffic conditions are imminent based on a projection of the driver's physiolocial state. The result of this prediction of stress level for the individual driver is used to control or warn the driver with respect to operation and scheduling of attention diverting devices such as cellular phones.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring blood pressure and heart rate in an environment comprising extreme levels of noise and vibrations is disclosed. Blood pressure signals corresponding to the Korotkoff sounds are detected using an array of primary acoustic sensors, placed on the patient's skin over the brachial artery. A secondary acoustic transducer is placed on the outside of a pressure cuff the patient away for detecting noise and vibrations. Pressure is applied to the artery using the pressure cuff forcing the artery to close. The pressure is then reduced and while reducing the pressure the acoustic signals detected by the first and second acoustic sensor as well as a signal indicative of the pressure applied to the artery are provided to a processor. The signals provided by the primary acoustic sensors are then processed using a combination of focused beamforming and planar wave beamforming.

Abstract: An illumination system for a medical diagnostic instrument includes at least one light directing element disposed relative to an instrument housing and at least one illuminating device, such as a white LED which is optically coupled to a peripheral portion of the light directing element for providing directed illumination of a target of interest.

Abstract: A blood pressure measuring apparatus includes an inflatable cuff which can be wrapped about the limb of a patient. The sleeve includes a sealed interior capable of inflation, and an integrated inflation/measuring device. The integrated device is an elastomeric enclosure which retains a gage and a pneumatic bulb therein and hosing for fluidly interconnecting the pneumatic bulb, the inflatable cuff, and the gage.

Abstract: An augmentation-index determining apparatus, including a cuff, a cuff-pressure changing device which changes a pressing pressure of the cuff, a pulse-wave extracting device which extracts a pulse wave from the cuff, a peak-occurrence-time determining device for determining, based on a high-cuff-pressure pulse wave which is extracted by the pulse-wave extracting device when the cuff-pressure changing device makes the pressing pressure of the cuff higher than a systolic blood pressure of a subject, a time of occurrence of a peak point of an incident-wave component of the high-cuff-pressure pulse and a time of occurrence of a peak point of a reflected-wave component of the high-cuff-pressure pulse wave, and an augmentation-index determining device for determining, based on the respective times of occurrence of the respective peak points of the incident-wave and reflected-wave components of the high-cuff-pressure pulse, respective times of occurrence of respective peak points of incident-wave and reflected-wave c

Abstract: A blood-pressure measuring apparatus including a cuff worn on a body portion of a subject to apply a pressure to the body portion; a changing device which changes the cuff pressure; a determining device which determines a diastolic and mean blood pressure of the subject; a detecting device which detects a cuff pulse wave as an oscillation of the cuff pressure; a pulse-wave-magnitude determining device for operating the changing device; and a systolic-blood-pressure determining device for determining a systolic blood pressure of the subject, based on the determined diastolic and mean blood pressure and the determined minimal, mean, and maximal magnitudes of the cuff pulse wave, according to a fact that the minimal, mean, and maximal magnitudes of the cuff pulse wave correspond to the diastolic, mean, and systolic blood pressure of the subject, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaluating arteriosclerosis of a living subject, including a pulse-wave detecting device which detects a pulse wave from each of a first portion and a second portion of the subject, each of the respective pulse waves detected from the first and second portions containing an incident-wave component, an augmentation-index determining device for determining, based on the pulse wave detected from the first portion by the pulse-wave detecting device, a first augmentation index indicative of a degree of augmentation of an amplitude of the pulse wave detected from the first portion, from an amplitude of the incident-wave component of the pulse wave detected from the first portion, and determining, based on the pulse wave detected from the second portion by the pulse-wave detecting device, a second augmentation index indicative of a degree of augmentation of an amplitude of the pulse wave detected from the second portion, from an amplitude of the incident-wave component of the pulse wave detected fro

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, including an inflatable cuff which is adapted to be wound around a portion of the subject, an increase-end-pressure determining device for determining, based on a cuff pulse wave occurring to the cuff when a pressure in the cuff is increased at a first rate, an increase-end pressure to which the pressure of the cuff is increased at the first rate, at which the increasing of the pressure of the cuff is ended, and from which the pressure of the cuff is decreased at a second rate lower than the first rate, and a blood-pressure determining device for determining a blood pressure of the subject based on a physical signal obtained from the subject when the pressure of the cuff is decreased at the second rate from the increase-end pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically measuring a blood pressure of a living subject, including a cuff which is wound around a portion of the subject, a cuff pulse wave occurring to the cuff when a pressure in the cuff is changed, a pulse-wave detecting device which is worn on another portion of the subject and detects a volumetric pulse wave, a correction-factor determining device for iteratively determining, for each of respective pulses of the volumetric pulse wave, a correction factor to correct an amplitude of the each pulse to a predetermined value, a first determining device for iteratively multiplying, by the correction factor determined for the each of the pulses of the volumetric pulse wave, an amplitude of one of the pulses of the cuff pulse wave that corresponds to the each pulse of the volumetric pulse wave, and thereby determining a corrected amplitude of the one pulse of the cuff pulse wave, and a second determining device for determining a blood pressure of the subject based on a change of the respec

Abstract: An apparatus for examining arteriosclerosis of a living subject, including a pulse-wave detecting device which detects a pulse wave from a first portion of the subject, a stenosis-related-information obtaining device for obtaining, based on a shape of the pulse wave detected by the pulse-wave detecting device, stenosis-related information that changes in relation with stenosis of an artery of a second portion of the subject that is located upstream of the first portion of the subject in a direction in which blood flows in the artery, and a stenosis judging device for making, based on the stenosis-related information obtained by the stenosis-related-information obtaining device, a judgment about the stenosis of the artery of the second portion of the subject.