Abstract: A pulse rate counting device includes: a short-term average value calculation unit for calculating an average interval of predetermined previous pulses; a fluctuation amount calculation device for calculating the amount of fluctuation on the basis of the difference between the average interval and an actual pulse wave interval; a search range determination unit for calculating the width of the search range, calculating an amount of displacement on the basis of a time change of the average interval, and determining as a search range a range including an appearance prediction value of the next detection point calculated from the average interval and indicated by the width of the search range from a starting point determined on the basis of the amount of displacement; and a pulse wave interval detection unit for detecting the detection point in the determined search range, and outputting a pulse wave interval.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a sensor assembly. In various embodiments the sensor assembly includes a body having a first segment, a second segment, and a living hinge. The living hinge has a pivot axis and mechanically couples the first segment and the second segment. Further, the living hinge facilitates the first segment and the second segment to pivoting relative to one another about the pivot axis. Embodiments may also relate to a method of manufacturing a sensor frame. The method may include forming an integral sensor body having a first frame segment, a second frame segment, and a living hinge. The first frame segment and the second frame segment are configured to pivot relative to one another about a pivot axis of the living hinge. The method may also include coupling one or more biasing mechanisms to the first frame segment and the second frame segment. The biasing mechanism is configured to generate a moment about the pivot axis of the living hinge.

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

Abstract: A system for visually indicating, in real time or post hoc, values of a physical property detected over a period of time along a dimension of an organism to a user on a temporal plot and a profile plot, either individually or concurrently. The detected values may be visually indicated on the temporal plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to, a contour technique, a line trace technique or a mesh plot technique. Further, the detected values may be visually indicated on the profile plot using any of a variety of techniques, including, but not limited to a contour technique, a line trace technique or a histogram technique. To provide a finer spatial resolution, values may be interpolated for locations between the locations at which values were detected, and these values may be displayed on the temporal plot and the profile plot.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a pressure sensor having a plurality of sensor elements wider in width than the small sensor element required in conventional tonometry. On the basis of differences ? and ? of an AI value based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element right above an artery and AI values based on pulse wave signals from two sensor elements located at a predetermined distance from the sensor element right above the artery, ?2+?2 is obtained. An AI value correction is calculated using a regression formula with ?2+?2 as a correction parameter representing the distortion degree. Using this correction value, the AI based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element located right above the artery is corrected.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus extracts a direct current component from a pressure value obtained from a sensor pressure, and defines the pressurization force of the cuff as the optimum pressurization force when that direct current component is stable. Following determination of the optimum pressurization force, the pulse wave measuring apparatus monitors whether the direct current component obtained from the pressure sensor is optimum or not, and adjusts the pressure, when not. By determining the rising sharpness of the peak and waveform distortion in the sphygmographic waveform, determination is made whether the pressurization force of the cuff is appropriate or not to carry out further adjustment of pressure, as necessary.

Abstract: A cradle-configured interface for a hand-held blood glucose meter has a multi-electrical contact-containing battery door that enables blood glucose analysis data stored in the meter to be automatically downloaded to a modem within a meter cradle for transmission to a monitoring facility. Electrical contacts of the battery door are connected to conductors of the meter's printed circuit board when the battery door is closed. The cradle has spring-loaded probes connected to its internal modem and engaging the electrical contacts within the battery door when the meter is placed in the cradle. Upon sensing the meter in the cradle, the modem downloads blood sample analysis data stored in the meter into local memory and then transmits blood glucose analysis data to a downstream healthcare reporting site.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method of detecting a pulse wave at the certain position of an artery. A pressure sensor array has a pressurization surface on which plural pressure sensors are disposed in a direction intersecting with an artery. The pressurization surface, when a pulse wave is detected, is pressed against a surface of a living human body by a cuff pressure in a pressurization cuff. CPU, when a pulse wave is detected, inputs voltage signals indicating pressure information from the plural pressure sensors simultaneously along with the time axis. CPU extracts the DC component indicating a pressure component caused by a hard member from a voltage signal to specify the pressure sensor located above the hard member from the extracted DC component.

Abstract: A sensor array having a plurality of pressure sensors arranged on a measurement surface, a pressurization portion for pressing the sensor array laid across an artery of a living body, a sensor signal selection portion for selecting a pressure signal among pressure signals from the plurality of pressure sensors, a filter portion having a cutoff frequency variable corresponding to an instruction, and a filter control portion for providing an instruction to vary a value of the cutoff frequency are included. The filter control portion switches the cutoff frequency in a situation wherein a plurality of pressure signals respectively obtained from the plurality of pressure sensors are successively switched and output by the sensor signal selection portion to specify the pressure sensor for pulse wave detection, and in a situation wherein the pulse wave is detected from the specified pressure sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a contact type of pulse measurement device, which comprises a first active sensor electrode and a second active sensor electrode having corresponding opposite polarities with each other; and the two active sensor electrodes respectively connected to the pulse measurement device by conductive wires and the pulse measurement device comprises a negative feedback difference common mode signal and a buffer/balanced circuit for providing a circuit with a self common point electrode potential. Therefore, the first bio-potential signal can be detected by means of the first active sensor electrode and the common point electrode. Similarly, a second bio-potential signal having the same magnitude but a different phase as the first bio-potential signal can be detected by the second active sensor electrode and the common point electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method capable of detecting a heartbeat using a photoplethysmography (PPG) even under a motion of a user. A primary object of the present invention is to allow the heartbeat of the user to be effectively detected from a PPG signal even under the motion. The object of the present invention is accomplished by the following process of acquiring the PPG signal from the user through a PPG sensor unit, detecting candidate heartbeat sequences from the PPG signal after calculating an expected mean interbeat interval through a signal processing technique based on the wavelet transformation and an autocorrelation function, and extracting an optimal heartbeat sequence or mean heart rate from the candidate heartbeat sequences.

Abstract: An implantable cardiac device is programmed to detect an episode of sleep apnea, measure the duration of the episode, and store this information in memory. When multiple episodes are recorded, the device computes statistics on the apnea durations, such as average apnea duration and total apnea duration for a preselected time period (e.g., 8-hour rest period, 24-hour day, etc.). The implantable cardiac device may further be used to administer pacing therapy in response to detecting sleep apnea. Under the control of a physician, the implantable device may be programmed to administer different types of responsive therapies to evaluate whether certain therapies are more effective at treating apnea than others. For instance, a pacing therapy that results in lowering the average apnea duration or total apnea duration may be preferred over other pacing therapies that do not achieve such results.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus extracts a direct current component from a pressure value obtained from a sensor pressure, and defines the pressurization force of the cuff as the optimum pressurization force when that direct current component is stable. Following determination of the optimum pressurization force, the pulse wave measuring apparatus monitors whether the direct current component obtained from the pressure sensor is optimum or not, and adjusts the pressure, when not. By determining the rising sharpness of the peak and waveform distortion in the sphygmographic waveform, determination is made whether the pressurization force of the cuff is appropriate or not to carry out further adjustment of pressure, as necessary.

Abstract: A pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a pressure sensor having a plurality of sensor elements wider in width than the small sensor element required in conventional tonometry. On the basis of differences &agr; and &bgr; of an AI value based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element right above an artery and AI values based on pulse wave signals from two sensor elements located at a predetermined distance from the sensor element right above the artery, &agr;2+&bgr;2 is obtained. An AI value correction is calculated using a regression formula with &agr;2+&bgr;2 as a correction parameter representing the distortion degree. Using this correction value, the AI based on a pulse wave signal from the sensor element located right above the artery is corrected.

Abstract: A central blood pressure waveform estimation device has a pulse wave detection section, a transfer function storage section, and a central blood pressure waveform calculation section. The pulse wave detection section non-invasively detects a peripheral pulse wave. The transfer function storage section stores a transfer function calculated in advance based on a peripheral pulse waveform detected by the pulse wave detection section and a central blood pressure waveform invasively measured. The central blood pressure waveform calculation section calculates a central blood pressure waveform based on a peripheral pulse waveform newly detected by the pulse wave detection section and the transfer function stored in the transfer function storage section.

Abstract: Continuous remote monitoring of patients based on data obtained from an implantable hemodynamic monitor provides an interactive patient management system. Using network systems, patients are remotely monitored to continuously diagnose and treat heart-failure conditions. A screen displayable summary provides continuous feedback and information to physicians, patients and authorized third parties. The quick look summary includes various sites and presentation tailored to match the patients' and physicians' needs. The quick look summary further includes intelligent features that understand and retain the user's interests, preferences and use patterns. Patients, physicians and other caregivers are seamlessly connected to monitor and serve the chronic needs of heart-failure patients in a reliable and economic manner.

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: The invention comprises devices and methods for the noninvasive monitoring of a physiologic characteristic of a patient's blood, such as blood pressure. One embodiment is a tissue probe combined with a position sensor for determining the relative height of the probe compared to a level corresponding to the patient's heart. Alternatively, the tissue probe can be combined with a movement generator for inducing a height change of the probe with respect to patient's heart. By measuring absorbance characteristics of the blood at varying positions relatively to the level of the patient's heart, characteristics such as arterial and central venous blood pressure and cardiac output can be determined. In yet another embodiment, two probes are used to compute pulse delays between coupled tissues or opposing tissues. Measuring delays in pulse arrival times in coupled organs or members on opposite sides of the body allows the determination of various physiological characteristics.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a subject (7) in a vehicle seat (6), the method including: a) acquiring a target signal from the subject with a piezoelectric transducer (1) provided in or on the vehicle seat; b) processing the target signal to extract a cardiac signal (24) and/or a respiratory signal (25); and c) outputting the cardiac and/or respiratory signal. A method of monitoring a subject including: a) acquiring a target signal from the subject; b) bandpass filtering (27) the target signal in accordance with a set of cardiac filter coefficients to extract a cardiac signal (24); c) bandpass filtering (30) the target signal in accordance with a set of respiratory filter coefficients to extract a respiratory signal (25); d) adapting (29, 33) the set of cardiac filter coefficients so as to reduce artefacts in the cardiac signal; e) adapting (50, 32) the set of respiratory filter coefficients so as to reduce artefacts in the respiratory signal; and f) outputting the cardiac and respiratory signal signals.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which comprises the steps of detecting a pulse wave of a user and measuring pulse wave information for a plurality of beats from the pulse wave; producing a statistical average of the measured pulse wave information; and determining whether the user has arrhythmia or high blood pressure based on the produced statistical average of the pulse wave information. And, an apparatus which comprises a detecting part which detects a pulse wave of a user and measures pulse wave information for a plurality of beats from the pulse wave; a memory device which stores the measured pulse wave information; and a determining part which produces a statistical average of the stored pulse wave information and determines whether the user has arrhythmia or high blood pressure based on the produced statistical average of the pulse wave information.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying components of a waveform. The system includes an ECG acquisition module, a pressure waveform acquisition module to acquire a pressure waveform, and an analysis module coupled to the ECG acquisition module and the pressure waveform acquisition module. A monitor or similar display device is coupled to the analysis module. The analysis module is operable to determine three peaks in the pressure waveform corresponding to “a”, “c”, and “v” waves. Those “a”, “c”, or “v” waves that are identified by the analysis module are displayed on a monitor or similar device such that they are distinguished from each other and the remainder of the displayed waveform. The method involves displaying a waveform; identifying a number of peaks in a number of intervals of the waveform, and modifying the displayed waveform such that the identified peaks are distinguished from each other and the rest of the pressure waveform.

Abstract: An FFT treating section (40) carries out the frequency analysis of a pulse waveform MHj excluding a body movement component to yield pulse wave analysis data MKD and then a tidal wave-character extracting section (50) and a dicrotic wave-character extracting section (60) yield a tidal wave-character data (TWD) and a dicrotic wave-character data (DWD) showing the characteristics of a tidal wave and dicrotic wave respectively. Then, a pulse condition judging section (70) yields pulse condition data (ZD) on the basis of this data (TWD, DWD) and in succession a notifying section (80) advises of the pulse condition of a subject.

Abstract: A portable, autonomous electronic device consisting of a barcode scanner, an updatable nutrition facts database, user memory to store product records of products eaten, and an integral readout display is disclosed that will allow a user to scan barcodes on food items consumed and keep a cumulative total of calories and other nutrients. Prepared packaged foods may have their barcodes read directly, while foods that are used in cooking or preparing other foods may be referenced by scanning from a printed generic foods barcode list provided with the device. Serving sizes can be adjusted to accurately reflect the intake of given food items. Daily cumulative totals of calories and several other nutrients can be displayed as bar graphs, and the incremental increase that would result from consuring a scanned item can be displayed with reference to what has already been consumed.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for locating a sensor over an underlying artery having a blood pulse. The sensor is positioned at a plurality of locations above a known appoximate location of the artery while applying a constant hold down pressure to the artery. The sensor is finally positioned at the location which exhibits the largest maximum pressure ampltiude.

Abstract: A physical information monitor system, including: (a) physical information obtaining component for successively obtaining physical information of a living subject; (b) physical information memory component for storing the physical information which is previously obtained in a comparatively normal condition of the living subject; (c) abnormality determining component for determining that the physical information obtained by the physical information obtaining component is abnormal if the physical information is outside a predetermined reference range; (d) a display device for indicating the physical information obtained by the physical information obtaining component; and (e) indication control component for controlling the display device to indicate, in a same indication area of the display device, the physical information which has been determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determining component and the physical information previously obtained in the comparatively normal condition of the subject and st

Abstract: The present invention provides an diagnostic apparatus and method for physiologically measuring the biological responses of a selected group of muscles during exercise. Biological responses measured include blood flow, blood pressure, transcutaneous oxygen, and lymphatic clearance rate. The apparatus comprises a pressure plate attached to an axle. A spring mechanism is attached to the pressure plate to bias the plate towards the resting position. The spring may be adjusted so as to increase the resistance to the group of muscles being exercised and induce fatigue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for vascular testing for diagnosing circulatory and secondary nervous disorders. The method allows a non-technical person to rapidly plot blood pressure and/or volumetric blood flow wave forms from a plurality of separate digits and/or extremities of a patient. The change in circumference of each body part correlates to the amount of blood flow through the body being measured. The wave form may then be analyzed by a physician for the purpose of identifying abnormalities or disorders in a patient.