Abstract: A cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation system includes a housing coupled to a plurality of electrodes configured for subcutaneous non-intrathoracic sensing. A signal processor receives a plurality of composite signals associated with a plurality of sources, separates a signal from the plurality of composite signals, and identifies the separated signal as a cardiac signal using information derived from a non-electrophysiologic sensor, such as an accelerometer or acoustic transducer. The signal processor may iteratively correlate separated signals from the plurality of composite signals with a non-electrophysiologic sensor signal until the cardiac signal is identified.

Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system provides a phonocardiographic image indicative of a heart's mechanical events related to hemodynamic performance. The phonocardiographic image includes a stack of acoustic sensor signal segments representing multiple cardiac cycles. Each acoustic sensor signal segment includes heart sounds indicative of the heart's mechanical events and representations of the heart's electrical events. The stack of acoustic sensor signal segments are aligned by a selected type of the heart's mechanical or electrical events and are grouped by a cardiac timing parameter for presentation.

Abstract: A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD) includes an implantable heart sound sensor to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound. The heart sound is associated with mechanical activity of a patient's heart. Additionally, the IMD includes a heart sound sensor interface circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal, and a signal analyzer circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor interface circuit. The signal analyzer circuit measures a baseline heart sound signal, and deems that an ischemic event has occurred using, among other things, a measured subsequent change in the heart sound signal from the established baseline heart sound signal.

Abstract: A system and method provide heart sound tracking, including an input circuit, configured to receive heart sound information, and a heart sound recognition circuit. The heart sound recognition circuit can be coupled to the input circuit and can be configured to recognize, within a particular heart sound of a particular heart sound waveform, a first intra heart sound energy indication and a corresponding first intra heart sound time indication using the heart sound information from the particular heart sound waveform and the heart sound information from at least one other heart sound waveform. The particular heart sound can include at least a portion of one of S1, S2, S3, and S4. Further, the first intra heart sound energy indication and the corresponding first intra heart sound time indication can correspond to the at least a portion of one of S1, S2, S3, and S4, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a location of pulmonary and aortic components of second heart sounds of a patient over an interval. The method comprises the steps of producing an electronic representation of heart sounds of the patient over the interval, identifying at least one second heart sound in the interval using the electronic representation, for each identified second heart sound generating an estimated value for a location of the aortic component and the pulmonary component. There is also included a method for using the estimated location of the aortic component and the pulmonary component for estimation of the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery of a patient.

Abstract: This patent document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for enhancing detection of pulmonary edema using, in addition to thoracic impedance, one or a combination of: physiologic information about a subject, at least one statistical parameter, a user-programmable detection level, at least one parameter associated with a previous pulmonary edema event, and patient symptom information about the subject. In one example, a (base) thoracic impedance threshold is modified to an adjusted thoracic impedance threshold. The adjusted thoracic impedance threshold provides an increased sensitivity of pulmonary edema detection as compared to the base thoracic impedance threshold. In another example, an alert is provided to a subject, a caregiver, or other user based on a pulmonary edema indication determined by the present systems, devices, and methods. In a further example, a therapy (provided to the subject) is adjusted or initiated in response to the pulmonary edema indication.

Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the determination of frequency band characteristic of a heart disease comprising the steps of: recording a first set of phonocardiograms from a first set of reference healthy patients, and a second set of phonocardiograms from a second set of patients suffering of said heart disease; calculating spectral energies of all possible frequency bands; comparing said spectral energies of all possible frequency bands for determining an optimized frequency band giving rise to the maximal distinction between spectral energies of the phonocardiograms from first and second set of phonocardiograms.

Abstract: A scientific method and system for determining a customized essential oil blend through accessing a physiolocial data from a user are disclosed in the present invention. The physiological data is heart rate vairiability (HRV), which is associated with cardiac diseases and the autonomic nervous system.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting heart sounds to reduce inappropriate tachyarrhythmia therapy are described. In some examples, a medical device determines that a cardiac rhythm of the patient is treatable with a therapy, such as a defibrillation pulse, based on a cardiac electrogram (EGM). The medical device analyzes detected heart sounds, and withholds or allows the therapy based on the analysis of the heart sounds.

Abstract: A dual-sensor stethoscope, or retrofit device for a stethoscope, promotes anti-sepsis and stereoscopy through use of a substantially rigid, generally T-shaped tube for support of dual stethoscope sensors, wherein at least one sensor is electronic. Each sensor may be rotated away from a body independently for use of a single head or rotated into the same general plane for dual-head stereoscopy. A clinician can create a spatial, three-dimensional (3D) antiseptic barrier and avoid the need to carry multiple stethoscopes. During stereoscopy, the use of a common tube or earphones allows the transmission of sound with constructive interference of sound waves. The substantially rigid, generally T-shaped support tube allows a clinician to auscultate with one hand and monitor two locations without transference of pathogens.

Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a dual-use sensor such as a single accelerometer that senses an acceleration signal. A sensor processing circuit processes the acceleration signal to produce an activity level signal and a heart sound signal. The implantable medical device provides for rate responsive pacing in which at least one pacing parameter, such as the pacing interval, is dynamically adjusted based on the physical activity level. The implantable medical device also uses the heart sounds for pacing control purposes or transmits a heart sound signal to an external system for pacing control and/or diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for noninvasively estimating a blood pressure are provided. A pulmonic (P) component extracted from a second heart sound (S2) signal is analyzed to obtain a number of oscillations in the P component. A predetermined relationship between the number of oscillations and PAP is used to generate a blood pressure estimate. A PCG sensor including a mechanical filter for receiving heart sounds from a chest wall is also provided. The pressure of the PCG sensor on the chest wall is adjustable.

Abstract: A disposable stethoscope cover that covers at least the surface of the diaphragm is disclosed. The cover contacts a patient during use and reduces transmittal of microorganisms. The cover is in the form of a flexible sheet having a top and a bottom surface. The sheet has an adhesive material on a portion of the surface thereof that secures the sheet to the surface of the diaphragm. The sheet further includes at least one wing extending from the sheet. The wing has an adhesive on at least one surface thereof for securing the wing to the sheet when the wing is folded over at least a portion of a tube section of the stethoscope.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for monitoring of the function of the heart and lungs in vulnerable patients. An analysis of the activity of the heart is made in correspondence to the respiratory system. Using the method of the invention, precise tracking of the changes of the mutual heart-lung interactions cycle are made, enabling better definitions of heart conditions. Within breath variability factor is introduced for tracking heart condition. Failing heart assisting methods and improved diagnostic methods are facilitated using the monitoring system of the invention.

Abstract: An auscultation system aids a clinician's diagnosis of the heart sounds by visually displaying at least an S1 heart sound and an S2 heart sound, and ascertaining an onset of at least one of the heart sounds. A corresponding audio representation of the heart sounds can be provided to the clinician. The auscultation system includes a sensor for sensing heart sounds from at least one chest location of the patient and for transducing the heart sounds into electrical signals. The auscultation system also includes a signal processor for selectively filtering the electrical signals thereby highlighting frequency differences of the heart sounds, and further includes a video display for selectively displaying the selectively filtered electrical heart signals.

Abstract: A stethoscope is provided, comprising: a sound receiving member (12) for receiving sounds, the sound receiving member capable of transmitting sound received thereby; a head set coupled to the sound receiving member to receive sound transmitted by the sound receiving member; means for reducing frictional noise, said means associated with the sound receiving member to reduce noise caused by relative movement between a surface and the sound receiving member of the chestpiece in contact with the surface.

Abstract: A method comprises detecting at least one episode of ventricular tachyarrhythmia in a subject using an implantable medical device (IMD), sensing at least one heart sound signal for the subject using the IMD, the heart sound signal associated with mechanical vibration of a heart of the subject; initiating, in response to and during the detected episode of tachyarrhythmia, a measurement of hemodynamic stability of the ventricular tachyarrhythmia from the heart sound signal, and deeming whether the ventricular tachyarrhythmia is stable according to the measurement of hemodynamic stability. The measurement of hemodynamic stability is determined using linear prediction.

Abstract: The invention relates to segmentation of cardiac acoustic signals, such as the heart sound signal, based on statistical algorithms. A duration-dependent Hidden Markov Model is disclosed which models the shifting states of the heart, based on the cardiac acoustic signal and the time spent in the given states relating to physiological events, e.g. the various states of the heart during the heart beat cycle.

Abstract: A health sensing device is described for placement on a user. The device may include a sensor, a filter, and a transmitter. The sensor is configured to sense one or more factors relating to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence. The filter is configured to evaluate a signal from the sensor and determine if the indicator has been detected. The transmitter is arranged for initiating a transmission based on a signal from the filter. The sensor can include one or more microphone devices, accelerometers, and/or MEMs devices. A method of monitoring a user for a health related condition is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.

Abstract: A wearable system for monitoring a plurality of physiological signals is provided. The wearable system includes at least one sensor producing the physiological signals associated with a patient. A processor unit receives the physiological signals from the at least one sensor. The processor unit analyzes the physiological signals to determine the occurrence of a triggered event and produces at least one output signal identifying the triggered event. A transmission unit receives the at least one output signal and prepares for transmission of the at least one output signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for traversing a lumen of a tubular body part, such as the large or small intestine, the colon, the bladder, the stomach, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the methods and devices utilize electroactive polymers that are selectively actuated to move a device through a lumen.

Abstract: A system and method that uses non-invasive method, such as a wearable module equipped with sensors placed on a subject connected to a computer-linked module, to monitor life signs like heartbeat waveforms, body temperatures, indicating the health of a living being or a dynamic system. The health of the system is defined by a set of known good spectra with deviations triggering alerts. A garment embedded with a piezoelectric material and a temperature sensor, when placed in contact with the body, captures acoustic waves from the heart and body temperature. Both sensors are connected to a garment-mounted module with a flexible printed antenna. Another module with reconfigured daughterboard software forms a bidirectional wireless data connection to a computer. A software program compares the received spectrum to its database spectrum based on a set of rules and alerts the user when it deviates.

Abstract: A method for cardio-acoustic signal analysis includes receiving a signal representative of heart sounds and displaying the signal in a time-perceptual frequency-perceptual loudness domain representation. The received signal is transformed to represent a time-perceptual frequency-amplitude domain. The method further includes applying a human auditory modeling algorithm to the time-perceptual frequency-amplitude domain representation to generate the time-perceptual frequency-perceptual loudness domain representation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for classifying a cardiovascular sound recorded from a living subject. The method comprises the steps of: identifying diastolic and/or systolic segments of said cardiovascular sound; dividing at least one of said identified diastolic and/or systolic segments into a number of sub-segments comprising at least a first sub-segment and at least a second sub-segment; extracting from said first sub-segment at least a first signal parameter characterizing a first property of said cardiovascular sound, extracting from said second sub-segment at least a second signal parameter characterizing a second property of said cardiovascular sound; classifying said cardiovascular sound using said at least first signal parameter and said at least second signal parameter in a multivariate classification method.

Abstract: A system comprising a heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal representative of at least one heart sound. A signal analyzer circuit measures a baseline time interval between a first detected physiologic cardiovascular event and at least one second detected physiologic cardiovascular event. At least one of the first and second detected physiologic cardiovascular events includes a heart sound event obtained from the heart sound signal. The sensor analyzer circuit determines that an ischemic event occurred at least in part by detecting a specified measured subsequent change from the established baseline time interval. Other systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for classifying a cardiovascular sound recorded from a living subject. The method comprises the step of extracting at least two signal parameters (309) from said cardiovascular sound, said at least two signal parameters characterizes at least two different properties of at least a part of said cardiovascular sound. The method further comprises the step of classifying said cardiovascular sound using said at least two signal parameters in a multivariate classification method (310). Furthermore, the application relates to a system, stethoscope and server for classifying a cardiovascular sound recorded from a living subject, where the above-described method has been implemented.

Abstract: An implantable device and method for monitoring S1 heart sounds with a remotely located accelerometer. The device includes a transducer that converts heart sounds into an electrical signal. A control circuit is coupled to the transducer. The control circuit is configured to receive the electrical signal, identify an S1 heart sound, and to convert the S1 heart sound into electrical information. The control circuit also generates morphological data from the electrical information. The morphological data relates to a hemodynamic metric, such as left ventricular contractility. A housing may enclose the control circuit. The housing defines a volume coextensive with an outer surface of the housing. The transducer is in or on the volume defined by the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a patient's blood glucose level. The apparatus includes an implantable medical device having a controller and an implantable heart sounds sensor configured to transmit signals to the controller of the implantable medical device. The controller is configured to determine if a patient is hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic based on the signals from the heart sounds sensor. A method is also disclosed that includes sensing the patient's heart sounds, determining the amplitude of the S2 heart sound, determining the length of the interval from the S1 heart sound to the S2max heart sound, determining the length of the interval from the S1 heart sound to the S2end heart sound, and determining the patient's blood glucose status based on the patient's heart sounds.

Abstract: A visual-acoustic device is provided that contains an acoustic detector to produce sound waves in communication with a moiré pattern generator that produces moiré patterns corresponding to the sound waves. The device includes a rigid plate having a first repetitive pattern and a flexible plate spaced from the rigid, plate and having a second repetitive pattern corresponding to the first repetitive pattern. The sound waves induce movement of the flexible plate such that the second repetitive pattern moves with respect to the first repetitive pattern to produce the moiré pattern. The visual-acoustic device can be arranged as a visual-acoustic stethoscope.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed, comprising a speaker suitable to be applied at a user's ear and enabled to be supplied with an audio signal for rendering; a microphone arranged in vicinity of the speaker to acquire a sound signal from sounds present in the ear of the user; and a signal processor, wherein the signal processor is arranged to subtract the audio signal from the sound signal to provide a physiological sound signal, and the signal processor is further arranged to detect a physiological measurement from the physiological sound signal. A method and a computer program are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seismocardiograph using multiple accelerometer sensors to identify cardiac valve opening and closing times. A methodology for selecting event times is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stethoscope protective wrap for a stethoscope including a pair of ear inserts attached to a pair of arms, a sound tube and a stethoscope head, the wrap including a protective wrap installed over the sound tube of the stethoscope, the protect wrap comprising a spiral cut material. A method of assembling the stethoscope is also provided.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for dividing a substantial cycli cardiovascular signal into segments by determining the characteristics of said cyclic signal, wherein each cycle in said signal comprises at least two characteristic segments and wherein the method comprises the steps o identifying segments in a cycle based on prior knowledge of said segment characteristics and the step of verifying said identified segments based on a number of statistical parameters obtained from prior knowledge relating to said cyclic signal. Furthermore, the invention describes a system adapted to perform the above-described method.

Abstract: A system to monitor heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable heart sound sensor configured to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound, an implantable posture sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of a patient's posture, and a controller circuit. The controller circuit is configured to determine a patient posture, measure at least one heart sound in correspondence with at least one corresponding patient posture, adjust the heart sound measurement by using the corresponding determined patient posture to reduce or remove variation in the heart sound measurement due to patient posture, detect a change in the adjusted heart sound measurement, and provide an indication of congestive heart failure to a user or an automated process in response to the detected change.

Abstract: A computer-based detection method employable with a sleeping subject for aiding in the differential-character diagnosis and treatments of apneic events includes gathering heart-sound data, including S1 data and S2 data. A combined time-frequency-intensity (TFI) analysis, of the gathered data is performed, in a continuous manner, over a selected time period. Based on the performing and the performed TFI analysis, an output is produced which is indicative of the presence and character of any detected apneic event.

Abstract: A system and method for acoustic detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) are provided. The system includes a transducer for acoustically detecting heart signals of a patient and a computer system which executes detection software for processing the detected heart signals to identify the presence of CAD from the heart signals. The software allows for the automatic definition of a diastolic “window” of the acoustic signal for analysis, and automatically edits the sampled acoustic signal to eliminate unwanted artifacts and/or noise in the acoustic signal. The edited signal is then processed by a plurality of signal processing algorithms, including spectral analysis algorithms, time-frequency algorithms, global feature algorithms, kurtosis algorithms, mutual information algorithms, negenthropy algorithms, and principal component analysis algorithms, to generate a disease vector. The disease vector is then classified to determine whether CAD is present in the patient.

Abstract: A stethoscope timer attachment and clip holder therefore comprising a timing device affixed to a tube of a stethoscope, and a holster to receive the timing device in an inverted position, wherein said holster is connected to a waist band of a pair of pants of a health care professional to carry the stethoscope thereon.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for analyzing body sounds from one or more body organs. An array of transducers is fixed to the body surface over the organs from which body sounds are to be recorded. Analysis of the recorded sound signals includes dividing each signal into one or more time intervals and calculating an average of the signal in each time interval. A difference signal is calculated for each interval, where the difference signal is the difference of the recorded signal in the interval and the interval average. An energy assessment signal is then calculated in each interval using the difference signal. In an embodiment, the energy assessment signal is a standard deviation signal. The subject matter may be used to record and analyze cardiovascular sounds for diagnosing abnormal cardiovascular function, or for calculating an ejection fraction.

Abstract: An implantable medical device system senses a first signal using a first acoustical sensor adapted to be operatively positioned in a first internal body location for sensing heart sounds in a patient. The system includes a second acoustical sensor adapted to be operatively positioned in a second internal body location for sensing sounds in the patient and generate a second signal that is less responsive to the heart sounds than the first acoustical signal. An implantable medical device including a housing and a processor enclosed in the housing receives the first signal and the second signal and generates a corrected first signal by canceling non-cardiac signals in the first signal using the second signal.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving a signal from an intrathoracic vibration sensor, analyzing the signal for vibration associated with deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle, based at least in part on the analyzing, deciding whether to call for adjustment to one or more parameters of a bi-ventricular pacing therapy. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular electronic biosensor includes a housing configured for hand-held manipulation and a base module comprising a module interface configured to receive one of a multiplicity of disparate detachable modules, such as a transducer module and an output module. A transducer of the transducer module is configured to sense a property of the human body and the output module is configured to output a signal comprising transducer signal information. The module interface includes a module connector for receiving a connector of the detachable module to facilitate signal transmission therebetween, a mechanical retention mechanism configured to retentively engage the detachable module, and a sealing arrangement disposed to provide sealing between the base module and the detachable module when attached to the base module. A processor is coupled to the module connector and configured to communicatively couple with each of the detachable and interchangeable modules when attached to the base module.

Abstract: An implantable device and method for monitoring S1 heart sounds with a remotely located accelerometer. The device includes a transducer that converts heart sounds into an electrical signal. A control circuit is coupled to the transducer. The control circuit is configured to receive the electrical signal, identify an S1 heart sound, and to convert the S1 heart sound into electrical information. The control circuit also generates morphological data from the electrical information. The morphological data relates to a hemodynamic metric, such as left ventricular contractility. A housing may enclose the control circuit. The housing defines a volume coextensive with an outer surface of the housing. The transducer is in or on the volume defined by the housing.

Abstract: The present invention exploits a visual rendering of heart sounds and models the morphological variations of audio envelopes through a constrained non-rigid translation transform. Similar heart sounds are then retrieved by recovering the corresponding alignment transform using a variant of shape-based dynamic time warping.

Abstract: A system and a related methodology for gathering, during a selected time span, and from a common anatomical site, time-contemporaneous ECG-electrical and heart-sound signals including (1) processing such signals to effect (a) time-based, related ECG fiducials, and (b) systolic and diastolic heart-sound indicators, and (2) creating a reportable data stream which communicates such effected fiducials and indicators in a manner whereby time-based relationships between them, and non-time-based differentiation between systolic and diastolic heart-sound indicators, are made visually discernible. The methodology of the invention may also be implemented strictly for the gathering and processing of heart sounds.

Abstract: A system to monitor heart sounds. The system comprises an implantable heart sound sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of at least one heart sound, a heart sound sensor interface circuit coupled to the heart sound sensor to produce a heart sound signal, an implantable posture sensor operable to produce an electrical signal representative of a patient's posture, and a controller circuit, coupled to the heart sound sensor interface circuit and the posture circuit. The controller circuit is operable to measure at least one heart sound in correspondence with at least one sensed patient posture.

Abstract: This invention provides a pulse acoustic analysis system for detecting disease. The present invention further provides a method for detecting a dynamic pressure change in a blood dynamic system in human.

Abstract: A method and system of providing biological distance-treatment through a public network includes at least a treatment instrument which is electrically connected with an information connection system for providing a treatment for a registered user, wherein a treatment information data package sent from a service provider via the information connection system through the public network to provide digital treatment signals to control the treatment, wherein the treatment information data package is selected from the treatment information database based on a treatment request sent from the information connection system to the service provider and the health information profile of the registered user in the service provider.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a staged approach for accurate and rapid detection. Physiological signals in a patient's body are sensed and corresponding physiological parameters are derived in a staged approach in order to determine the probability that AMI is occurring in a patient in a first detection stage. If the computed probability from physiological signals indicates the possibility of AMI, then the patient is prompted, such as through a patient-wearable device, to answer specific AMI-related questions to assist in diagnosis of AMI in a second stage. AMI is detected when the computed probability in the second stage exceeds a predefined detection threshold. A patient or physician alert may then be generated, which may further include the transfer of data via a communication link or network, in response to an AMI detection signal.