Abstract: For COPD assessment in medical imaging, imaging data is used to model airways and to extract values for features representative of COPD. The airway model provides values for anatomy of the airways and/or airflow. The values of anatomy, airflow, and/or extracted image features in combination indicate COPD information A machine-learned model may be used to relate the anatomy, airflow, and/or extracted image features to the COPD information. Additional information may be used, such as spirometry results and/or questionnaire answers. The combination of information, including airway modeling, as input to a COPD model may provide a more comprehensive understanding of COPD for assistance in therapy and/or diagnosis of a particular patient.

Abstract: Devices related to a conductive fabric sensor are provided. A device can comprise an insulting and flexible fabric substrate, a central transmitting electrode on a top surface of the insulting and flexible fabric substrate, a plurality of receiving electrodes surrounding the central transmitting electrode and connected to the central transmitting electrode, and a power supply configured to generate a respective electric field between the central transmitting electrode and each receiving electrode of the plurality receiving electrodes.

Abstract: An aerosol-generating device configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate is provided, including a power supply, a heater, a controller configured to control a supply of power from the power supply to the heater, and a combustion gas detector, wherein the controller is connected to the combustion detector and is configured to monitor a level of combustion gas based on signals from the combustion gas detector.

Abstract: A method for predictively controlling an operational state of a wearable device, according to one embodiment, includes collecting historical sensor data acquired by one or more sensors of a wearable device. The historical sensor data is analyzed for detecting a pattern therein. A time to change an operational state of the wearable device is predicted based on the analysis. The change of the operational state is instructed at the predicted time.

Abstract: A wheezing detection apparatus includes a breathing sound detection unit that detects a breathing sound of a measurement subject and acquires a breathing sound signal in a time series expressing the breathing sound. The wheezing detection apparatus includes a determination processing unit that, in each pre-determined processing unit period, converts the breathing sound signal into a frequency space to acquire a frequency spectrum of the breathing sound, and based on a height and a width of a peak in the frequency spectrum, determines whether or not the peak indicates wheezing.

Abstract: A patient monitoring, feeding, and mechanical breathing system, the system including an endotracheal probe including a first longitudinal member connected to a first camera and a semi-rigid longitudinal member inserted in an ET tube such that the first camera is aligned with a tip of the ET tube; an OG probe including a second longitudinal member configured to be inserted in an oral gastro (OG) tube, the second longitudinal member including a side camera, configured to be placed facing a window of the OG tube, wherein the side camera includes a tapered side; an enhanced OG probe, including a second camera and a motion sensor placed at the tip of the enhanced OG tube; a device communicatively coupled to the endotracheal, OG and enhanced OG probes, and having a screen configured to display images from any of the first camera, the side camera, and the second camera.

Abstract: A method for detecting the need for providing assistance to an individual suspected of overdosing on an opiate is provided. The method includes using a wearable device for continuous or intermittent monitoring of one or more physiological parameters of the individual. If the level of one of the one or more physiological parameters exceeds a threshold level specific to that parameter, an alarm is triggered. If the alarm is not aborted, an alert is transmitted to one or more emergency contacts conveying that the individual has overdosed. The method optionally provides for injection of an opioid receptor antagonist into the individual to reverse the effects of the overdose. Also provided is a device for implementing these methods.

Abstract: Automated devices provide methodologies for determining sleep conditions, which may be in conjunction with treatment of sleep disordered breathing by a pressure treatment apparatus such as a continuous positive airway pressure device. Based on a measure of respiratory airflow, respiratory characteristics are extracted to detect arousal conditions, sleep stability, sleep states and/or perform sleep quality assessments. The methodologies may be implemented for data analysis by a specific purpose computer, a monitoring device that measures a respiratory airflow and/or a respiratory treatment apparatus that provides a respiratory treatment regime based on the detected conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for determining at least one physiological parameter of a subject. The system comprises a sensor for skin apposition. The sensor comprises at least one light source for illuminating of a thoracic bone or a septum, and a detector for measuring of reflected and/or scattered light from blood vessels related to the thoracic bone or septum. The system further includes a control unit configured to control operation of the sensor and an analysing unit configured to analyse the measurement data for determining the at least one physiological parameter.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of enhancing a computer to estimate an uncertainty of an onset of a signal of interest in time-series noisy data. A first mathematical model of first time series data that contains only noise is calculated. A second mathematical model of second time series data that contains the noise and an onset of a signal of interest in the second time series data is calculated. A difference is evaluated between a first combination, being the first mathematical model and the second mathematical model, and a second combination, being the first time series data and the second time series data, wherein evaluating is performed using a generalized entropy metric. A specific time when an onset of the signal of interest occurs is estimated from the difference. An “a posteriori” distribution is derived for an uncertainty of the specific time at which the onset occurs.

Abstract: A method of monitoring respiration with an acoustic measurement device, the acoustic measurement device having a sound transducer, the sound transducer configured to measure sound associated with airflow through a mammalian trachea, the method includes correlating the measured sound into a measurement of tidal volume and generating at least one from the group consisting of an alert and an alarm if the measured tidal volume falls outside of a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the lifespan of a red blood cell is discussed. The method is a non-dispersive infrared spectrometry and comprises: injecting a small amount of sample at a constant speed; using an interference component absorption pack to remove interference components; measuring an alveolar gas sample and a background gas sample in pair and using a level difference-concentration difference fitting method to obtain the endogenous CO concentration in alveolar gas; using a dual-gas chamber method to measure the CO2 concentration and the CO concentration; and removing the influence of air, which is mixed into the alveolar gas when the alveolar gas is acquired, on the measured value of the endogenous CO concentration in the alveolar gas according to the obtained CO2 concentration, thereby obtaining the accurate value of the endogenous CO concentration in the alveolar gas and calculating the lifespan of the red blood cell.

Abstract: An exemplary breath analysis system may include a sampling chamber having a molecule collector disposed therein. The molecule detector may be configured such that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in a breath sample introduced to the sampling chamber adhere to the molecule collector. A heating element may introduce heat within the sampling chamber, causing release of at least a portion of the VOCs adhered to the molecule collector. An analysis device (e.g., a mass spectrometer or tetrahertz (THz) spectrometer) may identify one or more target VOCs from among at least the portion of the VOCs released from the molecule collector and generate an output representative of the identified one or more target VOCs. The output may include information that quantitates a concentration of the one or more target VOCs with respect to a source of the breath sample.

Abstract: A portable, handheld measurement device for monitoring lung function is provided. The measurement device includes one or more components designed to directly or indirectly detect air flow properties such as the direction, flow rate, and/or volume of air flow within a lumen of the device. In some embodiments, the air flow properties are determined from changes in pressure within the lumen. The measurement device may form part of a system that includes a remote computing device and a computer server. In some such embodiments, at least one of the computers present within the system calculates spirometry measurements from the air flow detected within the measurement device. Such measurements may be stored, displayed, and/or shared with others. Various methods performed by the devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for processing EEG signals includes reading the EEG signals from two frontal electrodes of an electroencephalograph (301); converting the EEG signals to a frequency domain (305); determining values of a BIS/BAS response on the basis of an asymmetry between the EEG signals (208). The method includes calculating the asymmetry between the EEG signals in the frequency domain in a frequency range from 26 to 29 Hz.

Abstract: An optimal sample size for experiments targeting units having specific static criteria is determined, based on one or more iterations of a performed experiment. The sample size to use for subsequent experiments targeting units having the specific static criteria is calculated based on target effect of the performed experiment. Multiple iterations can be performed to refine the sample size. Each iteration uses the previously calculated sample size as a parameter. The calculated sample size is then used to determine an optimal treatment. Separate experiments using separate treatments are performed on separate group sets of the calculated sample size. For each separate performed experiment, a score is calculated for the corresponding specific treatment, taking into account actual effect size, statistical significance and homogeneity of effect. Depending upon the score, the given treatment can be accepted for production usage or discarded, or the experiment can be replicated to validate effect.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for monitoring a health parameter of a user. A portable monitoring device comprises a housing adapted to couple to a user proximate to the user's respiratory tract; a first audio sensor, disposed in the housing, is adapted to detect a breath sound of the user and create breath sound data; and a processor coupled to the first audio sensor transduces the breath sound data into a modified breath sound signal which is representative of a parameter of the user's breathing, and the processor is adapted to compare the parameter of the user's breathing to a predetermined parameter threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for comparing photoplethysmography (PPG) signals from an individual with signals from a secondary respiration sensor secured to the individual to determine whether effective respiration has occurred or whether the individual has apnea, hypopnea, or other respiratory distress.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for conditioning a sleep signal from a sleep sensor for a sleep monitor. A sleep sensor is configured to sense a physiological signal, such as a cardiac or respiratory signal from a sleeping mammal, such as a human, e.g. an infant or a baby. If the mammal exhibits also (gross) body movement during his sleep, the sensor signal may be clipped. The method and device provide a conditioning of the sleep signal by providing an estimation of the sleep signal instead of the conditioned sleep signal itself when the sensor signal is clipping.

Abstract: A controller or processor(s) implements detection of respiratory related conditions that may serve as control logic to synchronize pressure treatment delivery with a patient's respiratory cycle. Based on data derived from sensor signals associated with the respiratory treatment, a monitoring device, detector or respiratory treatment apparatus may evaluate flow measures from a flow sensor and distinguish flow attributable to the respiratory treatment apparatus and flow attributable to patient respiratory muscles. The determination may serve as a basis of synchronization criteria that controls pressure levels from a pressure treatment apparatus, such as by evaluating the determined patient generated flow or a relationship between total flow and apparatus flow. In some embodiments, data for the cycling conditions is determined in preliminary treatment cycles during which synchronized pressure changes are controlled according to other cycling criteria.

Abstract: A method of adding sensing of moisture and other characteristics into a garment such as a diaper, incontinence garment, brief, or underwear is disclosed. The primary design intent is optimal moisture detection, low per unit cost, and wide-scale data analysis of groups of patients. The embodiments place various forms of electrodes within a garment, and measuring the electrical properties of the electrodes to determine if the garment has contacted moisture. The embodiments herein could be used for sensing incontinence, sensing perspiration, and detecting failure of protective garments, among other purposes. The target moisture is urine and feces; however, other sources of body moisture can also be sensed. A specialized mesh network achieves accuracy of the information obtained, as well as redundancy and timely updating of that information.

Abstract: A system for analysis of the upper airway has a sensor arrangement with at least two sensor positions provided along a flow path leading to the mouth and/or nose of a user (4). A relation is derived between sensor signals at the two locations, and this is interpreted to detect at least the presence of upper airway obstructions, and preferably also the location and/or extent of such obstructions. The system is adapted to distinguish between inhalation and exhalation using the acoustic sensor arrangement signals at the first and second locations.

Abstract: A flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) device includes a common flexible substrate with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A printed circuit is coupled to the first surface of the common flexible substrate. A battery is coupled to the second surface of the common flexible substrate. At least one via connects the battery to the printed circuit through the common flexible substrate.

Abstract: An intraoral multisensor device includes a mouthpiece, a plurality of sensors at least one of attached to or integrated with the mouthpiece, and a data communications unit configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors. The mouthpiece has a form to permit stable arrangement at least partially within a person's mouth such that it can remain for hands-free sensing of a plurality of biological parameters. Also, an intraoral multisensor system includes an intraoral multisensor device and a data processing device adapted to communicate with the intraoral multisensor device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus monitor health by detection of sleep stage. For example, a sleep stage monitor (100) may access sensor data signals related to bodily movement and/or respiration movements. At least a portion of the detected signals may be analyzed to calculate respiration variability. The respiration variability may include one or more of variability of respiration rate and variability of respiration amplitude. A processor may then determine a sleep stage based on one or more of respiration variability and bodily movement, such as with a combination of both. The determination of sleep stages may distinguish between deep sleep and other stages of sleep, or may differentiate between deep sleep, light sleep and REM sleep. The bodily movement and respiration movement signals may be derived from one or more sensors, such as non-invasive sensor (e.g., a non-contact radio-frequency motion sensor or a pressure sensitive mattress).

Abstract: Automated methods provide hypopnea detection for determining a hypopnea event and/or a severity of a hypopnea event. In some embodiments, a calculated short-term variance of a measured respiratory flow signal are compared to first and second proportions of a calculated long-term variance of the measured flow signal. A detection of the hypopnea may be indicated if the first measure falls below and does not exceed a range of the first and second proportions during a first time period. In some embodiments, a hypopnea severity measure is determined by automated measuring of an area bounded by first and second crossings of a short-term measure of ventilation and a proportion of a long-term measure. The detection methodologies may be implemented for data analysis by a specific purpose computer, a detection device that measures a respiratory airflow or a respiratory treatment apparatus that provides a respiratory treatment regime based on the detected hypopneas.

Abstract: An example of a system may include an electrode and a pulse generation system. The electrode may be configured to be implanted near a neural target that innervates airways. The pulse generation system may be configured to be operably connected to the electrode to deliver depletion block stimulation through the electrode to alleviate symptoms of pulmonary disease. The pulse generation system and the electrode may be configured to cooperate to capture axons in the neural target. The depletion block stimulation may include a series of pulses at a depletion pulse frequency.

Abstract: A method for determining lung function in a patient is disclosed, in which a multi-lumen catheter with an expandable occluding element at its end is used to isolate a targeted lung compartment, and respiratory characteristics at the targeted lung compartment are measured over multiple respiratory cycles. The relation between various characteristics of the respiratory cycle is used to determine compliance of lung tissue within the targeted lung compartment.

Abstract: A method and system for the analysis of a patient's oximetry data to detect sleep-disordered breathing is provided. The system employs an algorithm to reliably detect patient arousals and correlate those with accelerated heart rate and oxygen saturation levels in a manner that detects sleep-disordered breathing via the respiratory mask. Initially a timing channel is formed based on a plethsmography signal using an optical finger sensor. Based on the pleth waveform, a respiratory wave form is prepared that represents respiration rate. An arousal mask is applied to the signal based on attenuations in the pleth signal. Once arousals are identified the time required for changes to propagate from the lungs to the blood gas is subtracted from the onset time of the arousal. As a result if the timing agrees with dropping oxygen saturation or falling arterial pH then the arousal is indicated as a chemoreflex related arousal.

Abstract: A device includes: a controller that converts a pressure value detected by a pressure detector into visual or aural lingual pressure information changed depending on a magnitude of the pressure value; and an information output unit, such as a buzzer and a color display LED, that outputs the lingual pressure information in response to a signal from the controller. The information output unit outputs lingual pressure information different depending on a pressing force applied on an elastic balloon by a tongue, allowing users such as patients and elderly people to continue a training without being bored.

Abstract: A method of a device detects a respiratory effort-related arousal in a respiratory airflow signal of a patient. The method may include computing a measure of consistency of inspiratory flow limitation over a plurality of recent breaths from the signal. The method may further include computing a measure of step change in ventilation indicating a sudden big breath. The method may further include computing a measure indicating a degree of confidence of occurrence of a respiratory effort-related arousal from the measure of consistency of inspiratory flow limitation and the measure of the step change in ventilation.

Abstract: A method for identifying cardiac bradiacardia behavior may include acquiring pulse volume wave data from a sensor associated with a patient, and calculating metrics associated with peaks detected therein. The metrics may include changes in peak amplitudes of pulse volume peaks and in the times of occurrence of pulse volume peaks. Alternative metrics may include changes in frequency domain parameters derived from the time domain pulse volume wave data. Peak amplitude values may be compared to an amplitude baseline, and differences in successive peak occurrence times may be compared to a time baseline. Cardiac bradycardia behavior may be identified by a combination of a decrease in the pulse volume peak amplitude and an increase in successive peak occurrence times. A system to implement the method may include a computing device in data communication with a photo-plethysmograph. Alternative sensors may include a blood pressure cuff and an ECG device.

Abstract: A system and associated method receives, by a database coupled to a communication network, patient medical data from multiple data sources including data retrieved from implantable medical devices implanted in patients. A processor accesses the database to generate a dataset from the medical data having at least one data characteristic matching a corresponding data characteristic of a patient group of at least one patient. At least one subset of the dataset is identified that had a therapy intervention subsequent to a time point that the subset had the matching data characteristic(s). An outcome of the subset is determined and a predictive outcome for the patient group is produced based on the outcome of at least one subset.

Abstract: Provided are systems, devices, and methods for planning a medical procedure. An exemplary method includes receiving image data of a patient's chest, identifying the patient's lungs in the image data, determining locations of pleural surfaces of the patient's lungs in the image data, identifying a treatment target in the patient's lungs, generating a three-dimensional (3D) model of the patient's lungs based on the image data, the 3D model showing the pleural surfaces of the patient's lungs and the treatment target, determining whether the treatment target invades the pleural surfaces, displaying a view of the 3D model for viewing by a clinician, receiving input from the clinician regarding a plan for the medical procedure, and displaying the plan for the medical procedure.

Abstract: A method of treating a hyperoxia induced disease or disorder associated with GSNO deficiency in a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of GSNO or a GSNO promoting agent.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining respiration information from physiological signals such as PPG signals. A physiological signal is processed to generate at least one respiration information signal and an autocorrelation sequence is generated based on the at least one respiration information signal. In some embodiments, a respiration peak is identified based on the autocorrelation sequence and a composite peak is generated based on the identified peak and at least one previous respiration peak. Respiration information is calculated based on the composite peak. In some embodiments, a determination is made whether the autocorrelation sequence includes an undesired harmonic. When the autocorrelation sequence includes an undesired harmonic, the autocorrelation sequence may not be used in the calculation of respiration information.

Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for adjusting a monitoring system which is arranged to receive measured values of a physiological characteristic of a subject and to generate an alarm when the received measured values meet at least one predefined alarm generation criterion.

Abstract: A device, system and method unobtrusively and reliably detect apnoea of a subject (2). An input unit (11) receives image data of subject. The image data includes a sequence of images over time. A cardiac activity extraction unit (12) extracts from the image data a cardiac activity signal representing the subject's cardiac activity from a skin area of the subject using remote photoplethysmography. A motion signal extraction unit (14) extracts from said image data a motion signal representing motion of a subject's body part caused by breathing of the subject. An analysis unit (16) determines a similarity between said cardiac activity signal and said motion signal. A decision unit (18) detects apnoea of the subject based on the determined similarity.

Abstract: An implantable medical device for treating breathing disorders such as central sleep apnea wherein stimulation is provided to the phrenic never through a transvenous lead system with the stimulation beginning after inspiration to extend the duration of a breath and to hold the diaphragm in a contracted condition.

Abstract: Method and system for generating at least one attention signal indicating a problem for an animal. The method includes attaching at least one sensor to the animal. The sensor generates information about the movement and/or direction of the sensor. The method analyzes the information to generate one attention signal if there is a problem with the animal. The analysis includes a step of calculating an actual inactive value and generating the signal if a condition is fulfilled. The actual inactive value indicates a length of time the animal was inactive over a recent first time period. When the actual inactive value is greater than a boundary value, attention signal is generated. The system is provided with at least one sensor and a computer for carrying out the analysis on the basis of information received form the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A medical system (100) is disclosed that provides a respiratory-based control of at least one medical procedure. In this regard, the medical system (100) includes one or more appropriate sensors (108) for providing respiratory data on a patient (104). This respiratory data is utilized by respiration assessment logic (116) to determine if the respiratory data has exceeded one or more respiration thresholds and which may be equated with a “sudden” respiratory event. Identification of such a sudden respiratory event by the logic (116) results in the suspension of the noted medical procedure. Patient respiration data may also be displayed, for instance in a color that depends upon its magnitude or level.

Abstract: An estimation device includes a first converting unit configured to convert a beat signal to a one-dimensional first candidate signal on the basis of a two-dimensional distribution of the beat signal, a second converting unit configured to convert the beat signal to a one-dimensional second candidate signal on the basis of a two-dimensional position change of the beat signal, and a signal deciding unit configured to decide a one-dimensional signal on the basis of the first candidate signal and the second candidate signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient interface (10) for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient (12), comprising: a sealing portion (22) for sealing an interface between the patient interface (10) and a patient's face when the patient (10) interface is worn by the patient (12); a detection unit (30) including a displacement sensor (32, 32?) for generating a displacement signal including information on a displacement of the sealing portion (22) with respect to the patient's face relative to an identified reference position of the sealing portion (22) with respect to the patient's face; one or more actuators (36, 36?, 36?) for positioning at least parts of the sealing portion (22) relative to the patient's face; and a control unit (34) that is configured to actuate the one or more actuators (36, 36?, 36?) based on the displacement signal in order to adjust a position of at least parts of the sealing portion (22) with respect to the patient's face during use.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to intrapleural air leak detection and monitoring. According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an air leak may be detected utilizing at least one sensor to determine whether fluid extracted from a pleural cavity of a patient includes carbon dioxide and/or a second substance. The second substance may be a foreign substance inhaled by the patient to confirm presence of the air leak. The air leak may be further monitored over a period of time by collecting temporally successive measurements associated with detected concentrations of carbon dioxide. Therefore, tissue damage and recovery may be assessed according to objectively collected criteria.

Abstract: A body sound analysis device includes: acquisition means (210, 220) that acquires information relating to a frequency corresponding to a prescribed feature of a spectrum of a body sound; shifting means (230) that shifts, according to the information relating to the frequency, a plurality of reference spectrums that are references for classifying body sounds, and acquires a frequency shift reference spectrum; and output means (240, 250) that outputs a ratio of a plurality of reference spectrums included in the body sounds on the basis of the body sounds and the frequency shift reference spectrum. According to this body sound analysis device, a plurality of types of sounds included in the body sounds can be favorably analyzed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for analyzing a respiratory motion waveform acquired during acquiring imaging data with a molecular imaging device. In one embodiment, a method comprises acquiring imaging data with a molecular imaging apparatus, analyzing a respiratory motion waveform acquired during the acquiring imaging data, and applying gating to the acquired imaging data based on the analyzed respiratory motion waveform. In this way, gating may be applied to the acquired imaging data in order to generate an image for medical diagnosis with increased image quality and accuracy.

Abstract: A sleep monitoring system (10) for monitoring the sleep of a subject is disclosed. The system comprises a CO2 sensor (21) and a processor (31) communicatively coupled to the CO2 sensor, wherein the processor is adapted to monitor a CO2 concentration from sensor data produced by the CO2 sensor; and derive sleep pattern information from the monitored CO2 concentration, wherein the sleep pattern information comprises at least an indication that the subject is awake and an indication that the subject is asleep. A sleep monitoring method and computer program product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for electrode placement includes acquiring an image of a body of a patient, such that the image captures a patch that has been placed on the body. Based on the acquired image and the patch appearing therein, one or more preferred locations are calculated on the body for placing one or more respective electrodes to be used in carrying out a procedure in an internal organ of the patient. The preferred locations are displayed to an operator.

Abstract: A biopsy device includes a biopsy sample extraction needle having a sample extraction end, a recovery end, and a transport channel linking the extraction and recovery ends. In a first configuration, a valve has a first position wherein the valve directly connects a pump to an ambient vent and the pump can reduce the pressure in at least the sample extraction end. In a second configuration, the valve has a second position wherein the valve directly connects the pump to a fluid reservoir and the pump can draw fluid from the fluid reservoir. In a third configuration, the valve has a third position wherein the valve directly connects the pump to the extraction end and the pump can supply fluid to the extraction end to flush fluid along the transport channel from the extraction end to the recovery end to transport a sample along the transport channel.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and systems for validating and interpreting respiratory signals in order to provide comprehensive non-invasive methods to monitor patients at risk for respiratory depression and apnea. In the present invention, data from multiple respiratory monitoring technologies (or from multiple channels of one monitoring technology) is fused so that the patient's true respiratory state may be elucidated.