Abstract: A method for characterizing sleep disordered breathing may include identification of at least one of a plurality of predefined airway structural sources associated with a sleep disordered breathing event based on airflow data. In one example, an identification of at least one of a plurality of predefined airway structural sources associated with a sleep disordered breathing event is made based on data indicative of a ratio of a difference between a peak inspiratory airflow rate and a mid-inspiratory airflow rate to the peak inspiratory airflow rate captured during occurrence of the sleep disordered breathing event.

Abstract: Medication management and reporting technology, in which output from at least one sensor configured to sense physical activity in a building in which medication of a patient is located is monitored and a determination is made to capture one or more images of the medication based on the monitoring. A camera is used to capture an image of the medication and the captured image is analyzed to detect a state of the medication. Information regarding a schedule by which the medication should be taken by the patient is accessed and an expected state of the medication is determined. The detected state is compared with the expected state and a determination is made that the patient has departed from the schedule based on the comparison revealing that the detected state does not match the expected state. A message indicating the departure from the schedule is sent based on the determination.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes an array of microphones for detecting audible sounds generated by a patient and for generating audio information representing the detected audible sounds, a first beamformer having a first adaptability speed and configured to generate first audio information and first noise information from the audio information, a second beamformer having a second adaptability speed which is slower than the first adaptability speed, the second adaptive beamformer configured to generate second audio information and second noise information from the audio information, an audio classification unit for generating audio classification information based on the first audio information, a head movement detection unit for generating head movement information based on at least one of the second audio information, the first noise information, and the second noise information, and a diagnosis unit for determining a sleep apnea diagnosis based on the audio classification information and the head movement

Abstract: A charging and data transfer method for use in a pressure support system adapted to provide a regimen of respiratory therapy to a patient includes establishing a near-field wireless coupling interface between a pressure generating device base unit of the pressure support system and a wireless peripheral device (32) of the pressure support system, transferring energy from the pressure generating device base unit to the wireless peripheral device over the near-field wireless coupling interface and using the transferred energy in the wireless peripheral device to charge an energy storage device (72) of the wireless peripheral device, and transferring pairing information between the pressure generating device base unit and the wireless peripheral device over the near-field wireless coupling interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a respiratory gas to a patient within the scope of the diagnosis and/or the treatment of sleep-related breathing disorders includes an electronic signal processing device for generating a pressure control signal on the basis of indicative signals relating to the breathing activity and/or the physiological state of a person. The signal processing device comprises a signal inputting device and an extraction device for generating data field entries according to predefined signal analysis procedures. A pressure signal generator is provided for generating the pressure control signal, taking into account determined data field entries which are at least selected by the extraction device.

Abstract: A medical hand-held device, in particular an atomizer, for dispensing a liquid pharmaceutical preparation from a container with a discharge nozzle for the pharmaceutical preparation and located upstream from the discharge nozzle there is a multiple-stage filter system.

Abstract: In a respiratory apparatus for treatment of sleep apnea and other disorders associated with an obstruction of a patient's airway and which uses an airflow signal, an obstruction index is generated which detects the flattening of the inspiratory portion of the airflow. The obstruction index is used to differentiate normal and obstructed breathing. The obstruction index is based upon different weighting factors applied to sections of the airflow signal thereby improving sensitivity to various types of respiration obstructions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a photoplethysmography sensor apparatus (200, 300), a photoplethysmography sensor method (400), and a photoplethysmography sensor computer program product. It is proposed to measure a photoplethysmographic signal without ambient light interference. Ambient light signals are rejected by subtraction of a compensation current at the input of a transimpedance amplifier (240, 340). The compensation current is controlled via a closed loop, without interfering with the low duty cycle operation of a photoplethysmography LED (210, 310).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for examining a subject for a particular physiological condition according to a technique which utilizes sounds generated by the subject and sensed at a predefined distance from the site of sound generation of the subject, by locating a first sound sensor, e.g., a sound level meter which measures the sound levels in decibels, on a particular region of the subject's body to produce an output corresponding to the sound level sensed thereby; modifying the output of the first sound level meter by a pre-calculated Transfer Function equating its output to that of a second sound level meter located at a predefined distance from the site of sound generation of the subject's body; and utilizing the modified output of the first sound level meter in determining the existence of the particular physiological condition.

Abstract: A medical device system and associated method determine an implantable medical device state prior to implantation. An impedance monitoring module monitors for a change in impedance between a pair of electrodes coupled to the impedance monitoring circuit. The system includes an enclosure for carrying the implantable medical device. The enclosure has a surface having an electrical impedance. A control module is configured to detect one of a first pre-implant state and a second pre-implant state of the implantable medical device in response to the impedance monitoring module detecting a change in impedance between the electrodes and adjust operation of the implantable medical device in response to detecting the impedance change.

Abstract: Values of components of total carbon dioxide excreted by a subject can be provided. One or more signals may be received conveying information related to a rate of total carbon dioxide excreted by the subject. Based at least in part on the received one or more signals, a first capnometric component and/or a second capnometric component may be determined. The first capnometric component may indicate a rate of metabolic carbon dioxide production. The second capnometric component may indicate a rate of carbon dioxide transfer to or from body compartments of the subject that store carbon dioxide. The first capnometric component and/or the second capnometric component may be presented to a user.

Abstract: Described is a system including a sensor and a processing arrangement. The sensor measures data corresponding to a patient's breathing patterns. The processing arrangement analyzes the breathing patterns to determine whether the breathing patterns are indicative of a REM sleep state. In another embodiment, the processing arrangement analyzes the breathing patterns to determine whether the breathing patterns are indicative of one of the following states: (i) a wake state and (ii) a sleep state. In another embodiment, a neural network analyzes the data to determine whether the breathing patterns are indicative of one of the following states: (i) a REM sleep state, (ii) a wake state and (iii) a sleep state. In another embodiment, the processing arrangement analyzes the data to determine whether the breathing pattern is indicative of an arousal.

Abstract: A wearable monitoring device includes a plurality of cardiac sensing electrodes, a monitor, at least one motion sensor, and a controller. The plurality of cardiac sensing electrodes are positioned outside a body of a subject and to detect cardiac information of the subject. The monitor administers a predetermined test to the subject, and has a user interface configured to receive quality of life information from the subject. The at least one motion sensor is positioned outside the body of the subject and to detect subject motion during the predetermined test. The controller is communicatively coupled to the plurality of cardiac sensing electrodes, the monitor, and the at least one motion sensor, and receives and stores the detected cardiac information, the quality of life information, and the detected subject motion. The controller further communicates the stored detected subject motion and the quality of life information to a remote computer.

Abstract: An image of a human, animal or machine subject, is analysed to detect regions which include strong periodic intensity variations, such as a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal in a human or animal, or some periodic vibration in a machine. The image is divided into plural regions of fixed order is fitted to a representative intensity signal for that region. The poles of the fitted autoregressive model are thresholded by magnitude to select only the pole or poles with a magnitude greater than the threshold. The pole magnitude therefore acts as a signal quality index. The dominant pole is representative of the strongest periodic information and the frequency of that spectral component can be derived from the phase angle of the pole. The image may be redisplayed with image attributes, e.g. color-coding, according to the pole magnitude in each region of interest and/or the dominant pole phase angle in each region of interest. In the case of a PPG image signal this can give maps of heart rate and breathing rate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and device for apnea and hypopnea detection. In one embodiment, a method is provided for detecting apneas and hypopneas from a digitized breath sound recording acquired from a candidate suspected of sleep apnea. The method comprises scanning an amplitude profile of the digitized breath sound recording to identify a prospect event segment; evaluating characteristics of the prospect event segment for consistency with one or more preset apnea-specific criteria; classifying the prospect event segment as representative of an apnea upon it satisfying each of the one or more apnea-specific criteria; evaluating the prospect event characteristics for consistency with one or more preset hypopnea-specific criteria distinct from the apnea-specific criteria; and classifying the prospect event segment as representative of a hypopnea upon it satisfying each of the one or more hypopnea-specific criteria.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and apparatus for modifying an entity sensory representation. An entity sensory representation representing an entity is received. The entity sensory representation comprises a plurality of sensory representations that represent a plurality of items that are part of the entity. Each of the plurality of items is associated with a set of values for a set of measurable factors of interest. A set of scale factors is calculated for each of the plurality of sensory representations based on the set of values associated with the each of the plurality of items. The plurality of sensory representations is modified using the set of scale factors to form a plurality of modified sensory representations that establish a relative relationship between the plurality of items represented by the plurality of modified sensory representations with respect to the set of measurable factors of interest.

Abstract: Proposed invention refers to a method for anonymously associating health monitoring device measurements to a user ID. The invention comprises the steps of: registering in a server a user associated with an ID and a first set of metadata; registering a health monitoring device associated to a second ID and a second set of metadata; then, sending through a first communication channel the ID associated to the user and the first set of metadata to the server by a communication device; taking a measurement of the user by the health monitoring device and sending through a second communication channel said measurement associated to the second ID and the second set of metadata to the server; comparing the metadata stored in the server; and finally associating the first ID with the measurements taken by the health monitoring device corresponding to the second set of metadata, being based the association on the results of the previous comparison.

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

Abstract: An apnea episode determination device includes, a processor; and a memory which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute, detecting a breathing segment and a midway segment from a sound signal during sleep, the breathing segment being considered to include a breathing sound, the midway segment existing in between the breathing segments; calculating an acoustic feature based on a background noise component and a signal component excluding the background noise component, which are included in the midway segment; and determining that the midway segment is an apnea episode when the acoustic feature meets a preset condition.

Abstract: A method and system for determining homeostatic risk in a patient, in order to screen metabolic diseases and/or their complications and/or their treatment management, is provided. The method includes receiving, from one or more sensors coupled with the patient, galvanic skin response, bioimpedance, a photoplethysmogram (PTG), and blood pressure from the patient, calculating a first score based on the PTG, calculating a second score based on the galvanic skin response, calculating a third score based on the bioimpedance, calculating a fourth score based on the blood pressure, calculating a homeostatic risk score based on the first, second, third and fourth scores that were calculated, wherein the homeostatic risk score corresponds to the homeostatic risk of the patient, and displaying the homeostatic risk score.

Abstract: Disclosed is a respiratory phase determination apparatus enabling a respiratory phase determination robust to personal differences in respiration among subjects and fluctuations in respiration of subjects in person without any need for calibration.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of extracting optimal information from a flow/volume loop concerning the patient's respiratory condition by examining the overall shape of the space under the flow/volume loop's expiration portion. In some embodiments, this is done with reference to the center of mass of that space. In some embodiments, this is done with reference to the area of that space. Some embodiments are significantly less affected by random/statistical variations and/or noise within the measurement system than existing methods.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for diagnosing sleep apnea are provided herein. In one example, a device for detecting airway obstructions may be provided where the device may include a wearable hollow nasal tube to be positioned in an upper airway above a constriction point and an end imaging sensor coupled to the nasal tube to collect airway image data. The device further may include a controller and communication interface to communicatively link and relay airway image data to a select remote device to determine airway obstructions. In some examples, a method may be provided including receiving airway image data from a remote end imaging sensor coupled to a nasal tube disposed within an upper airway above a constriction point, and analyzing the airway image data and displaying in a sleep study report the airway image data to identify airway closures related to obstructive sleep apnea.

Abstract: A liquid separator removing a liquid from a sample of a breathing gas flowing through an airway adapter having a channel surrounded by a wall is disclosed herein. The separator includes a chamber receiving the sample, and a membrane having an outer surface exposed to the gas flow, the membrane at least partially surrounding the chamber, which membrane separates the liquid received by the chamber. The separator also includes a supporting structure for supporting the membrane, and a connector operationally attached to the supporting structure, the connector being connectable to the adapter. The connector comprises a cavity providing a flow path for the sample from the chamber through an opening of the cavity to a sample tube. The membrane branches from a central part of the channel into at least two different branches extending to different directions.

Abstract: A multi sensor module especially designed for use in sleep-study applications includes a PVDF film piezoelectric transducer enclosed between an upper layer of a single-sided adhesive tape strip and a lower layer of a double-sided adhesive tape strip. Also adhesively affixed to the upper single-sided adhesive tape strip, but not overlaid by the lower double-sided adhesive tape strip are first and second conductive electrodes. The combination sensor module is adapted to be adhesively affixed to the chest area of a person and further included in an extension of the PVDF strip that is adapted to overlay the suprasternal notch of a person for producing signals responsive to respiratory activity of the person.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for predicting patient respiratory stability includes a patient data memory (24) which stores patient data for a patient (12) and an analyzer (34) in communication with the memory computes a measure of patient respiratory stability. The analyzer applies one or more rules to the patient data that are based on a plurality of parameters which in combination, have been identified as being predictive of patient respiratory instability, such as mean airway pressure (MAWP), plateau pressure (PP), arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2 or SpO2), and heart rate (HR). Based on the application of the rules, the analyzer determines the measure of patient respiratory stability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprises: (A) receiving first acoustic data representing a first cough train of a first human subject, wherein the first cough train comprises at least one first cough of the first human subject; (B) identifying at least one first value of at one first acoustic property of the first acoustic data; and (C) determining, based on the at least one first value of the at least one first acoustic property, whether the first acoustic data indicates that the first human subject has a severe respiratory illness.

Abstract: An instrument system that includes an optical fiber and a controller is provided. The optical fiber is coupled to an external structure of a patient and has a strain sensor provided thereon. The controller is operatively coupled to the optical fiber and adapted to receive a signal from the strain sensor and to determine a property of respiration of the patient based on the signal.

Abstract: Shown and described is a method for controlling and/or regulating a spiroergometry system (1) for determining energy metabolism during physical exertion, wherein the spiroergometry system (1) has a user unit (2) arranged in the flow of the inhaled and exhaled air of a test subject (4) for removing a respiratory gas sample of the test subject (4), at least one analysis unit (5) for measuring the respiratory gas composition and/or the respiratory flow volume and for determining physiological parameters relating to the ventilation and/or gas exchange of the test subject (4), particularly for determining the oxygen volume taken in during at least one inhalation of the test subject (4) and the carbon dioxide volume exhaled after the breath and, preferably, the respiratory quotient, at least one measuring device (6) for measuring the heart rate of the test subject (4), at least one control device (7) for controlling the spiroergometry system (1) and a cardio equipment unit (8) for the physical exertion of the test

Abstract: A pump system and method of detecting/alerting for a possible unintended free flow condition in an administration set includes the steps of a) sampling force signals from a force sensor of the pump at a predetermined frequency; b) storing each of the sampled forces signal in a N-point circular buffer, where N is an integer greater than two; c) calculating a derivative dF/dt based on the two most recent samples; d) repeating step c) and when the most recently calculated derivative dF/dt exceeds a first predetermined threshold, then calculating a N-point moving average of the derivatives dF/dt; and f) when the N-point moving average exceeds a second predetermined threshold, generating a user perceptible alarm to alert the user that a flow stop open condition may have occurred.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of diagnosing the presence or absence of a bacterial infection in a patient, in particular, a tuberculosis infection, by measuring exhaled, isotopically labeled nitrogen gas after administration of isotopically labeled isoniazid.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing customized versions of firmware to a wearable sensor device. The customized versions of the firmware can allow one or more sensors in the wearable sensor device to perform in a manner that is most optimal for a particular user or the particular manner in which the wearable sensor device is used. In some cases, the customizations can include causing the sensors to use a sampling rate that is optimal for one or more activities that the particular user intends to perform while wearing the wearable sensor device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an epilepsy disease state in a human patient are described. The system includes patient components and a supervisory module. The patient components include: an implantable electrode array for collecting neurological signals, an implantable recording electrode signal processor for processing the neurological signals collected by the electrode array, and a disease state estimator for estimating the patient's disease state. The supervisory module receives the patient's disease state from the patient components and displays a time history of the patient's disease state.

Abstract: A method for delivering energy as a function of degree coupling may utilize an external unit configured for location external to a body of a subject and at least one processor associated with the implant unit and configured for electrical communication with a power source. The method may determine a degree of coupling between the primary antenna and a secondary antenna associated with the implant unit, and regulate delivery of power to the implant unit based on the degree of coupling between the primary antenna and the secondary antenna.

Abstract: Various embodiments may provide methods and systems capable of evaluating physiological parameter data. The methods and systems may include monitoring a patient to produce a signal comprising a sequence of numerical values for blood oxygen saturation over a time period. The signal may be analyzed to identify two or more desaturation patterns within the time period, and at least two numerical differences are calculated between the desaturation patterns. A saturation pattern detection index may be calculated using the numerical differences between the desaturation patterns. The saturation pattern detection index may be used to provide an indication of a physiological condition. Other embodiments may provide a medical device that may be used to evaluate physical parameter data according to the techniques described.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for extending the service life of a battery source by fully utilizing the energy in batteries and/or providing higher energy reserve using multiple batteries. An universal battery bank consists of an ensemble of possibly heterogenous batteries all connected in series to provide a usable operational energy source. For a universal battery bank consists on N batteries, the minimum operational voltage for the individual batteries (Vmin) can be lowered to Vmin/N on average, thereby extending the time interval between battery replacements and draining the individual batteries more efficiently. To exploit this power supply that may vary over a wide voltage range, electronics are designed to monitor the individual batteries, guard against excessive voltage and current, and provide constant current sources and/or constant voltage sources for various appliances.

Abstract: A sleep apnea syndrome testing apparatus includes: an analyzing unit that analyzes every unit time a sound signal resulting from a subject during sleep; a determining unit that determines whether a unit time of the sound signal includes a breath sound or a characteristic sound produced when a patient with sleep apnea syndrome recovers from an apneic state into a breathing state, and the determining unit that determines that the sleep state of the subject in the unit time is any one of “breathing restored state,” “state with breathing,” and “state without breathing;” a storage unit in which a sleep state of the subject in each unit time is stored; and a detecting unit that detects an apneic state of the subject if a history of the sleep states of the subject indicates at least a transition from the “state without breathing” to the “breathing restored state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine a phase angle between a first signal based on ventilator airflow for a breath and a second signal based upon ventilator firing for the breath. Based on the phase angle, an indication of a nature of dis-synchrony of airflow and ventilator firing is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a medical hand-held device, in particular an atomizer (1), for dispensing a liquid pharmaceutical preparation from a container with a discharge nozzle for the pharmaceutical preparation and located upstream from the discharge nozzle there is a multiple-stage filter system.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for compensating long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors used in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide (NO) gas to a patient by compensating for drift that may be specific to the sensors atypical use in systems for delivering therapeutic nitric oxide gas to a patient. In at least some instances, the long term sensitivity drift of catalytic type electrochemical gas sensors can be addressed using calibration schedules, which can factor in the absolute change in set dose of NO being delivered to the patient that can drive one or more baseline calibrations. The calibration schedules can be used reduce the amount of times the sensor goes offline. Systems and methods described may factor in in actions occurring at the delivery system and/or aspects of the surrounding environment, prior to performing a baseline calibration, and may postpone the calibration and/or rejected using the sensor's output for the calibration.

Abstract: A training apparatus for training a child how to blow his or her nose includes a tapered chute having proximal and distal ends. The tapered chute defines an internal passageway connecting the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end includes a proximal opening that is sufficiently wide to fit over a child's nose. The distal end includes a distal opening that is smaller than the proximal opening. The internal passageway includes a narrow portion, adjoining the distal opening, and sized to snugly accommodate a projectile lodged therein. When air is exhaled into the proximal opening, the exhaled air passes through the internal passageway and builds pressure behind the projectile such that the projectile is forcefully ejectable from the distal opening.

Abstract: The disclosed concept maintains that Qp=Qc?Qleak, where, Qp is the estimated patient flow, Qleak is the estimated leak and Qc is the measured total circuit flow. Qleak is given by a transfer function ?(?) where x is a set of independent measured or fixed variables. The transfer function is thus Qleak=?(?). The transfer function (?(?) is adjusted given the constraint that, Qp shall be zero. The transfer function converges over time to accurately estimate the leak because over an extended time the mean patient flow will always be zero. In one example, ?(?)=gorfP? and the coefficient gorf is adapted until Qp is zero.

Abstract: A support device for supporting a transmission coil on the body of a patient, with a receiving or securing device or a receiving space for receiving or securing the transmission coil in and/or on the support device, and further comprising a detection device for detecting a process of application, a state of application, a process of removal and/or a state of removal of the support device relative to the body of the patient. Further pertaining to a method for operating such a device.

Abstract: A non-resistive contact sensor assembly includes an electric field sensor device, including a dry electrode component for receiving an electrical signal from an object of interest and a signal processing component for processing the electrical signal, and a casing in which the signal processing component is surrounded or embedded. The processing component may include communications capabilities.

Abstract: A method and system for physiological gating is disclosed. A method and system for detecting and predictably estimating regular cycles of physiological activity or movements is disclosed. Another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to predictive actuation of gating system components. Yet another disclosed aspect of the invention is directed to physiological gating of radiation treatment based upon the phase of the physiological activity. Gating can be performed, either prospectively or retrospectively, to any type of procedure, including radiation therapy or imaging, or other types of medical devices and procedures such as PET, MRI, SPECT, and CT scans.

Abstract: A system evaluates a patient for a physiological abnormality. A urinary catheter is insertable within a patient's bladder and has a first pressure sensor for measuring bladder pressure and a second pressure sensor for measuring mid-urethral pressure at the mid-urethral sphincter. A processing device is connected to the first and second pressure sensors and configured to receive the measured bladder pressure and measured mid-urethral pressure during at least one breath cycle and process the data representative of the bladder and mid-urethral pressures obtained during the at least one breath cycle to diagnose a physiological abnormality within the patient.

Abstract: A respiration sensing subsystem includes a band made of stretchable material and a pair of spaced conductors extending along the band in a flexible pattern. A moisture repellant compound is added to the stretchable material of the band between the pair of spaced conductors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing multiple measurements and diagnoses simultaneously, in terms of body function, include a data processing element, a data acquisition module, an optional treatment output module, a user control module, and a user display system, where the data acquisition module sends a plurality of measurement data simultaneously, in terms of body functions, to the data processing element. The processing element provides a plurality of outputs which can be made available to the user or combined in the diagnostic module. A treatment algorithm in the treatment module can affect the patient through a feedback mechanism. In response, the data processing element generates treatment information needed by the treatment output module.

Abstract: A boat holding tank for anesthetizing fish is described having a pulsator, with the pulsator having an anode output and a cathode output; a holding tank capable of receiving an aquatic animal, the holding tank further comprising an anode probe and a cathode probe, with the anode cathode probe of the holding tank switchably connected to the anode and cathode output of the pulsator, such that when the pulsator is activated the aquatic animal in the holding tank is anesthetized.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring system may determine physiological information, such as physiological rate information, from a physiological signal. The system may generate a correlation sequence using two segments of the physiological signal. The system may determine a first correlation lag value that corresponds to a peak in the correlation sequence, and also determine a second correlation lag value equal to a fraction of the first correlation lag value. The fraction may be, for example, one half. The system may qualify or disqualify the correlation lag value based on the correlation value at the second lag value. The system may compare the correlation value at the second lag value to a threshold, to the correlation sequence at the first lag value, or both.