Abstract: An implantable respiration monitor can be used to detect disordered breathing or periodic breathing events that can be categorized, such as according to one or more of sleep, exercise, and resting awake states. The categorized frequency of such events can be compared to independently specifiable thresholds, such as to trigger an alert or responsive therapy, or to display one or more trends. The information can also be combined with detection of one or more other congestive heart failure (CHF) symptoms to generate a CHF status indicator or to trigger an alarm or responsive therapy or to display one or more trends. The alert can notify the patient or a caregiver, such as via remote monitoring. The sleep state information can be further categorized according to central sleep apnea (CSA) or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) events.

Abstract: The invention provides a multi-sensor system that uses an algorithm based on adaptive filtering to monitor a patient's respiratory rate. The system features a first sensor which is selected from the group consisting of an impedance pneumography sensor, an ECG sensor, and a PPG sensor; and a motion sensor (e.g., an accelerometer) configured to attach to the patient's torso and measure therefrom a motion signal. The system further comprises (iii) a processing system, configured to operably connect to the first and motion sensors, and to determine a respiration rate value by applying filter parameters obtained from the first sensor signals to the motion sensor signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated sleep diagnosis and treatment device, and more particularly to an integrated apnea diagnosis and treatment device. The present invention additionally relates to methods of sleep diagnosis and treatment. The sleep disorder treatment system of the present invention can use a diagnosis device to perform various forms of analysis to determine or diagnose a subject's sleeping disorder or symptoms of a subject's sleep disorder, and using this analysis or diagnosis can with or in some embodiments without human intervention treat the subject either physically or chemically to improve the sleeping disorder or the symptoms of the sleeping disorder. The diagnostic part of the system can use many different types of sensors and methods for diagnosing the severity of the symptoms of or the sleep disorder itself. The treatment part of the system can use a device to physically or chemically treat the subject's symptoms or sleep disorder itself.

Abstract: A method, an arrangement and a computer application for conducting measurements of sleep disorders by capturing and analyzing the sounds associated with movements of the subject during a long-term or overnight monitoring session. A small-sized consumer apparatus such as an MP3 recorder may be attached to the subject for capturing the emanating sounds. Specially selected materials can be used to alter the spectral content of the sound so as to optimize the reception at the recording apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting an onset of a clinical episode, the method including sensing breathing of a subject, determining at least one breathing pattern of the subject responsively to the sensed breathing, comparing the breathing pattern with a baseline breathing pattern, and predicting the onset of the episode at least in part responsively to the comparison. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a belly-type breath auxiliary device comprising body, belt assembly and breath monitoring unit. The body includes a box. The box positions the breath monitoring unit, and connects two end of the belt assembly by elastic members. The breath monitoring unit has movement detecting unit, signal processing unit and warning unit. The movement detecting unit produces a signal when detecting the third connecting member moves to a specific position, and the signal processing unit determines the user finishing one time of effective breath by the signal. The warning unit acts to remind the user keeping his belly-type breath when the movement detecting unit does not detect the third connecting member moving to the specific position within a specific time.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically gating an imaging device is disclosed. Physiological process information of a patient may be derived from a plethysmographic signal, for example, by analyzing the plethysmographic signal transformed by a continuous wavelet transform. Other techniques for deriving physiological process information of a patient include, for example, analyzing a scalogram derived from the continuous wavelet transform. The physiological process information may be used to automatically gate imaging data acquired from an imaging device in order to synchronize the imaging data with the physiological process information.

Abstract: A respiration inducing apparatus is provided, and includes a respiration waveform data collection unit for collecting respiration waveform data from a user; a storage unit for storing a respiration waveform template; a controller for comparing the respiration waveform data and the respiration waveform template and determining a respiration fidelity based on a similarity of a comparison result; and a user interface unit for displaying at least one of the respiration waveform data, the respiration waveform template, and the respiration fidelity.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring volumes and areas using electromagnetic induction techniques. A current is generated and fed into one of two coil assemblies to induce voltage into another coil assembly to provide accurate values for volume or area.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing the health status of a patient, such as the asthma status of a patient, provides an asthma status score and a confidence rating indicative of the score's reliability using continuous real-time data. In some embodiments, the assessment comprises a multidimensional analysis in which asthma status scores and respective confidence ratings are generated for multiple individual asthma health dimensions as well as a summary asthma health dimension indicative of overall asthma health. In some embodiments, the individual dimensions include an environmental trigger dimension based on sensor-based environmental data, a physiological burden dimension based on sensor-based physiological data, a medication adherence dimension based on patient diary data and a perceived symptom dimension based on patient diary data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described including a mechanical sensor configured to detect a physiological signal of a subject. A control unit receives the signal over a time duration of at least two hours at a given period of a first baseline day, and determines a baseline physiological parameter of the subject in response thereto. The control unit receives the signal over a time duration of at least two hours at a given period of a second day, the period on the second day overlapping with the period over which the signal is detected on the first baseline day. The control unit determines a physiological parameter of the subject based upon the detected signal on the second day, and compares the parameter to the subject's baseline physiological parameter. The control unit generates an alert in response to the comparison. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, computer program, system and device for measuring oscillatory motion comprising: receiving a plurality of signals related to a plurality of measurements of a direction of a vector parameter (at-1, at); determining a predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t) based on the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter; determining an angle of rotation (?t) between: a measured direction of the vector parameter (at) of one of the plurality of measurements of the direction of the vector parameter, and the predominant measured direction of the vector parameter (?t).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for identifying a subject in a sensor based monitoring system. This method comprises an acquisition step wherein sensors of a sensor array acquire subject related sensor signals, a pattern extraction step wherein a signal pattern is derived from the sensor signals acquired in the preceding acquisition step, and an identification step wherein the signal pattern derived in the preceding pattern extraction step is compared to predetermined signal patterns, each predetermined signal pattern being related to a subject profile, to identify a subject profile whose predetermined signal pattern related thereto matches the derived signal pattern.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the respiration activity of a subject, comprising the acquisition of a sensor signal of at least one Doppler-Radar sensor representing the respiration activity of a subject, the transformation of the sensor signal into a transformation signal being a series according to Formula (I) where ak is a set of predetermined constant coefficients specific for one individual subject, and processing the transformation signal S(t). The transformation signal can be analysed with basic signal processing techniques that are applied in the field of inductive plethysmography. The invention is further related to a corresponding monitoring system.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for non-invasively monitoring patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and for reporting and/or warning of changes in the patients' status. The methods gather physiological data and combine the data into parameters by which the severity of CHF can be judged. Preferred parameters include periodic breathing and heart rate variability. This invention also provides systems for carrying out these methods which permit patients to engage in their normal daily activities. Preferably, physiological data analysis is performed by a portable electronic unit carried by the patients.

Abstract: A coil device is provided having a member adapted to extend around and conform to an outer surface of a subject and a conductor adapted to extend only once around a first portion of the subject. The coil device can be positioned about the subject in order to measure a volume of the subject. When placed about the subject in the presence of a relatively homogeneous magnetic field, the conductor can generate a signal indicative of a volume of the first portion of the subject. The coil device may also include two or more conductors separately generating signals indicating volumes of two or more corresponding portions of the subject. In some cases the coil device includes associated authorization data that can limit use of the coil device. Systems and methods incorporating the coil device are also provided.

Abstract: A system for monitoring breathing of a subject, the system comprising: (a) a wearable subject unit comprising: an elastic resistive sensor positionable such that breathing motion of the subject applies mechanical pressure to said elastic resistive sensor, wherein said elastic resistive sensor is configured to change its resistance responsive to the mechanical pressure, and a transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit a signal based on the change in resistance of the elastic resistive sensor; and (b) a platform unit comprising a receiver and being positionable in wireless transmission range with said subject unit, said platform unit configured to receive said signal from said subject unit and to issue an advisory signal indicative of the breathing of the subject.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for analyzing a patient's respiratory status, including: means for determining electromyographic activity (EMG-AN) at the wings of the patient's nose and the start of nasal contractions; means for determining electromyographic activity (EMG-THO) at the patient's thorax and the start of thoracic inspiratory contractions; means for determining the rostro-caudal delay between the start of the nasal contractions and the start of the thoracic inspiratory contractions; means for comparing the delay to a threshold; and means for supplying an alarm signal when the delay is above said threshold.

Abstract: A method and device (10) are provided for monitoring regular movement of a human body (34), such as an infant's body. The method includes attaching the device (10) to the body (34) with a protuberance (24) of the body in abutment with the body, so that the protuberance is deflected as the body moves regularly. The deflection of the protuberance (24) is monitored and an alarm (18,19,20,52) is activated if the pattern of deflection of the protuberance changes to a predetermined extent, e.g. if it is disrupted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sleep respiratory disorder examining device which includes a measurement unit which includes at least one conductive fiber and measures a resistance variation in the conductive fiber, a length of the conductive fiber being varied according to movement of a user; and a signal processor which analyzes a sleeping state of the user based on a resistance variation measured by the measurement unit.

Abstract: A radar-based physiological motion sensor is disclosed. Doppler-shifted signals can be extracted from the signals received by the sensor. The Doppler-shifted signals can be digitized and processed subsequently to extract information related to the cardiopulmonary motion in one or more subjects. The information can include respiratory rates, heart rates, waveforms due to respiratory and cardiac activity, direction of arrival, abnormal or paradoxical breathing, etc. In various embodiments, the extracted information can be displayed on a display.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically initializing or initiating a motion compensation algorithm is provided. The system includes a processing apparatus configured to acquire data representing information relating to movement of a medical device, determine whether the medical device is stationary based on the information represented by said data, and automatically initiate the execution of the motion compensation algorithm in response to a determination that the medical device is stationary. In an exemplary embodiment, the system further comprises the medical device. The method comprises acquiring data representing information relating to movement of a medical device. The method further comprises determining whether the medical device is stationary based on the information represented by the acquired data. The method still further comprises automatically initiating the execution of the algorithm in response to a determination that the medical device is stationary.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-sensor system and method of monitoring vital body signals during movement of a body of a human or an animal, wherein acceleration sensors are placed at body locations in such a way that an acceleration angle change induced by said vital body signals differs between said at least two acceleration sensors. The retrieval of the vital body signals is achieved by extracting a wanted vital body signal based on measurement results from multiple sensors that may be motion contaminated. Three retrieval schemes are proposed, each with preferred sensor locations that provide optimal performance of retrieving the vital body signal(s).

Abstract: A sleeping monitoring system includes a first padding layer. A fluid bladder is beneath the first padding layer. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid bladder. The sensor is configured to output a vital sign signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring phrenic nerve function of a patient are disclosed, including, including establishing a diaphragmatic movement value threshold; positioning a diaphragmatic movement sensor on an external surface of an abdomen of the patient; applying a treatment regimen to a tissue region in proximity to the phrenic nerve; measuring a diaphragmatic movement value with the diaphragmatic movement sensor; comparing the measured diaphragmatic movement value to the established diaphragmatic movement value threshold; and generating an alert in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a physiological parameter includes a garment that includes a fabric that exhibits both a light transmission property and a light reflection property. The amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric changes when the fabric stretches in response to motion, such as the motion induced by physiological activity (e.g., heart rate). The system includes at least one source of radiation having wavelength(s) in the range of 400 to 2200 nanometers and at least one detector responsive to such incident radiation. The source and detector are associated with the fabric such that the reception of incident radiation by the detector is directly affected by a change in the amount of light transmitted through the fabric relative to the amount of light reflected by the fabric when the fabric stretches.

Abstract: A sleeping state improvement system to improve a sleeping state of a user includes a memory device and a control device that comprises a specification unit and a control unit. The memory device can be carried by the user. The specification unit specifies individual attribute information of the user based on individual information. The individual information is information stored in the memory device. The control unit controls an environment during sleep of the user based on the individual attribute information.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting an onset of an asthma attack. The method includes sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, and predicting the onset of the asthma attack at least in part responsively to the sensed parameter. Also provided is a method for predicting an onset of an episode associated with congestive heart failure (CHF), including sensing at least one parameter of a subject without contacting or viewing the subject or clothes the subject is wearing, and predicting the onset of the episode at least in part responsively to the sensed parameter. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A mobile monitoring device (MMD) for monitoring physical characteristics of a subject, including a casing; an attaching mechanism for releasably attaching the MMD to a garment worn by the subject; a control unit enabling to control and execute operations of the MMD and identify breathing related alarming situations; a sensor element enabling to sense breathing related characteristics of the subject by converting physical vibrations into electric signals; an alarm output device for enabling to operate at least one alarm in case alarm breathing related situation is identified; and an arm extending from the casing. The arm allows abutting the body of the subject at a first proximal end thereof and the sensor element at a second distal end thereof when the device is worn by the subject, thereby allows mechanically transmitting physical movements thereof caused by movements of the subject body to the sensor element thereby mechanically leveraging the movement.

Abstract: A system for monitoring characteristics of a subject including a sensor unit including an upper plate, a lower plate, a transducer sensor and an abutting element, which is configured for abutting a surface of the transducer surface, correspondently to forces applied upon the upper plate by the subject and a control unit, for identifying breathing related alarm situations using the sensor unit signals. The system optionally also includes remote devices allowing multidirectional communication between the control unit and each respective remote device and between the remote devices and optionally also enable turning one of these remote devices into a relay station for expanding communication range. The system optionally also includes a mechanical adjustment mechanism connected to the abutting element, for enabling a user to adjust sensitivity of the transducer sensor by mechanically adjusting location of the abutting element in relation to an effective area of the transducer sensor.

Abstract: An accelerometer senses equine respiratory structural vibrations. The accelerometer includes a sensing surface configured to be attached to one of hair, skin, bone, ligament, cartilage, and other tissue of a horse. The accelerometer is responsive to respiratory structural vibrations of the horse and outputs a signal corresponding to the respiratory structural vibrations.

Abstract: A system for non-contact respiratory detection includes a non-contact respiratory detecting device and a processor. The non-contact respiratory detecting device detects respiratory data or a respiratory model of a user. The processor analyzes the respiratory data or the respiratory model to obtain a respiratory analysis result.

Abstract: A method is provided for predicting an onset of a clinical episode, the method including sensing breathing of a subject, determining at least one breathing pattern of the subject responsively to the sensed breathing, comparing the breathing pattern with a baseline breathing pattern, and predicting the onset of the episode at least in part responsively to the comparison. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus adapted to be incorporated in a garment, said apparatus comprising one or more sensors, one or more fasteners to which an electronic device can be attached for receiving data from said one or more sensors, a first textile layer which in use is on the inside of the garment, a second textile layer which in use is on the outside of the garment, and a third intermediate layer provided between said first and second layer along at least a portion of said tube, wherein said first and second textile layers are made from a substantially elastic material, and said third intermediate layer is substantially more rigid than said first and second textile layers. The sensors may be ECG and respiration sensors.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biological information detection apparatus capable of restricting influence of external noise signals and suffering less detection omission and detection errors of biological signals.

Abstract: A sensor for sensing bioacoustic energy includes a housing comprising an interfacing portion configured to establish coupling with a body part during use. The sensor includes a transducer element coupled to the interfacing portion of the housing and configured to sense sounds produced by matter of biological origin. One or more conductors are coupled to the transducer element. A mass element is compliantly coupled to a surface of the transducer element. Intervening material is disposed between the transducer element surface and the mass element, and allows for differential motion between the transducer element surface and the mass element during excitation of the transducer element.

Abstract: A method for monitoring chest compressions using a compression member includes measuring a force exerted by the compression member, measuring a displacement of the compression member, providing a chest stiffness function representing the relationship between force and displacement based on values derived from the measured force and the measured displacement, and analyzing linearity of the chest stiffness function. Embodiments of the invention also include devices for performing the method.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the detection of coughs and coughing episodes using acoustic signals. In various examples, an implantable medical device processes an acoustic signal obtained from an acoustic sensor to determine whether a patient has coughed. In some examples, the implantable medical device also performs a cough severity assessment. In some examples, the cough severity assessment may include a determination of the depth of the cough, the duration of the coughing episode, or whether the cough was wet or dry.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining functional lung characteristics of a patient includes an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) imaging device adapted to record the impedance distribution within a plane of the thorax of the patient. The EIT imaging device includes a control and analysis unit for performing the impedance measurement and deriving the impedance distribution within the plane of the thorax.

Abstract: Adventitious lung sounds indicative of lung congestion are detected using an implantable sensor. The sensor is adapted to be positioned adjacent to a pulmonary system and to output signals indicative of lung sounds in response to pulmonary system activity. A controller receives the signals and processes the signals to detect the presence of adventitious lung sounds. A respiratory cycle sensor operating in conjunction with the lung-sound sensor enables classification of an adventitious lung sound according to its time occurrence within the respiratory cycle. Posture sensing in conjunction with lung-sound sensing provides valuable additional information as to the severity of the lung congestion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a respiration of a subject (305) in which, with a single multi-axial accelerometer (310) positioned on a body of the subject (305), accelerometer signals are generated (101) indicative of the acceleration of the subject (305) along different spatial axes, a vector magnitude signal of the acceleration of the subject (305) along the different spatial axes is calculated (102) from the accelerometer signals, a non-respiratory motion contribution to the acceleration along the different spatial axes is identified (103, 203) from the vector magnitude signal, which non-respiratory motion contribution is not caused by the respiration, and a respiration signal indicative of the respiration of the subject is determined (104, 204) by filtering the non-respiratory motion contribution from at least one of the accelerometer signals.

Abstract: A medical system provides navigation assistance to a surgeon for navigating a flexible medical device through linked passages of an anatomical structure to a target area. For tracking, navigation, and other purposes, information of extrema is determined during expansion and contraction cycles of an object by receiving time sampled information from sensors distributed along a length of a flexible device so as to indicate the shape of the device over time while the device extends through a lumen of the object so as to conform to and resemble the shape of the lumen, displacements over time of a selected point at a selected insertion length of the flexible device into the lumen of the object relative to a reference point are determined, extrema time points are determined by identifying sign changes of the slope of the determined displacements over time, and extrema types are determined using extrema type characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lung function assessment system, a mechanical ventilator and method that allows simultaneously measurements of lung function and provides simultaneously mechanical ventilation to multiple subjects requiring one source of gas.

Abstract: A method of monitoring high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) wherein the oscillatory movement of the chest wall of an individual is measured. An average amplitude is determined and compared to a pre-determined baseline amplitude, which is established by using the average amplitude at a particular instant of time. If the variance between the average amplitude and the baseline meets and/or exceeds a pre-determined threshold above or below the baseline value, an operator is alerted.

Abstract: The invention provides a sleep analysis system and a method for analysis thereof. The sleep analysis system includes an analysis device and a sleep sensing apparatus. The sleep sensing apparatus includes an ECG signal collector, a multi-axial accelerometer, a wireless transmitting unit, and a control unit. The ECG signal collector is used for collecting an ECG signal associated with a subject. The multi-axial accelerometer is used for detecting a multi-axial accelerometer signal associated with the subject. The control unit controls the wireless transmitting unit to transmit the ECG signal and the multi-axial accelerometer signal to the analysis device for analyzing sleep of the subject.

Abstract: A method of processing breathing signals of a subject includes obtaining breathing signals of a subject, obtaining a signal-phase histogram using the breathing signals, wherein the signal-phase histogram comprises a plurality of data points, each of the data points having at least a phase value and a signal value, determining a reference value using at least some of the plurality of data points from the signal-phase histogram, determining whether a difference between the reference value and a signal value that is associated with a current respiratory cycle exceeds a threshold, and generating an output when the difference exceeds the threshold. A method of predicting breathing signal is also provided.

Abstract: A bed occupancy state detection method includes detecting loads applied to a head side right portion, a head side left portion, a foot side right portion, and a foot side left portion of a bed platform by first to fourth load detecters, respectively, judging whether or not a prescribed judgment formula is satisfied based on load values outputted from the first to fourth load detecters, and notifying information on a bed occupancy state of an object in cases where it is judged that a judgment formula is satisfied from a judgment result at the judgment.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for monitoring a health index using an electroconductive fiber. In the apparatus, a bio signal acquiring unit measures a bio signal using an electroconductive fiber which is worn around a part of a user's body and in which a resistance is varied according to a user's body volume or body temperature. A health index acquiring unit analyzes the bio signal to acquire a health index. A health index notifying unit notifies the health index. Accordingly, the health index can be easily monitored without limitations on the user's behavior.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring system for monitoring CPR performance and a reference unit for use in the system. The system comprises a measuring unit for positioning on the chest of a patient or manikin monitoring the movements applied to the chest, wherein the system also comprises a reference unit, the reference unit comprising sensors for measuring the movements thereof, wherein said units comprises means for wireless communication, one of the units comprising a signal analyzing means and a signal receiver coupled thereto for receiving said wireless communication, and the other unit comprising a signal transmitter for transmitting the measured signals to the signal receiver.

Abstract: Health-sensing and health-action devices and systems are generally described. The health-sensing device may include one or more of a sensor, a filter, and a transmitter. The sensor may be configured to sense one or more factors relating to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence such as snoring and may include one or more microphone devices, accelerometers, and/or MEMs devices. The filter may be configured to evaluate a signal from the sensor and determine if the indicator has been detected. The transmitter may be arranged for initiating a transmission based on a signal from the filter. The health-action device may be configured for responding to an indicator of a health related condition or occurrence of a user and may include one or more of a receiver, a processor, and a responder. The health-action device may stimulate the user or may cancel the snoring sound.