Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of sleeping or reclining furniture, comprising a support element (2) for applying a padding or a mattress and at least one sensor (12) for detecting vibrations, movement, and/or sound. The piece of sleeping or reclining furniture is characterized in that the at least one sensor (12) is arranged at a section (120) of the support element (2) that is decoupled from further sections of the support element (2) and/or of the sleeping or reclining furniture.

Abstract: A smart object may be used to monitor physiological parameters of a user. The object has at least one capacitive sensor to sense a change in capacitance when a tissue of the user comes into contact with the at least one capacitive sensor. The change in capacitance can be used to detect physiological parameters of a user such as heart rate, inter-beat interval and respiratory rate. The smart object may also be used with another smart object to determine the identity of the user or other physiological parameters of the user such as blood pressure.

Abstract: An occupant monitoring apparatus, system and method capable of monitoring an occupant of an occupant support or space. The apparatus, system and method utilizes a variable capacitance sensor and control unit to monitor, record and compare signals as a means of monitoring an occupant, a support or a space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient monitoring system for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of capacitive measurement. Further the invention relates to a method for monitoring cardio pulmonary performance or the like by means of a capacitive measurement.

Abstract: Circuits for rendering piezo-based respiratory belts compatible with polysomnograph (PSG) machines designed for use with respiratory induction belts (RIPs) comprise an instrumentation amplifier adapted to be connected to a piezoelectric transducer and providing an AC output signal to a low-pass filter. In a first embodiment, the low-pass filter output is applied to an input of a microcontroller's A to D converter and the resulting digitized samples are used to vary the resistance of a digital potentiometer whose wiper terminal is coupled in series with an inductor so as to emulate the presence of a RIP belt to the PSG machine. In a second embodiment, the low-pass filter output is used to drive the primary of a transformer so as to vary the permeability of the transformer's ferrite core in a way that emulates the performance of a RIP belt to the PSG.

Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may include multiple power supply circuits and an electrostimulation therapy output circuit configured to, in response to a control signal specifying an electrostimulation therapy, controllably connect any one or more of the first or second power supply circuits to any one or more of a first electrostimulation output node or a second electrostimulation output node to deliver an electrostimulation. In an embodiment, the IMD may include an electrostimulation therapy return circuit configured to establish a return path for the electrostimulation delivered via one or more of the first electrostimulation output node or the second electrostimulation output node.

Abstract: A fabric-based pressure sensor array includes: (1) a first layer including M elongated conductive strips coated thereon; (2) a second layer including N elongated conductive strips coated thereon, the M elongated conductive strips extending crosswise relative to the N elongated conductive strips to define M×N intersections; and (3) a unitary textile sheet extending between the first layer and the second layer so as to overlap the M×N intersections, the textile sheet having a variable resistivity in response to applied pressure so as to define M×N pressure sensors at locations corresponding to the M×N intersections.

Abstract: A chair or bed member has data storage of information regarding the chair or bed member. The chair or bed member further has a sensor which senses physical movement by a person using the chair or bed member to produce an output of the information from the data storage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a wavy physiological signal collecting device and a physiological signal collecting mattress. The device includes a wavy flexible body including a flexible body panel and a plurality of protruding flexible bodies each of which is arranged on the flexible body panel for converting a human body pressure applied thereto to a tensile force; a tensile force sensor arranged in the flexible body panel for generating an electrical signal according to the tensile force; and a signal processing unit configured for processing the electrical signal to obtain a human body physiological signal. The wavy flexible body converts the human body pressure to an electrical signal and processes the electrical signal, thereby obtaining the human body physiological signal in daily life without directly contacting human skin, allowing the physiological signal to be obtained more conveniently.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic circuit with an integrally formed capability of providing information indicative of a value of a current flowing in the electronic circuit, wherein the method comprises forming an electrically conductive wiring structure on a substrate, configuring a first section of the wiring structure for contributing to a predefined use function of the electronic circuit, and configuring a second section of the wiring structure for providing information indicative of the value of the current flowing in the electronic circuit upon applying a stimulus signal to the second section, wherein at least a part of the configuring of the first section and the configuring of the second section is performed simultaneously.

Abstract: Circuits for rendering piezo-based respiratory belts compatible with polysomnograph (PSG) machines designed for use with respiratory induction belts (RIPs) comprise an instrumentation amplifier adapted to be connected to a piezoelectric transducer and providing an AC output signal to a low-pass filter. In a first embodiment, the low-pass filter output is applied to an input of a microcontroller's A to D converter and the resulting digitized samples are used to vary the resistance of a digital potentiometer whose wiper terminal is coupled in series with an inductor so as to emulate the presence of a RIP belt to the PSG machine. In a second embodiment, the low-pass filter output is used to drive the primary of a transformer so as to vary the permeability of the transformer's ferrite core in a way that emulates the performance of a RIP belt to the PSG.

Abstract: An airflow signal corresponding to the breathing of the patient is obtained. A section corresponding to inspiration, having a front portion and a middle portion, is found within the airflow signal. A peak value of the front portion is found, which is compared with a value representing the airflow of the middle portion. The presence of resisted breathing is determined based on the comparison between the peak value of the front portion with a value representing the airflow of the middle portion. A baseline value of the airflow signal is found by calculating the mode of values within an airflow signal representing the pressure within a patient's naris. The section corresponding to inspiration is determined by finding peak inspiration and baseline values within a breath and searching from the peak until the baseline is reached to find the section of inspiration.

Abstract: A method for determining cardiac parameters of a subject includes receiving a signal from a thoracocardiograph (TCG) sensor. The signal is sensitive to positions and/or motions of an anterior chest wall of the subject and include a cardiac component, a respiratory component, and noise and/or artifact components. The method also includes receiving one or more electrocardiogram (ECG) signals and filtering the received TCG signal to limit one or more of the respiratory component and the noise and/or artifact components. The filtering includes one or more of wavelet de-noising, non-linear filtering, and state space filtering. The method further includes ensemble averaging thefiltered TCG signal. Ensemble members are triggered by occurrence of one or more selected fiducial points determined in the ECG signal. Additionally, the method includes extracting parameters of cardiac functioning from the ensemble averaged signal.

Abstract: Methods and devices to determine rate of particle production and the size range for the particles produced for an individual are described herein. The device (10) contains a mouthpiece (12), a filter (14), a low resistance one-way valve (16), a particle counter (20) and a computer (30). Optionally, the device also contains a gas flow meter (22). The data obtained using the device can be used to determine if a formulation for reducing particle exhalation should be administered to an individual.

Abstract: A device and method for measuring movement of a body part of a subject. The method illustratively includes mounting on the body part, via at least one dielectric, at least two conductive elements in a manner as to define a fixed spacing between the elements and wherein the distance between the conductive elements and the body part varies with movement of the body part. Changes are measured in capacitance between the elements and the body part that result from movement of the body part.

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: An apnea detector is disclosed. A detector unit in communication with a capacitive type sensor is adapted to receive an electrical signal which is indicative of variable capacitance resulting from movement of a subject and to emit an alert signal when the received electrical signal is indicative of symptoms of apnea. In one embodiment, a detector unit is in communication with a curvature sensor adapted to detect a variable curvature of a subject body surface resulting from breathing patterns of a subject. The detector unit is attached to an article of clothing of the subject.

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 system includes but is not limited to at least one manifold; an inhalant dissemination device coupled to the at least one manifold; an inhalant characterization device coupled to the at least one manifold; and a control module operably coupled to the inhalant dissemination device and the inhalant characterization device, said control module configured to (a) determine an inhalant concentration in a manifold, and (b) calculate at least one of a retrospective and a prospective inhaled dose in response to the inhalant concentration, and (c) start and stop a flow through the manifold until the at least one of the retrospective and the prospective inhaled dose is greater than or equal to a specified dose. A method includes but is not limited to starting a flow of an inhalant through a manifold; determining an inhalant concentration of the inhalant in the manifold; and stopping the flow of the inhalant through the manifold when the inhalant concentration is in a first specified inhalant-concentration range.

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: The system 10 includes an endoscopic probe 20 and an expired air sampling device 24 functionally connected to a control console 28. In use, the endoscopic probe 20 is routed through a body lumen of a patient to, for example, visualize a selected region of a patient's body. As the endoscopic probe 20 is routed through the body lumens, the expired air sampling device 24 collects expired air from the patient, generates signals indicative of patient respiratory status, and outputs the generated signals to the control console 28. The control console 28 processes the signals and monitors the respiratory status of the patient. If the respiratory status of the patient changes based on the processed signals of the expired air sampling device 24, the control console 28 may output an audible or visual alert signal.

Abstract: A combined respiratory and heart rate sensor for a mammal has a flexible support with a surface adapted to be positioned over the skin of a mammal. A pair of inductive coil or capacitive plate elements, spaced apart by a foam spacer having openings therein, are attached to the support surface and are capable of independently sensing respiratory movement of the mammal in a direction perpendicular to the support surface and producing an output signal proportional thereto. The heart rate sensor includes an LED attached to the flexible support capable, and at least two light-detecting elements spaced apart from the LED, each capable of independently sensing light radiation reflected through the skin and capillaries from the light-emitting element and producing an output signal proportional thereto. A barrier layer attached to the support shield from the light-detecting elements light radiation that is not emitted from the LED.

Abstract: Apparatus for improving health of a user is provided, including a first sensor, adapted to measure a first physiological variable, which is indicative of a voluntary action of the user. A second sensor is adapted to measure a second physiological variable, which is substantially governed by an autonomic nervous system of the user. Circuitry is adapted to receive respective first and second sensor signals from the first and second sensors, and, responsive thereto, to generate an output signal which directs the user to modify a parameter of the voluntary action.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for monitoring respiratory disorders based on monitored factors of a photoplethysmography (PPG) signal that is representative of peripheral blood volume. The monitored factors can be respiratory effort as well as respiratory rate and/or blood oxygen saturation level. The systems and devices may or may not be implanted in a patient.

Abstract: A heart beat/respiration measuring device comprising a sheet-like capacitance-type pressure sensor adapted to be pressed against the human body, and a measuring circuit for measuring a heart rate and/or respiration rate from the output of the sensor. The capacitance-type pressure sensor includes a sheet-like dielectric body elastically deformable in all directions and a pair of conductive clothes with stretchability disposed on opposite sides of the dielectric body. The measuring circuit comprises a resonant circuit wherein the capacitance-type pressure sensor serves as an oscillation capacitor, and a calculation processing circuit for detecting variations in the oscillation frequency of the resonant circuit and calculating the heart rate and/or respiration rate based on the frequency component or components of heart beats and/or respiration included in the variations.

Abstract: A breath monitor includes: a plurality of sensors for detecting a load derived from a human lying on a bed and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to the load; and breath signal computation means. The sensors are disposed under the human with a predetermined arrangement. The breath signal computation means converts each sensor signal to a frequency domain so that a spectrum of each sensor signal is obtained, selects the sensors on the basis of the converted sensor signals, and computes a breath signal on the basis of the sensor signals outputted from the selected sensors.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for detecting the circadian state of a patient using an implantable medical device based on selected blood carbon dioxide (CO2) parameters. In one example, the implantable device tracks changes in end tidal CO2 (etCO2) levels and changes in maximum variations of pCO2 levels per breathing cycle (?cycleCO2) over the course of the day and determines the circadian state based thereon. It has been found that average etCO2 levels are generally highest and average ?cycleCO2 levels are generally lowest while a patient is asleep and opposite while a patient is awake. Hence, by tracking changes in average etCO2 and ?cycleCO2 levels over the course of the day, circadian states can be detected. Minute ventilation and activity levels are used to assist in the determination of the circadian state. Additional techniques are directed to detecting the stage of sleep.

Abstract: A patient ambulation motion detector designed to be worn on the body. The detector incorporates a wireless transmitter, a motion sensor switch and a second call switch. It may be enclosed in a plastic case and attached most commonly to the upper anterior chest by a non-allergic double-backed tape.

Abstract: A system including a user input device for controlling a position of medical equipment is described. In an example embodiment, the user input device is configured to be coupled to the medical equipment and is responsive to an operator input representation of a desired movement of the equipment. A processor determines a direction in which the operator desires the equipment to move based on a device output.

Abstract: A capacitive array is housed within a polyester mat or other appropriate nonconductive substrate material which is interconnected with a control module. The control module supplies to the capacitive array a suitable oscillator driver current and concurrently senses capacitance value changes within the capacitive array induced through dielectric shifts within the array brought about by the proximity or absence thereof of the patient's body mass. The monitor/control module generally comprises a power supply, a driver/sensor circuit, a calibration/comparator logic circuit, a system interconnection integrity circuit, and an alarm generation circuit. It may also optionally contain a nurse call relay circuit for interconnection to a facility's nurse call system.

Abstract: An adapter for interfacing a pyro/piezo sensor to a polysomnograph machine comprises a differential input amplifier coupled to receive the raw transducer signals from a PVDF film transducer to provide a requisite gain while rejecting common mode noise. The resulting amplified signal is filtered to separate the pyro signal from the piezo signal and the piezo signal is further applied to half-wave rectifier stages that function to remove baseline noise from the piezo signal before its being applied to a microphone channel of an existing PSG machine.

Abstract: A method of diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurological disorder is disclosed and includes monitoring movement of a patient in order to obtain movement data that is representative of the movement of the patient. Another step of the method includes processing the movement data in order to obtain an input pattern that is representative of the movement data. The method also includes the step of processing the input pattern with a computational intelligence system that has been trained to classify movement based upon a predetermined group of neurological disorder classifications. Furthermore, the method includes generating with the computational intelligence system an output that is indicative of an appropriate neurological disorder classification for the patient. An analysis system for diagnosing patients suspected of having a neurological disorder is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for physiological monitoring using a microprocessor-enhanced magnetic field sensor to measure the mechanical effects of body motion is described. The measurements may be used for a variety of applications, such as detection of respiration, cardiac rhythms, and blood pressure. The source or detector may be made sufficiently small so as to be implantable. The system is sufficiently sensitive to provide output data for very small movements.

Abstract: An alert device for providing a warning of a baby's condition which may lead to the onset of SIDS. The alert device includes a receiver for receiving a signal, which has an element for warning a person proximate to the receiver of the baby's condition. A transmitter for transmitting a signal to the receiver includes a device for connecting the transmitter to a baby and is located remotely from the receiver. A transducer includes a device for connecting the transducer to a baby's chest, with the transducer further including a pressure-sensitive and/or a temperature-sensitive activation element to be located on the baby's chest.

Abstract: In a lung therapy method, hyperpolarized gas is administered for one breath to a subject, and a magnetic resonance scan of at least one lung of the subject is conducted. The data obtained from the scan are evaluated, specifically to determine the extent and distribution of infusion of hyperpolarized gas in the lung, as an indication of the alveolae in the lung which are open. Based on the evaluation of the data obtained in the magnetic resonance scan, a determination is made as to whether administration of a surfactant is necessary in order to improve opening of the lung. If a surfactant is administered, the procedure can be repeated to obtain an updated dataset, which can be evaluated to determine whether the administered surfactant has been effective.

Abstract: A device for reliably and non-invasively measuring respiration rates and effort by encircling the patient's chest with a device having a large section of inelastic belt attached to a small section of elastic material. The elastic material having two magnetic tapes with wire windings thereon proximate each other with an insulation material therebetween. The wire windings are electrically connected to each other. The magnetic tapes have opposite ends attached to the elastic material such that when the elastic material expands and contracts the wire windings move relative to each. A toroidal transformer is connected to the wire windings. When a carrier signal is introduced to the transformer and the magnetic tapes move relative to each other on the elastic material when the patient breathes a mutual inductance in the wire windings modulates the carrier signal and thus measures the expansion and contraction of the patient's chest which is directly related to the patient's respiration rate.

Abstract: A device for monitoring tidal volume in a subject comprising a flexible substrate for attachment to an animal or human whose tidal volume is to be monitored; sensing means attached to the substrate and connectable into an electric circuit which converts changes in tidal volume in the animal or human to a signal output, the sensing means comprising a series of semiconductive sensors and conductive sensors. A method for monitoring tidal volume in a subject using the device is also described.

Abstract: A system for measuring changes in the resistance of a living body includes a resistance measuring circuit, an amplifier circuit and an indicator circuit in which the amplifier circuit includes a calibration circuit to give a generally constant amplitude response to a given measured input. Radio frequency insulators are included to reduce noise in the system. The circuits are operated such that when an overall change in the resistance of a living body occurs, the resistance measuring circuit is adjusted to determine the overall resistance. To account for changes in sensitivity caused by the overall change in resistance, the gain of the amplifier circuit is automatically adjusted to thereby maintain a generally constant amplitude response.

Abstract: A process and a device for automatically detecting an abnormal respiratory ound permits a continuous and stress-free registration of abnormal respiratory sounds of a test person under normal life activities over a period of time. The respiratory sounds are detected, processed and evaluated in real time. From the detected frequency range, in the course of the evaluation consideration is given only to the previously determined characteristic frequencies at the position of which in the frequency spectrum of the respiratory sound of the test person an abnormal respiratory sound is to be recognized by a significant feature. The data detected at these frequency positions are compared with data which are individually determined for the test person for fulfillment of specific criteria for the occurrence of an abnormal respiratory sound, and the result of the comparison is made available as a signal.

Abstract: An improved inductive plethysmography sensor involving a conductor having alternating active and inactive segments. The active segments preferably have a narrow diamond shape which minimizes the possibility of artifact. Because of the conductor design, the sensors can be placed completely about the chest and abdomen with any overlap arranged so that active segments overlap inactive segments.