Abstract: An apparatus for the measurement of exhaled respiratory gas temperature during free voluntary tidal breathing, comprises a housing 1 defining a chamber, an air inlet 2 for receiving a stream of exhaled respiratory gas and an air outlet 4 for permitting escape of exhaled respiratory gas from the chamber to outside of the housing. A tube having inner and outer surfaces, is located within the housing and extends from the air inlet into the chamber provides a passageway through which the stream of exhaled respiratory gas may travel from the air inlet in to the chamber. A temperature sensor 6 is located within the housing for measuring the temperature of exhaled respiratory gas.

Abstract: Described herein are nasal respiratory devices including an attachment site for a sensors and sensor adapters for securing at least a portion of a sensor to a nasal respiratory device. Sensor adapters typically have a body frame having at least two regions: an attachment region for securing the sensor adapter to the nasal respiratory device; and a sensor connector region for securing a sensor across from an outlet of the nasal respiratory device.

Abstract: A device for measuring a volume flow, especially a tidal volume flow sensor, with a flow channel (1) and with a sensor element (6) arranged within the flow channel (1), is shown and described. The task of providing such a device, in which the sensor signal, which is generated by sensor elements arranged in the flow channel, remains as free as possible from distortions during the transmission to an evaluating unit, is accomplished by providing an internal circuit (3), which is arranged within the flow channel (1) and includes the sensor element (6). An external circuit (7) is arranged outside the flow channel (1). The external circuit (7) is designed for contactless, inductive coupling with the internal circuit (3) for supplying same with energy and for reading.

Abstract: A device for directly measuring a person's respiratory exchange ratio (RER) utilizes a Zn-air battery cell and a constant current load circuit as an O2 pump capable of drawing oxygen from expired air. A thermistor located in the flow path forms a leg of a bridge circuit whose output is proportional to oxygen concentration in the expired air and, therefore, to oxygen uptake. The thermistor flowmeter circuit utilizes the thermal conductivity differences between O2 and CO2 to provide a measure at the relative ratio of the two gases present.

Abstract: An intelligent medical vigilance system that observes and analyzes, and, only in the event of a clinically significant negative condition, notifies and reports the event to the care staff utilizing the hospital's existing nurse call system. The device includes a bedside unit connected to a pad or coverlet with a sensor array (placed under the patient) and also to an existing hospital nurse call system via an interface. Within the physical bedside unit are a signal processor and an alarm processor that measure data and evaluate whether a clinically significant event is occurring. The bedside unit is a wall-mounted unit with a display that becomes active when an alarm condition is enabled. The sensing pad or coverlet is a thin, piezoelectric film, or other similar sensing technology, with an array of sensors sheathed in soft padding and is not directly in contact with the skin of the patient.

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 system and method are provided to monitor a patient's respiration during and after medical/surgical procedures, as well as in clinical situations wherein the patient is at increased risk for developing central or obstructive respiratory depression and/or apnea. A sensor attached to the patient's face, which monitors nasal and oral air-flows. An electronic monitor analyzes patient respiratory patterns and initiates bedside and/or remote nursing station alarms in real time if and when a clinically significant respiratory event is detected. Respiration is measured by monitoring changes in the acoustic signature of the patient's breath passing over a corrugated or uneven surface, changes in the pressure of an inflatable closed volume of a sensor caused by the changes in temperature of the interior volume caused by the patient breathing over the sensor, or both.

Abstract: A breath detection/confirmation device includes a sensor for determining if an infant or other person is breathing, and a means for generating a human perceptible signal in response thereto. In use, the sensor is placed adjacent the infants or person's mouth/nose, and a light or some other signal indicates to the user if the infant or person is breathing.

Abstract: A compliance monitoring system and method in which a modular compliance monitor is selectively disposed in-line in a patient circuit of a pressure support system. The monitor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, each of which is selectively connectable to the patient circuit so that the flow of gas in the patient circuit also passes through a passage is provided through the housing. A sensor operatively coupled to the passage detects a parameter indicative of patient breathing. A processor disposed in the housing and receives the output of the sensor and determines, from the output of the sensor, whether the patient is breathing into the patient circuit, and outputs compliance data based on this determination.

Abstract: A flow meter arrangement has a venturi-type flow meter having a tubular flow channel for conveying a gas flow to be measured and in which there is provided a constriction. The arrangement further has a hot wire flow meter having a sensing element located within the flow channel and a measurement system that receives an output from the venturi-type flow meter and an output from the hot wire flow meter, and that determines a gas flow rate therefrom.

Abstract: A probe for obtaining temperature and humidity readings within the oral and nasal cavity. An elongated tube having a wire cage at one of its ends, includes first and second longitudinally positioned pairs of thermocouples, one thermocouple of each pair having a wetted wick for obtaining humidity measurements. The pairs of thermocouples are positioned within the confines of the wire cage such that temperature and humidity measurements are made of the subject's airway. Other longitudinally positioned thermocouples are outside the confines of the wire cage and are used to obtain surface temperature readings. For positioning inside the relatively small nasal cavity, one embodiment is constructed and arranged to reduce the outside dimension of the cage for ease of insertion and to return it to its original dimension after insertion, so that the thermocouples outside the confines of the wire cage can contact the nasal membrane.

Abstract: A patient management system includes a programmable patient monitor for monitoring and recording a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, a plurality of physiological condition sensors and a communications unit. The plurality of patient monitoring sensors are electrically coupled to the programmable patient monitor. Each sensor detects a particular physiological condition of the patient, such as core temperature, ECG electrodes for providing an electrocardiogram and blood oximetry sensors. The patient monitor is small and compact and easily worn by the patient during his normal at home activities. To provide communication with a caregiver via a remote controller at the caregiver's location, a communications unit is disposed in the facility.

Abstract: A patient management system includes a programmable patient monitor for monitoring and recording a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, a plurality of physiological condition sensors and a communications unit. The plurality of patient monitoring sensors are electrically coupled to the programmable patient monitor. Each sensor detects a particular physiological condition of the patient, such as core temperature, ECG electrodes for providing an electrocardiogram and blood oximetry sensors. The patient monitor is small and compact and easily worn by the patient during his normal at home activities. To provide communication with a caregiver via a remote controller at the caregiver's location, a communications unit is disposed in the facility.

Abstract: A combination thermal and vibration sensor for use in sleep monitoring equipment comprises a thin film of a plastic exhibiting both pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. By providing a layer of foam material totally covering one major surface of the plastic film layer, it is found that the thermal mass of the sensor is changed to the point where the pyroelectric signal can more readily be isolated from the piezoelectric signal using conventional signal processing techniques.

Abstract: A combination thermal and vibration sensor for use in sleep monitoring equipment comprises a thin film of plastic exhibiting both pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. By providing a layer of foam material covering only a predetermined portion of one major surface of the film layer, it is found that the thermal mass of the sensor is changed to the point where the pyroelectric signal can be more readily isolated from the piezoelectric signal using conventional signal processing techniques. Because the layer of foam material is not present on a remaining portion of the piezo/pyro film, the signal output due to the film's piezoelectric properties is not unduly dampened and attenuated.

Abstract: A patient management system includes a programmable patient monitor for monitoring and recording a plurality of physiological conditions of a patient, a plurality of physiological condition sensors and a communications unit. The plurality of patient monitoring sensors are electrically coupled to the programmable patient monitor. Each sensor detects a particular physiological condition of the patient, such as core temperature, ECG electrodes for providing an electrocardiogram and blood oximetry sensors. The patient monitor is small and compact and easily worn by the patient during his normal at home activities. To provide communication with a caregiver via a remote controller at the caregiver's location, a communications unit is disposed in the facility.

Abstract: This invention is a method, and device, suitable for use without professional medical supervision, for screening for sleep apnea. All elements of the device are housed in a small, flexible, plastic housing which is placed on the user's philtrum. A thermistor acquires data describing the respiratory pattern. A processor analyzes the respiratory pattern in real time and outputs a study result, describing the occurrence of any episodes of apnea, to a non-volatile colored marker on the plastic housing. A flashing LED display informs the user when placement of the device is appropriate. A lithium battery, which powers all elements of the device, is activated by a pull-tab removed by the user.

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 combination thermal and vibration sensor for use in sleep monitoring equipment comprises a thin film of a plastic exhibiting both pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. By providing a layer of foam material totally covering one major surface of the plastic film layer, it is found that the thermal mass of the sensor is changed to the point where the pyroelectric signal can more readily be isolated from the piezoelectric signal using conventional signal processing techniques.

Abstract: A pressure sensor is combined with a temperature sensor to monitor a patient's breathing patterns. The combination of sensors enables an analysis of the patient's breathing patterns to be made without the use of a face mask even if the patient breathes through the mouth or draws only very weak breaths. The patient's sleep is therefore less likely to be disrupted by the presence of the monitoring equipment and a more accurate diagnosis of any sleep disorder can be made.

Abstract: A patient monitoring apparatus for monitoring and/or measuring a physiological characteristic of said patient. A user interface having an interior portion communicates with an airway of a user such that substantially all gas inhaled and exhaled by the user enters the interior portion of the user interface. At least one vent element is associated with the user interface and communicates the interior portion of the user interface with an ambient atmosphere outside the user interface. The vent element and user interface define a flow element across which a pressure differential is created during inhalation and exhalation. The pressure differential is the pressure difference between the pressure within the interior portion of the user interface and the pressure of the ambient atmosphere outside the user interface.

Abstract: A system for the monitoring of a patient's physiological condition, including a measuring device for measuring the mechanical activity of a patient's body, including a module for detecting mechanical vibrations and transmitting same to a sensing element for converting the mechanical movements into electric signals. A device for transmitting the electric signals for processing the electric signals and separating from them cardiac, respiration and body movement signals. A device for measuring the pulse wave propagation rate. A device for determining the characteristics and derived parameters of cardiac and respiratory cycles, as well as for storing and displaying the data. A comparator for comparing parameters of the data with predetermined parameters and a device for actuating an alarm signal when signals of the data exceed a preset range.

Abstract: The present invention reliably provides a lung protection function for an electrocautery device by unitizing an automatic bovie activation/inactivation unit. The lung protection unit utilizes a threshold calculated from the maximum and minimum airway pressure signal in a ventilator or an anesthesia machine to inactivate the bovie before the maximal lung expansion reaches the bovie during a thoracic surgery. Bovie is activated again as soon as the lung expansion level decreases to below the threshold level. This device is an attached optional unit or can be built into a standard electrocautery equipment.

Abstract: Body function measuring apparatus which provides: (1) an indication of the body function being measured, and (2) a loose probe condition by determining that the difference between the rate of change of a first body function signal, developed by a first sensor in the probe, and the rate of change of a second body function signal, developed by a second sensor in the probe, exceeds a predetermined threshold.