Abstract: An implantable device monitors the balance between sympathetic tone and parasympathetic tone as a function of an activity level. Cardio-neurological healthy users exhibit a generally sympathetic tone in conjunction with heavy activity level and a generally parasympathetic tone in conjunction with periods of low activity level. Deviations from expected results are associated with a health problem. Measured conditions are stored and available for subsequent reporting to a remote programmer. Therapy delivered by an implantable device is determined as a function of the relationship between autonomic balance and activity level.

Abstract: An EEG cap (8) having 64 or 128 electrodes (10) is placed on the head of the subject (11) who is viewing CRT monitor (14). The signals on each channel are amplified by amplifier (17) and sent to an analog-to-digital converter (20). PC (23) captures and records the amplified signals and the signals are processed by signal processing PC (26) performing linear signal processing. The resulting signal is sent back to a feedback/display PC (29) having monitor (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for utilizing a source of vascular pulse waveform data from a patient for the purpose of measuring pulsus paradoxus. The arterial pulse waveform data source described is a pulse oximeter plethysmograph but can be any similar waveform data source, including an intra-arterial transducer, external blood pressure transducer, or plethysmograph. Through incorporation of measurements of values, such as an area under a pulse waveform curve, that are time-domain functions of a change in amplitude of the pulse waveform over a duration of the waveform, embodiments of the present invention represent a significant improvement upon previously described methods of measuring pulsus paradoxus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a noninvasive medical pulsimeter sensor using magnetic thin films. By forming a pulse-sensing part array with magnetic sensors such as GMR devices, MTJ devices and the likes, over the skin-contacting part which consists of a magnetic material, the present invention increases the integrity of sensors, minimizes the time for searching the pulse and it is applicable widely to portable pulsimeters and the likes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the diagnostic performance of a probe system (30) for detecting a medical condition in a patient by sensing volume changes in a monitored body part due to pulsatile arterial blood flow in the body part, characterized in calibrating the probe system (30) for the respective measurement site according to a predetermined characteristic of the monitored body part of the patient and quantifying the arterial pulsatile volume thereat. Such calibration is described with respect to probes including: (1) a pressure sensor (63), which senses pressure changes in a compressible fluid system to which the patient's body part (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods obtain information that allows detection of whether a patient suffers from congestion by monitoring a response of the patient to a recumbent position of the patient's body. The patient may be monitored to determine a respiration pattern for a non-recumbent position such as standing and a respiration pattern for a recumbent position such as lying down. The two patterns may be compared, either by a processing device or a physician, to determine a difference in the two respiration patterns. Furthermore, the congestion may be inferred from detecting an amount of time that the patient spends in a recumbent position or from detecting the recumbent angle that the patient obtains, either of which is presumed to indicate whether a recumbent position presents discomfort to the patient due to the presence of congestion.

Abstract: An assembly is described that combines blood chemical analysis with lancing in a single multiple-test disposable cartridge. The penetrating members can be assembled and sterilized without damaging the analytical chemistry, and the functioning of the present radical disc cartridge mechanism is not substantially modified.

Abstract: Continuous Glucose Error-Grid Analysis (CG-EGA) method, system or computer program product designed for evaluation of continuous glucose sensors providing frequent BG readings. The CG-EGA estimates the precision of such sensors/devices in terms of both BG values and temporal characteristics of BG fluctuation. The CG-EPA may account for, among other things, specifics of process characterization (location, speed and direction), and for biological limitations of the observed processes (time lags associated with interstitial sensors).

Abstract: A method for determining haemodynamic parameters from patient pressure signals includes receiving patient pressure signals from a measurement receiver to which vessel pressures measured in the body of a patient are supplied, selecting and determining a patient pressure signal as reference pressure signal from the patient pressure signals sent from the measurement receiver, dividing the patient pressure signals and reference pressure signal into segments, and examining these segments for artifacts with methods in the time range by using the first derivative with respect to time of the pressure signals wherein artifact afflicted segments are discarded. The method further includes determining the start and end of a heart beat by the reference pressure signal and using the non-discarded segments of the patient pressure signals for calculating haemodynamic parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and predicting neurological events with an implantable device uses a relatively low-power central processing unit in connection with signal processing circuitry to identify features (including half waves) and calculate window-based characteristics (including line lengths and areas under the curve of the waveform) in an electrographic signal received from a patient's brain. The features and window-based characteristics are combinable in various ways according to the invention to detect and predict neurological events in real time, enabling responsive action by the implantable device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized permselective membranes and methods for making and using such sensors. Embodiments of the invention also provide analyte sensors such as those having porous matrices coated with an analyte sensing composition and methods for making and using such sensors. Illustrative embodiments include electrochemical glucose sensors having glucose oxidase coatings.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of estimating cerebral sources of electrical activity from a small subset of EEG channels utilizing existing methods to provide a 3-dimensional, discrete, distributed, linear solution to the inverse problem using inputs consisting of a small number of EEG channels (e.g., 4 channels) augmented with synthetic EEG data for the other channels. The resultant image of cerebral electrical activity in the region of the EEG channels from which data is recorded is of comparable spatial resolution in the corresponding region to images of cerebral electrical activity obtained using a complete set of EEG channels (e.g., using 24 channels).

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring neural network activity with a textured semiconductor substrate. Sensor elements have a respective detection electrode on the substrate surface for detecting neural network signals, and the detected neural signals are a basis for outputting electrical sensor output signals via respective sensor element outputs. Each amplifier element has an input and an output. Each of the sensor elements has associated therewith one of the amplifier elements whose input is connected to the sensor output of the respective sensor element. The amplified sensor output signal is output the amplifier output as an amplifier output signal. An activity evaluator has an input, which is connected to at least one of the amplifier outputs, and an output. The activity evaluation device produces an activity signal, which is a measure of activity of the neural network, based on the amplifier output signal, and outputs the amplifier output signal via the evaluation output.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, device, and computer program product for monitoring the physiological state of a person. In the method, the heartbeat of the person is detected in order to obtain a pulse signal, and at least one parameter depicting the respiration of the person is determined in the time domain with the aid of time stamps made of the basis of the pulse signal. With the aid of the method, it is possible to calculate an estimate of the person's energy consumption during exercise, without complicated calculations or preliminary data based on measurements.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing multiple data receiver units in a data monitoring and management system such as analyte monitoring system where a first data receiver includes all of the functionalities for the data monitoring and management system receiver unit, and a second data receiver unit is configured with a limited functions to provide application specific convenience to the user or patient is disclosed.

Abstract: An implantable medical device receives a physiological signal indicative of circulatory blood volume and detects hypovolemia from that physiological signal. In one embodiment, an implantable pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) senses a PAP signal, and the implantable medical device detects hypovolemia from the PAP signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sensor analyte data, including initiating calibration, updating calibration, evaluating clinical acceptability of reference and sensor analyte data, and evaluating the quality of sensor calibration. During initial calibration, the analyte sensor data is evaluated over a period of time to determine stability of the sensor. The sensor may be calibrated using a calibration set of one or more matched sensor and reference analyte data pairs. The calibration may be updated after evaluating the calibration set for best calibration based on inclusion criteria with newly received reference analyte data. Fail-safe mechanisms are provided based on clinical acceptability of reference and analyte data and quality of sensor calibration. Algorithms provide for optimized prospective and retrospective analysis of estimated blood analyte data from an analyte sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to acquiring information concerning the hemodynamic status of the brain (or any other organ) by measuring and analysing the pulsatile properties of blood flow (velocities) in the organ's feeding vessels in relation to the pulsatile properties of the systemic arterial blood pressure. Provided is a system for the analysis of arterial blood flow velocity measurements, comprising means for receiving input signals delivered by an arterial blood flow velocity (FV) sensor and by an arterial blood pressure (BP) sensor, wherein said FV and BP signals are recorded simulataneously and continuously, further comprising means for processing and outputting signals, wherein said processing comprises calculating the pulsatile apparent resistance (PaR) or the Pulse Flow Velocity Mismatch (PFVM). Plotting PAR or PVFM against mean arterial blood pressure and/or end tidal CO2 levels can serve as an indicator for the effectiveness of imposed therapy.

Abstract: The device of the present invention can automatically extract words under accurately controlled set conditions. A word presenting means presents words to a subject, a biological activity measuring means measures the biological activity in the subject, and a calculation means receives a biological activity signal from the biological activity measuring means and calculates time from presenting the words until detecting a biological activity by the subject accompanied with the word. The calculation means is equipped with a word database where word data indicating words are stored and can be presented to the subject, a category data of the words and attribute data of the words are related and also stored, respectively, and a word extractor to search the word database and to extract the word data belonging to or relating to a predetermined category, and, satisfying predetermined word attribute, based upon the search conditions.