Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring exercise condition, especially a method for measuring an exertion endurance indicator representing exercise condition of a subject to be measured, such as maximal oxygen uptake or any such exertion endurance indicator representing exercise condition. The method is characterized in that, in the method a predetermined calculation formula is used preferably by means of a neural network, to which formula physiological parameters representing the subject to be measured are supplied. The input parameters comprise at least one or more of the following physiological parameters, such as sex, age, height, weight. One or more output parameters representing the exertion endurance indicator representing the exercise condition of the subject to be measured are obtained as a result from the calculation formula. In addition to the physiological parameters, one or more resting heartbeat parameters measured specifically from resting heartbeat are used as input parameters of the calculation formula. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the calculation formula is formed by means of a neural network construction.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a monitoring equipment (9) comprising means (15) for receiving a measurement result indicating the patient's blood glucose level, and for storing it in a first memory means (10). In order to improve and facilitate the treatment of the patient, the monitoring equipment comprises means (15) for receiving data concerning the patient's diet, medication and physical strain, and for storing it in the first memory means (10), data processing means (11, 12) for calculating a predictive value on the basis of the data stored in the first memory means (10), and corrector means (13) for calculating the difference between the calculated predictive value and the patient's actual blood glucose level, and for correcting the mathematical model utilized to calculate the predictive value in order to take into account the aforementioned difference in subsequent calculations of predictive values.
Abstract:
A sensor probe operable to transmit light of a first wavelength for scattering by a tissue sample is described for use with a pulse oximeter (310, 410) designed to operate with another type of sensor probe (302, 402) which transmits light of a second wavelength. The sensor probe (302, 402) includes at least one source of light (306, 308; 406, 408) for transmitting light of the first wavelength for scattering and/or absorption by the tissue sample. At least one detector (314, 414) is included for detecting light of the first wavelength affected by the tissue sample and generating a signal in response thereto. An encoder (420) in the sensor probe (402) transforms the signal to a form which may be employed by the oximeter.
Abstract:
A single use protective barrier medical accessory (1) serves to isolate a sphygmomanometer cuff (12) from a patient whose blood pressure is to be taken in order to prevent contamination of the cuff (12) by the patient's body fluids, such as blood. The medical accessory (1) constitutes an open ended tubular sleeve (1), fabricated from a readily foldable, fluid impervious material. Each open end is provided with an elastic band (3, 4) to snugly close around the patient's arm. In use, the tubular sleeve (1) is introduced over a patient's arm. Then an upper portion (5) of the sleeve is folded over to completely cover the sphygmomanometer cuff (12) while permitting admission of a tube (14) coupled to a bulb for pressurizing the cuff (12). After the patient's blood pressure has been taken, the upper portion (5) is unfolded, the cuff (12) is removed and the sleeve (1) disposed of, preferably according to established procedures. In one preferred embodiment, the upper portion (5) of the sleeve (1) includes a window (6) through which a gauge (13) attached to the cuff (12) may be read.
Abstract:
A process for analyzing for a variety of physical medical disorders, which includes: (a) clinically testing by a common analysis, patients free of such disorders to obtain characterization thereof as numerical data; (b) scaling a matrix of the data by computer; (c) configuring an artificial neural network prescribed by the number of variables and number of disorders; (d) fitting the neural network in a computer to the numerical data according to adjustable network parameters which include the number of neurons in a hidden layer, the number of hidden layers, the type of layer transfer function, and the connecting weights; (e) thereby training the neural network; (f) withdrawing from a new patient a sample or samples and subjecting same to like clinical testing to obtain new numeric data; (g) scaling the new data; (h) feeding the scaled new data to the trained neural network; and (i) automatically obtaining a diagnosis of the new patient with respect to such disorders.
Abstract:
A guide catheter (10) is disclosed in which a sensing element (20), for example a pressure sensor (20), is provided in a wall (12) of the guide catheter (10), preferably at the distal end (14) of the catheter (10). In this way, measurements, e.g., of blood pressure can be taken from the interior of the patient while interventional procedures are being carried out, and without the loss of accuracy and damping associated with conventional systems which measure pressure pulses which have been transmitted to the proximal end of the guide catheter (10) through fluid in the guide catheter. The provision of the sensing element (20) in the wall (12) of the guide catheter (10) itself also avoids the need to use a separate interactive catheter for this measurement.
Abstract:
A system and method for sensing and providing an indication of one or more diabetes-related blood constituents of a patient, the system being based upon an ECG sensor (33, 40) which processes patient ECG signals, either surface, or intracardiac or epicardial, for determining a measure of a blood constituent such as insulin or glucose, or both insulin and glucose. The system has processing capability for correlating selected parameters of the ECG signal with patient blood insulin or blood glucose, to provide the insulin or glucose level. Additionally, the system is provided with input capability (43) for enabling the patient to input data such as the time of meal intake, which is representative of glucose intake, which data is incorporated in making a determination of patient insulin need. The system can be in a first external wearable embodiment, or in a second implantable embodiment which utilizes a pacing-type lead for picking up intracardiac or epicardial signals. In either the wearable or implantable embodiment, the output response may be simply an indication of patient insulin and/or glucose need provided by an external display (28, 44), and may also include automatic control (34, 35; 46, 47) of insulin injection to the patient.
Abstract:
A one-piece male incontinence device comprises a condom (30) having a first sheath section (32) and a second urine collecting compartment (42) divided by a skin shield (36) which incorporates a soft thread-reinforced non-return, non-invertible valve (38). Collecting compartment has a twist-around drain valve (52) or alternatively a ball-obturator drain valve (93). First sheath section (32) has friction-increasing internal surface in the form of finely spaced-apart ribs (54). Alternatively skin shield (36) can incorporate two non-return, non-inverting reinforced valves (86 and 88) placed to eliminate urine pooling (90). Alternative design catheter (79) comprises one-piece first sheath section and second urine collecting compartment divided by an insert (36) incorporating non-return valve or valves and skin shield which is placed and imperviously sealed therein. An improved support strap (218) is used which has markings to (221) for accurate respositioning of the band (220). A garment (94) is provided for spinal injured patients for attaching thereto a condom catheter. A non-elastomeric, non-latex condom catheter (110) is provided for users who are allergic to latex products. Another embodiment has a grooved retainer ring (238) sewn into the front section (236) of a garment. An applicator ring (250) is used to spread rim (226) to facilitate fitting both condom onto penis (254) and rim (226) into groove (244) of grooved retainer ring (238).
Abstract:
A method for effecting biofeedback regulation of at least one physiological variable characteristic of a subject's emotional state, comprising the steps of monitoring at least one speech parameter characteristic of the subject's emotional state so as to produce an indication signal, and using the indication signal to provide the subject with an indication of the at least one physiological variable. A system (10, 30, 70, 90, 110, 125, 130) permits the method to be carried out in standalone mode or via the telephone line (40, 74, 94) in which case the indication signal may be derived at a location remote from the subject. Likewise, information relating to the subject's emotional state can be conveyed vocally to a remote party or textually through the Internet (128), and then processed as required.