Abstract:
This disclosure relates to a device and method for the non-invasive or minimally invasive withdrawal of fluids from a patient by the use of a self-actuated pump (12) connected to an analyte sensing unit (16). The self-actuated pump (12) is preferably mounted in the patient's shoe (38).
Abstract:
A system for intrauterine detection of one or more biological substances, such as meconium or blood, is disclosed. The presence in amniotic fluid of such biological substances indicates an abnormal condition which justifies intervention on the part of a medical practitioner supervising the labor and delivery. A flexible cable (14) which can be inserted into the uterus is provided which includes at least two lumens. The first lumen is used to draw amniotic fluid through a port (16) in the lumen and into an observation chamber outside of the uterus and at the end of the first lumen. The fluid is visually observed by a medical practitioner for the presence of a biological substance or the biological substance can be detected by any one of several described instruments. It is preferred that if an instrument is used to detect the biological substance that a transparent visual observation chamber also be included to allow visual detection also. The apparatus allows stained fluid to be withdrawn from, and clean fluid to be infused into, the uterus in order to reduce the concentration of, and the effect of, the undesirable biological substance in the uterus.
Abstract:
The expandable intraluminal catheter (10) is used for removing occlusive material from a body passage. The catheter includes a handle (12) having both a proximal handle end and a distal handle end. Attached to the distal handle end is an elongate tubular body (16) which includes a proximal elongate tubular body end and a distal elongate tubular body end (15). The elongate tubular body further includes a lumen (46) between the proximal elongate tubular body end and the distal elongate tubular body end. A number of radially expandable segments (17) are disposed on the elongate tubular body near the distal elongate tubular body end. These radially expandable segments can be mechanically activated by a user when the distal elongate tubular body end is within a blood vessel, to thereby contact and partition occlusive material within the blood vessel. The partitioned occlusive material within the blood vessel can then be removed.
Abstract:
A teleconference system uses video conference between a nurse station (76) and a patient station (68) to deliver medical care. The patient station (68) is programmed to contain customized instructions concerning medications, procedures, or visitations that were placed there by the nurse. The customized audio, video, and text information transforms the patient station (68) into a highly personalized information source which can be reviewed by the patient when the unit is off line. Medical procedures and medications are also programmed into the patient station by the nurse to remind the patient of all scheduled events, including visitations. A record of medical compliance is stored in the patient station, which record is uploaded to the nurse station (76) and compared to the original event schedule. In such manner, the patient station (68) is an intelligent personal medical assistant, programmed by the nurse to provide customized reminders and information necessary for the efficient management of the patient's illness.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method of diagnosing the presence of a persistent occlusion in a myocardial infarct patient undergoing thrombolytic therapy. The method comprises detecting a series of five variables from the patient and then generating the probability of the presence of a persistent occlusion from those variables. The first variable comprises a serum creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) level (10) from a patient at the onset of thrombolytic therapy. The second variable comprises a second CK-MB level (20) in the patient at a predetermined time after the onset of thrombolytic therapy. The third variable comprises the presence or absence of chest pain (50) a predetermined time after the onset of thrombolytic therapy. The fourth variable comprises the serum myoglobin level (30) in the patient at a predetermined time after the onset of thrombolytic therapy. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second, third and fourth variables are detected within 30 minutes of each other and within about 1 hour to 3 hours after the initial variable is detected. In an alternate embodiment a fifth variable reflecting the time from onset of chest pain to the beginning of thrombolytic therapy is included in the regression model.
Abstract:
This invention is a method for non-invasive measuring of the concentration of an analyte, particularly blood analyte in blood. The method utilizes spectrographic techniques in conjunction with an improved optical interface between a sensor probe (11) and a skin surface (12) or tissue surface of the body containing the blood to be analyzed. An index matching medium (22) is disclosed to improve the interface between the sensor probe (11) and the skin surface (12) during spectrographic analysis. In a preferred embodiment, the blood analyte concentration in blood is quantified utilizing a partial square analysis relative to a model incorporating analysis of plural known blood samples.
Abstract:
Motion compensation is based on analysis of intensity signals received by detectors, without separately measuring a motion signal, without providing feedback to cancel the motion signal and without attempting to mathematically eliminate the motion signal. Instead, the present invention mathematically recognizes the presence of the motion signal and recognizes a few key characteristics of the motion signal and makes corresponding assumptions. First, it is recognized that the motion/noise in each wavelength signal is proportional. Second, it is assumed that the blood pulse signal is not affected by motion.
Abstract:
The invention is a method for determining the effectiveness of a diet program for administration to a patient having at least one diet-responsive condition. The method includes the steps of selecting a plurality of patients, each having at least one diet-responsive condition; identifiying at least one quantifiable indicator of each of the diet-responsive conditions and measuring the at least one indicator for each of the patients during a four week baseline period; and monitoring each of the patients during the baseline period to determine a baseline quality of life. The plurality of patients is divided randomly between a first group and a second group. The diet program is administered to each of the patients in the first group during a ten week intervention period and each of the patients in the second group is maintained on a control diet with known beneficial effects on the at least one diet-responsive condition during the intervention period. The at least one indicator of each of the conditions is monitored for each of the patients after the intervention period.
Abstract:
The system provides for the remote and permanent monitoring by radiofrequency with alarm of an infant, a child or an adult. A miniature sensor-emitter, attached to the wrist of the patient, comprises a sensor (1) which detects the beats of the pulse, a circuit (2) intended to shape and code the information concerning the "rate of heart beat" and "presence of cardiac pauses", if any, and an emitter (3) sends the radiofrequency signal S. A receiver-display unit provides for the remote monitoring of the patient and comprises a radiofrequency receiver (7) intended to pick up the signal S, a circuit (8) providing for the decoding of the signal S, and the display of the rate of heart beat R by means of a digital display (9). The circuit (8) further compares permanently R with minimum and maximum values, and sets off alarms (10, 11 and 21) if said extreme values are exceeded, or if cardiac pauses are detected.