Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus (1) for inductively measuring the bio-impedance of a user' s body. Furthermore the invention relates to a bed (2) comprising said apparatus (1). In order to provide a method and apparatus for spatially resolved inductively measuring the bio-impedance of a user' s body without a complex circuitry, an apparatus (1) is suggested for inductively measuring the bio-impedance of a user's body, whereas the apparatus (1) comprises a number of first inductors (4), said first inductors (4) being adapted to induce an alternating magnetic field in the user's body and the apparatus (1) further comprises a number of second inductors (6), said second inductors (6) being adapted to measure a secondary magnetic field in the user's body, characterized in that each of the number of first inductors (4) overlaps at least one of the number of second inductors (6) to form a number of measuring areas (12, 25).
Abstract:
In a medical pulse oximetry sensor (10) at least two light emitting diodes (16, 18) are disposed to emit red light and infrared light through a portion of a subject's anatomy with a typically high oxygenated blood throughput. Typically, this area is also relatively narrow, to allow the light to pass through the area with acceptable attenuation, such as a finger or an earlobe. Light emitted from the LEDs (16, 18) is incumbent upon an integrated circuit (22) printed from a single CMOS substrate (21). The integrated circuit (22) includes all preprocessing and post-processing elements needed to convert the detected light signals into a pulse oximetry measurement. These elements include a photodetector (20), a photo pre- amplifier (40), a sampler/holder (42), an analog to digital converter (44), a microprocessor (46) a rangefinder (48), a timing control circuit (50) and an LED control circuit (52). By integrating all pre and post processing functions into the carriage housing (12), the system becomes more efficient, less expensive to manufacture, and more robust to ambient light and x-ray radiation.
Abstract:
An impedance measurement circuit comprises a current source arrangement, a voltage measurement arrangement and a processor. The circuit is operable in a two-point measurement mode and a four-point measurement mode and the processor is adapted to derive the impedance to be measured by combining the measurement voltages from the two- point and the four-point measurement modes. This combines the results of both two-point and four-point measurement techniques to provide improved accuracy. In particular, the two results enable the effect of the electrode resistance to be cancelled.
Abstract:
The invention also relates to an optical sensor for a photoplethysmography measurement, comprising a light unit 1 with a light emitter 2 for emitting light into tissue of a patient 8 and/or a light detector 3 for detecting a part of the emitted light after interaction with the tissue, wherein the light unit is embedded in an elastic material 4. The invention further relates to a device for contactless respiration monitoring of a patient 8, comprising: a distance sensor for consecutively detecting the temporal distance variations relative to the patient's chest 12, preferably based on electromagnetic waves; and a calculating unit for determining the breathing activity based on the detected temporal distance variations. The invention is especially useful for providing a reliable and easy to use possibility for simultaneously monitoring respiration action, blood pressure and heart rate with a handheld device which can be used for spot- checking the vital parameters of patients in hospitals.
Abstract:
A system (100) for inducing a subject (110) to fall asleep comprises a monitor (120) for monitoring heart rate and breathing rate of the subject (110), a coherence assessing device (130) coupled to the monitor (120) for assessing a degree of coherence between the heart rate and the breathing rate, and an output device (140, 150) coupled to the coherence assessing device (130). The output device (140, 150) may comprise a light pattern generator (140) for generating a light pattern (145) in view of the subject (110) based on the degree of coherence. The output device (140, 150) may alternatively or additionally comprise an instructing system (150) for instructing the subject on a breathing pattern, and wherein the instructions are given based on the degree of coherence.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a system for detection of fluid retention in a patient, comprising a garment 1 provided with a circumference measuring sensor 2 and adapted to be worn around a patient's limb, like an ankle, and an analyzer 3 for analyzing circumference data acquired by the circumference measuring sensor 2. Variations in circumference of the limb can be measured in different ways, e.g. based on a resistive or an inductive principle. This way, a reliable and easy to use possibility for detection of fluid retention in a patient is provided.
Abstract:
An angular sensor (100) comprising at least one loop (140,150) of electrical conductive material being attached to a preferably flexible substrate is provided. The substrate is foldable and an inductance of the loop (140,150) is dependent on a folding angle (160). The angular sensor (100) may be included in a garment (400) to facilitate the determination of a body posture, or in a plaster (500) to apply to the skin of a patient. Preferably the angular sensor transfers data indicative of the measured angle wireless to a base station (300). The base station is configured to receive the data of a plurality of angular sensors. The angular sensor (100) and the base station (300) are included in an angle measurement system (350) that may be used by a physiotherapist to supervise rehabilitation exercises.
Abstract:
An angular sensor (100) comprising at least one loop (140,150) of electrical conductive material being attached to a preferably flexible substrate is provided. The substrate is foldable and an inductance of the loop (140,150) is dependent on a folding angle (160). The angular sensor (100) may be included in a garment (400) to facilitate the determination of a body posture, or in a plaster (500) to apply to the skin of a patient. Preferably the angular sensor transfers data indicative of the measured angle wireless to a base station (300). The base station is configured to receive the data of a plurality of angular sensors. The angular sensor (100) and the base station (300) are included in an angle measurement system (350) that may be used by a physiotherapist to supervise rehabilitation exercises.
Abstract:
Sleep management system and method for improving sleep quality. The system preferably consists of unobtrusive sensors (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) which allow a continuous, every night monitoring, without interfering with a user's sleep. They aresuited to record a certain set ofvital parameters that allows for basic characterization of sleep quality. The user.preferably receives daily feedback on sleep scores and suggestions to improve sleep 5 quality based on medically accepted behavioral changes. The system and method use data processing software, feedback and coaching strategies.
Abstract:
The invention concerns an apparatus, system, wearable apparatus and concomitant processing system to detect instants in time at which a cyclically pulsating object within the body of an individual is temporarily quiescent, such an object being the heart, an artery or the lungs. The essence of the invention is the use of a doppler radar motion detector, normally used for vehicular speed detection or the detection of building occupancy. The doppler radar motion detector is arranged to transmit electromagnetic signal towards the object and receive reflected electromagnetic signal from the object, and the apparatus is further arranged to identify the instants in time at which the reflected signal indicates the object is temporarily quiescent. The invention is particularly suitable for ambulatory monitoring of the heart.