811results about "Heart/pulse rate measurement devices" patented technology

Apparatus and methods for attenuating environmental interference are described. A wearable monitoring apparatus includes a housing configured to be attached to the body of a subject and a sensor module that includes an energy emitter that directs energy at a target region of the subject, a detector that detects an energy response signal—or physiological condition—from the subject, a filter that removes time-varying environmental interference from the energy response signal, and at least one processor that controls operations of the energy emitter, detector, and filter.

Fabrication methods for capacitive-micromachined ultrasound transducers (“cMUT”) and cMUT imaging array systems are provided. cMUT devices fabricated from low process temperatures are also provided. In an exemplary embodiment, a process temperature can be less than approximately 300 degrees Celsius. A cMUT fabrication method generally comprises depositing and patterning materials on a substrate (400). The substrate (400) can be silicon, transparent, other materials. In an exemplary embodiment, multiple metal layers (405, 410, 415) can be deposited and patterned onto the substrate (400); several membrane layers (420, 435, 445) can be deposited over the multiple metal layers (405, 410, 415); and additional metal layers (425, 430) can be disposed within the several membrane layers (420, 435, 445). The second metal layer (410) is preferably resistant to etchants used to etch the third metal layer (415) when forming a cavity (447). Other embodiments are also claimed and described.

A medical imaging system is provided which includes a signal generator configured to obtain a trigger signal corresponding to a timing of interest, imaging equipment configured to obtain a plurality of images of a feature of interest, and a processor programmed to correlate the plurality of images with the trigger signal. Also provided is a method of correlating a plurality of medical images by obtaining a trigger signal of a timing of interest, obtaining a plurality of images of a feature of interest, and correlating the plurality of images with the trigger signal.

A peritoneal ultrasound imager includes an elongated body less than about 20 inches in length that is adapted to be inserted through a cannula into or near the pericardium space, and an ultrasound transducer array at one end of the body that is suitable for ultrasound echocardiography. The cannula and ultrasound imager may be of a single piece construction. A method for imaging the heart includes introducing a cannula into the wall of a patient's chest, inserting the elongated body into the cannula, moving the inserted elongated body to a position near the heart, and imaging the heart with ultrasound echo.

An endovascular access and guidance system has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end; a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the elongate body configured to provide in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the vasculature of the patient; an endovascular electrogram lead on the elongate body in a position that, when the elongate body is in the vasculature, the endovascular electrogram lead electrical sensing segment provides an in vivo electrogram signal of the patient; a processor configured to receive and process a signal from the non-imaging ultrasound transducer and a signal from the endovascular electrogram lead; and an output device configured to display a result of information processed by the processor. An endovascular device has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end; a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the elongate body; and an endovascular electrogram lead on the elongate body in a position that, when the endovascular device is in the vasculature, the endovascular electrogram lead is in contact with blood. The method of positioning an endovascular device in the vasculature of a body is performed by advancing the endovascular device into the vasculature; transmitting a non-imaging ultrasound signal into the vasculature using a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the endovascular device; receiving a reflected ultrasound signal with the non-imaging ultrasound transducer; detecting an endovascular electrogram signal with a sensor on the endovascular device; processing the reflected ultrasound signal received by the non-imaging ultrasound transducer and the endovascular electrogram signal detected by the sensor; and positioning the endovascular device based on the processing step.

A method and system for three dimensional scanning, imaging and / or therapy are provided. In accordance with one aspect, an exemplary method and system are configured to facilitate controlled scanning within one-degree of freedom. For example, an exemplary method and system can enable multiple two-dimensional image planes to be collected in a manner to provide an accurate and computationally efficient three-dimensional image reconstruction while providing the user with a user-friendly mechanism for acquiring three-dimensional images. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary scanning and imaging system comprises an imaging probe, a control system, a positioning system and a display system. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the positioning system comprises a guide assembly and a position sensing system. The guide assembly is configured to provide pure rectilinear or rotational motion of the probe during scanning operation while the position sensing system is configured to detect the direction and position of the probe during scanning.

A wireless fetal and maternal monitoring system includes a fetal sensor unit adapted to receive signals indicative of a fetal heartbeat, the sensor optionally utilizing a Doppler ultrasound sensor. A short-range transmission unit sends the signals indicative of fetal heartbeat to a gateway unit, either directly or via an auxiliary communications unit, in which case the electrical coupling between the short-range transmission unit and the auxiliary communications unit is via a wired connection. The system includes a contraction actuator actuatable upon a maternal uterine contraction, which optionally is a EMG sensor. A gateway device provides for data visualization and data securitization. The gateway device provides for remote transmission of information through a data communication network. A server adapted to receive the information from the gateway device serves to store and process the data, and an interface system to permits remote patient monitoring.

A wearable patch is provided for use on the body which preferably comprises an ultrasound sensor array, a transmission system coupled to the ultrasound sensor array adapted to provide signal information for ultrasound transmission into the body, and a receiver system coupled to the ultrasound sensor array adapted to receive signal information from the reflected ultrasound signal received from the body. A control circuitry is coupled to the transmission system and the receiver system. The patch is preferably provided with a wireless communication system to permit external control and or communication. Applications range from diagnostics and monitoring, to rehabilitation and wound healing.

A method and associated apparatus are disclosed for determining the location of an effective center of fluid flow in a vessel using an ultrasound apparatus. Ultrasound energy is propagated along an axis of propagation and projects upon the vessel. A Doppler-shifted signal reflected from the fluid in the vessel is received and a set of quantities expressed as a density is derived from the Doppler shifted signal for each of a set of coordinates, the density being a function of the Doppler shift in frequency associated with each of the coordinates. One of a mean, mode or median is calculated for each of the dimensions of the set of coordinates in conjunction with the density associated therewith. This calculation is repeated throughout the field of view of the vessel to define a centerline.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for assessing blood flow in blood vessels, for assessing vascular health, for conducting clinical trials, for screening therapeutic interventions for adverse effects, and for assessing the effects of risk factors, therapies and substances, including therapeutic substances, on blood vessels, especially cerebral blood vessels, all achieved by measuring various parameters of blood flow in one or more vessels and analyzing the results in a defined matter. The relevant parameters of blood flow include mean flow velocity, systolic acceleration, and pulsatility index. By measuring and analyzing these parameters, one can ascertain the vascular health of a particular vessel, multiple vessels and an individual. Such measurements can also determine whether a substance has an effect, either deleterious or advantageous, on vascular health. In one of many embodiments, the present invention further provides an expert system for achieving the above.

The apparatus detects a mental condition of a user when a conversation content is inputted. The apparatus further collects service information based on a keyword extracted from conversation and a detected mental condition. For example, a user's interest is determined by considering a mental condition, i.e., a user's feeling, when the conversation containing the keyword is held. For example, the apparatus provides information collected based on the keyword which the user expresses a good feeling. As a result, it is possible to collect information reflecting the user's interest and hobby more exactly from a user's conversation in the vehicle. It is possible to provide the apparatus for providing information for vehicles which can respond to a variety of user tastes.

The invention provides an ultrasonic monitor for measuring pulse rate values in a living subject, including a module with at least one source of ultrasonic energy, a gel pad comprised of a polymer and from about 50 to about 95% by weight of an ultrasound conductive diluent, wherein the gel pad is positioned in direct contact between the module and the living subject; an ultrasonic energy detector and associated hardware and software for detecting, calculating and displaying a readout of the measured rate values.

An improved patient monitoring system is described herein. In particular, the present invention provides an improved system, method, and kit for positioning and removably mounting, often repeatedly, a monitor transducer on a patient, for example, an external fetal monitor used during pregnancy and childbirth labor. The improved system of the present invention avoids many of the disadvantages of conventional monitoring systems in that it maintains transducer position during patient movement, allows the position of the transducer to be changed without repositioning the patient, allows for simple and expeditious adjustment so as to maximize signal quality without causing patient discomfort, eliminates the need for a belt circumferentially disposed about the patient's abdomen, and can be applied to a wide array of body types, including patients having round abdomens. The system, method, and kit of the present invention is not only both efficient and effective but also economical.

A continuous, non-invasive fetal heart rate measurement is produced using one or more ultrasonic transducer array patches that are adhered or attached to the mother. Each ultrasound transducer array is operated in an autonomous mode by a digital signal processor to obtain data from which fetal heart rate information can be derived. Each ultrasonic transducer array patch comprises a multiplicity of subelements that are switchably reconfigurable to form elements having different shapes, e.g., annular rings. Each subelement comprises a plurality of interconnected cMUT cells that are not switchably disconnectable. The use of cMUT patches will provide the ability to interrogate a three-dimensional space electronically (i.e. without mechanical beam steering) with ultrasound, using a transducer device that is thin and lightweight enough to stick to the patient's skin like an EKG electrode. The ultrasound device can track the fetal heart in three-dimensional space as it moves due to the mother's motion or the motion of the unborn child within the womb.

A medical imaging system includes an image sensor that receives imaging signals from a region of interest, a memory coupled to the image sensor, and a processor coupled to the memory. The memory stores image data derived from the imaging signals for first and second sub-regions of the region of interest acquired during a first and second occurrence of a physiologic cycle. The processor initiates display of the first image data while the second image data is being acquired and initiates display of the first image data joined with the second image data after the second image data is acquired.

A local user obtains data on the response of internal tissues of a subject to a non-invasive imaging system, choosing sensor positions according to a geometric display. The data obtained are evaluated with respect to predefined quantitative values. The process of obtaining and processing the internal tissue response data is repeated until an image meeting predetermined image quality characteristics is obtained. Specific or general content of the image may be restricted by the local processor, with a distal processor receiving the obtained image data, so as to limit specific or general types of image information from being viewed by the local user, such as image data that can be used to identify the sex of a fetus within the subject.

A method for determining an acoustic velocity in a segment of a bone covered with a layer of soft tissue having an outer surface, which includes determining a first travel time of a first ultrasonic wave along a first path from the outer surface back to the outer surface which path includes at least a first part of the bone segment together with determining a second travel time of a second ultrasonic wave along a second path from the outer surface back to the outer surface, which path includes at least a second part of the bone segment and also determining a third travel time of a third ultrasonic wave along a third path from the outer surface back to the outer surface which path includes at least a third part of the bone segment, and deriving the acoustic velocity in the segment of bone from the three determined travel times.

The reconfigurable ultrasound array disclosed herein is one that allows groups of subelements to be connected together dynamically so that the shape of the resulting element can be made to match the shape of the wave front. This can lead to improved performance and / or reduced channel count. Reconfigurability can be achieved using a switching network. A methodology and an algorithm are disclosed that allows the performance of this switching network to be improved by properly choosing the configuration of the switching network.