Healthetech, Inc.

Other

Biointellisense, Inc.

Microlife Corporation

James R Mault

Edwin Marcum Pearce, Jr

David Jonq Wang

Kevin S Nason

Craig M Lawrence

Theodore W Barber

Henry Leung

Timothy J Prachar

Jeffrey C Weintraub

Mark A Ross

Eduardo Chan

Sam Jones

Eleanor Nina Drake

Lynette Ross

Noel L Johnson

Andrzej Skoskiewicz

Roshi Givechi

Brian Chris Ro

John Sanderson

Neil Grimmer

Dirk Fengels

Jeanne Ragan

Christopher L Sandys

David Gilmore

Tom Kilbourn

Tracy G Cheng

Edwin Pearce

A method to measure sound-producing behaviors of a subject with a power- and bandwidth-limited electronic device that includes a processor includes measuring, by a microphone communicatively coupled to the processor, sound in a vicinity of the subject to generate an audio data signal that represents the sound. The method also includes measuring, by at least one second sensor communicatively coupled to the processor, at least one parameter other than sound to generate at least a second data signal that represents the at least one parameter other than sound. The method also includes detecting one or more sound-producing behaviors of the subject based on: both the audio data signal and the second data signal; or information derived from both the audio data signal and the second data signal.

Sensor fusion to validate sound-producing behaviors

An adhesive device may include a first adhesive surface configured to be adhered to skin of a user, and a second adhesive surface opposite the first adhesive surface and configured to be adhered to a medical device. The adhesive device may also include an intermediate region between the first adhesive surface and the second adhesive surface, where the intermediate region includes a detector compound embedded in the intermediate region configured to change based on interaction of the detector compound with a target molecule.

Adhesive device

Multi-lobe sensor

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method may include obtaining, at a mobile biometric-data hub, a first biometric reading of a user. The method may also include, based on the first biometric reading, associating the mobile biometric-data hub with the user. The method may also include wirelessly receiving, at the mobile biometric-data hub, a second biometric reading from a biometric sensor distinct from the mobile biometric-data hub. The method may also include determining that the second biometric reading is of the user. The method may also include, based on the second biometric reading being of the user and based on the association between the mobile biometric-data hub and the user, tagging the second biometric reading with an identifier of the user. The method may also include communicating the tagged second biometric reading from the mobile biometric-data hub to a network-attached device.

Mobile biometric-data hub

A speech recognition module for a personal digital assistant comprises: a module housing designed to engage with an accessory feature of the PDA, such as an accessory slot; a microphone for receiving speech commands from the person; and a speech recognition system. A corresponding electrical speech command signal is communicated to the portable computing device, allowing control of the operation of a software application program running on the portable computing device. In particular, menu items can be selected for generation of a diet log for the person, for example during a weight control program.

Speech recognition capability for a personal digital assistant

A system and method for determining an individualized drug dosage is provided. The system includes a metabolic rate sensing means for sensing the metabolic rate of the individual. The system also includes a computing device having a processor, a memory, an input device, and a display device. The system further includes a data storage means operatively in communication with the processor, and the data storage means includes a drug database containing drug dosage data. The method includes the steps of determining a standardized dosage for a drug. The method also includes the steps of measuring the actual metabolic rate of the individual and determining a metabolic comparison factor by comparing the measured actual metabolic rate to a predetermined standard metabolic rate. The method further includes the steps of adjusting the standardized drug dosage using the comparison factor.

System and method of determining an individualized drug administration protocol

A respiratory analyzer comprises a flow module, having a flow tube through which the flow rate of gases is determined using a flow rate meter, and a computation module, in communication with the flow module, operable to determine a flow rate of respired gases. The computation module may also be operable to determine a metabolic rate of the subject.

Respiratory analyzer for exercise use

An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes, a flow pathway, and a hygiene barrier positioned to block a predetermined pathogen from the exhaled gases. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow pathway having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The flow pathway includes a flow tube through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, an outer housing surrounding the flow tube, and a chamber disposed between the flow tube and the first end. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow meter configured to generate electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway, and a component gas concentration sensor operable to generate electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases as the gases pass through the flow pathway. The indirect calorimeter further includes a computation unit operable to receive the electrical signals from the flow meter and the concentration sensor and operative to calculate at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.

Metabolic calorimeter employing respiratory gas analysis

An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion. The disposable portion includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. The disposable portion also includes a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases, having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The disposable portion is disposed within the reusable portion, which includes a flow meter, a component gas concentration sensor, and a computation unit. The flow meter generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of respiratory gases passing through the flow pathway and the component gas concentration sensor generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases. The computation unit receives the electrical signals from the flow meter and the concentration sensor and calculates at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.

A method of determining a respiratory parameter for a subject using an indirect calorimeter is provided. The indirect calorimeter includes a respiratory connector for passing inhaled and exhaled gases, a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases having a flow tube within the flow pathway through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, a flow meter for determining an instantaneous flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases, a component gas concentration sensor for determining an instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas and a computation unit having a processor and a memory. The method includes the steps of initializing the indirect calorimeter and the subject breathing into the respiratory connector if the indirect calorimeter is initialized, sensing the flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway using the flow meter and transmitting a signal representing the sensed flow volume to the computation unit. The method also includes the steps of sensing a concentration of a predetermined component gas as the inhaled and exhaled gases pass through the flow pathway using the component gas sensor, and transmitting a signal representing the sensed concentration of the predetermined component gas to the computation unit. The method further includes the steps of calculating at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter using the sensed flow volume and the sensed concentration of the predetermined component gas, and providing the subject with the at least one respiratory parameter.

Method of respiratory gas analysis using a metabolic calorimeter

Various physiological monitor modules are provided for use with computing devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). In some embodiments, the personal digital assistant provides the controls, display, and processing circuitry for the physiological monitor module. The personal digital assistant stores data from the physiological monitors so that the data may be used in various software applications. In other embodiments, the physiological monitor and the personal digital assistant include accessory slots sized to accept memory modules which may be used to transfer data therebetween. In yet other embodiments, the physiological monitors include data storage but do not include onboard processing capability, and data is transferred to a personal digital assistant either during or after use of the physiological monitor.

Physiological monitor and associated computation, display and communication unit

An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic activity of a subject includes a respiratory connector operative to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases therethrough as the subject breathes, and a flow tube forming a flow pathway for passing inhaled and exhaled gases therethrough, wherein one end of the flow tube is operatively connected to the respiratory connector and the other end of the flow tube is open, and a wall of the flow tube includes an opening. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow meter adapted to generate a signal as a function of the instantaneous volume of inhaled and exhaled gases in the flow pathway that is in fluid communication with the flow pathway via the opening in the flow tube, and an oxygen sensor operative to generate a signal as a function of the instantaneous fraction of oxygen in the inhaled and exhaled gases in the flow pathway that is in fluid communication with the flow pathway via the opening in the flow tube. The indirect calorimeter further includes a processor for receiving the signals from the flow sensor and the oxygen sensor and using the signals to determine the oxygen consumption of the subject over a period of time.

An improved respiratory analyzer comprises a disposable flow module and non-disposable electronics module. An improved ventilator system comprises a supply of respiratory gases, a ventilator line for directing the respiratory gases to a patient, a flow module holder located in series with the ventilator line into which a flow module can be inserted, and an electronics module which connects to the flow module. In a preferred embodiment, the flow module and electronics module operate in combination to provide the functionality of an indirect calorimeter, so as to determine the metabolic rate of the patient. Feeding of an intubated patient can be controlled using determined patient metabolic rates. Other respiratory parameters can be determined by the system, such as peak flow, tidal volume, end-tidal concentrations, and respiratory quotient. The system provides a non-invasive method of cardiac output determination. A flow module can also be inserted into the mouth or internal respiratory tube of a person.

Indirect calorimeter for medical applications

An indirect calorimetry system includes transducers sensitive to expired airflow that are enclosed within a calorimeter housing, and a microprocessor in communication with the transducers for calculating expiration characteristics. A graphical display displays the expiration characteristics. A communication link transmits expiration characteristics to external devices such as a computer, communication network, or PDA.

Growing community of inventors

Durham, NC, United States of America

James R Mault