Lifeline Systems, Inc.

Cardiodyne, Inc.

University of Massachusetts

Nirstat LLC

Patrick G Phillipps

Paul Epstein

David G Tweed

Babs R Soller

Michael Parker

Eric L LaWhite

A spectrometer system includes a thermal light source for illuminating a sample, where the thermal light source includes a filament that emits light when heated. The system additionally includes a spectrograph for measuring a light spectrum from the sample and an electrical circuit for supplying electrical current to the filament to heat the filament and for controlling a resistance of the filament. The electrical circuit includes a power supply that supplies current to the filament, first electrical components that sense a current through the filament, second electrical components that sense a voltage drop across the filament, third electrical components that compare a ratio of the sensed voltage drop and the sensed current with a predetermined value, and fourth electrical components that control the current through the filament or the voltage drop across the filament to cause the ratio to equal substantially the predetermined value.

Spectrometer system for optical reflectance measurements

Several techniques are provided for aiding in the discrimination of detected biological signals indicative of blood pressure from detected signals not indicative of blood pressure (e.g., noise). A threshold, based predominantly on a level of noise, is developed and used in the discrimination. A second threshold, based predominantly on levels of previously detected biological signals, is developed and additionally used to help discriminate the biological signals from noise. The biological signals are detected during a selected portion of a cardiac cycle, and additional signals detected outside of the selected portion of the cycle are applied to the detected signals. Another threshold may be developed based predominantly on a level of signals sensed by a transducer positioned to preferentially sense noise; the transducer is positioned so that the noise that it detects is related to noise that is detected during the detection of the biological signals. Blood pressure is measured during periodically scheduled measurement cycles, and a measurement cycle is suspended if noise exceeds a predetermined level. The times at which the detected signals (i.e., the signals indicative of blood pressure and the signals not indicative of blood pressure) are processed during a given cardiac cycle are selected based at least in part on the pressure of the cuff. The biological signals indicative of blood pressure that are detected during a current measurement cycle are used to at least in part determine the times at which the detected signals will be processed during a succeeding measurement cycle.

Blood pressure monitoring in noisy environments

A stethoscope, operable in an acoustic or electronically augmented mode, is disclosed. In one electronically augmented mode of operation, the stethoscope simultaneously provides the listener with combined unmodified, familiar audible sounds and sounds which have been electronically augmented to bring them within the human auditory range. Additionally, a timing sound may be provided along with the unmodified, familiar audible sounds and electronically augmented sounds to assist the listener in determining when sounds occur in the heart cycle. The timing sound may be enabled in the acoustic mode of stethoscope operation so that the listener can place familiar audible sounds within the heart cycle.

Electronically augmented stethoscope with timing sound

A telephone care system enables personnel monitoring an emergency response center to be reminded that help is still needed at a given location. The system includes a provision for sending a plurality of alarm messages, wherein one criterion for selection of the message being sent is whether a message was previously sent without the alarm state thereafter having been terminated. In a preferred embodiment, a communication system in accordance with the invention includes a provision for sending repetitively, after an initial alarm message, a message to the effect that 'help is still needed' until the alarm state has been terminated.

Telephone care system with supplementary alarm message

The present invention provides a small portable radio transmitter unit which can be worn on the wrist or suspended from a neck chain to provide immediate access in the event of an emergency condition and without interfering with the normal day-to-day activities of the wearer. The unit is contained within a watertight housing having a resilient membrane depressible by finger pressure to actuate a button switch within the housing for actuation of the transmitter. The housing is vented to the atmosphere to provide equalization of internal and ambient pressure in a manner providing isolation from water or other liquid entry to thereby maintain a watertight enclosure.

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln, MA, United States of America

Patrick G Phillipps