Welch Allyn, Inc.

Oregon Health & Science University

Spacelabs, Inc.

Mecta Corporation

Squibb Vitatek Inc.

Other

Tektronix, Inc.

Promedix, Inc.

Richard A Sunderland

Steven D Baker

John B Shaw

Richard Howard Weitzel

David Clark Sheridan

Matthew Lee Hansen

Omer Kotzer

Braxton L Lathrop

Cory Russell Gondek

Grant S Gibson

Robert T Lewis

Christopher Lorenzo Dunn

Jay R Sorensen

An example system for estimating a hydration level of an individual can include: a mechanism configured to apply mechanical pressure to a digit of the individual; an light detector configured to sense the light from the digit; and a controller programmed to perform functions including: send a first signal to the mechanism to apply the mechanical pressure to the digit; send a second signal to the mechanism to release the mechanical pressure on the digit; determine a capillary refill time based upon a third signal from the light detector indicating an amount of time for capillaries of the individual to refill with blood; and estimate the hydration level of the individual based upon the capillary refill time and one or more additional parameters.

Estimating hydration using capillary refill time

A system for measuring capillary refill time includes a wearable device and a control unit. The wearable device includes a force sensor to obtain a force signal and an optical sensor to obtain an optical signal. The system ensures that an applied force is acceptable in both magnitude and duration, and that a duration over which the applied force is released or removed is acceptable. These factors can establish that a capillary refill time determined or calculated therein is accurate. The system can also determine the capillary refill time based on the force and optical signals obtained by the force and optical sensors, respectively.

Measuring capillary refill time

A patient monitoring system within an Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) device includes a patient monitoring channel including a first electrode and a second electrode, with each electrode coupled to a respective lead. The monitoring system also includes an Alternating Current source structured to inject a test current to the first electrode lead or the second electrode lead and a differential amplifier structured to measure differences between signals received from the first electrode lead and the second electrode lead. Related methods include evaluating a quality of an electrode contact with a skin surface by injecting a lead of the electrode and one input of a differential amplifier with a known electrical current, comparing a difference between an electrical signal received from the lead of the injected electrode as well as from a lead of a passive signal electrode, and evaluating the compared difference.

Determining quality of electrode contact with skin surface

A multi-parametric vital signs monitoring device configured for use as an ambulatory and a bedside monitor wherein the device can be patient-wearable and is battery powered. The monitoring device can be used with a charging cradle to provide power to the device in lieu of the battery as a power source for bedside applications, in which the cradle further serves as an intermediary device to enable a data link with a PC or other peripheral device. The monitoring device can include a wireless radio to enable bi-directional transfer of patient-related data to a separate remote station.

Vital signs monitor

An instrument that utilizes body contact electrodes evaluates the quality of the connections made between the electrodes and the body. An electrode contact quality evaluation circuit performs the quality evaluation, such as by determining contact impedances for the electrodes. The corresponding contact quality of each electrode is conveyed to the user.

Evaluation of the quality of electrode contact with a skin surface

An electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) system includes both hardware and software safety detectors and monitors generator that generates a pulse train of a plurality of pulses with parameters specified by the user. The safety monitors monitor these user-specified parameters as well as other important pulse parameters both during treatment of a patient and prior to treatment in order to ensure that the system is operating according to specification and, therefore, will not injure the patient. The pulse generator is responsive to the safety monitors in that if any of the safety detectors detect a parameter that is out of tolerance, the safety monitor disables the pulse generator so that no further pulses are delivered to the patient. The safety detectors detect the plurality of pulse characteristics including pulse width, frequency, voltage, current, treatment duration, as well as energy. In addition to these real time safety checks, the system includes a pre-treatment arming routine that applies a pre-treatment ECT pulse train to an internal load and monitors these same parameters during this internal test. If all of these parameters are within tolerance, the system moves to an armed state in which the user can proceed to apply an ECT treatment pulse train. If any one of these safety checks fails, however, the system does not arm and, therefore, prohibits treatment.

Electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) system with enhanced safety features

An electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) system includes both hardware and software safety detectors and monitors, including a pulse generator that generates a pulse train of a plurality of pulses with parameters specified by the user. The safety monitors monitor these user-specified parameters as well as other important pulse parameters both during treatment of a patient and prior to treatment in order to ensure that the system is operating according to specification and, therefore, will not injure the patient. The pulse generator is responsive to the safety monitors in that if any of the safety detectors detect a parameter that is out of tolerance, the safety monitor disables the pulse generator so that no further pulses are delivered to the patient. The safety detectors detect plurality of pulse characteristics including pulse width, frequency, voltage, current, treatment duration, as well as energy. In addition to these real time safety checks, the system includes a pre-treatment arming routine that applies a pre-treatment ECT pulse train to an internal load and monitors these same parameters during this internal test. If all of these parameters are within tolerance, the system moves to an armed state in which the user can proceed to apply an ECT treatment pulse train. If any one of these safety checks fails, however, the system does not arm and, therefore, prohibits treatment.

A power supply circuit for an output stage portion of a magnetic deflection circuit amplifier is disclosed. It comprises a power supply means for supplying a supply voltage during the collapse of the magnetic field associated with the yoke following the retrace portion. The power supply means also restores energy to another power supply means to which it is coupled, the other power supply means providing a supply voltage to the amplifier during a portion of the raster scan just preceding the retrace.

Power supply for deflection circuit

An amplifier circuit with serially coupled output stages coupled to different level voltage supplies wherein at least the higher voltage-supplied output stages comprise a field effect transistor (FET) device is disclosed. In one embodiment a floating power supply is coupled between V.sub.in and the gate of the FET to provide turn on of the FET at the proper crossover voltage. In another embodiment, control of the FET is provided by a transistor circuit which causes the FET to turn on in response to the instantaneous voltage drop across the lower voltage-supplied output stage.

Multiple power supply power amplifier circuit

A non-fade display for a CRT which includes a brightened dot, or 'bouncing ball', is described. The refreshed display makes use of relatively short persistence phosphors, together with a digital controller to momentarily stop a trace at a predetermined point corresponding to the newest data sample point, increase its intensity to form the brightened dot, follow the brightened dot with a blanked zone, and then continue with the older part of the trace.

Growing community of inventors

Aloha, OR, United States of America

Richard A Sunderland