Abstract:
A patient monitoring system may determine one or more reference points of a physiological signal. The system may select one or more fiducial points on the physiological signal relative to the reference points. The one or more fiducial points may be selected by selecting a point spaced by a time interval relative to one of the reference points. The time interval may be a predetermined constant, or the time interval may depend on physiological information. The system may generate a fiducial signal based on the selected fiducial points, calculate physiological information such as a respiration rate based on the selected fiducial points, or both.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of a tracheal tube capable of suctioning accumulated mucus secretions from the airway of intubated patients are provided. Disclosed embodiments include a variety of endrotracheal tubes with integral suction lumens terminating in ports optimally located at the distal end of the endrotracheal tubes between a Murphy's Eye and a cuff. During intubation, the foregoing features, among others, of the tracheal tube may have the effect of preventing bacterial colonization of the respiratory airway and the subsequent development of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in the lungs.
Abstract:
A laminate structure (20) is provided for forming a package (10), where the laminate structure (20) allows for access openings (50) to be provided upon peeling of the layers (22, 24). The access openings (50) may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package (10). The laminate structure (20) includes a first layer (22) laminated to a second layer (24) via an adhesive (26), and score lines (30) are formed in the second layer (24) to define plug areas (40) and non-plug areas (45). The plug areas (40) are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas (40) to non-plug areas (45) along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure (20). Thus, when the first layer (22) is peeled away from the second layer (24), the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a physiological sensor which acquires pre-programmed data from an electrode or an electrode array using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The source of the sensor may be authenticated by means of a wireless interface between an RFID transponder affixed to the electrode array, and an RFID interrogator embedded in the patient interface cable. The criteria for use are then verified to ensure that they are met by the electrode array before beginning signal acquisition. If the criteria are not met, a message is provided to the user via the monitor.