A system for assisted coughing includes a first sensor for measuring a parameter which can indicate a closed glottis and producing a first signal, a processor for receiving the first signal, determining a state indicating the closed glottis and generating an instruction for a Functional Electric Stimulation (FES) controller based, at least in part, on the determining, and a FES controller for generating an electric stimulation signal.

A method, apparatus, and system for measuring respiratory effort of a subject are provided. According to the method, a thoracic effort signal (T) is obtained, the thoracic effort signal (T) being an indicator of a thoracic component of the respiratory effort. An abdomen effort signal (A), the abdomen effort signal (A) being an indicator of an abdominal component of the respiratory effort. A respiratory flow (F) is obtained. The respiratory effort is determined by adjusting the components of a model of the respiratory system based on the thoracic effort signal (T), the abdomen effort signal (A), or the respiratory flow (F) or any combination of the thoracic effort signal (T), the abdomen effort signal (A), and the respiratory flow (F).

A technology for obtaining a respiratory rate from a photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal. In one example, an artificial neural network model can be trained to predict a respiratory rate using a training dataset containing PPG data. The artificial neural network model can include a first series of convolutional layers to remove artifacts from a PPG signal, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) layer to convert the PPG signal to PPG frequency representations, and a dense layer to decode the PPG frequency representations to respiratory rate predictions. After training the artificial neural network model, PPG data generated by a pulse oximeter monitor can be obtained, and the PPG data can be input to the artificial neural network model. The artificial neural network model outputs a respiratory rate prediction, wherein the respiratory rate prediction represents the respiratory rate obtained from the PPG signal.

The present invention relates to a water floatation garment, and in particular, to such a swimming garment incorporating a fillable bladder and electronics provided to identify emergency situation such as drowning based on sensed data that causing the garment to trigger the fillable bladder to inflate allowing a user to float to surface therein preventing a drowning.

A garment (e.g., a shirt) for monitoring biometric properties of the wearer of the garment is disclosed. The garment may include sensors for monitoring or assessing biometric properties such as, but not limited to, respiration properties, heart properties, and motion properties. These properties may be assessed together to provide an assessment of vital signs and body position (e.g., three-dimensional body position) of the wearer of the garment.

The present invention relates to the field of ambulatory and non-invasive monitoring of a plurality of physiological parameters of a monitored individual. The invention includes a physiological monitoring apparatus with an improved monitoring apparel, the apparel having sensors for monitoring parameters reflecting pulmonary function and/or parameters reflecting cardiac function and/or parameters reflecting the function of other organ systems. The apparel is preferably also suitable for medical, athletic, and for other uses. The sensors include one or more inductive plethysmographic sensors positioned to monitor at least basic pulmonary parameters, and optionally also basic cardiac parameters. The sensors include one or more ECG sensor electrodes that preferably include a flexible, conductive fabric. The monitoring apparatus also includes an electronic unit for receiving data from the sensors and for storing the data in a computer-readable medium and/or wirelessly transmitted the data. The invention also includes systems for receiving, storing, and processing data generated by one or more physiological monitored apparatuses.

The present invention provides, among other things, apparatus and methods of use for treating a subject in need of assistance with breathing. In some embodiments the subject suffers from airflow obstruction. In some embodiments, the subject suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

A method, system and software for monitoring a signal from a living subject to measure a function of the living subject. Specifically, a computer method, computer system and software for accurately calibrating respiratory inductance plethysmography and esophageal manometry signals to measure effort of breathing before and after extubation of a patient to provide an automated real-time interpretation for a clinician of whether or not the patient has upper airway obstruction, and severity of the same. The method, system and software can be adapted specifically for a child or infant.

A method and apparatus for the treatment of Sleep Apnea events and Hypopnea episodes wherein one embodiment comprises a wearable, belt like apparatus containing a microphone and a plethysmograph. The microphone and plethysmograph generate signals that are representative of physiological aspects of respiration, and the signals are transferred to an imbedded computer. The embedded computer extracts the sound of breathing and the sound of the heart beat by Digital Signal Processing techniques. The embedded computer has elements for determining when respiration parameters falls out of defined boundaries for said respiration parameters. This exemplary method provides real-time detection of the onset of a Sleep Apnea event or Hypopnea episode and supplies stimulation signals upon the determination of a Sleep Apnea event or Hypopnea episode to initiate an inhalation. In one embodiment, the stimulus is applied to the patient by a cutaneous rumble effects actuator and/or audio effects broadcasting.

Systems and methods for non-invasive respiratory rate measurement are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system comprises a wearable member including an energy transmitter configured to project energy into tissue of a user. An energy receiver generates a multichannel signal based on a first received portion of the energy, the received portion of energy being received through the tissue of the user. A respiratory rate calculation system includes a pre-processing module for filter noise from the signal. A spectrum module determines a spectrum of the signal. A respiratory rate processing module determines a first respiratory rate from the spectrum of the signal. A noise reference and one or more second respiratory rates are obtained. A third respiratory rate is determined based on the first respiratory rate, the noise reference, and the one or more second respiratory rates. A communication module provides a message based on the third respiratory rate.