A respiratory effort sensing apparatus (2) includes a flexible belt member (8) having a first buckle member (12A) and a second buckle member (12B), and a wearable respiratory monitoring recording device (6). The monitoring device includes: (i) a processing apparatus (34) structured to be selectively operable in a sleep mode and an active mode, and (ii) buckle detection circuitry (46) structured to detect that both buckle members are operatively coupled to the respiratory monitoring recording device and in response thereto generate a buckle detection signal. The processing apparatus is structured to, in response to receiving the buckle detection signal, automatically: (a) move from the sleep mode to the active mode, and (b) generate data indicative of a respiratory effort of a patient over time based on an effort-based signal generated by the respiratory effort sensing apparatus in response to changes in volume of a body part of the patient.

A cable, an associated monitoring system and methods are provided which monitor the continuity of current of electrical components such as sensor signals from sensors used in connection with a medical apparatus. The cable includes a proximal end for coupling with a processing unit and a distal end with or for coupling to sensors. The processing unit generates a continuity signal that travels through the cable via an inductor coil conductor to a distal end inductor coil which imparts the signal to sensor signal conductors of the cable. The continuity signal is carried back to the processing unit with signals from the sensors. Circuitry of the processing unit can detect the returning continuity signals to indicate proper connectivity of the sensor signals. The connection status information of the sensors can be displayed to inform a doctor or other operator of the medical apparatus of sensor signal continuity.

The invention is a device, system, and method for monitoring function of heart valves. The invention includes a disposable patch having simple transducers and simple processing for monitoring heart valve performance via echo Doppler and processing the data to determine blood flow velocities and/or blood flow gradients.

The invention is a device, system, and method for monitoring function of heart valves. The invention includes a disposable patch having simple transducers and simple processing for monitoring heart valve performance via echo Doppler and processing the data to determine blood flow velocities and/or blood flow gradients.

An implant unit configured for implantation into a body of a subject is provided. The implant unit may include a flexible carrier unit including a central portion and two elongated arms extending from the central portion, an antenna, located on the central portion, configured to receive a signal, at least one pair of electrodes arranged on a first elongated arm of the two elongated arms. The at least one pair of electrodes may be adapted to modulate a first nerve. The elongated arms of the flexible carrier may be configured to form an open ended curvature around a muscle with the nerve to be stimulated within an arc of the curvature.

An implant unit configured for implantation into a body of a subject is provided. The implant unit may include a flexible carrier unit including a central portion and two elongated arms extending from the central portion, an antenna, located on the central portion, configured to receive a signal, at least one pair of electrodes arranged on a first elongated arm of the two elongated arms. The at least one pair of electrodes may be adapted to modulate a first nerve. The elongated arms of the flexible carrier may be configured to form an open ended curvature around a muscle with the nerve to be stimulated within an arc of the curvature.

The present disclosure teaches systems, devices, and methods to detect sleep apnea. A method, for example, includes affixing a sleep apnea detection device to a patient. The sleep apnea detection device has a processor, at least one memory, at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMs) device, at least one transceiver, and at least one power source to power the sleep apnea detection device. Data that indicates the patient's breathing is collected with the at least one MEMs device, and based on the collected data, at least one of the patient's inhalations and the patient exhalations is determined. It is also determined when the patient fails to inhale over a determined first period of time. Based on a number of times the patient fails to inhale, an Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score is calculated, and if the AHI score crosses a selected threshold, it is determined that the patient has sleep apnea.

The present disclosure teaches systems, devices, and methods to detect sleep apnea. A method, for example, includes affixing a sleep apnea detection device to a patient. The sleep apnea detection device has a processor, at least one memory, at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMs) device, at least one transceiver, and at least one power source to power the sleep apnea detection device. Data that indicates the patient's breathing is collected with the at least one MEMs device, and based on the collected data, at least one of the patient's inhalations and the patient exhalations is determined. It is also determined when the patient fails to inhale over a determined first period of time. Based on a number of times the patient fails to inhale, an Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score is calculated, and if the AHI score crosses a selected threshold, it is determined that the patient has sleep apnea.

A device may include an implantable circuit and at least one pair of implantable electrodes, in electrical communication with the implantable circuit. The circuit and the electrodes may configured for implantation in a subject in the vicinity of a nerve. The circuit may be configured to deliver to the electrodes an electrical signal having a current less than about 1.6 milliamps, and the electrodes may be configured to emit an electric field such that a portion of the field lines extend along a length of the nerve such that the delivery of the electrical signal of less than about 1.6 milliamps causes modulation of the nerve.

A device may include an implantable circuit and at least one pair of implantable electrodes, in electrical communication with the implantable circuit. The circuit and the electrodes may configured for implantation in a subject in the vicinity of a nerve. The circuit may be configured to deliver to the electrodes an electrical signal having a current less than about 1.6 milliamps, and the electrodes may be configured to emit an electric field such that a portion of the field lines extend along a length of the nerve such that the delivery of the electrical signal of less than about 1.6 milliamps causes modulation of the nerve.