A medical device control unit is provided. The control unit may include a communications interface, a memory, and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to cause application of a control signal to a primary antenna associated with a unit external to a subject's body. The processing device may further be configured to monitor a feedback signal indicative of the subject's breathing and store, in the memory, information associated with the feedback signal. The processing device may also cause transmission of the stored information, via the communications interface, to a location remote from the control unit. The processing device may further be configured to receive an update signal, from the location remote from the control unit, and cause application of an updated control signal to the primary antenna based on the update signal.

A medical device control unit is provided. The control unit may include a communications interface, a memory, and at least one processing device. The processing device may be configured to cause application of a control signal to a primary antenna associated with a unit external to a subject's body. The processing device may further be configured to monitor a feedback signal indicative of the subject's breathing and store, in the memory, information associated with the feedback signal. The processing device may also cause transmission of the stored information, via the communications interface, to a location remote from the control unit. The processing device may further be configured to receive an update signal, from the location remote from the control unit, and cause application of an updated control signal to the primary antenna based on the update signal.

This relates to a monitoring system capable of measuring a plurality of vital signs. The monitoring system can include a plurality of sensors including, but not limited to, electrodes, piezoelectric sensors, temperature sensors, and accelerometers. The monitoring system can be capable of operating in one or more operation modes such as, for example: capacitance measurement mode, electrical measurement mode, piezoelectric measurement mode, temperature measurement mode, acceleration measurement mode, impedance measurement mode, and standby mode. Based on the measured values, the monitoring system can analyze the user's sleep, provide feedback and suggestions to the user, and/or can adjust or control the environmental conditions to improve the user's sleep. The monitoring system can further be capable of analyzing the sleep of the user(s) without directly contacting or attaching uncomfortable probes to the user(s) and without having to analyze the sleep in an unknown environment (e.g., a medical facility).

This relates to a monitoring system capable of measuring a plurality of vital signs. The monitoring system can include a plurality of sensors including, but not limited to, electrodes, piezoelectric sensors, temperature sensors, and accelerometers. The monitoring system can be capable of operating in one or more operation modes such as, for example: capacitance measurement mode, electrical measurement mode, piezoelectric measurement mode, temperature measurement mode, acceleration measurement mode, impedance measurement mode, and standby mode. Based on the measured values, the monitoring system can analyze the user's sleep, provide feedback and suggestions to the user, and/or can adjust or control the environmental conditions to improve the user's sleep. The monitoring system can further be capable of analyzing the sleep of the user(s) without directly contacting or attaching uncomfortable probes to the user(s) and without having to analyze the sleep in an unknown environment (e.g., a medical facility).

Sleep systems having embedded sensors are described. In one aspect, a sleep system includes a mattress and one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress. The sleep system also includes one or more processors coupled with the one or more force sensors. At least one of the processors is configured to determine sleep state information for the occupant based on data obtained from one or more of the force sensors.

Sleep systems having embedded sensors are described. In one aspect, a sleep system includes a mattress and one or more force sensors embedded within the mattress. The force sensors are positioned within the mattress to sense movement of an occupant of the mattress. The sleep system also includes one or more processors coupled with the one or more force sensors. At least one of the processors is configured to determine sleep state information for the occupant based on data obtained from one or more of the force sensors.

An information processing apparatus includes a calculation unit configured to calculate distance spectra based on a beat signal being a difference between a transmitted wave, which is a radio wave that is transmitted by a sensor and that is swept in frequency, and a reflected wave of the transmitted wave, the reflected wave being received by the sensor, and configured to calculate one or more time-sequenced waveforms each indicating time changes in intensity of the distance spectra with respect to respective distances from the sensor, and a detection unit configured to detect respiration of a living organism based on the one or more time-sequenced waveforms.

A system and method for monitoring respiration of a user, comprising: a respiration sensing module including a sensor configured to detect a set of respiration signals of the user based upon movement resulting from the user's respiration; a supplementary sensing module comprising an accelerometer and configured to detect a set of supplemental signals from the user; an electronics subsystem comprising a power module configured to power the system and a signal processing module configured to condition the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals; a housing configured to facilitate coupling of the respiration sensing module and the supplementary sensing module to the user; and a data link coupled to the electronics subsystem through the housing and configured to transmit data generated from the set of respiration signals and the set of supplemental signals, thereby facilitating monitoring of the user's respiration.

A system for monitoring the respiratory activity of a subject, which comprises two or more signal generating elements being inertial sensors, or light emitting elements, applied to the thorax of a subject, for generating signals that are indicative of displacement of the thorax of the subject throughout a predetermined time period; a receiver for receiving the generated signals during breathing motions of the subject; and one or more computing devices in data communication with the receiver, for analyzing the breathing motions. The one or more computing devices is operable to generate, by the two or more signal generating elements, signals that are indicative of displacement of the thorax of the subject, throughout the predetermined time period; calculate the current displacements and relative phases of the signal generating elements throughout the predetermined time period; and calculate, throughout the predetermined time period, the breathing volume from the displacements and the relative phases.

A system for monitoring the respiratory activity of a subject, which comprises two or more signal generating elements being inertial sensors, or light emitting elements, applied to the thorax of a subject, for generating signals that are indicative of displacement of the thorax of the subject throughout a predetermined time period; a receiver for receiving the generated signals during breathing motions of the subject; and one or more computing devices in data communication with the receiver, for analyzing the breathing motions. The one or more computing devices is operable to generate, by the two or more signal generating elements, signals that are indicative of displacement of the thorax of the subject, throughout the predetermined time period; calculate the current displacements and relative phases of the signal generating elements throughout the predetermined time period; and calculate, throughout the predetermined time period, the breathing volume from the displacements and the relative phases.