Various embodiments are described herein for a system and associated method for performing collagen assessment of an object using Photoacoustic Image (PA) data obtained for the object, wherein the method is performed by a processing unit and the method comprises: obtaining beamformed PA image data for the object using at least three wavelengths related to chromophores including collagen, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin, the three wavelengths being less than 1000 nm; performing spectral decomposition on the beamformed PA image data using the three wavelengths to obtain data that is used for generating at least one collagen map; and determining a collagen score for the at least one collagen map.

A physiological monitoring device is provided and includes a physiological sensing device, a first PPG sensor, a vital signs detector, and a PPG controller. The physiological sensing device senses at least one physiological feature of a subject to generate at least one sensing signal. The first PPG sensor senses pulses of a blood vessel of the subject to generate a first PPG signal when the first PPG sensor is activated. The vital signs detector obtains vital signs data according to the at least one sensing signal. The PPG controller detects whether a specific event is happening to the subject according to the vital signs data. In response to detecting that the specific event is happening to the subject, the PPG controller activates the first PPG sensor. The physiological monitoring apparatus obtains a blood oxygen level of the subject according to the first PPG signal.

A respiratory monitoring system that uses an elastic cord with at least one wire wound around the elastic cord such that, when current passes through, it generates a magnetic field along the length of the elastic cord. The system further includes a recorder that measures changes in inductance and/or frequency in order to derive a respiratory rate of a patient in a coil cord. Embodiments of the system of the present specification have application in Respiratory Inductive Plethysmography (RIP) belts.

A wireless, patient-worn, physiological sensor configured to, among other things, help manage a patient that is at risk of forming one or more pressure ulcers is disclosed. According to an embodiment, the sensor includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface. The sensor also includes a substrate layer including conductive tracks and connection pads, a top side, and a bottom side, where the bottom side of the substrate layer is disposed above the top side of the base. Mounted on the substrate layer are a processor, a data storage device, a wireless transceiver, an accelerometer, and a battery. In use, the sensor senses a patient's motion and wirelessly transmits information indicative of the sensed motion to, for example, a patient monitor. The patient monitor receives, stores, and processes the transmitted information.

Embodiments herein relate to reflective optical medical sensor devices. In an embodiment, a reflective optical medical sensor device including a central optical detector and a plurality of light emitter units disposed around the central optical detector is provided. A plurality of peripheral optical detectors can be disposed to the outside of the plurality of light emitter units. Each of the plurality of peripheral optical detectors can form a channel pair with one of the plurality of light emitter units. The reflective optical medical sensor device can also include a controller in electrical communication with the central optical detector, the light emitter units, and the peripheral optical detectors. The controller can be configured to measure performance of channel pairs; select a particular channel pair; and measure a physiological parameter using the selected channel pair. Other embodiments are also included herein.

There is provided a system for monitoring transpulmonary pressure of a mechanically ventilated individual, comprising: a feeding tube, at least one esophageal body, a pressure sensor, and a memory having stored thereon code for: computing an estimate of esophageal wall pressure according to pressure in the esophageal body when inflated and contacting the inner wall of the esophagus, computing the transpulmonary pressure of the mechanically ventilated target individual according to the esophageal wall pressure, periodically inflating and deflating the esophageal body for periodic monitoring of the transpulmonary pressure of the mechanically ventilated target patient while the feeding tube is in use, and computing instructions for adjustment of parameter(s) of a mechanical ventilator that automatically ventilates the target individual according to the computed transpulmonary pressure, wherein the instructions for adjustment of parameter(s) of the mechanical ventilator are computed while the feeding tube is in place without removal of the feeding tube.

Systems and methods for monitoring patients with multiple chronic diseases are described. A system may include a health status monitor that receives diagnostic data including physiological signals sensed from a patient. The system may produce at least a first risk indication of the patient developing a first disease and a second risk indication of the patient developing a different second disease. The system may detect the first and second diseases from the physiological signals, and generate a composite health status indicator using the detections of the first and second diseases and the first and second risk indications. An alert of worsening health status may be generated if the composite detection score exceeds an alert threshold.

Systems and methods for monitoring patients with multiple chronic diseases are described. A system may include a health status monitor that receives diagnostic data including physiological signals sensed from a patient. The system may produce at least a first risk indication of the patient developing a first disease and a second risk indication of the patient developing a different second disease. The system may detect the first and second diseases from the physiological signals, and generate a composite health status indicator using the detections of the first and second diseases and the first and second risk indications. An alert of worsening health status may be generated if the composite detection score exceeds an alert threshold.

An apparatus comprising at least two RIP measurement bands further comprises an electric power source arrangement, which excites simultaneously the at least two measurement bands with electric currents of different pseudo random variations, for making respiratory signals output by the at least two measurement bands unique. The apparatus also comprises a wireless transmitter arrangement, which transmits wirelessly respiratory information based on the respiratory signals output by the at least two measurement bands.

An apparatus comprising at least two RIP measurement bands further comprises an electric power source arrangement, which excites simultaneously the at least two measurement bands with electric currents of different pseudo random variations, for making respiratory signals output by the at least two measurement bands unique. The apparatus also comprises a wireless transmitter arrangement, which transmits wirelessly respiratory information based on the respiratory signals output by the at least two measurement bands.