By transmitting acoustic energy into the body and receiving and processing the returning reflections, phased-array ultrasound systems can generate images of internal organs and structures, map blood flow and tissue motion, and provide highly accurate blood velocity informa­tion. Historically, the large number of high-performance phased-array transmitters and receivers required to implement these imaging systems resulted in large and expensive cart-based implementations. Recently, advances in integration have allowed system designers to migrate to smaller, lower cost, and more portable imaging solutions with performance approaching these larger systems. The challenge moving forward is to continue to drive the integration of these solutions, while increasing their performance and diagnostic capabilities.

 

 

Blood glucose meters and other home medical devices today are small, portable, and easy to use. The mark of a good meter is one that the patient will use regularly and that returns accurate and precise results. Over the past few years the trend with blood glucose meters has been to maximize patient comfort and convenience by reducing the volume of the blood sample required. The blood sample size is now small enough that alternate-site testing is possible. This eliminates the need to obtain blood from the fingers and greatly reduces the pain associated with daily testing. Accurate and precise results have been increased by using better test strips, electronics, and advanced measurement algorithms. Other conveniences include speedy results, edge fill strips, and illuminated test strip ports, to name
just a few.

 

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the measurement and graphic representation, with respect to time, of the electrical signals associated with the heart muscles. Applications of an ECG range from monitoring heart rate to the diagnosis of specific heart conditions. The basics of ECG measurement are the same for all applications, but the details and requirements for electrical components vary greatly. Electrocardiographs, or ECG devices, range from portable handheld units costing less than $200, to units that cost over $5,000 and are the size of facsimile machines. An ECG may even be embedded in a separate piece of equipment, such as a patient monitor or an automatic external defibrillator (AED).

 

 

Computer-controlled infusion pumps represent a vast improvement in accuracy and safety over old-fashioned drip-chamber and roller-clamp systems. Modern infusion pumps provide a precisely controlled rate of fluid delivery to the patient through an intravenous (IV) line. They also include state-of-the-art safety features to ensure that any single failure of any significance is detected and reported immediately.