DEVICE FOR THE SYNCHRONIZATION WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL CYCLES

Abstract: The subject invention pertains to a novel method and apparatus for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating such treatment or procedure with at least one physiological cycle of a patient. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a novel method of coordinating a chest X-ray with a patient's ventilatory cycle. In a specific example, this invention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an X-ray machine to ensure that an X-ray chest image can be taken at peak insufflation of the patient. The subject invention also relates to other medical procedures including, but not limited to, cardiac output measurement, chest imaging, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, extracorporel shock wave lithotripsy, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms. By coordinating certain medical treatments and diagnostic procedures with a patient's physiological cycle(s), the subject invention improves the quality of medical care received by the patient.

Description: DESCRIPTION DEVICE FOR THE SYNCHRONIZATION WITH PHYSIOLOGICAL CYCLES Background ofthe Invention There are many medical treatments and diagnostic procedures the efficacy of which can be improved by coordinating such treatment or procedure with a patient's physiological cycles, for example a patient's breathing cycle. In many instances patients can control their breathing to assist the medical provider. However, some patients are not able to control their breathing, for example patients on ventilators. Other physiological cycles, for example the beating of a patient's heart, are typically out of the patient's control entirely. Accordingly, an apparatus which could facilitate the timing of such a medical treatment or a diagnostic procedure with respect to one or more physiological cycles of a patient would be beneficial to the patient. As an example, chest radiographs are often taken in the intensive care unit using portable x-ray machines. These x-ray images provide important information to the clinician and, therefore, the quality of the images is important. Factors which can affect the quality of chest radiographs include: patient position and movement; ability of patient to receive and respond to instruction; penetration ofthe x-ray beam; and, perhaps most important, timing ofthe x-ray beam exposure with patient insufflation. Typically, the highest quality chest images are attained when the image is taken at peak insufflation because there is less tissue mass per unit area, and penetration is uniform. Accordingly, patients who are able to receive and respond to instruction can be instructed to take and hold a deep breath long enough to take the required images, for example radiographs. However, for patients on a ventilator, in order to take the radiograph at peak insufflation, the person taking the radiograph must attempt to accurately time the x-ray beam exposure with the cycle ofthe ventilator. When the radiograph is not timed correctly, it may be less than optimal and additional costs are incurred if it is necessary to retake the radiograph. Furthermore if time is critical, the caregiver may be forced to provide care with inadequate information. Current techniques for synchronizing the x-ray beam exposure with peak lung inflation (PLI) include placing a paper cup on the chest of a supine patient and visually anticipating PLI. This results in variable radiograph quality and the frequent need for repeat radiographs, which increases radiation exposure to the patient, personnel and material costs, delays in initiating treatment, and reduced confidence in the diagnostic information contained in the radiograph. With respect to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images, a plurality of images often need to be taken of adjacent slices ofthe patient. When imaging parts ofthe body where the motion ofthe patient, for example due to the patient's breathing, can affect the quality ofthe images, care needs to be taken such that images of adjacent slices are taken with as little motion ofthe body between images as possible. Prior techniques for effecting MRI images of a patient's thorax and upper abdomen region have included respiratory gating (Ehman et al (December 1994) "Magnetic Resonance Imaging with Respiratory Gating: Techniques and Advantages" AJR:143). Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a method and device which can ensure that chest images of patients on ventilators are taken at a desired degree of insufflation to enhance the quality of such chest images. These images can be effected by a variety of„apparatus, including but not limited to, MRI machines, CAT scan machines, and PET scan nachines. In particular, a device which could interface a ventilator with an x-ray machine to ensure chest radiographs are taken at peak ventilation would improve the quality of such chest radiographs and, therefore, improve the quality of care for ventilated patients. Additional situations where the efficacy ofthe medical treatment or procedure can be affected by timing the treatment or procedure with respect to a desired point in the breathing cycle include, but are not limited to, inhalation therapy, oxygen (0 2 ) delivery, cardiac output (CO) measurements, blood pressure measurements, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms. With inhalation therapy and 0 2 delivery, timing the delivery of the appropriate substances with respect to the breathing cycle can affect the dose administered, the amount of waste, pollution, and costs. With blood pressure measurements, CO measurements, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms, the timing ofthe measurements with respect to the breathing cycle can affect, for example, the precision ofthe readings. Accordingly, there exists a need in the art for a method and device which can coordinate a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to one or more.physiological cycles of a patient in order to enhance the efficacy of the.medical treatment or diagnostic procedure. Brief Summary ofthe Invention The subject invention pertains to a method and apparatus for coordinating a medical treatment or diagnostic breath procedure with respect to one or more physiological cycles of a patient. The subject invention is applicable to human or animal patients. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention pertains to a novel method of coordinating a chest radiograph with the ventilatory cycle. In another specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to a novel method of coordinating ajnedical treatment or diagnostic procedure with the pumping ofthe patient's heart, for;example in order to remove artifacts produced by the pumping ofthe heart. The methods and apparatus ofthe subject invention are particularly advantageous for use in chest radiography. In a specific example, the subject invention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machine to ensure that an x-ray chest image can be taken at a desired degree of ventilation ofthe patient, for example, peak lung inflation. The interfacing of a ventilator and an x-ray machine, according to the subject invention, improves the chest image quality and, therefore, improves the quality of medical care received by the patient. In a specific embodiment, the taking of a radiograph can be accomplished by emulating an x-ray machine firing handle with software, for example, on a notebook personal computer. In a preferred embodiment, the subject invention utilizes a.standard firing handle currently used with x-ray machines, in order to minimize ths eteaining required by operators. The use ofthe standard firing handle in accordance with the subject invention can be made to mimic its current use with the exception that instead ofthe operator attempting to time an event with the ventilatory cycle, software controls the timing of such event. Further embodiments ofthe subject invention pertain to, for example, the delivery of inhalants, delivery of oxygen (0 2 ), blood pressure measurements, cardiac output (CO) measurements, pulse oximeter optoplethysgrams, and further imaging techniques. With respect to the delivery of inhalants and the delivery of 0 2 , the method and apparatus of the subject invention can improve the efficiency of the delivery ofthe appropriate substance, improve the accuracy of administering the correct dose, and reduce waste and costs. With respect to blood pressure measurements, CO measurements and pulse oximeter optoplethysgrams, the method and apparatus of the subject invention can improve the precision and consistency of the measurements by timing the measurements with respect to the breathing cycle of a patient. Brief Description ofthe Drawings Figure 1 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus to interface a ventilator and an x-ray machine wherein a signal from the ventilator is utilized, in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 2 A shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus to interface a ventilator and an x-ray machine wherein a fiowmeter positioned at the Y- piece is utilized, in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 2B shows a block diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus to interface a ventilator and an x-ray machine wherein a fiowmeter positioned at the ventilator-inspiratory hose connection is utilized, in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 3 illustrates an idealized, not to scale, schematic of the variation of the central venous pressure as a function of time due to the effect of respiration. Figure 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a computer/x-ray machine interface in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 5 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a system which synchronizes x-ray beam exposure with peak lung inflation, in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of a computer screen display in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 7 is a block diagram of an embodiment ofthe subject invention which utilizes flow and pressure measurements to monitor lung inflation. Figure 8 shows a graph of flow versus time during positive pressure ventilation for a constant flow inspiratory waveform where flow toward patient is denoted with a plus sign and flow away from patient is denoted with a minus sign. Figure 9A illustrates a patient's airway pressure versus time during inspiration (I) and expiration (E), during positive pressure ventilation. Figure 9B illustrates a patient's airway pressure versus time during inspiration (I) and expiration (E), during spontaneous ventilation. Figure 10 illustrates a patient's airway pressure versus time for controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) and the corresponding respiratory cycle tune (RCT) Figure 11 illustrates how a specific embodiment of an x-ray machme triggering system interconnects with the patient, the x-ray machme operator, the ventilator, and the x-ray machine Figure 12 is a pseudo-code flowchart for a specific embodiment of the subject invention Figure 13 illustrates the relationship between the firing handle buttons and the contacts of the modular jack connection with the interface electronics Figure 14 shows a circuit which is a part of the mterface electronics for receiving mputs from the firing handle via a modular jack, m accordance with a specific embodiment of the subject mvention Figure 15 shows a specific circuit ofthe mterface electronics for transforming a signal sent from the PC to the x-ray machine, in accordance with a specific embodiment of the subject application Figure 16 illustrates the pin to contact-closmg relationship between the PC and the x-ray machme, m accordance with a specific embodiment of the subject mvention Figure 17 is a circuit schematic for the electronic mterface of a specific embodiment of the subject mvention Detailed Disclosure ofthe Invention — The subject mvention pertains to a method and apparatus for coordinating a medical treatment or a diagnostic procedure, with respect to one or more physiological cycles of a patient The subject mvention is applicable to human or animal patients In particular, patients on a ventilator can benefit from the subject mvention In a specific embodiment, the subject mvention pertains to a novel method for timing a chest image with the ventilatory cycle The subject method and apparatus can ensure images of the chest are taken at a desired degree of insufflation of the patient and, therefore, improve the quality of such chest images Furthermore, the subject mvention can enable chest images to be taken when the lungs are essentially motionless, for example at a zero-flow crossmg, resulting m higher quality images In a specific embodiment, this mvention concerns a novel device for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machme, to ensure that an x-ray chest image can be taken at peak lung mflation of a patient and thereby enhance the quality of such an x-ray chest image The subject mvention also pertains to interacting with other imaging apparatus such as PET scan machines, CAT scan machines, and MRI machmes Each of these apparatus have unique attributes and, accordingly, the subject mvention can be adapted to mterface with each one For example, MRI machmes typically take a plurality of images over a long period of time, wherein a multitude of thin "slices" of the patient are imaged over this peπod of time Each "slice" is imaged duπng a fraction of the breathing cycle, such that the subject device can be utilized to image each consecutive "slice" at the same point m the cycle, or duπng the same part of the cycle, in consecutive cycles of the patient's breathing This can result in higher quality images because the body will be in nearly the same position for each image, as opposed to images taken at all different points in the breathing cycle. Referring to Figure 1, a block diagram of an apparatus for interfacing a ventilator and an x-ray machine is shown in accordance with the subject invention. Ventilator 1 can retrieve and send data to interface 2 on, for example, a serial communication link 3. A first end 17 of serial communication link 3 can connect to the ventilator, for example to the serial port (RS-232) ofthe ventilator, and a second end 18 of serial communication link 3 can connect to the interface 2, for example to a serial port driver 4. Serial port driver 4 can be linked to microcontroller 5. Microcontroller 5 can have an output 6 to, for example, an x-ray machine 7. In a specific embodiment, output 6 can be connected to a switch 8, where upon receiving an appropriate signal switch 8 closes, effecting the taking of a radiograph. In order to minimize the risk of injury to the patient, the subject invention can provide a means for isolating ventilator 1 and interface 2 from the electrical circuitry of x-ray machine 7. This isolation means can include, for example, RF circuitry, IR detectors, LED's, lasers, photodetectors, or other appropriate devices which can send and receive a signal without a direct wire connection. In a preferred embodiment, output 6 can be connected to first LED 9, where upon first LED 9 receiving an appropriate signal from interface 2, first LED 9 can send a light signal to second LED 10 which can then send an appropriate signal 11 to, for example, portable x-ray machine 7. First LED 9 and second LED 10 used in this way act to isolate ventilator 1 and interface 2 from the electrical circuitry of x-ray machine 7. This isolation, referred to as opto-isolation, isolates the patient from the electrical circuitry of x-ray machine 7 and, therefore, improves patient safety. In a specific embodiment, the output signal 11 from second LED 10 can be sent to switch 8 which then switches x-ray machine 7 on and off, for example via cable 12. In addition, cable 12 can, for example, be connected to a toggle switch on an x-ray machine which can be operated by the x-ray technician. The subject invention allows microcontroller 5, having access to the status of ventilator 1, to effect the taking of a chest image by sending an appropriate output signal 6 to, for example, an x-ray machine. In a preferred embodiment, microcontroller 5 can be connected to a ventilator model selector switch 13, for example a manual switch on the interface, which can have settings corresponding to existing ventilator models. These ventilator models can include, for example, Siemens 900C, P.B. 7200, BEAR 1000, and STD. By setting switch 13 to a particular model, the correct serial communication protocol can be utilized by microcontroller 5 to monitor signals from ventilator 1 corresponding to the status of ventilator 1 such that microcontroller 5 can effect the taking of a radiograph at a desired degree of ventilation ofthe patient, for example at peak lung inflation. For patients who are able to receive a sigh breath, in order to realize peak lung inflation, it is preferred to take a chest radiograph during a sigh breath. A sigh breath has approximately three times the tidal volume as a normal breath and, therefore, taking a chest radiograph during a sigh breath improves the quality ofthe resulting chest radiograph. However, some patients are unable to receive a sigh breath because of medical reasons. In a preferred embodiment, interface 2 can have a sigh switch 14 which, when set to sigh 15, enables microcontroller 5 to signal ventilator 1 to administer to the patient a sigh breath and, subsequently, effect the takmg of a radiograph duπng the sigh breath. When sigh switch 14 is set to normal 16, the patient is not given a sigh breath and an a radiograph can be taken at a desired degree of ventilation, for example at peak lung mflation for a regular tidal volume breath In an additional embodiment, mterface 2 can have a switch which mdicates the degree of msufflation ofthe patient at which a chest image is to be taken. This switch can allow a chest image to be taken at, for example, mmimum msufflation of the patient Accordmgly, the subject mvention can enable a compaπson of a chest image at minimal insufflation and a chest image at maximum msufflation. This switch can have settmgs of, for example, mmimum, 25% maximum, 50% maximum, and maximum msufflation. To coordmate with sigh switch 14, the switch which mdicates the degree of msufflation can also have a sigh setting for use when a sigh breath is desired. In a further embodiment, interface 2 can have a setting, for example on the ventilator model selector switch 13, for patients who are spontaneously breathing and, therefore, are not on a ventilator. Alternatively, interface 2 can have an overπde switch for patients who are not on a ventilator For a patient who is spontaneously breathing, mterface 2 can receive a signal from a means for determining the degree of insufflation of a patient. Thereby, mterface 2 can effect the takmg of a chest image at peak insufflation, even for a patient who is spontaneously breathing and, therefore, not on a ventilator. In a specific embodiment, particularly useful m situations where a patient is unconscious and spontaneously breathing, an algorithm is utilized which automatically distinguishes between patients who are spontaneously breathing and patients who are breathmg under positive pressure The algoπthm can, for example, momtor pressure m the airway. Referring to Figures 9A and 9B, the airway pressure profiles are different for positive pressure breathmg (Figure 9A) and spontaneous breathmg (Figure 9B). For example, a spontaneously breathmg patient (Figure 9B) can have a positive flow of air when the airway pressure is below the patient's baseline pressure, while a positive pressure ventilated patient (Figure 9A) can have a positive flow when the patient's airway pressure is above the patient's baseline pressure. The peak lung inflation detection algoπthm can be different for positive pressure ventilation and spontaneous ventilation Accordmgly, being able to automatically determine whether a patient is under positive pressure ventilation or is spontaneously breathing allows automatic selection ofthe appropnate algoπthm for detecting peak lung mflation. There are multiple techniques the subject device can utilize to determine a particular pomt m the breathmg cycle of a patient, for example peak lung mflation. If, for example, an electronic ventilator is able to generate an electrical signal each time a ventilated breath has been administered, then peak lung inflation can be ascertained by monitoring this electncal signal via, for example, a communications port. This technique requires a signal from a ventilator where the communications protocol is known to the subject device. Without a standardized communication protocol for ventilators, the make, model and version of the ventilator needs to be known to assure proper communication since the serial communication protocol can be different for each ventilator. Accordmgly, a technique which is compatible with all types of ventilators, electronic or pneumatic, would be prefeπed and more readily accepted by clinicians Many ventilators cuπently m use are pneumatic and do not have microprocessor or electrical power supplies to enable the generation of an electrical signal coπespondrng to the pomt m a patient's ventilatory cycle In a prefeπed embodiment, the x-ray machme synchronization device utilizes a flow/pressure sensor probe (FloTrak, Novametπx) positioned between the breathmg circuit and the airway device to infer peak lung mflation The use of a flow/pressure sensor probe allows the subject device to function with essentially any ventilator, for example electronic or pneumatic The device does not have to be specifically designed for the particular ventilator because the flow and pressure sensor probes are positioned at the airway and monitor the flow of gas to and from the patient as well as the airway pressure Further embodiments ofthe subject mvention can enable the capture or identification of any given point in the breathmg cycle, for example a desired phase of a breath, usmg an apparatus such as a ventilator, a flowmeter positioned either at the Y-piece, at the ventilator expiratory hose connection, or at the ventilator-rnspiratory hose connection, a pressure gauge m the airway, or any monitor or instrument that allows positive identification of a pomt m the breathmg cycle In another embodiment, a CO, monitor can momtor the amount of C0 2 bemg exhaled by a patient, where low C0 2 levels are present when the patient is breathmg m, higher C0 2 levels are present when a patient is breathmg out, and a spike m C0 2 level can occur when the patient starts to breathe out Further embodiments can utilize a transthoracic belt tied around a patient's chest which can act as a strain gauge reacting to the expansion ofthe patient's chest such as to indirectly give the volume of gases m the lungs, or a transthoracic impedance plethysmograph can monitor the electrical impedance across two electrodes placed on either side of the chest where the impedance changes with the expansion ofthe patient's chest such as to indirectly give the volume of gases in the lungs Accordingly, events can be triggered to occur at any desired pomt in the breathmg cycle The instrument or monitor for identifying a pomt m the breathmg cycle can be, for example, a Propaq portable monitor, a Hewlett Packard Merlm, or a Datex AS/3 Referring to Figure 2 A, in a specific embodiment ofthe subject mvention, instead of an electronic signal from a ventilator bemg utilized to detect the degree of a patient's msufflation, a flowmeter 20, for example placed at a patient's Y-piece 21, can be used to detect the degree of msufflation In alternative embodiments, flowmeter 20 can be placed at either the rnspiratory port/hose connection 23 or the expiratory port/hose connection 24 Advantageously, the use of flowmeter 20 allows the degree of insufflation to be determmed even when usmg an entirely pneumatic ventilator Accordmgly, the use of flowmeter 20 allows an x-ray machine 7 to be triggered from any ventilator, electronic or pneumatic A specific flowmeter which can be utilized accordmg to the subject mvention is a Novamerπx FloTrak flowmeter In a specific embodiment, the flowmeter probe can be left m the circuit, between the breathmg circuit Y-piece 21 and the endotracheal tube 22, at all times, thus eliminating the necessity of inserting and removmg the flowmeter each time an x-ray is taken In a preferred embodiment, flowmeter 20 can be placed mside ventilator 1, reducmg the risk of damage or user misuse However, refemng to Figure 2B, if flowmeter 20 is moved to either the rnspiratory port/hose connection 23, the expiratory port/hose connection 24, or the mside of ventilator 1, the zero flow crossmg may not be as clearly defined as when flowmeter 20 is placed at Y-piece 21 because flow can be unidirectional rather than bidirectional In this case, the algoπthm can be changed to a predictive one, where the cycle tune of each breath is estimated, for example, by measurmg the time between two peak inflations Accordingly, the next peak inflation is predicted based on the cycle tune The efficacy of this method is optimum when the cycle time is regular, which is often the case for mechanical ventilation In a specific embodiment ofthe subject mvention, m order to enhance the quality of images of a patient's thorax and upper abdominal region, for example MRI images, continuous flow apneic ventilation (CFAV) can be utilized With CFAV, a contmuous positive pressure flow of gases, for example air, is administered mto a patient's airway such that a sufficient amount of an is contmuously supplied to the patient The air can be admmistered through a tube such that once the air enters the lungs, it is pushed out of the airway by the new air enteπng the airway Advantageously, the lungs do not need to move with CFAV such that a patient's lungs and, therefore, thorax do not move appreciably Accordmgly, images, for example MRI images, can be effected while the thorax region is essentially motionless, resultmg in high quality images m a significantly shortened time In another specific embodiment ofthe subject invention, CFAV can be utilized m conjunction with extracoφorel shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), where ESWL pertains to the pulverizing of kidney stones with shock waves without surgical incision Currently, the patient is moved until the kidney stone is at the focus of the shock waves, refeπed to as targeting, and then the shock waves are ~ admmιstered Duπng ESWL, movement ofthe kidney stones due to the patients breathmg can make targetmg the shock waves more difficult In particular, when the patient's lungs expand and contract the kidney stone can often move up and down, creatmg a movmg target Accordmgly, by utilizing CFAV duπng ESWL the patient's lung are essentially motionless and, therefore, the kidney stone is more stationary and easier to target The use of CFAV can significantly reduce the time required to perform ESWL and also minimize collateral damage to healthy surrounding tissue In an additional embodiment ofthe subject mvention, high frequency ventilation can be utilized in conjunction with ESWL High frequency ventilation can provide the patient with sufficient oxygen while minimizing the motion of the patient's thorax region because the range of motion of the lungs duπng ventilation is reduced In an additional embodiment ofthe subject mvention, a cardiac output curve can be shot off a precise trigger from a ventilator breath A cardiac output curve mdicates the amount of blood the heart is pumping per minute One method for producmg a cardiac output curve is by cardiac thermo-dilution wherem one injects a cold fluid mto an artery, for example at pomt A, near the output ofthe heart and then momtors the temperature ofthe fluid passmg through the arteπal system, for example at pomt B, further away from the heart than pomt A where the cold fluid was mjected A temperature versus time curve taken at pomt B can provide information which can mdicate the cardiac output of the patient By triggering the cardiac output curve with the breathmg cycle of the patient, the precision of the cardiac output measurement can be enhanced The subject mvention can be utilized to perform cardiac output curves for patients on a ventilator and for patients not on a ventilator The subject mvention also relates to the removal of artifacts produced by the pumping of the heart For example, a device in accordance with the subject mvention can monitor a patient's EKG and take a measurement at the same pomt m the heart's pumping cycle such as to minimize any artifact from the beating ofthe heart In a preferred embodiment, the measurement can be taken at the QRS complex of the EKG each tune Additional embodiments ofthe subject mvention can be utilized to tngger an event, for example, inhalation therapy, at some desired point m the breathmg cycle, for example, peak mflation, pause, expiration, etc In a specific embodiment, the inhalation therapy can relate to aerosols, for example albuterol Similarly, the system can also be used m 0 2 conservers For example, 0 2 can be delivered only duπng inhalation which can conserve 0 2 because 0 2 is not delivered duπng exhalation The delivery of aerosol inhalants into the pulmonary tree can be improved by timing the delivery with respect to a ventilator breath, because the flow passages are fully opened at peak mflation and the aerosol molecules can therefore reach further mto the pulmonary tree Accordmgly, it might be prefeπed to start the aerosol delivery at the beginning of inhalation rather than the end of inhalation Alternatively, it might be prefeπed to have the delivery ofthe aerosol occur duπng the entire inhalation peπod, l e , the flow of gas from the ventilator acts as an additional propellant for the aerosol helpmg the aerosol molecules reach deeper within the lungs It might be prefeπed to start the delivery ofthe aerosol midway or partway m the process of inhalation Conversely, one can stop aerosol therapy, especially for expensive aerosols, duπng exhalation as the flow of gases away from the patient's lungs will tend to dπve the aerosol molecules away from the lungs, thus preventmg waste of expensive aerosol In any of these cases, triggering the aerosol delivery to specific parts ofthe breathing cycle can be beneficial The subject invention can also be utilized to remove respiratory artifacts from signals affected by the respiratory cycle For example, it is well known that respiration introduces artifacts m the measurement of blood pressure, for example, the central venous pressure or arteπal pressure, or the pulse oximeter optoplethysmograms Figure 3 illustrates roughly the vaπation m the central venous pressure as a function of time due to the effect of respiration The shorter time peπod signal represents the central venous pressure, while the longer time peπod signal represents the effect of respiration Referring to Figure 3, points A, B, and C are breath synchronized CVP measurement points which are precise and not susceptible to variation due to a respiratory effect Pomts, D, E, and F are nonsynchronized, random samples, suffering from respiratory artifact Ventilators are often turned off duπng certain measurements m order to eliminate the respiratory artifact After bemg turned off duπng the measurement, a caregiver can forget to turn the ventilator back on, sometimes with dire consequences The subject mvention can allow the measurement to be taken without turning the ventilator off, thus allowing for continuous ventilation, and improving patient safety By timing a measurement to be taken at the same pomt of each breath, the respiratory artifact can be eliminated and measurements can be more consistent For example, the effect of respiration on central venous pressure (CVP) or pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) is very pronounced By tuning the measurement to occur at any given pomt m the breathmg cycle, for example the start of inhalation, the respiratory artifact can be reduced Advantageously, m accordance with the subject mvention, a CVP measurement can always be taken at the same pomt m the breath cycle Therefore, the CVP trace or measurement is steadier The subject invention also pertains to the coordination of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to a plurality of physiological cycles of a patient, for example the breathmg cycle and the cardiac cycle In a specific embodiment, a CVP or PAP measurement can be tπggered on the first QRS complex ofthe patient's EKG following each of a plurality of peak lung mflation detections Since the cardiac rate is usually much higher than the breathmg rate and the effect of the cardiac cycle more pronounced then the effect ofthe breathmg cycle on a CVP or PAP measurement, takmg the CVP or PAP readmgs on the first QRS complex just after peak inflation can improve the precision of the measurement by essentially eliminating the effect ofthe cardiac cycle and greatly reducing the effect ofthe breathing cycle The subject x-ray machme synchronization device can be a combmation of hardware and software designed to be placed between a patient and an x-ray machme The device can work whether the patient is breathmg spontaneously, under CMV (Controlled Mechamcal Ventilation), or under any other mode of assisted ventilation such as CPAP (Contmuous Positive Airway Pressure) and PSV (Pressure Support Ventilation) The subject device can use pressure and/or flow data from a probe, placed at the endotracheal tube, face mask, or other airway device, to determine when a patient's lungs are fully inflated and can subsequently send appropriate signals to the x-ray machme to take a radiograph ofthe patient Smce this entire process of synchronization and x-ray machme tπggeπng is controlled by the device itself, the x-ray machine operator can initiate the process, for example, through an x-ray firmg handle or a graphical mterface implemented on a PC Furthermore, the device can be placed m a shielded location from which an operator can safely initiate the x-ray machme synchronization process Cuπent portable x-ray machmes, for example the General Electric model GEAMX4, utilize a firing handle to facilitate the takmg of a radiograph On a typical firmg handle, a first switch can turn on a collrmator light used for aiming the x-ray machme. A second switch, for example a button refeπed to as "rotor-up," can "arm" the x-ray machme and charge the capacitors that power the x-ray machme Finally, a third switch, for example a button refeπed to as "fire," can discharge the capacitors producmg the x-ray beam There is usually a delay, typically 2 5 seconds, between pressmg the "rotor-up" button and the "fire" button because it can take some time for the capacitors to charge In a specific embodiment ofthe subject mvention, the firing of an x-ray machme is accomplished with a "fire" button on a user mterface, for example implemented graphically on a notebook personal computer (PC) as shown m Figure 6 For example, when an operator clicks on the "rotor-up" button with the mouse, the "rotor-up" switch equivalent, for example a transistor, can be closed In a specific embodiment, one or more electro-mechanical relays can be utilized as the "rotor-up," "fire," and/or "collrmator" switch equivalent There can be a fixed delay (e g , 3 seconds) between the transistor/relay/switch representing the "rotor-up" switch closmg and the "fire" switch becoming enabled such that the algoπthm lookmg for peak lung inflation, where the x-ray machine is fired upon peak mflation, becomes active This delay ensures that the capacitors are fully charged and able to power the x-ray source when the algorithm detects peak mflation Without the delay, peak lung mflation might occur, for example, 1/100 of a second after "rotor-up" causmg the "fire" button to close without a radiograph bemg taken because of insufficient chargmg of the capacitors The cord linkmg the firing handle to the x-ray machme can be, for example, a regular phone cord used to link a phone set to a hand set The cord should be at least 10 feet long and can be coiled like a telephone cord In a specific embodiment ofthe subject mvention, the functionality ofthe x-ray firmg handle can be emulated by software Figure 4 shows schematically an embodiment of a computer/x-ray machme mterface m accordance with the subject mvention Refeπmg to Figure 4, the three switches m the firmg handle, collrmator, rotor up, and fire, can each be connected to, for example, a bit on a parallel port By monitoring the status of each switch in real time, the mputs from a user can be implemented, transparent to the user The status of each bit will change from high to low, or vice versa, dependmg on the logic, as each switch is opened or closed, on the firing handle The software can also have a monitoring section on its graphical user mterface to determine which buttons on the firing handle have been pressed by the user Figure 5 shows a block diagram of a specific embodiment of a system to synchronize x-ray beam exposure with peak lung mflation Referring to Figure 5, when the user presses the colhmator switch, the software can sense the action m real time and instantaneously turn on a transistor/relay/switch which turns on the colhmator light When the user presses the rotor up switch, the button on the PC display can mdicate that the user has pressed the rotor up switch and the switch controlling the rotor-up function can close instantaneously to start the chargmg ofthe capacitors A three second timer can start counting down The actual delay will depend on how long the capacitors supplying the x-ray tube take to charge up, m this case 2 5 seconds If a peak lung inflation occurs duπng the delay penod and the user has pressed the "fire" button, nothing will happen until the next full lung mflation after the 3 second delay has elapsed When the colhmator switch is pressed by the user, the button on the PC display representmg the colhmator switch, can reverse sides or change color to mdicate that the colhmator switch has been tnggered A window on the PC display, as shown m Figure 6, that shows the elapsed tune in the tune delay may also be useful as it would enable the user to know that the delay has not fully elapsed and therefore the system will not fire When the user presses the "fire" switch, the software can check to see if the time delay has elapsed Accordingly, if the tune delay has not elapsed, the "fire" transistor/relay is not closed even if a peak lung mflation is detected Upon the user pressmg the "fire" button, on the handle, the button representmg "fire" on the PC display, for example, changes color, acknowledging that the request to fire the x-ray has been received and is bemg processed If the time delay has elapsed, meanmg that the capacitors are charged, the transistor representmg the "fire" button can be closed at the next peak lung mflation The ability to press the "rotor-up" and "fire" buttons and have the subject device automatically fire after the capacitors are charged and at peak lung mflation can be refeπed to as "fire and forget " In a prefeπed embodiment, the user only need push one button, for example a "fire" button to initiate both the "rotor-up" function and, after an automatic time delay, the "fire" function A buzzer can sound to indicate that the x-ray beam has been fired and the color of the "fire" button can change to yet another color to mdicate the x-ray beam has been fired In a specific embodiment Figure 6 illustrates one example of a screen design for a PC, according to the subject mvention. In another specific embodiment, the subject mvention can utilize a standard x-ray machme firing handle such that a user who has prior expeπence with the standard firing handle can benefit from this pπor expenence with respect to the subject device. In addition, the use of such a standard firmg handle can be less expensive to implement than a graphical mterface. In a specific embodiment utilizing a firmg handle, the firmg handle can have a collunator button, a rotor-up button, and a fire button A predetermined delay, for example 3 seconds, can be implemented such that the firmg handle will not fire the x-ray beam until after the predetermined delay has elapsed after pushing the rotor-up button Accordmgly, after the predetermined delay has elapsed the fire button will effect the firmg ofthe x-ray beam upon, for example, peak lung mflation The lotor-up and fire function can be combmed mto a single button such that once this multi-function button is pushed, the firing handle will cause the x-ray machme to charge up its capacitors for firmg, implement the predetermined delay, and effect the firmg ofthe x-ray beam upon the next peak lung mflation ofthe patient folio wmg the predetermined delay. Additional features can be added to the firmg handle, for example to provide feedback to a user. Multiple LED's can be used to provide visual feedback and/or a buzzer can be used to provide audio feedback In a specific embodiment, a red LED lights when the collrmator button is pushed, a-yellow LED lights when the rotoi-up button is pushed, and a green LED lights after the x-ray beam is fired. Further embodiments can utilize, for example, a two color LED which lights a first color to indicate the user has pressed the fire button and lights a second color to mdicate the x-ray beam has fired. In addition, a buzzer can sound when the x-ray beam is fired to mdicate it is safe for the user to enter the patient's room. An additional safety feature can be added to prevent the x-ray beam from firmg agam for at least a predetermined delay, for example one hour. This is to prevent unmtentionally overdosmg the patient with x-ray radiation. In a specific embodiment which utilizes a flowmeter, the flowrate can be mtegrated over time to yield a volume inspired by the patient. This allows an adjustment to the firing algoπthm where the subject device will not fire the x-ray machme until this volume inspired by the patient reaches a specific mmimum value This threshold volume can be set, for example, based on a patient's size, medical history, age, ventilation circumstance, and or a vaπety of other factors. This threshold volume can help prevent firing the x-ray machme and getting a poor quality radiograph, for example, when a patient hiccups or takes a small breath which may only be a fraction ofthe normal size breath. A threshold inspired volume can also be indirectly lnfeπed from the airway pressure duπng positive pressure ventilation, for example by setting a threshold positive pressure above baselme which coπesponds to a threshold volume lnspned. In a specific embodiment, the subject device can incorporate an abort feature, for example a button on the x-ray firing handle. This abort button can enable a user to abort the process leadmg to the firmg ofthe x-ray machme, for example if the patient moves duπng the procedure. This abort feature can also be incorporated mto an embodiment of the subject device which utilizes a graphical user mterface, for example displayed on a monitor of a PC This abort feature can prevent the takmg of a radiograph which a user believes will be of poor quality and can therefore save resources, time, and reduce a patient's exposure to x-rays In a prefeπed embodiment, this abort feature can be implemented by requiring the user to keep the fire button continuously depressed duπng the peπod between pressmg the rotor-up button and the x-ray beam firing, m order to take a radiograph. If, however, the user releases the fire button before the firmg of the x-ray beam, the x-ray beam exposure will be aborted This embodiment of the abort feature does not require an additional button on the filing handle, and can be easily understood by users Following are examples which illustrate procedures for practicing the subject mvention. These examples should not be construed as limiting Example 1 — This example descπbes a prefeπed embodiment of the subject mvention which automatically synchronizes x-ray beam exposure to a patient's peak lung mflation (PLI) Figure 17 shows a circuit schematic for the mterface electronics ofthe device discussed m this example Refeπing to Figure 7, this device can utilize a flowmeter, for example a Novametπx Flo Trak positioned at the airway, and can automatically fire an x-ray machine at PLI This device can be interposed between a fiπng handle and a radiograph machme, and is transparent to the user except for the flowmeter at the patient's airway. The use of a flow/pressure sensor probe allows the subject device to function with essentially any ventilator, for example electronic or pneumatic. A probe associated with the flow and pressure sensors is positioned at the airway and sends signals coπespond ng to the flow of gas to and from the patient as well as the airway pressure. In order to reduce noise in the flow and pressure signals, one or both signals can be low-pass filtered, for example usmg a software algoπthm. Usmg pressure as an example, the filtering algorithm can take the cuπent pressure readmg, add the two previous pressure readmgs, and divide the total by 3 to obtam a filtered value. Flow measurements can be filtered m a similar way, for example by takmg the average ofthe three most recent samples. The pressure measurement can be made relative to a patient's baselme pressure, where the baselme pressure is the pressure at the patient's airway when a transition from a negative to a positive flow occurs. The baselme pressure can be checked and recorded on each breath. The baselme pressure can also be refeπed to as positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) Some patient's lungs should not be allowed to drop below the patient's baselme pressure. This is due to the tendency of these patients' lungs to collapse when their airway pressure drops below baselme The device can use the flow and pressure values, preferably filtered, from the flowmeter to determine that PLI has occurred and fire the machme. Qualitatively, the software, for example written m C, can look for an mstantaneous change m gas flow direction from "towards the patient" to "away from the patient" (a falling zero flow crossmg) and or a peak pressure value, to positively identify PLI, for example durmg positive pressure ventilation (PPV) Each algorithm, zero-flow crossmg and peak pressure, can individually detect PLI In a prefeπed embodiment, both a zero-flow crossmg and peak pressure can be required before fiπng the x-ray machine, thus improving reliability In order to synchronize the tnggeπng of an x-ray machme with PLI, the subject device determines the point at which peak, or near peak, mflation occurs and triggers an x-ray machme to fire when peak, or near peak, mflation occurs Preferably, the subject x-ray machine tπggeπng device performs these tasks in sequence In addition to triggering an x-ray machme at peak mflation of the lungs, the device can also tngger a x-ray machine at other pomts of a patient's breathmg cycle, for example at full deflation ofthe lungs Traditionally, ventilators have a sigh switch It is also possible to tngger an x-ray machine when a "sigh breath" is delivered from a ventilator To reduce the chances of an x-ray image bemg taken with insufficient mflation ofthe patient's lungs, the subject device can be set to only fire the x-ray beam upon reaching a mmimum lung volume, VT mm, such that a quality image can be obtamed For example, this VT m can be a volume larger than normal tidal volume but smaller than the volume due to a sigh breath Requiring a minimum lung volume before allowing an x-ray image to be taken can prevent x-ray images from bemg tnggered by, for example, short breaths, hiccups, or other events which may satisfy the other peak lung detection cπteπa, for example certain zero flow crossmgs, when, m fact, PLI has not occuned If a patient is on Controlled Mechanical Ventilation (CMV), the x-ray machme triggering device can predict when the next full inflation of a patient's lungs will occur, based on the respiratory cycle time (the time between two peak mflations) Referring to Figure 10, the respiratory cycle tune (RCT) for a patient on CMV is shown A specific embodiment of the subject mvention can use a predictive algorithm to determine when to fire a radiograph based on a patient's respiratory cycle time The algorithm can determine the cycle time by measuring the amount of time that elapses between two peaks m lung pressure and then predicting when the next peak will occur by usmg the last peak as a reference starting pomt and adding the respiratory cycle time Other points m the breathmg cycle can be determmed m an analogous fashion In a specific embodiment utilizing a predictive algoπthm based on RCT, peak mflation can be detected by monitoπng the pressure m the patient's airway and looking for a transition from a πsmg pressure trend to a falling pressure trend This fallmg pressure trend can be determmed by requiring a certain number, for example five, consecutive fallmg pressure readmgs However, m order to have five consecutive falling pressure readmgs, five sample penods must pass such that the patient is five sample time periods, Δt.^,,, past peak lung mflation Accordmgly, once the patient's RCT is determmed by calculating the time difference between two consecutive peak lung mflations (PLI), each PLI detected five sample time penods after actual PLI, this RCT minus Δt sampk can be added to the time ofthe last detected PLI to predict the time ofthe next actual PLI such that, for example, an x-ray image can be taken In a specific embodiment, a handheld fiπng handle can be used to tngger, for example, a General Electric (GE AMX4) portable x-ray machme A 10 ft standard telephone cable (handset to phone unit) can connect the firing handle to the mterface electronics The fiπng handle can incorporate three buttons the colhmator, the rotor up button, and the fiπng button The colhmator button can be used for a ming the x-ray machme When the colhmator button is pressed, a cross-hair of light can be directed from the x-ray machme to the patient's chest, thereby mdicatmg where the radiograph will be taken The rotor up button and the firing button can be designed to be used together m order to take a radiograph The rotor up button can initiate the chargmg of one or more capacitors in the x-ray machme When the capacιtor(s) are charged, the fire button can be pressed to take a radiograph Accordmgly, the x-ray machme will not be tπggered unless the rotor up button has been pressed In a specific embodiment, the rotor up button can be positioned directly on top of the fiπng button, such that it is not possible to press the firmg button without first pressmg the rotor up button In a prefeπed embodiment, the subject device utilizes a flow/pressure sensor probe positioned between the breathmg circuit and the airway device to infer peak lung inflation By measurmg flow with the flowmeter, one can mfer peak lung mflation, for example, by determining when flow changes direction from a positive flow (towards patient, inspiration) to a negative flow (away from patient, expiration) This change in direction of flow is often refeπed to as a fallmg zero-flow crossmg The x-ray machme synchronization device can monitor fallmg zero-flow crossmgs, which change from positive to negative flows Referring to Figure 8, when such a fallmg zero-flow crossmg occurs duπng positive pressure ventilation, the lungs of a patient are almost fully inflated but beginning to deflate At this pomt in tune, the x-ray machme synchronization device can instruct an x-ray machme to take a radiograph The flow/pressure sensor probe, for example the Novametπx FloTrak probe, can also measure pressure Accordingly, the x-ray machme triggering device can use pressure as a means to deduce peak lung mflation Referring to Figure 9A, duπng positive pressure inspiration, a patient's lung pressure πses, and duπng expiration the lung pressure falls By deteπrunmg when peak pressure occurs, the pomt m time at which a patient's lungs are fully inflated can be determmed Referring to Figure 9B, duπng spontaneous inspiration the pressure decreases In a specific embodiment, the subject x-ray machine tπggenng device can use both flow and pressure, simultaneously, to determine whether a patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation Subsequently, for either situation, the subject device can detect peak lung mflation For example, a peak mflation detection algorithm for use with spontaneously breathmg patients can be implemented which determines peak lung mflation has occurred upon simultaneous detection of a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a nsmg pressure trend However, it is possible to have a fallmg zero flow crossing and a nsmg pressure trend without havmg peak lung mflation Accordmgly, a third cntena which must also be met, for example a mmimum volume of inspired gases, can be included m the peak lung mflation algonthm In addition, a peak mflation detection algorithm for use with positive pressure ventilation can be implemented which determines peak lung mflation has occuπed upon simultaneous detection of a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a fallmg pressure trend However, it is possible to have a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a fallmg pressure without havmg peak lung mflation, for example with a small patient breath or with artifacts Accordingly, a third cntena which must also be met, for example a minimum lung pressure, can be included in the peak mflation algorithm This cntena can require a mmimum lung pressure of, for example, 2 0 cm H 2 0 above a patient's baselme pressure Utilizing both airway pressure and the flow of gases mto or out ofthe patient's airway, the subject x-ray machme tnggermg device can create a more robust peak mflation detection algonthm Accordmgly, when peak lung mflation is detected, the x-ray machme synchronization device niggers the x-ray machme Referring to Figure 11, the mterface electronics ofthe subject device mterface with a PC, an x-ray machine, and an optional x-ray firmg handle Alternatively, the PC can be replaced by a dedicated microcontroller or IC's With respect to the device of this example, the mterface electronics mteract with these vanous components through three commumcation ports, mcludmg a DB-25 male connector port and two female 6-4 (6 position - 4 contact) modular telephone jacks (RJ-11 jacks) The DB-25 connector allows the mterface electronics to communicate with the PC via a parallel port connection In particular, a first 6-4 RJ-l 1 jack is used to receive mput from a handheld firmg handle and a second 6-4 RJ-11 jack is used to send commands to the x-ray machme The x-ray firing handle connects to a 6-4 jack on the enclosmg box for the interface electronics, for example via a 10 ft modular telephone cable Each button on the handheld firing handle produces a short circuit between specific contacts on the 6-4 modular jack when pressed For example, when the colhmator button is pressed, the first two contacts on the 6-4 jack are shorted Refernng to Figure 13, which contacts are closed when each of the buttons on the firmg handle are pressed is shown When a button is pressed on the firmg handle, an exclusive set of contacts on the 6-4 jack is shorted This causes an mput circuit to be closed (refer to Figure 14 for the input circuit), thereby delivering a low signal to a coπesponding pm on the PC parallel port A high signal (+2 4V to +5 0V) is sent to the same pin on the PC parallel port if the button is not bemg pressed The collrmator button, the rotor up button, and the fiπng button on the firing handle coπespond to pms 10, 11, and 12 ofthe PC parallel port, respectively The software can activate certain functions on the x-ray machme by sendmg low signals (0V to +0 8 V) from pms 2, 4, or 6 ofthe PC parallel port to the interface electronics The signals sent from pins 2, 4, and 6 of the PC parallel port can undergo a series of transformations before reachmg the x-ray machine Figure 15 illustrates the output circuit between the PC and the x-ray machme, where the transformation of a low signal sent from a pm on the PC parallel port takes place Refernng to Figure 15, the low signal from the PC is inverted usmg a 7404 inverter chip Alternatively, this signal can be inverted m software Signal mversion is performed m order to protect agamst the occuπence of an indeterminate state from the PC, for example if the parallel cable is accidentally detached from the PC Durmg an indeterminate state, a high signal is sent to the inverter chip Thus, the purpose ofthe inverter chip is to prevent a high signal from bemg sent to, and tπggenng, the x-ray machme when the circuit is m an indeterminate state The high signal outputted from the inverter chip is inputted mto an opto-isolator chip This provides electncal isolation between the synchronization system, for example a notebook computer, and the x-ray machme The high signal outputted from the inverter chip also actuates a NPN transistor which closes a circuit containing a 330 ohm resistor and a LED The high signal, outputted from the opto-isolator chip, is sent to a NPN transistor which closes a circuit containing a 100 ohm resistor and a single-pole double-throw (SPDT) electromechanical relay A clampmg diode (K0462) is attached between the ground pm (pm 3) and the mput pm (pm 1) ofthe electromechanical relay This is done to protect circuitry from the high back-EMF which may be caused by the electromechanical relay (an mductive component). The electromechanical relay closes the appropriate contacts on the 6-4 modular jack connected to the x-ray machme This activates the appropriate function on the x-ray machme. Figure 16 shows which contacts are closed when a signal is sent from the PC parallel port (pms 2, 4, or 6) With respect to this specific example, a discussion of the pseudo-code for peak lung inflation detection, full lung deflation detection, and predictive peak lung detection algorithms is presented below Figure 12 shows a flow chart for the device's pseudo-code. The pseudo-code steps for peak lung inflation detection are outlined below, where the goal is to take a radiograph at peak lung inflation after detectmg a falling zero-flow crossing AND peak pressure 1) Declare and initialize variables 2) Begin the loop 3) Obtain the cuπent flow and pressure readmgs from the Novametπx FloTrak sensor and store these values in variables. Call the cuπent flow readmg "flowT' (representmg flow at time t or flow(t)) Call the cuπent pressure reading "pressureT * (representmg pressure at time t or pressure(t)) 4) Filter the flow signal through a low-pass filter by takmg the cuπent flow readmg, addmg it to the previous two flow readmgs, and dividing the total by three (3). Store this filtered value m a vaπable called "flow" (representing the filtered flow at time t) Call the two previous flow readmgs "flowT_l" (representing flow at time t mmus 1 or flow (t-1)) and "flowT_2" (representmg flow at time t minus 2 or flow(t-2)). If the two previous flow readmgs (flowT l and flowT_2) have not been determmed yet (I e the detection algoπthm has just started) copy the cuπent flow readmg (flowT) mto the variable which stores the filtered flow value (flow). Filter the pressure signal through a low-pass filter by takmg the cuπent pressure reading, addmg it to the previous two pressure readmgs, and dividing the total by three (3). Store this filtered value m a variable called "pressure" (representmg the filtered pressure at tune t). Call the two previous pressure readings "pressureT l" (representmg pressure at time t mmus one or pressure(t-l)) and "pressureT _2" (representmg pressure at time t mmus two or pressure(t-2)). If the two previous pressure readmgs (pressureT and pressureT_2) have not been determmed yet (I e. the detection algorithm has just started) copy the current pressure reading (pressure!) mto the variable which stores the filtered pressure value (pressure). 5) After filtered flow and pressure signals have been calculated, update the vanables stormg the previous pressure and previous flow values. For example- flowT_2 -flowT_J flowTJ=flowT pressureT_2=pressureT_l pressureT l =pressureT 6) Check whether a zero-flow crossing has occuπed - if the previous filtered flow value (prevtousFlow) is greater than +1 0 L/min AND the cuπent filtered flow (flow) is less than -1 0 L/min, then set a flag mdicatmg that a zero-flow crossing (fallmg) has occuπed The initial value of the prevtousFlow variable at start up is zero - else, if the previous flow value (prevtousFlow) is less than -1 0 L/min AND the cuπent flow (flow) is greater than +1 0 L/min, then set a flag indicating that a zero-flow crossmg (nsmg) has occuπed When a negative to positive change m flow occurs, the baselme pressure of the patient can be determmed Copy the cuπent filtered pressure value (pressure) mto a vanable called "basehnePressure " Baseline pressure is checked and recorded on every breath 7) Update the value of the previous flow variable (prevtousFlow) For example, prevιousFlow=flow 8) Check whether pressure is nsmg or falling - if the pressure falls for n, for example five (5), consecutive readmgs then set a flag mdicatmg that there is a fallmg pressure trend In order to ensure that a fallmg trend is not falsely detected, pressure must fall for five consecutive readmgs Although it was determmed, through testing, that only three consecutive readmgs are necessary to reliably detect a falling pressure trend, five consecutive readings are taken as a safety measure to ensure that the algorithm does not detect a false fallmg pressure trend - else, if the pressure rises for five (5) consecutive readmgs then set a flag mdicatmg that there is a nsmg pressure trend - otherwise, reset the flags which indicate whether there is a nsmg or fallmg pressure trend 9) Determine whether the patient's lungs are fully inflated - check the status of the flag which indicates whether there is a fallmg pressure trend Also, check the status ofthe flag which mdicates whether a zero-flow crossmg (fallmg) has occuπed - if a zero-flow crossmg (fallmg) has occurred AND a fallmg pressure trend has occuπed AND the cuπent pressure is 2 0 cmH 2 0 above baselme pressure, then set a flag mdicatmg that a radiograph should be taken Break out ofthe loop 10) End the loop The pseudo-code steps for full lung deflation detection are outlmed below, where the goal is to take a radiograph on full lung deflation after detecting a nsmg zero-flow crossmg AND a nsmg trend m pressure Steps 1 through 8 of the peak mflation algorithm are also used by the full lung deflation detection algonthm The code is shared by both algorithms 9) Determine whether the patient's lungs are fully deflated - check the status ofthe flag which mdicates whether there is a nsmg pressure trend Also, check the status of the flag which mdicates whether a zero-flow crossmg (nsmg) has occuπed - if a zero-flow crossmg (rising) occurs AND there is a nsmg trend m pressure, then set a flag mdicatmg that a radiograph should be taken Break out of the loop 10) End the loop The pseudo-code steps for predictive peak lung detection are outlmed below, where the goal is to predict when peak lung inflation will occur and subsequently take a radiograph usmg an algonthm based on respiratory cycle time. Steps 1 through 8 ofthe peak lung inflation and full lung deflation algorithms are also used by the predictive peak lung detection algorithm The code is shared by all algorithms. 9) Determine whether the patient's lungs are fully inflated. -check the status of the flag which mdicates whether there is a fallmg pressure trend. Also, check the status ofthe flag which mdicates whether a zero-flow crossmg (falling) has occuπed. -if a zero-flow crossmg (fallmg) has occurred AND a fallmg pressure trend has occuned AND the current pressure is 2.0 cmH20 above baselme pressure, then increment the counter vanable peakPressureCounter. This variable is initially set to zero (0) and is mcremented each time full lung inflation is detected. 10) When full lung inflation is first detected (i.e. peakPressureCounter==\)- - save the number of processor clock ticks since the program started mto the variable startCycle. For example. startCycle=clock() - clockQ is a C function that returns the processor time elapsed (m clock ticks) since the beginning ofthe program invocation. - change the color of the flow and pressure traces on the graphical user mterface from green to red to mdicate that the RCT is bemg measured. Also, display the message "Estimating Cycle Time" to indicate that the RCT is bemg measured 11) When the second full lung mflation is detected (i.e. peakPressureCounter=2)- - save the number of processor clock ticks since the program started mto the variable stopCycle. For example stop Cycle =clock() -compute the respiratory cycle time. Save this value m a vanable called cycleTime. The vanable cycleTime stores the number of processor clock ticks between the first and second full lung mflation. For example: cycleTime-stopCycle - startCycle - set the predicted time that the next full lung mflation should occur and save this value m the variable predictedTargetTime The value ofthe predictedTargetTime vaπable is calculated by addmg cycleTime to stopCycle. In addition, adjustments can be made to compensate for samplmg times. For example predιctedTargetTιme=stopCycle (time of second full lung mflation) + cycleTime (time between first and second full lung inflations) - sampling delay (time to collect n consecutive fallmg pressure values) - change the color of the flow and pressure traces from red to white to indicate that the algorithm will trigger the x-ray machine on the next full lung mflation. Also display the message "Firing on the next peak." 12) When the cuπent time (in processor ticks) equals the value of predictedTargetTime (i.e. clock()=predictedTargetTime), set a flag indicating that a radiograph should be taken. Break out ofthe loop. 13) End the loop It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to persons skilled in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Claims 1 A device for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure, comprising a means for receivmg a signal, wherem said signal carnes information relating to a physiological cycle of a patient, and a means for effectmg a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to said patient based on the information earned by said signal, wherein said device improves the efficacy of said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure to the physiological cycle ofthe patient 2 The device, accordmg to claim 1, wherem said physiological cycle is the patient's breathmg cycle 3 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said device can determine at least one point in the b eathmg cycle of the patient based on the mformation earned by said signal, wherein said means for effecting said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to said patient effects said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure based on said pomt(s) m the breathmg cycle 4 The device, accordmg to claim 3, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is the taking of an image, wherein said means for effectmg a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure causes said image to be taken at a desired pomt in the breathmg cycle ofthe patient 5 The device, according to claim 4, wherem said image is a chest image 6 The device, accordmg to claim 5, wherem the desired pomt m the breathmg cycle is peak msufflation such that said chest image is taken at or near peak msufflation of said patient 7 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said signal carrying information with respect to the breathmg cycle ofthe patient is received from a ventilator 8 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said signal caπies information with respect to the flow of gases mto or out of the patient' s airway 9 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said signal carnes information with respect to the pressure at the patient's airway 10 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said signal carnes information with respect to the C0 2 concentration at the patient's airway 11 The device, according to claim 2, wherem said signal is received from a transthoracic belt and carnes information with respect to the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest, wherem the degree of expansion of the patient's chest is related to the volume of gases m the patient's lungs 12 The device, accordmg to claim 2, wherem said signal is received from a transthoracic impedance plethysmograph and caπies information with respect to an impedance across two electrodes placed on either side of the patient's chest, wherem the impedance is related to the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest, and wherem the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest is related to the volume of gases m the patient's lungs 13. The device, according to claim 4, wherein said device effects the taking of an image by sendmg an output signal to an imaging device selected from the group consistmg of an x-ray machine, a PET scan machine, a CAT scan machme, and an MRI machme. 14 The device, according to claim 13, wherem said device effects the takmg of a chest image 15. The device, accordmg to claim 7, further compnsmg. a means for causmg said ventilator to ventilate the patient with a sigh breath, wherem a chest image of the patient is taken at peak lung inflation. 16. The device, according to claim 13, further compnsmg: a means for electrically isolating the device from said imaging device 17. The device, accordmg to claim 16, wherem said isolating means comprises a first LED and a second LED, wherem said first LED receives said output signal and sends a light signal to said second LED, wherem said second LED receives said light signal and resends said output signal to said imaging device. 18 The device, accordmg to claim 1 , wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic treatment is selected from the following group imagmg, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, cardiac output measurement, extracorporel shock wave hthotnpsy, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmography. 19. The device, accordmg to claim 13, further compnsmg: a means for receiving caregiver mput, wherem a caregiver can mput a rotor-up command which initiates the chargmg of the x-ray machine's capacitor to prepare for fiπng, and wherem the caregiver can mput a fire command such that said device will send the output signal to the x-ray machme upon the patient reachmg the desired point in the breathmg cycle. 20. The device, accordmg to claim 19, wherem said means for receiving caregiver mput is a firing handle. 21. The device, accordmg to claim 19, wherem after the caregiver inputs the fire command, the device will delay sending the output signal for at least a predetermmed penod of time after selection of the rotor-up command. 22 The device, according to claim 20, wherein mput of the rotor-up and fire commands is simultaneous 23. The device, accordmg to claim 22, wherem mput of the rotor-up and fire commands is accomplished by pressing a smgle button. 24. The device, accordmg to claim 21 , wherem said predetermmed penod of time is at least three seconds. 25. The device, accordmg to claim 20, wherein said fiπng handle further compnses an abort mput means, wherem said abort mput means enables the caregiver to abort the sendmg ofthe output signal. 26. The device, accordmg to claim 21 , wherem the caregiver inputs the fire command by pressmg a fire button, and wherem the caregiver must continuously press the fire button until said device sends the output signal or the sending of the output signal will be aborted. 27. The device, accordmg to claim 19, wherem said means for receiving caregiver mput is a graphical user mterface. 28. The device according to claim 7, further compnsmg: a ventilator model selector switch compnsmg settings coπespondmg to specific ventilators such that said device can interpret the signal indicating the pomt m the breathmg cycle of the patient received from a selected ventilator. 29. The device accordmg to claim 4, further compnsmg: a means for a caregiver to input the desired pomt in the breathmg cycle. 30 The device accordmg to claim 8, further compnsmg a second means for receivmg a second signal wherem said second signal mdicates the pressure at the patient's airway, wherein said device coordmates said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure to the patient's breathmg activity based on the flow of gases mto or out of the patient's airway and on the pressure at the patient's airway 31 The device, accordmg to claim 2, further compnsmg a means for determining whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation, wherein said means for determining whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation interprets the mformation relating to the patient's breathmg activity to make such determination 32 The device, according to claim 31, wherein said signal caπies mformation with respect to the flow of gases into or out ofthe patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway 33 The device, accordmg to claim 32, wherem said means for determining whether the patient is spontaneously breathing or under positive pressure ventilation determines that the patient is spontaneously breathmg when the flow of gases is mto the patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway is below a baseline airway pressure for the patient 34 The device, according to claim 33, wherem for a patient determmed to be spontaneously breathmg, peak lung inflation is detected when a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a nsmg pressure trend occurs 35 The device, according to claim 34, wherem peak lung mflation detection also requires the patient to have inspired a mmimum volume of gases 36 The device, according to claim 32, wherem said means for determining whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation determines that the patient is under positive pressure ventilation when the flow of gases is mto the patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway is above a baselme airway pressure for the patient 37 The device, accordmg to claim 36, wherem for a patient determmed to be under positive pressure ventilation, peak lung inflation is detected when a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a fallmg pressure trend occurs 38 The device, accordmg to claim 37, wherem peak lung inflation detection also requires that the pressure at the patient's airway is at least a mmimum amount above a baselme airway pressure for the patient 39. The device, accordmg to claim 13, wherem said imagmg device is an MRI machme, wherem said device sends a plurality of output signals to said MRI machme to effect the takmg of images such that a plurality of images is taken duπng the same part of each individual cycle m consecutive individual cycles of the patient' s breathmg. 40 The device, accordmg to claim 8, wherem said device effects the chest image when the flow rate is approximately zero such that the chest image is taken when the lungs ofthe patient are essentially motionless 41. The device, according to claim 8, wherem said means for effectmg a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure mtegrates the flow of gases mto or out ofthe patient's arrway over time to determine a volume of gases in the patient's lungs and effects a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure when a desired volume of gases in the patient's lungs is reached. 42 The device, accordmg to claim 41, wherem said means for effecting a medical or diagnostic procedure will not effect the medical treatment or diagnostic procedure unless the volume of gases m the patient's lungs is at least a predetermined minimum value. 43 The device, accordmg to claim 1, wherem said physiological cycle is the patient's cardiac cycle. 44. The device, accordmg to claim 43, wherem said signal is an EKG signal such that said device removes artifacts produced by the pumping of the patient's heart from the medical treatment or diagnostic procedure. 45. The device, accordmg to claim 44, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is effected at the QRS complex of the EKG signal. 46. The device, accordmg to claim 9, wherem the amount of time which elapses between two peaks m airway pressure is determmed and the time of a future peak is predicted by addmg the amount of time elapsed between the two peaks to the tune of a current peak. 47. The device, accordmg to claim 9, wherem the time of a future peak is predicted by addmg the amount of time elapsed between the two peaks, less an amount of sampling time required to determine there is a peak m airway pressure, to the time of a cuπent peak. 48 A method for improving the efficacy of a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure, compnsmg the following steps: receivmg a signal, wherem said signal carnes information relatmg to a physiological cycle of a patient; and effecting a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to said patient based on the mformation earned by said signal, wherein said method improves the efficacy of said medical freatment or diagnostic procedure by coordinating said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure to the physiological cycle ofthe patient 49 The method, according to claim 48, wherem said physiological cycle is the patient's breathing cycle 50. The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem the step of effectmg said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to said patient further comprises effecting said medical freatment or diagnostic procedute based on at least one point m the breathing cycle 51. The method, accordmg to claim 50, wherem said medical freatment or diagnostic procedure is the takmg of an image, wherem said step of effecting a medical freatment or diagnostic procedure causes an image to be taken at a desired pomt m the breathmg cycle ofthe patient. 52 The method, accordmg to claim 51 , wherem said image is a chest image 53 The method, accordmg to claim 52, wherem the desired pomt m the breathmg cycle is peak insufflation such that said chest image is taken at or near peak msufflation of said patient 54. The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem said signal carrying mformation with respect to the breathmg cycle ofthe patient is received from a ventilator. 55. The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem said signal carnes mformation with respect to the flow of gases into or out ofthe patient's airway. 56. The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem said signal caπies information with respect to the pressure at the patient's arrway. 57. The method, according to claim 49, wherem said signal caπies information with respect to the C0 2 concentration at the patient's airway 58 The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem said signal is received from a transthoracic belt and carnes information with respect to the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest, wherem the degree of expansion of the patient's chest is related to the volume of gases in the patient's lungs 59 The method, accordmg to claim 49, wherem said signal is received from a transthoracic impedance plethysmograph and caπies mformation with respect to an impedance across two electrodes placed on either side ofthe patient's chest, wherein the impedance is related to the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest, and wherem the degree of expansion ofthe patient's chest is related to the volume of gases in the patient's lungs 60 The method, according to claim 51, wherem the step of effecting the taking of an image compnses the step of sendmg an output signal to an imagmg device selected from the group consistmg of an x-ray machine, a PET scan machine, a CAT scan machine, and an MRI machine 61 The method, according to claim 60, where said method effects the takmg of a chest image 62 The method, accordmg to claim 54, further compnsmg the following step causmg said ventilator to ventilate the patient with a sigh breath, wherem a chest image of the patient is taken at peak lung mflation 63 The method, accordmg to claim 60, further compnsmg the following step electrically isolating any apparatus used for (l) receivmg said signal, (u) effecting the takmg of an image, or (in) sending said output signal, from said imagmg device 64 The method, accordmg to claim 63, wherem the step of electrically isolating said imaging device utilizes an isolating means wherem said isolating means comprises a first LED and a second LED, wherem said first LED receives said output signal and sends a light signal to said second LED, wherem said second LED receives said light signal and resends said output signal to said imaging device 65 The method, accordmg to claim 48, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic treatment is selected from the following group imagmg, inhalation therapy, oxygen delivery, blood pressure measurement, cardiac output measurement, extracorporel shock wave hthotnpsy, and pulse oximeter optoplethysmography 66 The method, accordmg to claim 60, further compnsmg the step of receivmg input from a caregiver, wherein a caregiver can mput a rotor-up command which initiates the chargmg ofthe x-ray machme 's capacitor to prepare for firmg and wherem the caregiver can mput a fire command such that said output signal is sent to the x-ray machme upon the patient reachmg the desired pomt m the breathing cycle 67 The method, accordmg to claim 66, wherem said mput is inputted via a filing handle 68 The method, accordmg to claim 66, wherem after the caregiver mputs the fire command, further comprising the step of delaymg the sendmg ofthe output signal until at least a predetermined penod of time after mput ofthe rotor-up command has lapsed 69 The method accordmg to claim 68, wherein mput of the rotor-up and fire commands is simultaneous 70 The method, according to claim 69, wherem mput of the rotor-up and fire commands is accomplished by pressmg a single button 71 The method, according to claim 68, wherem said predetermmed penod of time is at least three seconds 72 The method, accordmg to claim 67, wherem said firing handle is emulated by a graphical user mterface 73 The method, according to claim 66, wherein said caregiver can mput an abort command which aborts the sending ofthe output signal 74 The method, according to claim 66, wherem the caregiver selects the fire command by pressmg a fire button, and wherem the caregiver must contmuously press the fire button until said output signal is sent to the x-ray machine or the sendmg ofthe output signal will be aborted 75 The method, according to claim 54, further compnsmg the step of selectmg a specific ventilator model, coπespondmg to the patient's ventilator, on a ventilator model selector switch comprising settmgs coπespondmg to specific ventilator models such that said signal carrying information I elating to the breathmg cycle of the patient received from the ventilator can be interpreted 76 The method, accordmg to claim 51 , further compnsmg the step of selecting the desired point in the breathmg cycle 77 The method, accordmg to claim 55, further compnsmg the step of receivmg a second signal, wherem said second signal mdicates the pressure at the patient's arrway, wherem said method coordmates said medical freatment or diagnostic procedure to the patient's breathmg activity based on the flow of gases into or out of the patient's airway and on the pressure at the patient's arrway 78 The method, according to claim 77, further compnsmg the step of. determmmg whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation, wherem said step of determining whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation utilizes the information relating to the patient's breathmg activity to make such determination. 79 The method, according to claim 78, wherem said step for determmmg whether the patient is spontaneously breathing or under positive pressure ventilation determines that the patient is spontaneously breathmg when the flow of gases is mto the patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway is below a baseline airway pressure for the patient 80 The method, according to claim 79, wherem for a patient determmed to be spontaneously breathmg, peak lung inflation is detected when a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a nsmg pressure frend simultaneously occurs 81 The method, accordmg to claim 80, wherem peak lung mflation detection also requires the patient to have inspired a minimum volume of gases. 82 The method, accordmg to claim 78, wherem said step for determmmg whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation determines that the patient is under positive pressure ventilation when the flow of gases is mto the patient's arrway and the pressure at the patient's airway is above a baseline airway pressure for the patient 83. The method, accordmg to claim 82, wherem for a patient determmed to be under positive pressure ventilation, peak lung inflation is detected when a fallmg zero flow crossmg and a fallmg pressure frend simultaneously occur 84. The method, accordmg to claim 83, wherem peak lung mflation detection also requires that the pressure at the patient's airway is at least a minimum amount above a baselme airway pressure for the patient. 85. The method, accordmg to claim 66, wherem said imagmg device is an MRI machme, wherem the step of sendmg an output signal to said MRI machme effects the takmg of images such that a plurality of images is taken duimg the same part of each individual cycle in consecutive individual cycles ofthe patient's breathing 86 The method, according to claim 55, wherem said method effects the chest image when the flow rate is approximately zero such that the chest image is taken when the lungs of the patient are essentially motionless 87 The method, according to claim 55, wherem the step of effectmg a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure further comprises the step of mtegratmg the flow of gases mto or out of the patient's airway over tune to determine a volume of gases in the patient's lungs such that said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is effected when a desired volume of gases m the patient's lungs is reached 88 The method, accordmg to claim 87, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is not effected unless the volume of gases m the patient's lungs is at least a predetermmed mmimum value 89 The method, acco ding to claim 48, wherem said physiological cycle is the patient's cardiac cycle 90 The method, according to claim 89, wherem said signal is an EKG signal such that said method removes artifacts produced by the pumping ofthe patient's heart from the medical treatment or diagnostic procedure 91 The method, accordmg to claim 90, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is effected at the QRS complex of the EKG 92 The method, according to claim 89, said method further compnsmg the step of receivmg a second signal, wherem said second signal caπies mformation relating to a patient's breathmg cycle, wherem said method coordinates said medical freatment or diagnostic procedure with both the patient's cardiac and breathmg cycles 93 The method, accordmg to claim 92, wherem a central venous pressure measurement is tnggered on the first QRS complex following each of a plurality of peak lung mflation detections 94 The method, according to claim 92, wherem a pulmonary artery pressure measurement is tnggered on the first QRS complex following each of a plurality of peak lung mflation detections 95 A method foi improving the efficacy of a medical freatment or diagnostic procedure, compnsmg the following steps administering continuous flow apneic ventilation to a patient, and effecting a medical treatment or diagnostic procedure with respect to said patient 96 The method, accordmg to claim 95, wherem said medical treatment or diagnostic procedure is selected from the following group MRI imaging and extracorporel shock wave hthotnpsy 97 A device for determmmg whether a patient is spontaneously breathing or under positive pressure ventilation, comprising a means for receivmg a first signal, wherein said first signal caπies information with respect to the flow of gases mto oi out of a patient's airway, and a means for receivmg a second signal, wherem said second signal carnes mformation with respect to the pressure at the patient's airway, wherem said device mteiprets the mformation with respect to the flow of gases mto or out ofthe patient's airway and the information with respect to the pressure ofthe patient's airway to determine whether the patient is spontaneously breathmg or under positive pressure ventilation 98 The device, according to claim 97, wherem said device determines that the patient is spontaneously breathmg when the flow of gases is mto the patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway is below a baseline airway pressure for the patient, and wherem said device determines that the patient is under positive ventilation when the flow of gases is mto the patient's airway and the pressure at the patient's airway is above the baselme airway pressure for the patient

Inventors: LAMPOTANG SAMSUN, LANGEVIN PAUL B, LAMPOTANG, SAMSUN, LANGEVIN, PAUL, B.
Applicants: UNIV FLORIDA, UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A61B6
IPC codes: A61B5, A61B6, A61N5