Systems and methods for ambulatory monitoring of physiological signs

A monitoring apparatus for non-invasively monitoring physiological parameters of an individual comprising:

• a monitoring garment comprising a shirt for the torso of the individual to be monitored,
• one or more inductive plethysmographic (IP) sensors, each IP sensor comprising
• (i) a longitudinal band of elastic material attached to said garment for closely encircling the torso,
• (ii) an inductance sensor including at least one flexible conductive loop attached to the longitudinal band, wherein the inductance of the conductive loop is responsive to the cross-sectional area of the torso enclosed by the loop, and
• (iii) a tightening device for adjusting circumferential tightness of the IP sensor to substantially prevent longitudinal movement of the IP sensor along the torso, and
• a microprocessor unit comprising a microprocessor for receiving signals from said IP sensors and for recording digital data derived from all received signals in a removable computer-readable memory media.

A monitoring apparatus for non-invasively monitoring physiological parameters of an individual comprising:

• a monitoring garment comprising a shirt for the torso of the individual to be monitored and a longitudinal fastener for opening and closing the shirt,
• one or more inductive plethysmographic (IP) sensors, each IP sensor comprising an inductance sensor including at least one flexible conductive loop arranged to closely encircle the torso, wherein the inductance of the conductive loop is responsive to the cross-sectional area of the torso enclosed by the loop,
• a cardiac timing sensor for generating signals responsive to occurrence of cardiac ventricular contractions,
• a signal cable for carrying signals from said sensors comprising at least one module, wherein the module is coupled to and electrically completes the conductive loops of the IP sensors, wherein termini of the conductive loops may be uncoupled from module, and wherein the module comprises circuitry for generating signals responsive to the IP sensors, and
• a microprocessor unit comprising a microprocessor for receiving signals from said signal cable and for recording digital data derived from all received signals in a removable computer-readable memory media.

A monitoring apparatus for non-invasively monitoring physiological parameters of an individual comprising:

• a monitoring garment comprising a shirt for the torso of the individual to be monitored,
• one or more inductive plethysmographic (IP) sensors, each IP sensor comprising an inductance sensor including at least one flexible conductive loop arranged to closely encircle the torso, wherein the inductance of the conductive loop is responsive to the cross-sectional area of the torso enclosed by the loop,
• a cardiac timing sensor for generating signals responsive to occurrence of cardiac ventricular contractions,
• a signal cable for carrying signals directly from the conductive loops of said IP sensors and for carrying signals from said sensor,
• electronic circuitry comprising (i) a multiplexing switch for connecting the conductive loop of any one of the IP sensors to an oscillator, the oscillator having an oscillation frequency responsive to the inductance of the conductive loop connected by the multiplexing switch, and (ii) a demodulator operatively coupled to the oscillator and outputting digital data responsive to the oscillation frequency, and
• a microprocessor unit comprising a microprocessor for receiving signals from said signal cable and for receiving digital data from said electronic circuitry and for recording digital data from received inputs in a removable computer-readable memory media.

A monitoring apparatus for non-invasively monitoring physiological parameters of an individual comprising:

• a monitoring garment comprising a shirt for the torso of the individual to be monitored,
• a plurality of sensors, said sensors comprising
• (i) one or more inductive plethysmographic (IP) sensors, each IP sensor comprising an inductance sensor including at least one flexible conductive loop arranged to closely encircle the torso, wherein the inductance of the conductive loop is responsive to the cross-sectional area of the torso enclosed by the loop,
• wherein at least one sensor comprises a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting signals generated by the sensor within the vicinity of said physiological monitoring apparatus,
• a microprocessor unit comprising (i) a receiver for receiving signals wirelessly transmitted from said sensors, and (ii) a microprocessor for accepting the received signals and for recording digital data derived from the received signals in a removable computer-readable memory media.