Continuous positioning apparatus and methods

A method of determining one or more physiologic parameters using a simulated annealing-based algorithm running on a processor of an apparatus, said apparatus further comprising memory and a sensor, said method comprising:

• receiving a first plurality of signals from said sensor, said first plurality of signals relating to a first position of said sensor relative a blood vessel of a living subject;
• storing in said memory data representative of said first plurality of signals;
• using said processor to process said data according to a simulated annealing-based algorithm, said algorithm comprising:
• applying a confidence level to said data;
• generating a random number, said random number indicating a dither sequence to be applied;
• and
• applying said indicated dither sequence to move said sensor to a second location relative said blood vessel, a size or direction of a dither of said dither sequence being based at least in part on said selected confidence level and on said random number;
• receiving a second plurality of signals from said sensor, said second plurality of signals relating to a second position of said sensor relative said blood vessel;
• based at least in part on an evaluation of data representative of said second plurality of signals, determining whether to assign said second location as an optimized location;
• and
• when said second location is determined as said optimized location, determining one or more physiological parameters thereat.

Apparatus for determining one or more physiologic parameters of a living subject using a simulated annealing-based algorithm, said apparatus comprising:

• a sensor configured to be disposed proximate a blood vessel of said living subject, said sensor configured to generate a plurality of signals;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor, said processor adapted to run a computer program thereon, said computer program being adapted to, when executed by said processor, cause said processor to use a simulated annealing-based algorithm, said simulated annealing-based algorithm configured to:
• receive and store in said memory a first plurality of signals obtained when said sensor is in a first position relative said blood vessel;
• associate said first plurality of signals to one of a plurality of confidence levels;
• generate a random trial sequence;
• apply a dither, said dither comprising movement of said sensor to a second position relative said blood vessel, a size or direction of said dither being based on said confidence level and said random trial sequence;
• receive and store into said memory a second plurality of signals obtained when said sensor is in said second position relative said blood vessel;
• associate said second plurality of signals to one of said plurality of confidence levels;
• determine based at least in part on said level of confidence associated to said second plurality of signals whether said second position comprises an optimal position;
• and
• when it is determined that said second position comprises an optimal position, maintain said sensor at said second position and determine said one or more physiologic parameters thereat.

A non-transitory computer readable apparatus comprising media configured to contain a computer program having a plurality of instructions for running a simulated annealing algorithm, said algorithm configured to determine an optimized location for placement of a pressure sensor on a living subject in order to obtain hemodynamic measurements therefrom, said plurality of instructions configured to, when executed:

• receive and store a first plurality of signals from said pressure sensor;
• use said simulated annealing algorithm configured to process said first plurality of signals in order to determine said optimized location of said sensor, said simulated annealing algorithm configured to:
• assign a value indicative of a level of confidence to said first plurality of signals;
• direct said sensor to relocate from a current location to a second location relative a blood vessel of said living subject, a size or direction of said relocation being based on at least said level of confidence of said first plurality of signals and a generated random sequence;
• receive and store into said memory a second plurality of signals obtained when said sensor is in said second location relative said blood vessel;
• and
• assign a value indicative of a level of confidence to said second plurality of signals;
• and
• determine said one or more physiologic parameters at said second location when said value indicative of said level of confidence of said second plurality of signals indicates that said second location comprises said optimized location.