In one aspect, a method of detecting ischemia within the brain of a patient. The method includes assigning a first value to a first signal generated by a tissue on the right-hand side of the body and assigning a second value to a second signal generated by a tissue on the left-hand side of the body. The method also includes comparing the first value and the second value. The difference between the first value and the second value indicates that ischemia is present within the patient's brain.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/463,190, filed Apr. 16, 2003, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
An apparatus for assessing the brain state of a patient comprises at least one sensor to monitor at least one physiological variable, which provides at least one output signal. In addition, the apparatus for assessing the brain state of a patient comprises a computer processor for receiving the at least one output signal, wherein the computer processor filters the at least one output signal and applies pattern recognition techniques in evaluating the brain state of the subject. The computer processor comprises a first filtering module, which removes transient events not indicative of a brain state, and a second filtering sub-module, which groups together multiple modalities on the basis of classification techniques and incorporates additional information regarding mental states.
