Abstract: A urine collection and disposal system and method applies subatmospheric pressure to a receptacle open to atmospheric pressure which has a urine outlet in fluid communication with a source of subatmospheric pressure. The receptacle receives urine in the receptacle from a urine donor and removes the urine from the receptacle, transporting the removed urine to a reservoir under the force of a pressure differential between atmospheric pressure at the receptacle and subatmospheric pressure at the reservoir. The reservoir urine is discharged at atmospheric pressure, for disposal, from the reservoir while maintaining the reservoir at subatmospheric pressure. A plurality of the receptacles allows simultaneously providing urine to the reservoir from more than one of the receptacles. Sanitizing fluid may be supplied intermediate the receptacle and the reservoir for transport to the reservoir under the force of the pressure differential between atmospheric and subatmospheric.

Abstract: A security device for a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device receives a word or series of words spoken into it as a command by a patient and creates a voice print characteristic of the patient. A subsequent receipt of a voiced command is converted into a test voice print and compared to the patient's voice print. If the system identifies the test voice print as belonging to the patient's voice, it signals the PCA that the patient is requesting a bolus of medication from the PCA. If the device determines that the test voice print does not correspond to that of the patient, the device does not signal the PCA and optionally emits an audible error tone. In this manner, unauthorized people cannot give the patient a bolus dose from the PCA.

Abstract: Indication of worsening health condition in patients with congestive heart failure using the analysis of the speed and pattern of temperature change in a way that is individualized toward patient's health condition.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood pump driver comprises a motor housing and the housing contains a motor for rotationally driving the centrifugal blood pump and a controller operatively associated with the motor for controlling the rotational speed of the motor; a speed selector for generating a selected speed signal signifying a selected rotational speed for the motor; sensors operatively associated with the motor or controller for sensing the rotational speed of the motor and outputting a monitor signal signifying such rotational speed; program memory for storage of a program of microprocessor readable instructions; a microprocessor under program control, in electrical connection with the controller, the speed selector, the sensor and the program memory, for receiving the selected speed signal and generating a speed control signal to the controller signifying the selected speed for the controller, and for receiving the monitor signal and outputting a display signal; a display in electrical communication with the micropro