Abstract: A pump is provided that includes a body made at least partially of an elastomeric material and an inlet port and an outlet port, with each port being coupled to the body. The pump further includes a flow passage formed in the body and extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, with at least a portion of the flow passage being normally closed and with the inlet port being fluidicly uncoupled with the outlet port when the pump is in a free-state condition. An actuating device is coupled to the body and is operable for sequentially deforming the body to create a cavity within the normally closed portion of the flow passage, the cavity being in fluid communication with the inlet port, thereby drawing a packet of fluid from the inlet port into the cavity and propagating the cavity and the packet of fluid contained therein toward the outlet port.

Abstract: A pump is provided that includes a body made at least partially of an elastomeric material and an inlet port and an outlet port, with each port being coupled to the body. The pump further includes a flow passage formed in the body and extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, with at least a portion of the flow passage being normally closed and with the inlet port being fluidicly uncoupled with the outlet port when the pump is in a free-state condition. An actuating device is coupled to the body and is operable for sequentially deforming the body to create a cavity within the normally closed portion of the flow passage, the cavity being in fluid communication with the inlet port, thereby drawing a packet of fluid from the inlet port into the cavity and propagating the cavity and the packet of fluid contained therein toward the outlet port.

Abstract: The systems and methods involve creating an opening in the biological tissue of the patient and placing a sampling aperture of the extraction device over the opening. The sampling aperture is defined in a contact surface of the extraction device that is placed into contact with the tissue of the patient. A pump of the extraction device such as a depressible bulb sealed to the body is charged to create a vacuum between the pump through a sampling channel to the sampling aperture, and the vacuum draws the biological fluid from the tissue opening into the sampling channel. An access point is exposed to the sampling channel, and the sample of fluid may be accessed from the access point. The access point may be an extraction opening covered by an access door, and the access door is opened to access the sample.

Abstract: A shuttle valve (12,150,230) is provided having a body (44,152,232) defining an interior chamber (46,154,234). The valve (12,150,230) includes inlet (16,158,238), outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports that are coupled to the body (44,152,232). A shuttle (48, 162,242) is translatably disposed within the chamber (46,154,234) between a first position wherein the inlet (16,158,238) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and outlet (18,160,240) ports are fluidicly uncoupled, and a second position wherein the outlet (18,160,240) and common (14,156,236) ports are fluidicly coupled and the common (14,156,236) and inlet (16,158,238) ports are fluidicly uncoupled. A first check valve (50,50,50) coupled to the inlet port (16,158,238) to permit fluid flow through the inlet port (16,158,238) into the chamber (46,154,234) and to prevent fluid from discharging therethrough.

Abstract: Systems and methods use extraction devices for extracting and monitoring biological fluids of patients. The systems and methods involve creating an opening in the biological tissue of the patient and placing a sampling aperture of the extraction device over the opening. The sampling aperture is defined in a contact surface of the extraction device that is placed into contact with the tissue of the patient. A pump of the extraction device such as a depressible bulb sealed to the body is charged to create a vacuum between the pump through a sampling channel to the sampling aperture, and the vacuum draws the biological fluid from the tissue opening into the sampling channel. An access point is exposed to the sampling channel, and the sample of fluid may be accessed from the access point. The access point may be an extraction opening covered by an access door, and the access door is opened to access the sample.

Abstract: A vacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a fluid source, the vacuum device including an upper member that may be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The upper member defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectively coupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, a first opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communication with the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membrane defining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity and is coupled to the first opening of the lower member.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe is provided that includes a housing, at least one optical fiber disposed within the housing, one end of each of the at least one optical fiber being disposed adjacent an opening in the housing forming a probe face, a binding agent that binds the at least one optical fiber within the housing, and a protective coating sealingly covering the probe face to prevent contaminants from contacting the at least optical fiber. A method for protecting a fiber optic probe having a housing, at least one optical fiber disposed within the housing, one end of each of the at least one optical fiber being disposed adjacent an opening in the housing forming a probe face, and a binding agent that binds the at least one optical fiber within the housing, includes polishing the probe face to create a substantially flat probe face, cleaning the probe face after polishing the probe face and sealing the probe face with a protective coating.