Abstract: Long-handled lever rotates lower cam surface about an upper pivot axle between 2 spaced-apart fixed wedge-bodies which are further held apart by a lower pivot axle. A movable wedge-body between the fixed bodies rotates on the lower axle due to a cam follower actuated by the lever cam surface. At rest without cam action, the 3 acute-angle-shaped wedge feet form a composite wedge forced into the pry space between beams, etc. With lever rotations, the movable wedge foot moves away from the fixed wedge feet by rotation about the lower pivot axle. The method mounts fixed wedges on first and second pivots. Counterclockwise movement leverages the lever about the first pivot, rotating a convex cam over a concave cam follower on an upper ankle of the movable wedge causing clockwise rotation of the movable wedge about the second pivot resulting in separation of fixed versus movable acute wedge surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sensor for facilitating detection of a physiological characteristic of a patient. Specifically, one embodiment includes a detector configured to obtain signals from the patient, the signals being indicative of the physiological characteristic and to send the signals to a monitor, and a sensor memory coupled with the sensor and separate from the monitor, the sensor memory storing patient physiological data derived by the monitor from the signals, the patient physiological data being indicative of the physiological characteristic.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to determining the quality of signal used for measuring a physiological parameter. One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed towards a pulse oximeter, where the measured physiological parameter includes a patient's pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation. The signal quality is calculated by combining a plurality of signal quality indicators, each of which is an indicator of a quality of the measured signal. The value of the signal quality metric is compared to a threshold and based on this comparison various decisions are made by the medical device. One decision is directed towards deciding whether or not to display the measured physiological parameter, to ensure that only accurate measured values are displayed. Another decision is directed towards providing feedback to guide the clinician to adjust the location of the sensor to a more suitable tissue location.

Abstract: A modular patient care system having a central management unit module and one or more detachable functional units is described. Using unique mechanical and electrical features, the modular patient care system is capable of flexibly, bilaterally, and safely providing electrical power from the central management unit to the attached functional units, with exposed power leads of end units being electrically isolated for safety and security. Functional units are capable of detecting the presence of other functional units more distant from the central management unit for passing power to those units, and for otherwise electrically isolating exposed power leads when no further units are attached.

Abstract: A modular patient care system having a central management unit module and one or more detachable functional units is described. Using unique mechanical and electrical features, the modular patient care system is capable of flexibly, bilaterally, and safely providing electrical power from the central management unit to the attached functional units, with exposed power leads of end units being electrically isolated for safety and security. Functional units are capable of detecting the presence of other functional units more distant from the central management unit for passing power to those units, and for otherwise electrically isolating exposed power leads when no further units are attached.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the quality of signal used for measuring a physiological parameter. One embodiment of the present invention is directed towards a pulse oximeter, where the measured physiological parameter includes a patient's pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation. The signal quality, which is indicative of the accuracy and reliability of the measured physiological parameter, is calculated by combining a plurality of signal quality indicators, each of which is an indicator of a quality of the measured signal. The value of the signal quality metric is compared to a threshold and based on this comparison various decisions are made by the medical device. One decision is directed towards deciding whether or not to display the measured physiological parameter, to ensure that only accurate measured values are displayed. Another decision is directed towards providing feedback to guide the clinician to adjust the location of the sensor to a more suitable tissue location.

Abstract: A method and a device for determining the quality of signal used for measuring a physiological parameter. One embodiment of the present invention is directed towards a pulse oximeter, where the measured physiological parameter includes a patient's pulse rate and blood oxygen saturation. The signal quality, which is indicative of the accuracy and reliability of the measured physiological parameter, is calculated by combining a plurality of signal quality indicators, each of which is an indicator of a quality of the measured signal. The value of the signal quality metric is compared to a threshold and based on this comparison various decisions are made by the medical device. One decision is directed towards deciding whether or not to display the measured physiological parameter, to ensure that only accurate measured values are displayed. Another decision is directed towards providing feedback to guide the clinician to adjust the location of the sensor to a more suitable tissue location.

Abstract: A mechanism for storing and providing historical physiological data, such as blood oxygen saturation data, for a patient. In particular, the historical physiological data is stored in a storage medium that “travels” with the patient and is accessible wherever the patient is moved. This is achieved by storing the physiological data within a sensor assembly. At the destination site, a monitor or a device capable of interfacing with the sensor electronics can retrieve and display the data. The historical physiological data allows a clinician or medical personnel at the destination site to assess the condition of the patient for the entire time that the patient has been monitored. Various types of physiological data can be stored including, but not limited to, blood oxygen saturation, heart rate, and temperature data. Compression of the data can be performed to enhance the storage capability.

Abstract: A modular patient care system having a central management unit module and one or more detachable functional units is described. Using unique mechanical and electrical features, the modular patient care system is capable of flexibly, bilaterally, and safely providing electrical power from the central management unit to the attached functional units, with exposed power leads of end units being electrically isolated for safety and security. Functional units are capable of detecting the presence of other functional units more distant from the central management unit for passing power to those units, and for otherwise electrically isolating exposed power leads when no further units are attached.

Abstract: A modular patient care system is described having unique mechanical, electrical, and logical features. An apparatus is described for allowing a modular connection arrangement wherein modules are detachably connected to each other in a convenient, flexible, interchangeable, and secure manner by providing a hinge connector pair, a specially located latch mechanism, and a guide means between any pair of modules. Additionally, an apparatus and method is described for automatic, sequential, and dynamic logical address assignment of functional units attached to the central management unit, according to their respective position in a linear array of units. Logical address assignment is designed to occur automatically upon a physical reconfiguration of the functional units, without requiring external input or a rearranged scheme for determining the relative physical positions of the functional units.

Abstract: A gas analyzer system and method for detecting and displaying information of gases in a respiratory gas stream, comprising an optical bench including a gas pathway for the flow of a gas stream through the optical bench, a flow shaping inlet at the entrance to the optical bench's gas pathway, two infrared detection channel assemblies for measuring the partial pressures of the gases in the respiratory gas stream, a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure within the gas pathway, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature within the optical bench, and a flow rate sensor for measuring the gas flow rate through the gas pathway, circuitry for processing the detected partial pressures of the gases and the measured values for pressure, temperature, and flow rate, and for providing output signals indicative of processed measured values, the detected partial pressures of the gasses, and characterization information with respect to the optical bench components; analog input circuitry for processing the signals

Abstract: A backflushing system for an inlet filter in an airway adapter in a gas flow sampling and analyzing system includes a back flush fluid supply conduit and sampling conduit connected to the airway adapter by a single coupling element. Flow of back flush fluid causes material blocking the filter to be washed away into the respiratory conduit for disposal. Flow of backflush fluid is restricted to one way flow through the backflush conduit by a disk shaped valve member mounted in the air way adapter.

Abstract: An improved gas analyzer system (FIG.