Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly pressurizes a fluid contained in the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly pressurizes a fluid contained in the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are multiple cannulas defining a lumen sized and dimensioned to receive one or more medical instruments, an inflatable outer membrane attached to an outer surface of the cannula, and at least one activator that reversibly activates the cannulas to push a fluid contained in the cannulas into the outer membrane to fill or pressurize the outer membrane. Also disclosed are methods for operating these cannulas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas generator that contains a liquid reactant that reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a carrier that is buoyant in the liquid reactant. The gas generator also has at least one carrier movement restraining member adapted to selectively control the location of the carrier, and at least one compressible body containing a volume of gas. In a first configuration, when an internal pressure of the gas generator is lower than an internal pressure of the compressible body, the compressible body increases in volume, and in a second configuration when the internal pressure of the gas generator is higher than the internal pressure of the compressible body, the compressible body decreases in volume. The carrier movement restraining member restricts the carrier's movement in the first configuration.

Abstract: A fuel supply (10) is attachable to a fuel cell system (12). The fuel supply includes a fuel supply connector (14) configured to be attached to the fuel cell system. A fuel supply connector automatically separates the fuel supply from the fuel cell system in a predetermined manner if exposed to a separation load. Valves (24, 26) or filler material (23a-d) are used to automatically stop the flow of fuel through the fuel supply connector. Alternatively, the fuel supply connector includes a flexible tube (114) and a valve disposed within the connector. The flexibility of the tube prevents the connector from breaking in case of a separation load.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gas generator that contains a liquid reactant that reacts to produce a gas in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a carrier that is buoyant in the liquid reactant. The gas generator also has at least one carrier movement restraining member adapted to selectively control the location of the carrier, and at least one compressible body containing a volume of gas. In a first configuration, when an internal pressure of the gas generator is lower than an internal pressure of the compressible body, the compressible body increases in volume, and in a second configuration when the internal pressure of the gas generator is higher than the internal pressure of the compressible body, the compressible body decreases in volume. The carrier movement restraining member restricts the carrier's movement in the first configuration.

Abstract: A fuel cell includes a removable and replaceable fuel supply having fuel disposed therein. A system for monitoring various parameters of the fuel such as temperature, pressure, and the levels of dissolved oxygen is provided. A plurality of sensors is disposed on the fuel supply side that is capable of communicating with a controller and memory on the fuel cell side. In another embodiment, at least one sensor for measuring a system parameter of the fuel communicates with an RFID tag either remotely or via a hardwired link. The sensor and/or the RFID tag may be coated with a substance impervious to the caustic fuel. An RFID reader station collects the data. The controller may be included to use the data in real time to alter system parameters, such as fuel pumping rates or a bleed off, or to trigger a signal, such as to notify a user of an empty fuel supply.

Abstract: A fuel cell (9) includes a removable and replaceable fuel supply (12) having fuel disposed therein. A system for monitoring various parameters of the fuel such as temperature, pressure, and the levels of dissolved oxygen is provided. A plurality of sensors (30) is disposed on the fuel supply side that is capable of communicating with a controller (18) and memory (13) on the fuel cell side. In another embodiment, at least one sensor for measuring a system parameter of the fuel communicates with an RFID tag (50) either remotely or via a hardwired link. The sensor and/or the RFID tag may be coated with a substance impervious to the caustic fuel. An RFID reader station collects the data. The controller may be included to use the data in real time to alter system parameters, such as fuel pumping rates or a bleed off, or to trigger a signal, such as to notify a user of an empty fuel supply. In another embodiment, an optical sensor (61, 102) may be used.

Abstract: A fuel supply (10) is attachable to a fuel cell system (12). The fuel supply includes a fuel supply connector (14) configured to be attached to the fuel cell system. A fuel supply connector automatically separates the fuel supply from the fuel cell system in a predetermined manner if exposed to a separation load. Valves (24, 26) or filler material (23a-d) are used to automatically stop the flow of fuel through the fuel supply connector. Alternatively, the fuel supply connector includes a flexible tube (114) and a valve disposed within the connector. The flexibility of the tube prevents the connector from breaking in case of a separation load.