Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: A network communication and messaging protocol for use in a medical perfusion system, provides the rules which govern how, among other things, information and data is conveyed between the various devices which are connect to the network. The rules define the different types of messages that are used in conveying information and data, as well as the formatting for each of those message types. The various messages provide the ability to configure the perfusion system devices, establish links between the perfusion system devices, and convey various types of information and data, even when the main network controller is unavailable.

Abstract: An adapter pod for use in a medical perfusion system having a data communications network with a plurality of connection points each having a substantially identical network connector. The adapter pod includes a housing and a common connector associated with the housing which is adapted to be connected to one of the network connectors and which has a connector configuration. A device connector is also associated with the housing, is adapted to be connected to a perfusion device, and has a configuration different than the connector configuration of the common connector. A controller is disposed within the housing and is adapted to generate messages in the form of digital data packets.

Abstract: A medical perfusion system for use in connection with the medical treatment of a patient is provided with a first type of perfusion device in the form of a blood pump adapted to pump blood through a fluid conduit connected to the patient, a second type of perfusion device in the form of a sensor adapted to sense a condition relating to the pumping of blood through the fluid conduit and to generate a sensing signal relating to the condition, and a data communications network for operatively interconnecting the perfusion devices. The perfusion system also includes means for transmitting messages in the form of digital data packets among the perfusion devices over the data communications network and a controller operatively coupled to the perfusion devices via the data communications network, the controller having an input device for accepting pump control commands relating to the blood pump from an operator.

Abstract: A medical perfusion system for use in connection with the medical treatment of a patient is provided with a first type of perfusion device in the form of a blood pump adapted to pump blood through a fluid conduit connected to the patient and a second type of perfusion device in the form of a sensing device adapted to sense a condition and generate a sensing signal relating to the condition. The perfusion system also includes an electrical power network having an electrical power line, means for selectively connecting the perfusion devices to the electrical power network, and a controller with an input device for accepting control commands from an operator. The perfusion system could also include a control device, such as a pump, a plurality of sensing devices, and means for specifying the sensing device that the control device should be accept feedback from.

Abstract: A heat exchanger tube (2, 2a, 2b) is made using a hollow, impermeable, monolithic ceramic inner tube (4) and wrapping the inner tube with a circumferentially extending reinforcing material (12) impregnated with a slurry of ceramic particles, particle carrier medium and thermoset binder. The combination of the inner tube and the impregnated reinforcing material is first heated to solidify the thermoset binder. The combination is then sintered to drive off the particle carrier medium and themoset binder to create a two-layer heat exchanger tube including the inner tube and an outer tube (6).

Abstract: A medical perfusion system for use in connection with the medical treatment of a patient is provided with a first type of perfusion device in the form of a blood pump adapted to pump blood through a fluid conduit connected to the patient, a second type of perfusion device in the form of a sensor adapted to sense a condition relating to the pumping of blood through the fluid conduit and to generate a sensing signal relating to the condition, and a data communications network for operatively interconnecting the perfusion devices. The perfusion system also includes means for transmitting messages in the form of digital data packets among the perfusion devices over the data communications network and a controller operatively coupled to the perfusion devices via the data communications network, the controller having an input device for accepting pump control commands relating to the blood pump from an operator.

Abstract: An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A mobile robot for and a method of producing accurate physical lay-out and reference lines or performing work on a plane surface through cartesian coordinates or angle and distance systems is provided. The mobile robot has an on-board computer, a navigation system, and an emissions system. The robot is provided with a drive, for receipt of a floppy, or an internal drive, that can be programmed by an interested party directly or from a remote location by a plug-in. The program is loaded with locations that require treatment, work or equipment positioning. The robot locates and treats the coordinates with emission means, such as an ink jet type marking system, for workmen or for directly performing work at the coordinates.

Abstract: An irrigation system for use in endoscopic procedures for maintaining and controlling flow of irrigation fluid to an internal body irrigation site. The system includes a tubing set comprising inflow and outflow lines and a cassette, and an fluid control module comprising a race and a pumping mechanism that squeezes the inflow line of the tubing set against the race to pump fluid to the irrigation site. The cassette includes a through opening exposing a portion of the inflow line to the race and pumping mechanism so that the cassette merely holds the inflow line in alignment with the pumping mechanism but is not required to resist the compressive force of the pumping mechanism. The cassette may include a second through opening exposing a portion of the outflow line to a valve mechanism to regulate pressure independently of the pump mechanism, and rib-or-groove alignment mechanism to align the inflow line with the pumping mechanism and the outflow line with the valve mechanism.

Abstract: A strong, lightweight composite material having beneficial flexing characteristics is made using a unique reinforcement material. The reinforcement material comprises a fabric incorporating glass rovings with graphite tows in an architectural combination that retains the properties of both materials. Composite structures made using this reinforcement material with a thermosetting or thermoplastic matrix are extremely lightweight, with desirable anisotropic flexing properties. The finished composite structure is extremely useful as an arch support in a shoe to absorb and distribute the forces generated by walking. In distributing forces on the foot such a support will provide the desired stiffness along the longitudinal axis while allowing increased flexibility along the transverse axis.