Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a navigation system for placing a medical device into a patient. The system may include an external unit configured to be disposed on a chest of the patient, the external unit having: a radiating element configured to produce a first radio frequency (“RF”) signal; and a plurality of three-axis sensors configured to receive a second RF signal. The system may also include a medical device such as a catheter. The catheter may have: a first antenna configured to receive the first RF signal and produce an alternating current; a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current into a direct current; a frequency generator configured to produce a second RF signal that is received by the plurality of three-axis sensors. The RF signals received by the plurality of three-axis sensors may be used to determine a position of the catheter relative to the external unit.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an infection are provided. A method of detecting an infection in a patient includes subcutaneously collecting a whole blood sample in a reservoir of the sampling device. The method further includes removing the reservoir, connecting the reservoir to a sample processor, and transferring the whole blood sample from the reservoir to the sample processor for processing. The method also includes connecting the sample processor to an analytical instrument and analyzing the processed sample via the analytical instrument.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a navigation system for placing a medical device into a patient. The system may include an external unit configured to be disposed on a chest of the patient, the external unit having: a radiating element configured to produce a first radio frequency (“RF”) signal; and a plurality of three-axis sensors configured to receive a second RF signal. The system may also include a medical device such as a catheter. The catheter may have: a first antenna configured to receive the first RF signal and produce an alternating current; a rectifier configured to convert the alternating current into a direct current; a frequency generator configured to produce a second RF signal that is received by the plurality of three-axis sensors. The RF signals received by the plurality of three-axis sensors may be used to determine a position of the catheter relative to the external unit.

Abstract: The present application describes a urine sensing probe and a system for detecting urine. The urine sensing probe includes a needle having a tubular portion and one or more optical fibers positioned within the needle. The one or more optical fibers have a distal surface that is oriented towards a beveled distal section of the needle and is oriented to one of its lateral sides. The distal surface of the one or more optical fibers ranges from about 90 to a critical angle with respect to a vertical axis of the needle. The present application also describes a system for sensing urine including a urine sensing probe.

Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: The present application describes an optical sensor for measuring oxygen gas levels in a medium. The optical sensor includes a substrate having a first and second surface. The optical sensor also includes a first coating applied on the first surface of the substrate. The first coating may include an oxygen impermeable matrix doped with a first fluorophore. The optical sensor may include a second coating applied on the substrate. The present application also describes a capnography system for measuring oxygen including an optical sensor and an algorithm to estimate the maxima of oxygen levels from instantaneous oxygen levels and calculating instantaneous carbon dioxide levels from the difference between average maximum oxygen gas level and instantaneous oxygen gas level.

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus including a pump, a selector valve coupled to the pump, and a chamber in selective fluid communication with the pump through the selector valve is disclosed. The pump includes a pump body that defines a variable volume therein, the pump body further defining a first aperture and a second aperture therethrough. The selector valve includes a first check valve disposed in a first fluid channel of a plurality of fluid channels, the first check valve being oriented to permit flow through the first fluid channel only in a first flow direction, the first flow direction being a flow direction out of the variable volume, and a second check valve disposed in a second fluid channel of the plurality of fluid channels, the second check valve being oriented to permit flow through the second fluid channel only in a second flow direction.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube positioning device includes a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor spaced a predetermined distance from the first Hall sensor, a converter, and an integrated circuit board electrically connecting the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor to the converter, wherein a position range is established for the device based on a symmetry of voltage readings provided from the first and second Hall sensors to the converter. An endotracheal tube positioning system includes an endotracheal tube having a magnet provided toward a distal tip end, an endotracheal tube positioning device having a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor, the positioning device configured to adhere to a skin surface, and a monitor for receiving data based on voltage values provided by the first and second Hall sensors, the data indicating a position of the magnet relative to the adhered position of the positioning device.

Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: An endotracheal tube positioning device includes a first Hall sensor, a second Hall sensor spaced a predetermined distance from the first Hall sensor, a converter, and an integrated circuit board electrically connecting the first Hall sensor and the second Hall sensor to the converter, wherein a position range is established for the device based on a symmetry of voltage readings provided from the first and second Hall sensors to the converter. An endotracheal tube positioning system includes an endotracheal tube having a magnet provided toward a distal tip end, an endotracheal tube positioning device having a first Hall sensor and a second Hall sensor, the positioning device configured to adhere to a skin surface, and a monitor for receiving data based on voltage values provided by the first and second Hall sensors, the data indicating a position of the magnet relative to the adhered position of the positioning device.

Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lumen clearing device for a lumen of an airway device and, in particular, an endotracheal tube. The lumen clearing device may include a shaft and a ridge disposed along a distal portion of the shaft, where the ridge extends from the shaft in a spiral configuration. The lumen clearing device may further include a rotating mechanism connected to a proximal portion of the shaft that is configured to rotate the shaft and the ridge. The shaft may be configured to be inserted into a lumen of an airway tube. The ridge, when rotated as the shaft is inserted into the lumen of the airway tube, may contact and convey a material disposed in the lumen of the airway tube out of the lumen of the airway tube.

Abstract: The present application describes an optical sensor for measuring oxygen gas levels in a medium. The optical sensor includes a substrate having a first and second surface. The optical sensor also includes a first coating applied on the first surface of the substrate. The first coating may include an oxygen impermeable matrix doped with a first fluorophore. The optical sensor may include a second coating applied on the substrate. The present application also describes a capnography system for measuring oxygen including an optical sensor and an algorithm to estimate the maxima of oxygen levels from instantaneous oxygen levels and calculating instantaneous carbon dioxide levels from the difference between average maximum oxygen gas level and instantaneous oxygen gas level.

Abstract: The present application describes a urine sensing probe and a system for detecting urine. The urine sensing probe includes a needle having a tubular portion and one or more optical fibers positioned within the needle. The one or more optical fibers have a distal surface that is oriented towards a beveled distal section of the needle and is oriented to one of its lateral sides. The distal surface of the one or more optical fibers ranges from about 90 to a critical angle with respect to a vertical axis of the needle. The present application also describes a system for sensing urine including a urine sensing probe.

Abstract: A fluid pressure indicating device is disclosed. The pressure indicating device includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore therein, and a piston movably disposed within the cylindrical bore. The housing includes a first portion that is permeable to visible light, a first end member, and a second end member opposite the first end member. A first variable volume is defined by the cylindrical bore, the piston, and the first end member of the housing. An inlet port is defined by the first end member of the housing and is in fluid communication with the first variable volume. A piston bypass channel is disposed outside the cylindrical bore and is in fluid communication with the inlet port. An outlet port is defined by the second end member, such that the outlet port is in fluid communication with the piston bypass channel.

Abstract: A hand held hub sterilization and data acquisition device includes a housing having an opening for receiving a medical device, a sterilization chamber formed in the housing, a source of UV radiation disposed within the sterilization chamber for uniform emission of UV-C radiation into the sterilization chamber, and a safety interlock mechanism. The safety interlock mechanism comprises a Hall sensor and a rare earth magnet, and wherein the Hall sensor senses the magnetic field of the magnet when the access door is closed and sends a signal to the user interface indicating a ready state for excitation of the radiation source.

Abstract: An ultraviolet irradiation system includes a medical device having a central lumen, an optical fiber having a longitudinal length, and an ultraviolet wave generator, wherein ultraviolet waves generated by the wave generator are dispersed along the longitudinal length of the optical fiber to disinfect the central lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: A hand held hub sterilization and data acquisition device includes a housing having an opening for receiving a medical device, a sterilization chamber formed in the housing, a source of UV radiation disposed within the sterilization chamber for uniform emission of UV-C radiation into the sterilization chamber, and a safety interlock mechanism. The safety interlock mechanism comprises a Hall sensor and a rare earth magnet, and wherein the Hall sensor senses the magnetic field of the magnet when the access door is closed and sends a signal to the user interface indicating a ready state for excitation of the radiation source.