Abstract: A vacuum therapy apparatus includes a vacuum chamber configured to receive an organ to be treated, a vacuum pump coupled to the vacuum chamber and configured to draw air from the vacuum chamber so that blood is drawn into the organ, a controller configured to cause the vacuum pump to undergo an operating cycle in which the organ is changed from a flaccid to an erectile state and then back to an flaccid state, causing tissues of the organ to expand and contract, and a memory provided on a detachable part of the apparatus and configured to store information regarding at least one operating cycle under which the apparatus has operated.

Abstract: A method for detecting a breach in an irrigation line (32) of an irrigation system (10) includes comparing a fluid condition at a first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at a second point located at an irrigation unit (20) to determine whether a disparity of at least a predetermined percentage in the fluid conditions exists. The fluid condition can include a measurement of irrigation fluid pressure, quantity of irrigation fluid (19), rate of flow of the irrigation fluid (19), voltage and/or electrical current through the irrigation fluid (19). The method can include selectively monitoring the fluid condition at the irrigation unit (20) over time using a main control system (22). In another embodiment, the method includes comparing the fluid condition at the first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at each of a plurality of second points.

Abstract: A communications system for an automated irrigation system includes one or more communication lines connecting one or more irrigation units and a main control system of the automated irrigation system, a communications device and a means for transmitting and receiving digital data across the communication lines. The communications device generates the digital data in the form of pulsed signals that are transmitted and received by irrigation fluid flowing through irrigation lines of the irrigation system. The digital data generated and transmitted can be used, for example, to create a data network between the irrigation units and the main control system, to program or reprogram the irrigation units and to provide power to the irrigation units.

Abstract: An irrigation unit (10) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), a first mover (238) and a second mover (268). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and is in fluid communication with a fluid source (18). The first mover (238) rotates the nozzle (220) about a first axis, and the second mover (268) rotates the nozzle (220) about a second axis that is different than the first axis. In one embodiment, the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. At least a portion of the housing (200) can movably extend along the first axis. The second mover (268) can rotate the nozzle (220) about the second axis based upon a pressure of a fluid (19) within the housing (200) and/or upon position of an area (30) relative to the nozzle (220). Further, the second mover (268) can oscillate the nozzle (220) about the second axis. The rotation of the nozzle (220) about the second axis can also be based upon at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed near the nozzle (220).

Abstract: An irrigation system (10) includes one or more alignment guides (38) and an irrigation unit (20). The irrigation unit (20) directs irrigation fluid (19) to at least a portion of an irrigation region (30). The irrigation unit (20) includes a nozzle (220), a sensor (260) that senses a change in position of a portion of the irrigation unit (20) relative to the alignment guides (38), and a unit control system (240). The sensor (260) can be an infrared sensor. The unit control system (240) receives information from the sensor (260) regarding the change in position and adjusts a flow rate of irrigation fluid (19) through the nozzle (220) and/or a position of the nozzle (220) relative to the alignment guides (38). The alignment guides (38) can be formed from a heat absorbing material that is sensed by the sensor (260).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can include an electronic processor (240B) and/or an electronic storage device (240C). The unit control system (240) is in electrical communication with the electronic components (221). The unit control system (240) can process and/or store electronic data generated by one or more electronic components (221). Further, the unit control system (240) can precisely control one or more electronic components (221).

Abstract: A method for irrigating an irrigation region (30) with an irrigation unit (20) includes the steps of subdividing the irrigation region (30) into a plurality of subregions (34), establishing a sequence for irrigating the subregions (34) based on irrigation requirements for the irrigation region (30), and directing a fluid (19) to one or more of the subregions (30) using the irrigation unit (20) based on the sequence. The irrigation regions (30) can be rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and can each have non-overlapping rectangular, square or triangular, similarly-sized subregions (34). The irrigation requirements can include the color of the subregions (34), the elevation of one subregion (34) relative to another subregion (34) and/or other physical conditions. The sequence can be established entirely within a housing (200) of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can perform a self-test on the irrigation unit (20) to make sure that the irrigation unit (20) is functioning properly. Additionally, the irrigation unit (20) can include a cleaner (259u) that is coupled to the housing (200). The cleaner (259u) can clean one or more electronic components (221) that are part of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), an electronic component (221), and a power generator (230). The nozzle (220) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The electronic component (221) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200). The power generator (230) generates electrical energy that is transferred to the electronic component (221). The power generator (230) directly transfers at least a portion of the electrical energy to the electronic component (221) of the irrigation unit (20). The electronic component (221) can be a power storage unit (222) for storing electrical energy for use by the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (10) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), a first mover (238) and a second mover (268). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and is in fluid communication with a fluid source (18). The first mover (238) rotates the nozzle (220) about a first axis, and the second mover (268) rotates the nozzle (220) about a second axis that is different than the first axis. In one embodiment, the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis. At least a portion of the housing (200) can movably extend along the first axis. The second mover (268) can rotate the nozzle (220) about the second axis based upon a pressure of a fluid (19) within the housing (200) and/or upon position of an area (30) relative to the nozzle (220). Further, the second mover (268) can oscillate the nozzle (220) about the second axis. The rotation of the nozzle (220) about the second axis can also be based upon at least one of a wind direction and a wind speed near the nozzle (220).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can perform a self-test on the irrigation unit (20) to make sure that the irrigation unit (20) is functioning properly. Additionally, the irrigation unit (20) can include a cleaner (259u) that is coupled to the housing (200). The cleaner (259u) can clean one or more electronic components (221) that are part of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: A method for irrigating an irrigation region (30) with an irrigation unit (20) includes the steps of subdividing the irrigation region (30) into a plurality of subregions (34), establishing a sequence for irrigating the subregions (34) based on irrigation requirements for the irrigation region (30), and directing a fluid (19) to one or more of the subregions (30) using the irrigation unit (20) based on the sequence. The irrigation regions (30) can be rectangular, square, or hexagonal, and can each have non-overlapping rectangular, square or triangular, similarly-sized subregions (34). The irrigation requirements can include the color of the subregions (34), the elevation of one subregion (34) relative to another subregion (34) and/or other physical conditions. The sequence can be established entirely within a housing (200) of the irrigation unit (20).

Abstract: An irrigation system (10) includes one or more alignment guides (38) and an irrigation unit (20). The irrigation unit (20) directs irrigation fluid (19) to at least a portion of an irrigation region (30). The irrigation unit (20) includes a nozzle (220), a sensor (260) that senses a change in position of a portion of the irrigation unit (20) relative to the alignment guides (38), and a unit control system (240). The sensor (260) can be an infrared sensor. The unit control system (240) receives information from the sensor (260) regarding the change in position and adjusts a flow rate of irrigation fluid (19) through the nozzle (220) and/or a position of the nozzle (220) relative to the alignment guides (38). The alignment guides (38) can be formed from a heat absorbing material that is sensed by the sensor (260).

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), one or more electronic components (221), and a unit control system (240). The nozzle (220) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The unit control system (240) can include an electronic processor (240B) and/or an electronic storage device (240C). The unit control system (240) is in electrical communication with the electronic components (221). The unit control system (240) can process and/or store electronic data generated by one or more electronic components (221). Further, the unit control system (240) can precisely control one or more electronic components (221).

Abstract: A method for detecting a breach in an irrigation line (32) of an irrigation system (10) includes comparing a fluid condition at a first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at a second point located at an irrigation unit (20) to determine whether a disparity of at least a predetermined percentage in the fluid conditions exists. The fluid condition can include a measurement of irrigation fluid pressure, quantity of irrigation fluid (19), rate of flow of the irrigation fluid (19), voltage and/or electrical current through the irrigation fluid (19). The method can include selectively monitoring the fluid condition at the irrigation unit (20) over time using a main control system (22). In another embodiment, the method includes comparing the fluid condition at the first point along the irrigation line (32) with the fluid condition at each of a plurality of second points.

Abstract: A communications system for an automated irrigation system includes one or more communication lines connecting one or more irrigation units and a main control system of the automated irrigation system, a communications device and a means for transmitting and receiving digital data across the communication lines. The communications device generates the digital data in the form of pulsed signals that are transmitted and received by irrigation fluid flowing through irrigation lines of the irrigation system. The digital data generated and transmitted can be used, for example, to create a data network between the irrigation units and the main control system, to program or reprogram the irrigation units and to provide power to the irrigation units.

Abstract: An irrigation unit (20) for irrigating an area (12) with a fluid (19) from a fluid source (18) includes a housing (200), a nozzle (220), an electronic component (221), and a power generator (230). The nozzle (220) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200) and the nozzle (220) is in fluid communication with the fluid source (18) so that fluid (19) from the fluid source (18) is transferred to the nozzle (220). The electronic component (221) is directly or indirectly secured to the housing (200). The power generator (230) generates electrical energy that is transferred to the electronic component (221). The power generator (230) directly transfers at least a portion of the electrical energy to the electronic component (221) of the irrigation unit (20). The electronic component (221) can be a power storage unit (222) for storing electrical energy for use by the irrigation unit (20).