Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.

Abstract: The location of a medical device is determined by receiving one or more signals at the medical device transmitted by one or more beacons, respectively, at known locations. The one or more signals received at the medical device are sent from the medical device to a processor, which determines the location of the medical device based on the received one or more signals. One of the beacons may be a portable patient beacon, the location of which is determined when its signal is received by a medical device, the location of which was previously determined.

Abstract: In a patient controlled analgesia (PCA) system, physiological data is processed and alarms are provided by the controller of the physiological module sensing the data according to a first rule. The physiological data is also processed by a second, separate controller according to a second rule independent from the first controller. According to the second rule, the physiological data may be filtered, processed with physiological data and non-physiological data obtained from another source, such as a remote server, and the PCA delivery device controlled to prevent delivery of medication accordingly. The provided system of multiple processors and rules enables normal alarming by physiological sensor modules while the pausing or prevention of the PCA delivery is controlled by a separate controller. Through this means, not only are false pauses and alarms for PCA delivery reduced, but the normal alarms of the monitors are permitted to function normally.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether the pressure in a fluid line upstream of an infusion pump is becoming lower as pumping draws fluid from the fluid line and fluid container due to a lack of proper venting. An initial pressure is sensed by an upstream pressure sensor at the start of an infusion. After a period of time, which may be determined either by monitoring infusion time or the number of pump cycles completed, a second pressure is sampled and compared to the initial pressure. Various analytical methods may be applied to the sensed pressures to determine upstream pressures or trends. Where an upstream pressure reading indicates a lack of proper venting, an alert signal is provided. Continuous monitoring may occur in which succeeding samples are compared to preceding samples to determine upstream pressures or trends.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring changes in the pressure of a fluid line upstream of an infusion pump to determine when a fluid container has emptied, and to provide a signal indicating that the container needs replacement or replenishment. The difference between averaged pressures over separate time periods is monitored to determine when the fluid container is empty. The system and method are applicable to primary and secondary fluid container setups and can detect the point where the secondary has been emptied and the primary flow has resumed.

Abstract: A thermometer system and method that rapidly predict body temperature based on the temperature signals received from a temperature sensing probe when it comes into contact with the body. A nonlinear, multi-parameter curve fitting process is performed and depending on the errors in the curve fit, parameters are changed or a prediction of the temperature is made. Criteria exist for the differences between the curve fit and the temperature data. The processor switches to a Continuous Monitor State if the curve fit over a limited number of time frames is unacceptable. Determining the start time on which the measurement time frame for prediction is based is performed by tissue contact threshold coupled with a prediction time delay.

Abstract: A system and method of managing therapy provided to patients in an institution. The system monitors all aspects of the medication delivery to a patient, as well as other information related to the patient, such as values of vital signs, laboratory results and patient factors such as history, diagnosis, allergies and the like. The system includes one or more databases of information, including institutionally developed rules, guidelines and protocol representing the best medical practices of the institution. The system provides alerts and/or recommendations based on the application of the rules to the information being monitored, and alerts care givers accordingly, providing for dynamic adjustment of the patient's therapy. The system also monitors the status of the alerts, and if no action is taken in a selected period of time, may escalate the priority of the alert and/or halt the delivery of medication to the patient until the alert is resolved.

Abstract: A system and method for creating, managing and loading selected configuration datasets used to program a patient care device to have a selected behavior is provided. A common configuration database includes medical treatment guidelines and device operating characteristics for a plurality of patient care device types. A processor operatively connected to the configuration database is programmed to construct at least one device-specific configuration dataset for a selected device behavior from the common configuration database and load the device-specific dataset into the memory of a patient care device. Further, the device-specific configuration datasets may contain device communication information, including communication protocols and data structures, for a plurality of patient care devices types and behaviors to enable communication between patient care devices.

Abstract: The concentration of air in a fluid delivery line is determined by monitoring output signals corresponding to the amount of air detected in the fluid and processing those signals along with information as to the time or total volume of fluid dispensed since each signal was produced. The processor determines an air concentration value based on the received signal values, with the air concentration value determined by giving greater weight to more recent signal values. Where the air concentration value exceeds a predetermined value, an alarm signal may be activated or fluid delivery may be stopped. The processor also may determine a secondary air concentration value, which may be determined from the raw signal values instead of the weighted signal values. Where the secondary air concentration value exceeds a second predetermined threshold, an alarm signal may be activated or fluid delivery may be stopped.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring changes in the pressure of a fluid line upstream of an infusion pump to determine when a fluid container has emptied, and to provide a signal indicating that the container needs replacement or replenishment. The difference between averaged pressures over separate time periods is monitored to determine when the fluid container is empty. The system and method are applicable to primary and secondary fluid container setups and can detect the point where the secondary has been emptied and the primary flow has resumed.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether the pressure in a fluid line upstream of an infusion pump is becoming lower as pumping draws fluid from the fluid line and fluid container due to a lack of proper venting. An initial pressure is sensed by an upstream pressure sensor at the start of an infusion. After a period of time, which may be determined either by monitoring infusion time or the number of pump cycles completed, a second pressure is sampled and compared to the initial pressure. Various analytical methods may be applied to the sensed pressures to determine upstream pressures or trends. Where an upstream pressure reading indicates a lack of proper venting, an alert signal is provided. Continuous monitoring may occur in which succeeding samples are compared to preceding samples to determine upstream pressures or trends.

Abstract: A system and method determine when fluid is not flowing properly from a secondary infusion source during a secondary infusion. The system includes an upstream pressure sensor and a processor programmed to receive signals from the sensor and analyze the signals to determine if secondary fluid flow is proper. The processor samples the output signals from the upstream pressure sensor and analyzes the sampled signals to determine if a pressure rise in the infusion line has occurred when the secondary infusion is initiated. If a pressure rise, indicating that fluid from the secondary container has begun flowing into the infusion line, has not been detected, the processor is programmed to provide a signal indicating that attention should be given to the infusion set up.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus comprises a disc rotatably attached to the apparatus such that when the disc engages the ground, a furrow is formed adjacent to a trailing face of the disc. A scraper has a scraper blade oriented substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc, and mounted such that the scraper blade is oriented in close proximity to or touching a lower portion of the trailing face adjacent to an outer edge of the disc. The scraper is adjustably attached to the apparatus such that the scraper blade can be moved inward along the trailing face of the disc as the disc wears while being maintained substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc and in close proximity to or touching the trailing face of the disc. A delivery tube for agricultural material can be attached to the apparatus so that it moves in conjunction with the scraper, and the scraper can be biased against the face of the disc.

Abstract: A furrow opener apparatus comprises a disc rotatably attached to the apparatus such that when the disc engages the ground, a furrow is formed adjacent to a trailing face of the disc. A scraper has a scraper blade oriented substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc, and mounted such that the scraper blade is oriented in close proximity to or touching a lower portion of the trailing face adjacent to an outer edge of the disc. The scraper is adjustably attached to the apparatus such that the scraper blade can be moved inward along the trailing face of the disc as the disc wears while being maintained substantially parallel to the trailing face of the disc and in close proximity to or touching the trailing face of the disc. A delivery tube for agricultural material can be attached to the apparatus so that it moves in conjunction with the scraper, and the scraper can be biased against the face of the disc.

Abstract: A method for running real time tasks alongside a general purpose operating system, such that the real-time tasks are not pre-emptible by the general purpose operating system, and the general purpose operating system runs as if the real-time tasks were not present. This is achieved by disabling all interrupts except one, which is given to the real time tasks, and then periodically polling the hardware devices, notifying the general purpose operating system of hardware events and the passage of time as and when is necessary.

Abstract: Disk coulters are used on numerous soil engaging farm implements to cut furrows into which seed or fertilizer can be deposited. Disk coulters may also be used to cover furrows or simply cut trenches in the land. Typically, an implement or tool bar frame may have several disk coulter assemblies attached to the frame. Some are dedicated to inserting seed into the soil and other fertilizer. In an alternate configuration, the implement or tool bar may have a combination of shanks and coulters. In any given application it may not be necessary to use some of the coulter disks assemblies. Because of the wear on coulters as they move through the soil and encounter rock and other debris, it is advantageous to be able to quickly lift some of the coulter disks out of the soil while operating with other disks. The present invention provides an eccentric rotating element attached to a spring which generally in operation exerts force upwardly on the coulter arm and therefore maintains the coulter in a downward position.

Abstract: The method and system for detecting occlusion in a fluid line upstream of a pump concerns a fluid pump with a pump cycle in which the upstream pressure of the fluid line is communicated to the downstream portion of the fluid line. A pressure sensor located downstream of the pump is capable of measuring a relatively large negative-going pressure in the fluid line. A signal is generated to indicate occlusion based upon detection of negative-going pressure.