Abstract: The present invention provides a system for measuring flow of a fluid through a line. In the system, a region of fluid along the line is isolated from pressure effects outside of the region. A source region contains a measurement gas in communication with the isolated region, such that the source means and the isolated region together define a fixed volume, and such that a change in volume of fluid in the isolated region produces a complementary change in the volume of the source means with a resulting change in the pressure of the measurement gas contained in the source region. Further provided is a reservoir in communication with the source means for containing a known volume of measurement gas, and means for pumping measurement gas from the reservoir. The pressure of the measurement gas in the reservoir and the source region is monitored. This pressure data is then analyzed to determine the volume of fluid in the isolated region.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting the presence of an infiltration condition in a line delivering fluid to a patient. Stepping means subjects the fluid in the line to a negative pressure step. The pressure of the fluid is monitored, and processing means then determines whether an infiltration condition is present by determining whether the function of line pressure over time in response to the occurrence of a negative pressure step exhibits a relative slow return to the pre-step pressure, such relatively slow return being characteristic of the presence of infiltration.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for detecting the presence of drops in a fluid drop path, such as that in a medical infusion system, and for discriminating between signals resulting from true drops and signals resulting from aberrant fluid flow. A transducer generates a drop signal related to the presence of a drop in a fluid drop path. Also generated is a reference quantity related to the value of the drop signal in the absence of a drop. The deviation of the drop signal from the reference quantity is calculated, and is compared with first and second threshold values. The results of these two comparisons are then used to determined the presence or absence of a true drop.

Abstract: In a fluid flow control system a weight comparator compares the weight of fluid in a reservoir with a weight reference that is programmed to decrease at a desired rate. A fluid flow comparator compares the actual fluid flow rate with a programmed fluid flow rate and operates directly on a flow controller to control fluid flow in the system. The weight comparator operates indirectly on the flow controller by recurringly updating the programmed fluid flow rate so that flow is controlled on a current basis by the fluid flow comparator and on a long-term basis by the weight comparator.

Abstract: A dispensing arrangement in a fluid line that isolates a region of fluid in the line from pressure effects in the line outside the region. A housing of measuring fluid surrounds the region so that changes in the measurement fluid pressure cause changes in the pressure of the original fluid in the region. Predetermined volume increments of the measurement fluid are displaced, causing changes in the original fluid pressure in the region which are measured by a pressure transducer. The dispensing arrangement also repetitively dispenses fluid into and out of the region in increments monitored by the pressure transducer.

Abstract: An infusion pump has a removable reservoir including a piston and drive member. The drive member is an internally threaded elongated portion of the piston. A motor rotates a short drive screw, which engages the threads of the drive member to displace the piston in the reservoir. In one embodiment the piston is attached to the drive member by a severable central stem which breaks away to allow engagement with the drive screw. With the stem severed, the piston cannot be retracted, or the reservoir refilled. Other safety features are shown for locking the displaced piston in the reservoir. A digital metering system has a safety circuit to prevent dangerous failure modes of the rotation sensor and motor drive systems.

Abstract: A device for reducing the rate of flow from a reservoir as the reservoir empties requires only a single chamber having an input, for receiving fluid from a reservoir, and an output port. There is a provision for sensing fluid level in the chamber, and a separate provision for reducing the flow through the output port when fluid level in the chamber has fallen to a predetermined level. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, fluid level is sensed by a float, which, after falling to a predetermined level, actuates a plunger that reduces flow through an aperature at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A method of color imaging involves the steps of (a) forming an image while introducing a predetermined chromatic difference in lateral magnification, (b) storing the image on a medium such as color film, and (c) forming from the stored image, another image, while introducing a chromatic difference in lateral magnification that is opposite to the predetermined difference in lateral magnification introduced in step (a). The system of the invention has, in a basic embodiment, a first lens system for forming an image while introducing a predetermined chromatic difference in lateral magnification, a medium such as color film to store the image, and a second lens system to form, from the stored image, a second image while introducing a chromatic difference in lateral magnification that is opposite to the predetermined chromatic difference in lateral magnification introduced by the first lens system. The invention also relates to the stored images formed as described above.

Abstract: A microphone mounting device has a shaft emulative of a microphone handle and a structure, for holding the microphone, attached to the shaft. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the structure includes a ring having a central axis that is attached to the shaft in such a way that the central axis is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft. In this embodiment there are disposed around the ring a plurality of elastic loops that releasably hold the microphone in place.

Abstract: A non-binary digital encoding/decoding process wherein the serial bits to be transferred are encoded into a stream of complementary-bit-pairs, a predetermined bit of each pair corresponding to an original information bit, and the other bit of the pair being the complement of that bit. This stream of encoded complementary-bit-pairs is transferred, as by a communication or information-storage medium, to a decoder where the encoded stream is fed to and along a shift register. The bit-pairs in the decoder register are continuously examined for complementary relationship as the encoded stream is shifted along the register. The resulting signal generated in the decoder enables transferral of only error-free serial information out of the register, due to the error-detection properties inherent to the encoding/decoding process.

Abstract: A test indicator determines concentration, in a biological fluid, of a metabolic acid, such as beta-hydroxybutyrate or lactic acid. The indicator includes a test surface containing the dried residue resulting from impregnation of the surface with components including a tetrazolium salt, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), an electron carrier, and the enzyme that is a dehydrogenase for the specific metabolic acid being assayed. The indicator also includes a physically distinct provision for buffering the reaction. In accordance with the concentration of the metabolic acid being assayed, the indicator provides a predetermined color or intensity which can be observed either with the naked eye or with instrumentation such as a reflectance meter.

Abstract: A device for calibrating a Spirometer includes a hand driven syringe having magnetic elements displaced along the shaft of the syringe piston at intervals corresponding to designated volumes. A Hall effect transducer senses the passage of the magnetic when the syringe piston is actuated and transmitts pulses to a timer so that average rate of flow delivered by the syringe can be derived.

Abstract: A receptacle that can be incorporated into a molded body includes a metal receptacle and a case in which at least part of the metal receptacle is imbedded. The receptacle made in accordance with the present invention can be embodied in sport shoes, particularly golf shoes, to receive cleats. Such a receptacle is particularly suited to direct incorporation into relatively soft molded materials, such as polyurethane.

Abstract: A programmable correlator correlates a sampled information signal with a programmable reference signal. The correlator utilizes a plurality of stages. Each stage includes an information register, a multiplier, and a reference register. The correlator in some embodiments permits storage in the reference registers of a series of samples of a signal related to the reference signal during the time that the sampled information signal is cascaded from one information register to the next.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a signal which varies as the ratio of the frequency of a first stream to a second stream. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, the first stream is transformed into a first signal of value proportional to the frequency of the first stream, and the second stream is transformed into a second signal that has a value proportional to the product of the second stream frequency times a feedback value. The feedback value is derived from a combination of the first and second signals.

Abstract: A portable device for recumbency of the head and neck providing support for the same while travelling or in other situations where discomfort arises from lack of adequate support. The device is provided with a surface having a generally concave shape with respect to a vertical axis of curvature corresponding approximately to the central vertebral axis of the neck. The concave shape is fashioned so that it has symmetrical left and right halves, opposing areas of which are designed to exert gentle pressure in the vicinity of the mastoid processes of the head, a region near the base of the head, and located at the sides thereof almost at the rear. There are two embodiments of the device, one a padded resilient sheet curved to provide the support surface and a second in the form of an inflatable pillow.

Abstract: A fender maintains separation between a vessel, such as a pleasure boat, and a wharf to which the vessel is moored. The fender utilizes a thrust rod, one end of which is connected to the vessel. In a preferred embodiment, the other end of the thrust rod is linked to one end of each of two elastic shock absorber elements. The other ends of each of such shock absorber elements are capable of being affixed to the wharf. The embodiment also provides wheels at the wharf end of the thrust rod to reduce friction between the thrust rod end and the wharf.

Abstract: There is provided a procedure for determining the concentration of a metabolic acid in a biological fluid. The method involves use of a tetrazolium salt, a pyridine nucleotide, an electron carrier, and an enzyme that is a dehydrogenase for the specific acid being assayed. These components are used to form an assay mixture; thereafter a quantity of the fluid to be assayed is combined with the assay mixture, so that there may commence a reaction in which the tetrazolium salt is changed to a formazan in an amount that is indicative of the concentration of the specific acid. In a preferred embodiment, the procedure permits assay of the concentration of beta-hydroxybutyrate, and the assay mixture includes components in the relative proportions of 0.8 micromoles 2-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(p-nitrophenyl)-5-phenyltetrazolium chloride (INT), 0.32 micromoles phenazine methosulfate (PMS), 1.5 micromoles nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and 0.

Abstract: There is provided an improved fuel burner of the type having an air blower and blast tube. The improvement involves placement of an air-deflecting object inside the housing of the air blower or in the blast tube. In one embodiment, the object has a V-shaped cross section, and is attached to a gently tapered cylinder; the object can be held in place by inserting it through a hole of appropriate dimension in the air blower or blast tube, and tapping on the exposed end of the tapered cylinder until the latter is engaged in the hole. There is also provided a method of improving a fuel burner by mounting a air-deflecting object of the type described in the air blower housing or in the blast tube.