Abstract: A method and apparatus for inactivating viruses in a body fluid. A mixture including a therapeutically effective amount of methylene blue and an amount of a body fluid is formed in a container under sterile conditions and then the container is irradiated with a light field of a suitable intensity and wavelength for activating the methylene blue for a time sufficient to inactivate viruses in the mixture. The mixture is maintained in a substantially static state within the container.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring an infusion pump (10). The method and apparatus provides an encoder (101) which is used with a motor (65) of the infusion pump (10) and a monitoring method which effectively provides rotational directional information. The present invention utilizes a state transition of a first switch (111) indexed against a constant signal from a second switch (113) corresponding to the center of a flag (117) or sector (119).

Abstract: The present invention provides an estimate of the amount of time left on the battery by monitoring not only the voltage available from the battery, but also the amount of current flowing from the battery. It has been found that periodic sampling of the battery voltage and current drain enables accurate battery monitoring. The sampling technique alternates between sampling battery voltage and sampling current drain. An electric circuit is provided which enables the cost-effective sampling to occur. A method is then applied to the sampling signals by a microprocessor which determines the amount of time left under battery power. In a preferred embodiment, a graphic representation is provided of the amount of battery time left.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump (10) for delivering liquids to a patient includes an elastomeric pump chamber (140) contractable between a refill position and a discharge position. An inlet valve (122) is operatively associated with an elastomeric inlet (142) supplying liquid to the pump chamber (140). The inlet valve (122) is selectively positionable in an open position permitting and a closed position preventing flow of liquid between the inlet (142) and the pump chamber (142). An outlet valve (124) is operatively associated with an elastomeric outlet (144) which conveys liquid from the pump chamber (140). The outlet valve (124) is selectively positionable in an open position permitting and a closed position preventing flow of liquid between the outlet (144) and pump chamber (140). A pump motor (256) and associated plunger (120) contracts and expands the pump chamber (140) between the refill position and the discharge position.

Abstract: A nebulizer (10) has a housing (12,14) including an aerosol outlet (22) and a bottom wall (52) with a side wall (50) connected thereto defining a reservoir (54) for a liquid (106). A gas jet (58) extends along a longitudinal axis (60) of the housing (12,14) and through the bottom wall (52) of the housing (12,14), the gas jet (58) defining a gas flow lumen (66) having a gas orifice (64) at its distal end. A liquid nozzle (16) having a liquid orifice (102) at a distal end corresponding to the distal end of the gas jet (58) surrounds the gas jet (58). The liquid orifice (102) is spaced from the gas orifice (64) for nebulization of liquid (106) fed to the liquid orifice (102). A diaphragm (126) made of an elastomer has a slit (130) which is biased closed. Cooperating shoulders between the diaphragm (126) and the gas flow lumen (66) maintain the diaphragm (126) in the gas flow lumen (66) with the slit (130) transverse the length of the lumen.