Abstract: A connector for connecting a first fluid-bearing conduit to a second fluid-bearing conduit, thereby providing a substantially leak-free fluid communication between the first and second fluid-bearing conduits. The second fluid-bearing conduit is located in a receiver and communicates with a receiving port. A frustoconical surface on the receiver defines the receiving port. The connector includes a support, a biferrule, and a biferrule compression assembly. The biferrule is provided with a forward end having a spherical head portion, an aft end having a frustoconical tapered portion, and a bore therebetween for receiving the first fluid-bearing conduit.

Abstract: To improve real time charting of patient information in medical information system for a health care facility, a computer display system, and a method for such a display system, includes a displayed representation of the data sheet of an identified patient in the health care facility. In such a medical information system patient data is stored in data files in a database, wherein each data file in the database is comprised of a plurality of data records. A user positions a cursor on the displayed representation of data sheet provided in the form of an electronic flowsheet, using an input unit, and signals the computer of a selected event. The computer, in response to the signal, determines the selected event from the position of the cursor, determines the current date and time, and accesses a data record or records from the data file based on the selected event and the current date and time.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector includes a cavity wall defining a cavity for receiving a quantity of the sample fluid, the cavity wall being subject to a cavity wall temperature, and a sensor located in the cavity and connected as a first element in a bridge circuit configuration. The sensor exhibits a resistance which is dependent on a temperature of the sensor. A variable resistor having a selectable resistance in response to a control signal is connected in the bridge circuit configuration as a second element. A signal providing means, connected to the balance nodes of the bridge circuit configuration, provides a first signal which is related to a change in resistance of the sensor and thereby representative of the sensor temperature. Means for sensing the temperature of the cavity wall provides a temperature sense signal to a controller, which in response provides a heating control signal to a cavity wall heating means.

Abstract: A flexible patient monitoring system which interfaces a telemetry subsystem with a network by way of a telemetry transmission receiving system and a network controller. The telemetry subsystem includes one or more monitoring instruments, a multiport transmitter, a telemetry subsystem interface, a backchannel receiver module, and a telemetry docking station. The flexible patient monitoring system may be operated to implement network-based, system-originated control of one or more of the patient monitoring functions performed in the system. A particular function that is subject to dynamic control is the transmission of a telemetry signal.

Abstract: A flexible patient monitoring system which interfaces a telemetry subsystem with a communications network by way of a telemetry transmission receiving system and a network controller. The telemetry subsystem includes one or more monitoring instruments, a multiport transmitter, a telemetry subsystem interface, a backchannel receiver module, and a telemetry docking station. Wireless communications between the telemetry subsystem and various nodes on the network are thus enabled. A backchannel communications link on a paging-based communications channel is provided to permit information to be transmitted from a node on the communications network to the multiport transmitter.

Abstract: An analytical instrument preferably in the form of a chromatograph includes a computer, a pneumatic controller responsive to the computer, and planar manifold assembly. The planar manifold assembly includes one or more fluid-handling functional devices that may be surface mounted to a planar manifold. The fluid-handling functional device may be constructed as a valve, operable in response to a control signal from pneumatic controller for controlling fluid flow in selected fluid flow paths in the chromatograph, or as a sensor, a fluid regulator, a fluid flow input or output line, or the like.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the analysis of one or more analytes present in a sample that may be dissolved in a hostile solvent and carried in a first fluid. The first fluid is combined with a first detector fluid to provide a fluid mixture which flows across the surface of an ionization source. The analytes are ionized by means of an ionization process in which electrical charge is transferred from the ionization source and converted into gas phase ion species. The ion current is collected and measured at a collector electrode adjacent to the ionization source. The flow of the first detector fluid is reduced during the presence of the solvent at the ionization source so as to suppress a chemical reaction that heretofore would degrade the sensitivity of the detector.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for extracting an analyte from a sample using a field-portable extraction instrument. The preferred embodiment of the extraction instrument includes an extraction fluid source, a sample container, a valve element, a nozzle, and a collection trap vessel. The methods of the present invention include the steps of inserting the sample into the sample container, attaching the sample container to the instrument, and providing a quantity of pressurized extraction fluid from the pressurized extraction fluid source into the sample container to initiate the extraction process. Extraction is facilitated by directing the extraction fluid into the sample at a rapid flow rate such that the sample and extraction fluid are vigorously mixed and a sample/solvent mixture is created. The valve element is then operated to isolate the extraction fluid source and to fully close the sample container.

Abstract: A microactuator preferably in the form of a microminiature valve for controlling the flow of a fluid carried by a flow channel includes a first substrate having a thermally-actuated member selectively operated by a thermal actuator such that the first substrate thereby develops thermal energy, and a second substrate having opposed first and second major surfaces. The second substrate is attached to the first substrate at the first major surface. The second major surface defines an isolation cell for enclosing a volume when the second substrate is attached to the support to thereby reduce the thermal mass of the microactuator and to thermally isolate the first substrate from the support.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the thermionic ionization detection of one or more particular constituent components of a sample that is present in a fluid mixture. The fluid mixture flows across the interior surface of a central bore in a heated and appropriately sensitized "flow-through" thermionic source. The constituent components are ionized by an ionization process in which electrical charge is transferred from the thermionic source and converted into gas phase ion species. The current of gaseous ions is collected and measured at a collector electrode adjacent to the thermionic source.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the identity and flow rate of a fluid are provided. Linearized output signals are provided. To determine fluid flow, a test fluid is passed through a conduit. A heater associated with the conduit is maintained a temperature greater than the temperature of the conduit in the presence of the test fluid. A measuring voltage is generated, wherein the measuring voltage is indicative of the voltage required to maintain the heater at the specified temperature. A data set is provided to a computer, which compares the measuring voltage with a reference voltage and determines the identity of the test fluid. Further, a flow function is applied to the data set and the fluid flow rate is calculated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the thermionic ionization detection of one or more particular constituent components of a sample that is present in a fluid mixture flow provided to a thermionic source. Radiant energy is directed from a radiant energy source to the thermionic source. The radiant energy is sufficient to effect an elevated temperature in the thermionic source. The heated thermionic source causes ionization of the constituent components by means of an ionization process in which electrical charge is transferred from the thermionic source and converted into gas phase ion species.

Abstract: The effect of barometric pressure variation on the retention time stability of a chromatographic analytical system is compensated by active control of the amount of fluid flow by way of a fluid flow controller, preferably in the form of an electronic pressure control system. Control signals are derived by: receiving data representative of a desired operating condition parameter, such as column inlet pressure; sensing actual operating condition parameters such as inlet pressure p.sub.i and barometric pressure p.sub.

Abstract: A pumping system for pumping fluids at sub-ambient temperatures where the pumping fluid, after it has been used for its analytical application, is expanded such that the energy of expansion of the pumping fluid can be employed for cooling the pump head or pumping fluid prior to pumping.

Abstract: Chromatographic system includes a split/splitless injection port operatively connected to an inlet line for receiving the regulated carrier gas flow, a separation column for receiving at least a portion of the mixture as a column flow, and a split vent line and a septum purge line for outputting respectively a split flow and a septum purge flow. A forward device driver operatively connected to a respective fluid controller controls fluid flow in the inlet line and a back device driver operatively connected to a respective fluid controller controls fluid pressure in the split line. A setpoint controller provides first and second setpoint control output values to a configuration module, which selectably configures the provision of each of the first and second setpoint control output values to a selected one of the forward and back device drivers according to the selection of a split or splitless injection mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing the failure of slender syringe needles used for on column injection in gas chromatographs are disclosed. A needle holder designed to support the needle precludes bucking deflection beyond the maximum allowable value. In a preferred embodiment, the needle used is a tapered needle that has a proximal diameter and a distal diameter that is smaller that the proximal diameter. In these embodiments, the diameter of the bore through the needle holder is slightly larger than the proximal diameter to permit the full insertion of the entire needle structure. The needle holder bore diameter is sufficiently small, however, to preclude catastrophic failure due to buckling.

Abstract: A subtractive measurement technique in which a CRT display light intensity output is biased above a noise range of a low cost sensor by turning on one or more electron beam guns to produce light levels above the noise range. A bias value is measured. Electron beam guns for colors other than the color being measured are turned on. The gun for the color to be measured is then incremented through its operating range and measured light intensity values at each step are obtained using the sensor. The bias value is subtracted from the measured values to obtain the actual light intensity values for the color primary control value to luminance transfer curve being characterized.

Abstract: In a first preferred embodiment of a thermal rotary actuator constructed according to the present invention, an actuator body includes first and second spaced, parallel linear actuator elements each linear actuator element having a respective predetermined coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and respective first and second ends defining the linear actuator element length. The linear actuator elements, in response to a selected temperature differential therebetween, are thereby subject to a predetermined length differential. Means are provided for effecting the selected temperature differential in the first and second linear actuator elements to thereby effect the predetermined length differential. First yoke means, attached to the first ends of the first and second linear actuator elements, include fixing means for fixing the first ends in a predetermined spatial relationship, and means for flexibly attaching said fixing means to the reaction structure.