Abstract: A belt driven infusion pump for emptying the contents of a syringe is disclosed. The pump includes a syringe pusher including an antisiphon catch and a pressure detector which is used for detecting occlusions or the end of infusion. A syringe clamp for locking a syringe in place is also provided. The syringe clamp is spring-loaded and lockable. A syringe position detector is provided to ensure the proper placement of the syringe prior to and during pumping. A control knob is provided on the face of the pump for controlling both the locking of the syringe barrel clamp and the coupling of the drive belt with a d.c. motor. The pump includes a housing having an elongated slot through which the syringe pusher is connected to the drive belt. A sealing band is connected to the syringe pusher and is moveable with the syringe pusher for sealing the slot against moisture or other contaminants.

Abstract: A catheter carrying a sensor for placement in a catheter adapter has proximal and distal parts with a passage therebetween. The distal part detachably fits within a catheter adapter. The connector, when attached to the adapter, places the passage in fluid communication with and near a catheter lumen. A sensor on the connector within the distal part is exposed to the passage for fluid communication with the lumen. The sensor mounts on a tube or in an inside wall of the distal part and extends within the passage and partially through the distal part to monitor pressure with a first side of the sensor exposed to the passage and a second side of the sensor covering an exit from the connector near the proximal part. The second side is vented to atmospheric pressure and a sensor signal communication means connects the sensor to pass signals from the sensor through the exit.

Abstract: As assembly is provided utilizing a combined catheter and introducer which cooperate to provide efficient infusion of drugs from the in-place assembly even on an intermittent basis with no return blood flow and without the need for any kind of involved valve assembly, or expensive heparin or saline blocks. The introducer is a short thin walled device which receives the catheter therein. The catheter has a plurality of very fine openings in the front end thereof with the openings having a dimension preventing blood backflow, but which allow passage of infusing medication for therapy because of the pressure imparted in the infusion flow of the drugs. The catheter is long enough so that the portion having the openings extends from the front end of the introducer. The front end of the catheter is blunt-ended to decrease trauma during insertion. The openings in the single lumen version extend around the entire circumference of the catheter to prevent the catheter tip from being blocked on one side and closed off.

Abstract: An assembly for introducing a catheter into a blood vessel is provided. The assembly includes a needle hub having a needle secured thereto. The needle includes an elongate shaft having a bevelled tip. A portion of the needle shaft adjacent to the tip has a relatively large outside diameter. The shaft diameter of this portion exceeds the diameter, of the shaft portion adjoining the tip and the diameter of the shaft portion extending between the enlarged shaft portion and the needle hub. A catheter is mounted over the shaft of the needle, and includes an inner surface which bears against the enlarged shaft portion. A substantially leak-proof seal is thereby provided between the catheter and the needle shaft. A needle tip cover is slidably mounted to the needle shaft and is engageable with the enlarged portion of the shaft to prevent its removal therefrom. The catheter is releasably mounted to the needle tip cover.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for an in vivo physiological pressure measurement has a member with a distal end to ease placement of the catheter sensor assembly in vivo. A passage is preferably in an intermediate part of the member and is open but covered by a pressure responsive sensor sealing the passage. The sensor has a first side away from the intermediate part for exposure to in vivo physiological pressure and a second side in fluid communication with the passage. A pressure connecting means for inhibiting liquid communication located between the physiological pressure and the passage is arranged for selectively connection therebetween so that when connected the pressure on the first and second sides of the sensor can be substantially equalized. A control ex vivo makes the selective connection of the second side of the pressure sensor and the physiological pressure.

Abstract: A syringe pump comprises a housing with a syringe retainer. The syringe includes a barrel for liquid medication and a plunger movably positioned in the barrel for expelling the medication. A driver is movably mounted on the housing for engagement with the plunger. A control mechanism within the housing regulates the rate of movement of the driver and plunger during delivery of medication. A monitoring circuit connected to receive signals from a potentiometer and a movable contact associated with the driver indicates driver motion. A microprocessor with memory includes a preset standard to which the signal of motion from the driver is compared. An additional input signal, of motion from a rotary indicator associated with a part of the driver movement motor assembly, is provided to the memory and is compared to plunger travel into the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for temperature dependent offset and fixed offset in a resistance bridge is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a resistance bridge, a compensation network and an instrumentation amplifier. The uncompensated output of the bridge is applied to the input of the instrumentation amplifier. The output of the compensation network is fed into the instrumentation amplifier to compensate for the temperature and offset dependent components of the bridge output. The output and resistance of the bridge are measured under conditions of constant pressure and temperature for different temperatures and pressures and the temperature coefficient of resistance, temperature coefficient of offset and temperature coefficient of sensitivity are calculated. These coefficients are used to select compensation network resistors.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for an in vivo physiological pressure measurement has a member with a distal end to ease placement of the catheter sensor assembly in vivo. A passage is preferably in an intermediate part of the member and is open but covered by a pressure responsive sensor sealing the passage. The sensor has a first side away from the intermediate part for exposure to in vivo physiological pressure and a second side in fluid communication with the passage. A pressure connecting means for inhibiting liquid communication located between the physiological pressure and the passage is arranged for selectively connection therebetween so that when connected the pressure on the first and second sides of the sensor can be substantially equalized. A control ex vivo makes the selective connection of the second side of the pressure sensor and the physiological pressure.