Abstract: A portable mechanical ventilator having a Roots blower is configured to provide a desired gas flow and pressure to a patient circuit. The mechanical ventilator includes a flow meter operative to measure gas flow produced by the Roots blower and an exhalation control module configured to operate an exhalation valve connected to the patient circuit. A bias valve connected between the Roots blower and the patient circuit is specifically configured to generate a bias pressure relative to the patient circuit pressure at the exhalation control module. The bias valve is further configured to attenuate pulsating gas flow produced by the Roots blower such that gas flowing to the mass flow meter exhibits a substantially constant pressure characteristic. The bias pressure facilitates closing of the exhalation valve at the start of inspiration, regulates positive end expiratory pressure during exhalation, and purges sense lines via a pressure transducer module.

Abstract: A pressure relief device comprising a valve configured to resiliently deform in response to a predetermined pressure; and a sound dampener configured to dampen a sound generated by the valve when the valve resiliently deforms in response to said predetermined pressure.

Abstract: A collapsible valve comprising a first portion with at least one dimple in a side thereof, and a second portion, the second portion being narrower than the first portion and arranged along an axial dimension of the first portion, the second portion including a cut therein.

Abstract: A needleless valve system includes a cannula comprising a cannula tip; a valve comprising a valve tip, wherein the valve is disposed around the cannula; and a housing comprising a housing tip, wherein the cannula tip, the valve tip, and the housing tip comprise a flat surface when the needleless valve system is in a sealed position.

Abstract: A syringe plunger driver system capable of capturing syringes of widely varying sizes comprises a pair of asymmetric plunger retainer arms pivotally mounted to a plunger driver. The system includes a low profile driver having a length that exceeds its width so that it may be mounted adjacent control modules and other operational modules. The arms are biased toward each other and one arm is longer than the other with a notch on an inside edge to receive the tip of the shorter arm when capturing small syringe flanges. A rotation knob mounted to the front surface of the low profile driver forces the arms apart when rotated to a first rotation position. A force sensor is mounted in the driver to detect occlusions in the fluid line. A processor monitors the force sensed by the force sensor and provides an alarm if the force exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions. A stationary part of the station is to be mounted to a frame of an apparatus for packaging solid drug portions, the stationary part comprising a first part of a dispensing device. A controller and a drive for driving an individualizing mechanism for dispensing separate solid drug portions is comprised by the first part. A detachable part is coupled to the stationary part and comprises a storage container for receiving a plurality of solid drug portions. A second part of the dispensing device, and an information memory means is comprised in the second part. Information reading means on the stationary part are coupled to the controller, wherein the information reading means can read information stored in the information memory means, if the detachable part is coupled to the stationary part.

Abstract: A system for controlling administration of medical fluid includes a fluid passageway to which is attached a first flow regulator, a second flow regulator, and a flow detector. The system also includes a controller for controlling the first and second flow regulators in response to a measurement taken by the flow detector of fluid movement in the fluid passageway. The first flow regulator, such as a pump, is configured to maintain fluid movement at flow values greater than an unrestricted flow value. The second flow regulator, such as a variable adjustable valve, is configured to maintain fluid movement at a flow value less than the unrestricted flow value. A method of controlling administration of medical fluid includes obtaining a target flow value, moving fluid through the disposable assembly, taking a measurement of fluid movement in the disposable assembly, and actuating a flow regulating apparatus.

Abstract: An expandable member bone augmentation system and single-access-point methods for bone augmentation using same are provided. In certain embodiments, a pre-curved stylet with an overlying delivery tube may be used to target an approximately centered target site within a bone structure, facilitating direction thereto of an expandable member useful for creating a cavity that may receive curable material to restore bone height and/or to reinforce the bone structure. An expandable member such as, for example, a balloon can be used to create a plurality of voids by displacing bone material, where the voids can be filled with curable material to augment the bone.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct (7) is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

Abstract: An attachment arrangement has a housing and a needle located within the housing. The arrangement allows administration ports of different sizes to be inserted into and secured within the housing. In certain embodiments, compliant retainers secure the administration port within the housing. In certain other embodiments, the administration port is secured within the housing when the housing is compressed against the administration port by a housing compression element. Once the administration port is secured within the housing, a fluid-tight seal is formed between the attachment device and the administration port.

Abstract: Systems for use with a medical device for reducing medication errors are provided. In one aspect, a system includes a medical device that is configurable with operating limit parameters for providing medication to a patient, and a limiting system. The limiting system includes a memory that includes patient-specific information for the patient and a database includes acceptable operating parameters for providing the medication to the patient using the medical device, and a processor. The processor is configured to compare the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information, and provide a modification of the operating limit parameters for providing the medication to the patient based on the comparison of the acceptable operating parameters with the patient-specific information. Methods and machine-readable media are also provided.

Abstract: A collapsible valve for use in a needleless access connector to reduce the priming volume of the needleless access connector. A needleless access connector with a small priming volume. A method of connecting a first medical device to a second medical device with a needleless access connector with a small priming volume.

Abstract: A device agent including an information accessor for accessing association information obtained via an information reader. The association information includes medical device information for uniquely identifying the medical device, and device agent information for facilitating in an association between the medical device and the information reader. The device agent also includes an associator for associating the medical device and the information reader based on the association information.

Abstract: A patient interface for patient ventilation comprises a frame portion and a head strap system. The frame portion is for surrounding oral and nasal regions of a patient. The head strap system is configured for coupling from a left lateral portion of the patient interface, around a posterior skull of a patient, and to a right lateral portion of the frame portion such that in response to donning of the patient interface, the head strap system supplies a securing force to secure the frame portion in a position over nasal and oral cavities of the patient, the head strap is also configured to retain a head-shape when not in use to enable intuitive donning on the patient.

Abstract: A nebulizer is provided that includes an internal medication chamber and a pressurized gas diverter. The internal medication chamber is configured for holding a medication. The pressurized gas diverter includes a diverter orifice.

Abstract: A carbon-dioxide sampling system for accurately monitoring carbon dioxide in exhaled breath. The system includes a ventilator. The ventilator is configured to ventilate a patient with respiratory gases. The ventilator includes a carbon-dioxide sampling control unit and a carbon-dioxide analyzer. The carbon-dioxide sampling control unit is configured to control the timing of sampling of carbon dioxide in the exhaled breath of a patient, and to control the timing of the analysis of exhaled gases by the carbon-dioxide analyzer.

Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sensing element and an actuator. The sensing element measures a parameter associated with gas in an airway. The actuator actuates the sensing element to prevent contamination build up on the sensing element.

Abstract: A vital-signs patch for a patient monitoring system is disclosed. The patch consists of a housing that is configured to be worn on the skin of a patient. The housing contains a radio, one or more sensor interfaces, a processor, and a battery. The processor can selectably turn portions of the processor off and on and selectably turn power off and on to at least a portion of the sensor interfaces and radio. The processor includes a timer that, each time the timer times out, will turn all the parts of the processor on and start a new timing period. When the processor receives a signal, the processor will turn off power to at least a portion of the processor and at least a portion of the sensor interfaces.

Abstract: A valve for controlling delivery of fluid includes a valve seat comprising a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet and a conical well having an opening, a beveled surface and a bottom, and a valve membrane comprising a conical portion having a base and a tip. The conical portion is configured to fit within the conical well of the valve seat. The valve membrane is configured to fluidly connect the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet when the valve membrane is in an undeformed position and fluidly disconnect the fluid inlet from the fluid outlet when the valve membrane is in a radially deformed position.

Abstract: A system and a method are configured to program, track and/or monitor infusion data (such as proper medication, dosage information, drug identification, patient identification, and/or other information believed to be relevant) for a drug infusion system. An electronic data tag, such as a radio frequency identification device (“RFID”) tag, may be coupled to one or more components of the infusion system, such as a medication container or infusion set.