Abstract: A positive-displacement needleless access connector is disclosed that has a housing with a first luer fitting at a proximal end thereof, a base with a second luer fitting at a distal end thereof, and a valve element with a proximal end that creates a seal at the first luer fitting and fastens to the base so that a surface of the valve element is substantially flush with a surface of the base.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling removal of one or more receptacles from a receptacle tray are described herein, in which a removal indicator indicates which of the one or more receptacles to remove. Thereafter, the indicated one or more receptacles may be manually removed from the receptacle tray using a gripping mechanism. The receptacles are secured in the tray with two or more tangs protruding from a front face of the receptacle closest to a connector interface. The two or more tangs fit into respective mating units in the receptacle tray, and one or more protrusions toward the rear of the receptacle, with respect to the two or more tangs, mate with respective mating units in the receptacle tray.

Abstract: A pump having a disposable fluid contacting portion which defines a fluid inlet and outlet and a fluid path there between is presented. The pump includes a drive portion configured to engage the disposable portion to cause fluid to be moved from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. The disposable portion is configured to be selectively coupled to the drive portion. The disposable portion includes a driven membrane which forms a portion of the fluid path, and the drive portion includes a drive membrane. The two membranes are vacuum coupled to each other, whereby movement of the drive membrane causes the driven membrane to move, causing fluid to be pumped through the disposable portion. The pump has particular utility in the medical field for moving fluid from a source to a patient. The pump may include features such as an air-trap, bubble detection, fluid flow controls, and pressure detection.

Abstract: System and components for inducing pleurodesis. A tube device is provided that is generally inert in a first state. The device includes a second state that is configured to provide one or both of mechanical and chemical stimulation to induce pleurodesis. Different sheath and tube configurations are provided for the actuatable features of the device.

Abstract: System, method, and components for hygienic maintenance of a surgical wound configured for drainage of ascites from a body cavity. Different aspects of the system may include one or more of a wound dressing, a pocket for low-profile, hygienic, and aesthetic storage of a drainage catheter configured for attachment to a patient and/or wound dressing, and an apron device configured for installation and/or exchange of a wound dressing.

Abstract: A method of infusing a fluid includes receiving values of one or more infusion parameters for an infusion of a fluid. Based on the received infusion parameter values, an occlusion pressure threshold for the infusion of the fluid is automatically calculated. During the infusion, a fluid pressure value is sensed. An indication is provided responsive to whether a value of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the occlusion pressure threshold.

Abstract: An electronics enclosure is disclosed that provides passive cooling of electronic components while reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions. The electronics enclosure includes an electronics assembly with at least one electronic component and a heat sink coupled to the electronics assembly. The heat sink has a base portion configured to thermally couple to the at least one electronic component when the heat sink is coupled to the electronic assembly. The electronics enclosure also includes a conductive enclosure forming an enclosed volume around the electronics assembly. The enclosure has a first opening configured to fit around the heat sink and at least one second opening. All non-conductive passages from the volume to the external environment have at least one cross-sectional opening having a continuous conductive perimeter with a maximum linear length within the opening of less than one quarter wavelength of a determined maximum shielding frequency.

Abstract: A modular electronics enclosure for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) is disclosed. The electronics assembly includes a first electronic component having an output, a second electronic component having an input with an input impedance, and a circuit matching element having an input coupled to the output of the first electronic component and an output coupled to the input of the second electronic component. The output of the circuit matching element is configured to provide an output impedance that matches the input impedance of the second electronic component. The electronics assembly also includes a conductive surface that forms a volume that encloses the first electronic component and the circuit matching element. All non-conductive passages from the volume to the external environment have at least one cross-sectional opening having a continuous conductive perimeter with a maximum linear length within the opening of less than one quarter wavelength of a maximum shielding frequency.

Abstract: A portable ventilator uses a ROOTS-type blower as a compressor to reduce both the size and power consumption of the ventilator. Various functional aspects of the ventilator are delegated to multiple subassemblies having dedicated controllers and software that interact with a ventilator processor to provide user interface functions, exhalation control and flow control servos, and monitoring of patient status. The ventilator overcomes noise problems through the use of noise reducing pressure compensating orifices on the ROOTS-type blower housing and multiple baffling chambers. The ventilator is configured with a highly portable form factor, and may be used as a stand-alone device or as a docked device having a docking cradle with enhanced interface and monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: A method of tracking an inventory comprises associating a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) values corresponding to a plurality of RFID tags with an inventory item, affixing the plurality of RFID tags to a plurality of surfaces of the inventory item such that antenna axes of the plurality of RFID tags are oriented in a plurality of directions, wirelessly sensing RFID tags affixed to items in the inventory using an antenna array comprising one or more antennae, and deciding, if one or more of the plurality of RFID values associated with the inventory item is sensed, that the inventory item is present in the inventory, otherwise deciding that the inventory item is not present in the inventory.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring the inventory of products in a storage device that has an antenna are provided, wherein each product has a corresponding wireless tag having a unique wireless tag identification.

Abstract: A system and method for processing keystrokes made while operating a medical device to prevent keypad entry errors. The key press-to-press time is monitored and a subsequent key press rejected if the actual key press-to-press time is shorter than a key press-to-press limit. The actual key inactive time between the release of a key and the subsequent press of a key is compared to an inactive time limit. The subsequent key press is rejected if the actual inactive time is shorter than the inactive time limit. Alerts are provided and further key presses are ignored until the operator presses a CLEAR key. The active time of a key press is monitored and compared to an active time limit. If the actual key press active time exceeds the key press active time limit, an alert is provided but the key press is recognized. An adaptive approach is disclosed in which key presses of an operator are monitored and timing limits modified in accordance with the keying patterns of that operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for stabilizing a vertebral body using a structural support to stabilize the vertebral body. The apparatus includes a first curable material deposit proximal to a first endplate of a vertebral body for providing support to the first endplate of the vertebral body and a second curable material deposit proximal to a second endplate of a vertebral body for providing support to a second endplate of the vertebral body. The apparatus also utilizes a stabilizing structure between the first curable material deposit and the second curable material deposit and connecting the first curable material deposit and the second curable material deposit for providing support to the vertebral body.

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: A centralized communication system (CCS) is disclosed that provides a modular, extendible, and scalable communication system that can exchange information between any information systems or networked devices. Information from a single source device or system can be selectively broadcast to one or more predetermined destination devices and systems rather than broadcast to every device on the network. Information may be filtered and processed at one or more selectable points in the communication flow between systems. In certain embodiments, an incoming message is received from the source device in the native message format using the native protocol of the source device and converted to an internal messaging format for internal handling within the CCS, then converted to the native message format of a receiving system and sent to the receiving system using its native protocol. In certain embodiments, a graphical representation of the topology of the CCS may be provided.

Abstract: A drawer that includes a container and a slide assembly is described. The container includes a receptacle and a lid. The slide assembly includes a slider to move laterally along a longest axis of the slider, and an actuator, coupled to the slider, having a detent contact area. When the slider is moved in a first direction along the axis, the actuator is placed into a first orientation, relative to a latch, in which the detent contact area of the actuator engages the detent of a latch. When the actuator is coupled with the detent of the latch and the slider is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction, the actuator is placed into a second orientation, relative to the latch, in which the actuator actuates the latch, thereby decoupling a fastener from the latch and placing a lid in an open position.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located at an upstream end of the manifold. However, the check valve may alternatively be located between injection ports. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite a first seal. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings. Alternatively, two way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use the Plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV product comprises a flexible fluid bag and a container housing for supporting and protecting the fluid bag. The IV product may include an information element such as a bar code, RFID or the like which provides information. The IV product may also include a mechanism for expelling fluid from the fluid bag, such as an inflatable bellows. In one embodiment, the IV product may be mated to a docking station or receptacle. One or more elements may be provided for aligning and connecting the IV product to establish a fluid connection with the fluid bag.