Abstract: Patient data is stored in a medical device, such as an external defibrillator, and may be transferred, or downloaded, from the medical device to a computing device for storage or analysis. In response to the transfer, the medical device protects the patient data so that at least a subset of users cannot access the patient data from the medical device. The other device to which patient data is transferred from the medical device may be remote from the medical device or may be configured to be part of the medical device. The device to which the patient data is transferred from the medical device can be a remote computing device like a computer or server and/or may include or may be an intermediary data management device (DMD). The medical device may be a wearable medical device, such as a wearable defibrillator or a wearable automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Abstract: A system and method scrub a vapor. In one embodiment, a vacuum truck scrubber system includes a liquid vat. The liquid vat comprises liquid. The system also includes a first carbon canister. The liquid vat is connected to the first carbon canister. The first carbon canister contains carbon. In addition, the system includes a second carbon canister. The first carbon canister is connected to the second carbon canister. The second carbon canister contains carbon. In addition, the system includes a third carbon canister. Moreover, the system includes that a vapor comprising contaminants is fed to the liquid vat and is introduced from the liquid vat to the first carbon canister wherein a portion of the contaminants are removed from the vapor. The vapor is introduced from the first carbon canister to the second carbon canister wherein another portion of the contaminants are removed from the vapor.

Abstract: A patient parameter monitoring pod in embodiments of the teachings may include one or more the following features: (a) portable housing containing a power supply, (b) a patient parameter module connectable to a patient via lead cables to collect patient data, the patient data including at least one vital sign, (c) a transceiver adapted to wirelessly transmit the patient data to a defibrillator, (d) a data port adapted to supply the patient data via a direct electrical connection to the defibrillator, and (e) a carrying handle extending from the housing proximate a patient lead cable port that permits connection of the lead cables to the pod, the carrying handle positioned to protect the patient lead cable port and the patient lead cables attached to the port from direct impact.

Abstract: A medical device for caring for a patient includes a patient utility for measuring a patient parameter or administering a therapy to the patient and an alarm system that has a receiver to accept status information about the medical device. A use detector of the alarm system is structured to determine when the medical device is being prepared for use and a status detector of the alarm system is adapted to determine from the status information that the medical device is in a ready state. The alarm system further includes an alarm that is activated when the medical device is both being prepared for use and not in the ready state. This description also includes methods of generating an alarm when the medical device is both being prepared for use and not in the ready state.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method of Advanced Process Control for optimal operation of multi-unit plants in large scale processing and power generation industries. The invention framework includes the following components: continuous real time dynamic process simulation, automatic coefficient adjustment of dynamic and static process models, automatic construction of transfer functions, determination of globally optimal operating point specific to current conditions, provision of additional optimal operating scenarios through a variety of unit combinations, and calculation of operational forecasts in accordance with planned production.

Abstract: According to one aspect, data identifying a component is received, wherein the component is part of a system associated with a wellhead. A location at which the component is positioned relative to one or more other components is identified. The useful remaining operational life of the component is predicted based on at least an operational parameter specific to the location, and the operational history of the component or one or more components equivalent thereto. According to another aspect, a model representing at least a portion of a proposed system associated with a wellhead is generated, the model comprising a plurality of objects, each of which has a proposed location and represents an existing component. The useful remaining operational life for each object is predicted based on an operational parameter at the corresponding proposed location, and data associated with the respective operational history of the existing component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an output of a light fixture. A light fixture of one construction includes four or more light sources and is configured to produce an output that mimics the color temperature changes of an ideal black-body radiator based on one or more input parameters. The input parameters correspond to, for example, a desired target color and an intensity for the desired target color. A white point setting is determined based on the one or more input parameters and a relationship between the one or more input parameters and the color temperature of an ideal black-body radiator. A color temperature transform is selected based on the white point color temperature setting, and is used to determine a color coordinate corresponding to a modified target color. A set of light source output values corresponding to the modified target color are identified, and the light sources are driven to the identified output values.

Abstract: The presence of a cardiac pulse in a patient is determined by evaluating physiological signals in the patient. In one embodiment, a medical device evaluates optical characteristics of light transmitted into a patient to ascertain physiological signals, such as pulsatile changes in general blood volume proximate a light detector module. Using these features, the medical device determines whether a cardiac pulse is present in the patient. The medical device may also be configured to report whether the patient is in a VF, VT, asystole, or PEA condition, in addition to being in a pulseless condition, and prompt different therapies, such as chest compressions, rescue breathing, defibrillation, and PEA-specific electrotherapy, depending on the analysis of the physiological signals. Auto-capture of a cardiac pulse using pacing stimuli is further provided.

Abstract: A directional coupler having (a) a first coupled microstrip section having a first terminus (T1) and a second terminus (T2), (b) a second coupled microstrip section having a first terminus at T2 and a second terminus (T3), and (c) a first phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected across the conductors of the microstrip sections at T2 is disclosed. The coupler also may include a second phase-velocity-compensating capacitor connected at T1, and a third phase-velocity compensating capacitor connected across the conductors at T3.

Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.

Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.

Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.

Abstract: An external medical device can include a medical data collection port for collecting medical data corresponding to a person using the external medical device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication module, and a processor configured to cause the RFID communication module to provide the medical data to an RFID device that is external to the external medical device.

Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.

Abstract: An external medical device can include a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions from a mechanical chest compression device. The processor can also be configured to select at least one filter mechanism, the mechanical chest compression device having a chest compression frequency f. The processor can be further configured to apply the at least one filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal, wherein the chest compression artifacts correspond to the chest compressions being delivered to the patient by the mechanical chest compression device, and wherein the at least one filter mechanism substantially rejects content in the frequency f plus content in at least one more frequency that is a higher harmonic to the frequency f.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonic flow metering. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a plurality of ultrasonic flowmeters. Each of the ultrasonic flowmeters includes a flow processor. The flow processor is configured to maintain a plurality of velocity bins, each of the bins corresponding to a flow velocity range for the flowmeters. The flow processor is also configured to maintain, within each of the bins, a value indicative of past average velocity of fluid flow through a given one of the flowmeters associated with a given one of the bins. The flow processor is further configured to determine, responsive to one of the flowmeters having failed, an estimated average fluid flow velocity through the system based on the values maintained within the bins.

Abstract: A method and means for creating a daylight harvesting controller with a self calibrating light sensor and an adaptive setpoint that maintains a user determined light level is disclosed herein. The system includes a light sensor for monitoring the ambient light level of a designated control zone and a means to receive and interpret light level adjustment commands created by a user or user surrogate. The system includes means to limit the setpoint to a maximum value, suspend daylighting activity when lights are being adjusted or are turned off, and to delay setpoint capture and the start or resumption of daylighting until an adjustment cycle is completed and the zone light sources have reached a nominally steady state.

Abstract: During cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), compressions are delivered to a patient. The CPR compression includes a depth of compression. A medical device uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to determine the depth of compression.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a defibrillator, such as an AED, on a host structure includes a container shell mountable to the host structure. The container shell may be used to store the defibrillator within it. Also included in the container shell is a vibration-dampening material disposed between the host structure and the housing of the defibrillator. The vibration-dampening material is configured to reduce an amount of vibration of the host structure imparted to the defibrillator. This is especially useful for storing AEDs on means of transportation, i.e. where the traveling host structure is a bus, an airplane, a ship, or an elevator, and where the vibration sources from its propulsion system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for verifying temperature measurements in an ultrasonic flow meter. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow metering system includes a passage for fluid flow, a temperature sensor, and an ultrasonic flow meter. The temperature sensor is disposed to measure temperature of fluid flowing in the passage. The ultrasonic flow meter includes a plurality of pairs of ultrasonic transducers and control electronics. Each pair of transducers is configured to form a chordal path across the passage between the transducers. The control electronics are coupled to the ultrasonic transducers. The control electronics are configured to measure speed of sound between each pair of transducers based on ultrasonic signals passing between the transducers of the pair. The control electronics are also configured to determine, based on the measured speeds of sound, whether a measured temperature value provided by the temperature sensor accurately represents temperature of the fluid flowing in the passage.