Abstract: A water trap for a gas analyzer includes self-sealing filters formed of a porous polymer that includes a cellulose extract that causes the polymer to become impermeable on contact with water. The water trap in this way automatically protects the gas analyzer from liquid contamination. Preferably, the gas analyzer monitors a pressure parameter of a pneumatic line connected to the water trap and provides an indication that the water trap should be replaced in the event this pressure parameter indicates an abnormal operating condition.

Abstract: A gas multiple component analyzer includes an infrared source that passes at least one measuring beam through a sample cell that contains the gas to be analyzed. Three measuring signals are generated in response to the measuring beam, and each is indicative of optical energy from the source transmitted through the sample cell in a respective optical region characterized by a respective optical center wave-length and a respective band pass. The three measuring signals are algebraically combined to automatically determine which of the three end gases is present in the sample cell in the greatest concentration, and the concentration thereof. The disclosed system measures concentration of three separate gases having overlapping absorption spectra.

Abstract: A non-dispersive infrared gas analyzer of the type typically used to measure concentrations of gases in medical and industrial applications has no moving parts and employs two or more miniature infrared sources ("microsources") which are electrical current-modulated to produce modulated infrared radiation for synchronous detection. The microsources are operated at different frequencies. The frequency-multiplexed detector signal is demodulated and ratioed to yield an output which is correlated to the gas concentration in the sampler chamber.

Abstract: A vital signs monitor includes an ECG sensor, an oximetric finger probe, a respiration impedance sensor, a respiration strain gauge, and a blood pressure cuff with a pressure sensor. Signals generated by these sensors are processed by a microcomputer which is programmed to cross-reference data from multiple channels in order to improve accuracy. The microcomputer is programmed to select the more regular pulses from the ECG sensor and the finger probe to arrive at a better measure of heart rate. In addition, the microcomputer is programmed to use the strain gauge signal to remove artifacts from the signal generated by the impedance sensor. In this way a more artifact-free measure of respiration rate is obtained. Blood pressure is measured by using timing information derived from pulses sensed by the oximetric finger probe in combination with signals generated by the blood pressure cuff pressure sensor to determine systolic and diastolic pressures of the subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the size of the stomach cavity in humans. A collapsed balloon is packaged in water soluble material and releasably attached to a filler tube. The balloon is inserted into the cavity through the mouth and esophagus and pumped up to a desired volume through the tube after water soluble material packaging has dissolved and the balloon deployed. After stomach fluids also dissolve the releasing mechanism, the filler tube is removed from the stomach. The balloon remains in the stomach for the required dieting time. Its volume prevents the usual ingestion of food into the stomach by obese patients, causing them to feel full, and reducing the desire for food. At the end of this period a puncturing mechanism is introduced into the stomach, punctures the balloon, grasps it and the balloon is removed through the esophagus and mouth.

Abstract: A gas/liquid separator for a gas analyzer includes a separation chamber having a spherically domed upper wall and a pyramid-shaped lower wall. An incoming sample to be separated is introduced into the separation chamber at one corner of the pyramid via an inlet port, liquid is removed via a liquid outlet port at the apex of the pyramid, and gas is removed via a gas outlet port in the domed upper wall. The pyramid forms internal corners, some of which converge smoothly toward the liquid outlet port so as to channel liquid away from the gas outlet port. All internal corners are separated from the gas outlet port by more than 0.05 inches in order to reduce any tendency of liquid which was collected in the internal corners to bridge across to the gas outlet port.