Abstract: A patient slider device configured to move a patient from a first bed surface to a second bed surface positioned adjacent thereto. The patient slider device includes a frame, a bed engagement assembly and a patient pulling assembly. The bed engagement assembly includes a bumper with the bumper being adjustable relative to the frame. The patient pulling assembly includes a winch assembly, preferably positioned proximate a lower end of the frame, and a sheet engaging clamp assembly. The sheet engaging clamp assembly includes a base member and a locking member structurally configured to clamp a sheet therebetween.

Abstract: An injection apparatus for administering an injectant includes a mixing chamber having an impermeable membrane disposed therein, a first chamber containing a dry component, and a second chamber containing a liquid component. The dry component and the liquid component combine to form a liquid injection solution in the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is configured to retain the liquid injection solution formed by a combination of the dry component and the liquid component. The injection apparatus is selectively configured in a plurality of states including a storage state and a mixing state.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove liquid from a ventilation system can include a housing, a first port extending into an interior volume of the housing and a second port extending toward the first tube, into the interior volume, separated from the first port by a gap that is at least 5 mm in length, such that ventilating fluid transfers from the first port to the second while secretions and condensate escape through the gap, to be trapped in the housing. The first port joins with a ventilator. The second port joins with an intubation tube coupled to a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube. An extraction port is in a floor of the housing so that accumulated liquids in the housing can drain downward and out the extraction port, while minimizing positive end expiratory pressure loss in the ventilation system, and without exposing caregivers to biological material in the drained liquid.

Abstract: A patient slider device configured to move a patient from a first bed surface to a second bed surface positioned adjacent thereto. The patient slider device includes a frame, a bed engagement assembly and a patient pulling assembly. The bed engagement assembly includes a bumper with the bumper being adjustable relative to the frame. The patient pulling assembly includes a winch assembly, preferably positioned proximate a lower end of the frame, and a sheet engaging clamp assembly. The sheet engaging clamp assembly includes a base member and a locking member structurally configured to clamp a sheet therebetween.

Abstract: A remote test apparatus is configured to simulate an environment of at least one remotely located room and configured to receive at least one air sample from the at least one remotely located room. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure forming an interior cavity and including an inlet in connection with the at least one remotely located room and an outlet in connection with a sample collection unit. The sample collection unit is configured to communicate the at least one air sample from the remotely located room at a first flow rate. The apparatus further includes at least one sensor disposed in the interior cavity and at least one air transfer unit configured to transfer test air from the interior cavity of the sealed enclosure to the at least one sensor at a second flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated Nato3 mutant polypeptides. Methods for stimulating a brain cell to differentiate into a dopaminergic progenitor neuronal cell or a dopaminergic neuron comprises increasing phosphorylation of Nato3 in the brain cells and culturing the brain cells until a progenitor dopaminergic neuronal cell marker or a dopaminergic neuronal cell marker is expressed in the cultured brain cells. Methods for treating Parkinson's disease (PD) in a subject comprises administering to the subject in need thereof, a composition comprising progenitor dopaminergic neuronal cells and/or dopaminergic neuronal cells expressing a Nato3 mutant polypeptide to the brain of the subject.

Abstract: An apparatus to remove liquid from a ventilation system can include a housing, a first port extending into an interior volume of the housing and a second port extending toward the first tube, into the interior volume, separated from the first port by a gap that is at least 5 mm in length, such that ventilating fluid transfers from the first port to the second while secretions and condensate escape through the gap, to be trapped in the housing. The first port joins with a ventilator. The second port joins with an intubation tube coupled to a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube. An extraction port is in a floor of the housing so that accumulated liquids in the housing can drain downward and out the extraction port, while minimizing positive end expiratory pressure loss in the ventilation system, and without exposing caregivers to biological material in the drained liquid.

Abstract: An air sampling system is configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of regions. The sampling system comprises an air sample unit and an air sensor in fluid communication with a sensor supply line and configured to measure the air quality metric. A controller is configured to control the air sample unit to selectively direct a selected sample of a plurality of air samples to the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to control the air sample unit to direct the remaining air samples to a sample purge line bypassing the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to change the selected sample over time among the plurality of air samples such that the air quality metric is identified for the plurality of regions.

Abstract: An airway clearance system includes a bladder, a negative pressure relief valve, a positive pressure relief valve, and a port. The bladder is moveable between an expanded state and a compressed state, and defines a first volume in the expanded state and a second volume in the compressed state. The second volume is less than the first volume. The negative pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid to the bladder from an atmosphere surrounding the bladder. The positive pressure relief valve is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid to the atmosphere from the bladder. The port is in fluid communication with the bladder and configured to supply fluid from the bladder when the bladder moves to the compressed state and to supply fluid to the bladder when the bladder moves to the expanded state.

Abstract: An external urine collection system for collecting urine excreted by a female user through the female user's external urethral orifice includes a urinary assembly having a sleeve and a cup that define a collection chamber. The sleeve can be attached to an area around the female user's external urethral orifice by an adhesive. The cup can be coupled to the sleeve through a male connector and female connector that form a liquid tight seal between the sleeve and the cup. An outlet is defined by at least one of the sleeve and the cup for draining urine excreted by the user into the urinary assembly.

Abstract: An air sampling system is configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of regions. The sampling system comprises an air sample unit and an air sensor in fluid communication with a sensor supply line and configured to measure the air quality metric. A controller is configured to control the air sample unit to selectively direct a selected sample of a plurality of air samples to the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to control the air sample unit to direct the remaining air samples to a sample purge line bypassing the sensor supply line. The controller is further configured to change the selected sample over time among the plurality of air samples such that the air quality metric is identified for the plurality of regions.

Abstract: An air sampling system configured to detect an air quality metric for a plurality of volumetric regions is disclosed. The system comprises an air sample return unit, an air flow controller, and at least one sensor. The air sample return unit is configured to independently transfer air from the plurality of regions as a plurality of air samples. The air flow controller is configured to receive each of the plurality of air samples and selectively direct a selected sample to a sensor supply line and the remainder of the samples to a sample purge line. The at least one sensor is configured to measure an air quality metric of the selected sample and communicate the air quality metric to a controller. The remainder of the air samples are directed to the air sample return unit throughout operation.

Abstract: A medical tubing holder system includes a connector, a holding assembly and a retainer block. The holding assembly has an arm, and optional flanges to capture part of medical tubing, such as an endotracheal tube. The retainer block is distal from the holding assembly. The retainer block defines an aperture that receives a tube therein. The aperture is smaller than a tube flange placed between the block and the holding assembly, so as to capture the tube flange. An attachment element joins the holding assembly to the retainer block, and has length that is adjustable to selectively vary a distance between the block and the holding assembly. The attachment element effectively secures the retainer block, holding the tube flange, to the holding assembly and connector, which is secured to the patient's head, to prevent self or accidental extubation. A related method is provided.

Abstract: Strain gauges are mounted on each crank arm of the bicycle and provide a measure of the torque applied to each crank arm. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on opposite edges of each crank arm, which includes a self-contained power, electrical circuitry, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the strain measurement information to a main controller. The main controller includes a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data from both the left and right crank arms and external devices. Memory is also included for storing such data for subsequent analysis to determine the individual leg performance of a cyclist during a race or training session.

Abstract: Strain gauges are mounted on each crank arm of the bicycle and provide a measure of the torque applied to each crank arm. In a preferred embodiment, strain gauges are mounted on opposite edges of each crank arm, which includes a self-contained power, electrical circuitry, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting the strain measurement information to a main controller. The main controller includes a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data from both the left and right crank arms and external devices. Memory is also included for storing such data for subsequent analysis to determine the individual leg performance of a cyclist during a race or training session.

Abstract: A direct digital frequency synthesizer employs residue number system based processors to generate output waveforms of desired frequencies. The frequency synthesizer includes a phase accumulator comprising a plurality of individual adders, each adding a predefined quantity to a digit of a frequency setting word in which the individual digits are residue digits of differing moduli. The outputs of the independent adders form a combined residue output word which is used to address a memory storing signal samples. In one embodiment of the invention, the memory is a dual port ROM storing samples of one-quarter of a sine wave and the dual port ROM is simultaneously addressed to read a selected sample and an associated sample corresponding to the magnitude of a sample of the sine wave advanced by 90.degree. from the first sample.