Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in an electronic mode, an encoder may electronically encode the fluid flow selection. A controller may receive the electronically encoded flow selection and transmit a corresponding control signal to an electronic valve to allow the fluid to flow at the selected flow rate. When the system is in a manual mode, backup manual flow selectors may be used to directly control the flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in a manual mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a deployed position. When the system is in an electronic mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a retracted position. Particular applications to gases and anesthesia delivery are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the respiration rate of a patient includes attaching a plurality of electrocardiogram (ECG) electrodes and a pressure sensor to a patient, producing a first respiration signal based on variations detected in signals provided by the ECG electrodes attached to the patient, and producing a second respiration signal based on pressure variations detected in the pressure sensor secured to the patient. The method also includes selecting at least one of the first respiration signal and the second respiration signal based on respective signal qualities and producing a respiration rate from the selected signal. The method also includes providing indicia of the respiration rate. The method may also include displaying ECG signals with the indicia of the respiration rate.

Abstract: One embodiment of a medical monitor includes a lanyard and an electronic package supported in the manner of a pendant. Another embodiment of a medical monitor attaches adhesively to a patient. Both embodiments include a reusable portion housing electronic components for processing measurements of the patient's physiological condition, and a disposable portion including a battery. The physiological measurements may be transmitted to a remote location along with a signal identifying the patient.

Abstract: Patient monitoring systems can include a system for transmitting information from a patient parameter sensor to a patient monitor. The system can include an analog-to-digital converter close to the patient parameter sensor and can transmit digital signals through a cable to the patient monitor.

Abstract: One or more anesthetic vaporizers may be fluidly connected to the anesthetic delivery machine via a vaporizer mounting bar. The vaporizer mounting bar may include multiple vaporizer mounting positions. Each vaporizer includes interlock pins that extend when the vaporizer is opened and prevent the vaporizer from being opened when pushed in. When a first vaporizer is opened, its interlock pins may extend and cause the interlock pins of adjacent vaporizers, and vaporizers within a chain of interlock pin connections, to be pushed in, preventing the other vaporizers from being opened simultaneously with the first vaporizer. In various embodiments, a paddle system may translate the extension of an interlock pin from one vaporizer to the interlock pins of each of the other vaporizers in the direction of the extension, including the interlock pins of vaporizers in non-adjacent and non-chain positions.

Abstract: A system includes a local patient monitor and a plurality of remote patient monitors. The local patient monitor may display a plurality of physiological parameters for a local patient. The local patient monitor may further display a remote monitoring interface with the local patient's physiological parameters. The remote monitoring interface may include a plurality of status icons respectively representing the plurality of remote patient monitors. In one embodiment, the local patient monitor receives alarm information from a first remote patient monitor indicating that one or more physiological parameters for a remote patient are outside of a determined range. The alarm information may include, for example, location information for the remote patient and an alarm condition indicated by the one or more physiological parameters. The local patient monitor may display the alarm information within the remote monitoring interface.

Abstract: In various embodiments, flow rate of fluids, such as oxygen, nitrous oxide, and air, may be electronically and/or mechanically controlled. An electronically controlled auxiliary common gas output (ACGO) valve may direct the gas mixture, including one or more gases and/or anesthetics, either to a primary breathing machine or to an ACGO of an anesthesia delivery machine. The ACGO valve may include a piloted shuttle valve comprising a valve body and a piston configured to translate within the valve body. The piston may divert the gas mixture to a primary breathing system outlet when translated to a first position and to an ACGO when translated to a second position. An electronically controlled drive gas may toggle the position of the piston. In some embodiments, the piloted shuttle valve may be spring loaded and default to directing the gas mixture to the primary breathing system.

Abstract: A patient monitor is synchronized with a portable sensor module by detecting a first coupling of the portable sensor module to the patient monitor. In response to the first coupling, the portable sensor module and the patient monitor each store configuration settings and record patient data acquired through the portable sensor module. After the portable sensor module is decoupled from the patient monitor, the portable sensor module continues to store patient data and the configuration settings stored in the patient monitor and the portable sensor module are allowed to change relative to one another. Upon detecting a second coupling of the portable sensor module to the patient monitor, the portable sensor module and the patient monitor resynchronize with one another to remove any differences in the configuration settings and to provide copies of any patient data missing from either the portable sensor module and the patient monitor.

Abstract: Patient monitoring systems can include a display unit and a patient parameter module. The patient parameter module can be connected to a docking region so as to communicate with the display unit in two or more orientations.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. The fluid flow control system may be operated in an electronic mode and a manual mode. When the system is in a manual mode, mechanical backup flow selectors may be used to select the flow rate of a fluid. The mechanical backup flow selectors may include a position detection system to determine the flow rate of a fluid. Flow selectors of the flow control system may be rotationally engaged with the valve shafts of each needle valve, while allowing them to translate axially. The flow selectors may remain axially fixed while the valve shafts are axially translated with respect to the needle valves in a fluid flow control system.

Abstract: In various embodiments, two or more electronic flow selectors of an electronic fluid flow control system may be used to control the flow rates of multiple fluids. In a total flow control mode, a first electronic flow selector may be used to select a total flow rate of two or more fluids. A second electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate or ratio of a flow rate of one fluid to the total flow rate of the two or more fluids. In a direct flow control mode, each electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate of a unique fluid. One of the fluids may be oxygen, and the other fluid, a balance gas, may be selected as either nitrous oxide or air using an electronic balance gas selector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, two or more electronic flow selectors of an electronic fluid flow control system may be used to control the flow rates of multiple fluids. In a total flow control mode, a first electronic flow selector may be used to select a total flow rate of two or more fluids. A second electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate or ratio of a flow rate of one fluid to the total flow rate of the two or more fluids. In a direct flow control mode, each electronic flow selector may be used to select a flow rate of a unique fluid. One of the fluids may be oxygen, and the other fluid, a balance gas, may be selected as either nitrous oxide or air using an electronic balance gas selector.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in an electronic mode, an encoder may electronically encode the fluid flow selection. A controller may receive the electronically encoded flow selection and transmit a corresponding control signal to an electronic valve to allow the fluid to flow at the selected flow rate. An engagement device, such as a clutch, may disengage the flow selector from a mechanical valve when the fluid flow control system enters a manual mode. When the system is in a manual mode, the engagement device may engage the flow selector with the mechanical valve, allowing the flow selector to directly control the flow rate of the fluid through the mechanical valve. Applications to gases and anesthesia delivery are disclosed herein. Various alternative components and embodiments are described herein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in an electronic mode, an encoder may electronically encode the fluid flow selection. A controller may receive the electronically encoded flow selection and transmit a corresponding control signal to an electronic valve to allow the fluid to flow at the selected flow rate. When the system is in a manual mode, backup manual flow selectors may be used to directly control the flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in a manual mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a deployed position. When the system is in an electronic mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a retracted position. Particular applications to gases and anesthesia delivery are disclosed herein.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an electronic flow selector of a fluid flow control system may be used to select a flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in an electronic mode, an encoder may electronically encode the fluid flow selection. A controller may receive the electronically encoded flow selection and transmit a corresponding control signal to an electronic valve to allow the fluid to flow at the selected flow rate. When the system is in a manual mode, mechanical backup flow selectors may be used to directly control the flow rate of a fluid. When the system is in a manual mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a deployed position. When the system is in an electronic mode, the mechanical backup flow selectors may be in a retracted position. Particular applications to gases and anesthesia delivery are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a patient and graphically representing ST-segment deviations.

Abstract: Patient monitoring systems can include a display unit and a patient parameter module. The patient parameter module can be connected to a docking region so as to communicate with the display unit in two or more orientations.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring a patient and graphically representing ST-segment deviations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a user to interact with a medical imaging system using a touch screen display are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a touch screen display associated with the medical imaging system may receive input from a user based on a position of a contact point of the user with the touch screen display. The contact point may be located within a primary imaging area displaying images captured by the medical imaging system on the touch screen display. Based on the received input, a cursor may be displayed on the touch screen display within the primary imaging area in a particular position relative from the position of the contact point that is different than the position of the contact point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling a user to interact with a medical imaging system using a touch screen display are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a primary imaging area displaying images captured by the medical imaging system may be displayed in a first area of the touch screen display. A touchpad configured to receive input from a user may be displayed in a second area of the touch screen display that is different than the first area. Input provided by the user using the touchpad display may be used to control and/or interact with the medical imaging system. By utilizing a touchpad displayed separate from the primary imaging area, a user may precisely position a cursor, annotation, and/or measurement marker point within the primary imaging area without obscuring the primary imaging area with their body.