Abstract: The invention relates to a disposable bioreactor comprising a reversible, externally attachable sensor arrangement for measuring a physical variable of a contained medium. A sensor adapter (28) for receiving an electronic sensor arrangement (34, 38; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) interacting with the medium cross-flowing the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18), by means of an inner delimiting surface (32a, 32b; 42; 44a, 44b, 46, 48) of the sensor adapter, is integrated into at least one of the peripheral lines (14, 16, 18) of the bioreactor which is used to supply or discharge the medium. Said sensor adapter (28) is mounted on the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) as an insert extending the peripheral line (14, 16, 18) and which can be cross-flown by the contained medium.

Abstract: An oximetry sensor that can be easily applied and attached to a portion of the body of a patient in a noninvasive manner is provided. The oximetry sensor of the present invention includes an adhesive wrap member for use with reusable pulse oximetry sensor electronics (e.g., an LED assembly and a photodiode coupled with a cable) to retain the sensor in the desired position comfortably on a patient. The adhesive member includes a release liner thereover which may include an appliqué or other member thereon, for example, instructions for use. The release liner is configured for removal from the adhesive member in at least one release liner portion subsequent to attaching of the pulse oximetry sensor electronics without disturbing such positioning.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.

Abstract: An oximetry sensor that can be easily applied and attached to a portion of the body of a patient in a noninvasive manner is provided. The oximetry sensor of the present invention includes an adhesive wrap member for use with reusable pulse oximetry sensor electronics (e.g., an LED assembly and a photodiode coupled with a cable) to retain the sensor in the desired position comfortably on a patient. The adhesive member includes a release liner thereover which may include an appliqué or other member thereon, for example, instructions for use. The release liner is configured for removal from the adhesive member in at least one release liner portion subsequent to attaching of the pulse oximetry sensor electronics without disturbing such positioning.

Abstract: An apparatus for warming a portion of a human body, such as a foot of a neonatal infant, comprising an elongated, flexible pouch defining an internal chamber containing a selecting initiable heat generating material, the pouch including a first relatively longer segment and a second relatively shorter segment joined along a narrower neck region. The two segments are independently securable to, for example, the foot of an infant, the longer first segment being secured to the bottom of the foot and extending to the heel and the shorter segment extending upwardly from the heel. Independent securement may be effected by a strap secured to and extending transversely from each segment and having adhesive at a distal end thereof, one strap being wrapped over the instep of the infant to secure the larger segment and the other strap being wrapped forwardly about the ankle, the distal ends of both straps being adhered to their respect segments.

Abstract: Sidestream gas sampling assembly that does not substantially degrade the waveform of expired gases. The gas sampling assembly includes a sample cell portion integrated with a filter portion for separating undesired liquid condensate from respiratory gases to be monitored. The gas sampling assembly is configured to receive expired gases through a gas sampling line, filter undesired liquid condensate from the expired gases through hydrophobic fiber elements and communicate the filtered gases to a sample chamber which is in close proximity to the filter where measurements may be taken thereof e.g., optical or infrared sensing mechanisms. The gases that are substantially free of liquid condensate are then exhausted from the sample chamber.

Abstract: An oximetry sensor that can be easily applied and attached to a portion of the body of a patient in a noninvasive manner is provided. The oximetry sensor of the present invention includes an adhesive wrap member for use with reusable pulse oximetry sensor electronics (e.g., an LED assembly and a photodiode coupled with a cable) to retain the sensor in the desired position comfortably on a patient. The adhesive member includes a release liner thereover which may include an appliqué or other member thereon, for example, instructions for use. The release liner is configured for removal from the adhesive member in at least one release liner portion subsequent to attaching of the pulse oximetry sensor electronics without disturbing such positioning.

Abstract: Methods for inducing changes in the effective ventilation of an individual by varying one or more respiratory parameters to derive measurements which may be utilized to calculate measures of hemodynamic performance, e.g., pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output, are provided. The methods of the present invention are used to attain measurements under the wide array of ventilatory modes available with modem ventilation machines to calculate indicators of hemodynamic performance using a differential form of the carbon dioxide Fick equation.