Abstract: A menu driven reprogrammable drug pump is provided with a memory, such as flash memory, a display, a keyboard, and a communications port to allow a generic pump to be programmed with a desired pump application (therapy) program and patient specific settings. Programming and data transfer with another pump or a computer to and from the patient pump is by the communications port that allows local and/or remote communications with the pump. Flash memory stores the pump application program during use. Patient safety is provided by a cassette identification system, an occlusion detection system, and a latch/lock detection system. Automated testing of the pump is by a closed loop testing system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring pressure conditions in the fluid pressure upstream and downstream of an intravenous fluid administration system and to detect upstream and/or downstream occlusions. In addition, the invention incorporates a method for detecting pressure conditions at an upstream or downstream detector across the wall of the tubing to identify upstream or downstream occlusions, respectively. The present invention also relates to a process for determining the fluid pressure in a fluid tube across the tube wall where the normal tube force changes over time, and more particularly, using a normalization process to eliminate changes in the tubing resilience.

Abstract: A medical infusion pump system includes a clamshell housing, a plate, and a pump. The clamshell housing includes a first shell and a second shell hingedly connected together allowing the housing to be in an open position or in a closed position. The housing defines one open end and an interior space. A plate releasably engages the housing at the open end when the housing is in the closed position. The plate defines an opening communicating with the interior space and includes attachment structure. The pump is removably attachable to the attachment structure of the plate and includes a retaining portion. When the pump is attached to the plate, the retaining portion retains the housing in the closed position.

Abstract: A self-filling blood collection device has a frusto-conical body through which a channel extends. The body is formed to have a lure end to mate with a needle and another end that is fitted with a hydrophilic filter that allows air to pass through but is self-sealing when exposed to fluid. The cavity volume of the channel is configured to accept different minute amounts of blood for testing. An insert may be fitted within the channel of the device to decrease the cavity volume so that a smaller amount of blood is collected. Once punctured with a needle attached to the lure end of the device, blood from the patient will self-fill the channel of the device due to the blood pressure of the patient. A vent cap may be added to the device to make it adaptable to be used with all types of blood analyzer equipment.

Abstract: A pressure plate for use with a pump includes a top surface configured for receipt of a tube and a plurality of side edges defining a channel communicating with the top surface. The pressure plate also includes a pair of hooks and a loop for releasably attaching the pressure plate to the pump. Attachment structure is provided for fixedly attaching the first end of the top surface to the pump. A method for attaching to a pump a reservoir having a tube includes providing a pressure plate with first and second ends and having an inlet tube slot and an outlet tube slot for holding the tube; attaching the first end of the pressure plate to the pump using a fastener, the fastener allowing the pressure plate to pivot toward and away from the pump; inserting the tube into the inlet tube slot and outlet tube slot; pivoting the second end of the pressure plate toward the pump; and attaching the second end of the pressure plate to the pump.

Abstract: This invention relates to adaptors designed to secure an infusion-type pump to an enclosure for delivery of fluids, including medicaments, and the like to a patient in need of such treatment. The enclosure is of a type designed to house a fluid reservoir and conduit extending from the fluid reservoir to the infusion-type pump. The adaptor forms a substantially planar plate having a back face and a front face. The front face includes guides and a support plate to align the pump onto the adaptor. Securing grips are provided to secure the pump onto the adaptor. The adaptor has a back face to reversibly engage the enclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering a fluid during a series of infusion intervals, consecutive infusion intervals being separated by a non-infusion interval, each infusion interval beginning at a predetermined time and having a first predetermined period, and each non-infusion interval beginning at a predetermined time and having a second predetermined period. The apparatus comprises a pump mechanism and circuitry operatively connected to the pump mechanism. The circuitry is configured so that, if the pump is disabled during one of the infusion intervals, the circuitry will determine the length of time the pump is disabled, interrupt the infusion interval while the pump is disabled, and delay the beginning of subsequent infusion and non-infusion intervals for a length of time approximately equal to the length of time the pump is disabled.

Abstract: Grass cutting machinery particularly suitable for mowing golf greens which are covered in early morning dew has an apparatus for preparing the grass in advance of the grass cutting blades. This relies on creating a flow of air around the dew covered grass to dislodge the dew from the grass. The flow of air can be effected by a blower, or suction.

Abstract: This invention relates to reusable pressure plates designed to position tubing along a tubing support surface to facilitate peristaltic pumping of fluids from a fluid reservoir to a patient. Preferred embodiments of this invention include reinforced pump anchors to securably but releasably affix the pressure plate to the control module portion of an infusion system and cantilevered spring support to maintain pump accuracy and enabling the use of more durable materials for pressure plate manufacture.

Abstract: A closed-loop system automates the testing of medical devices. The system includes a medical device, a testing device, and a computer. The medical device has a tube for transporting a fluid and is programmed to perform various tests. The testing device is connected to the tube of the medical device to measure various parameters related to the tests conducted by medical device. The computer is electrically connected to both the medical device and the testing device for substantially automating the testing of the medical device.

Abstract: Reusable cassettes for a drug pump are disclosed to house a fluid reservoir and tubing extending from the reservoir across a tubing support surface of the pressure plate of the cassette. A hinged housing provides reversible access to the fluid reservoir. Reuse of a portion of the pressure plate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for enabling and programming a plurality of pumps wherein each pump can be selectively enabled and loaded with an application program. Each pump also has an interface port. The system comprises a central computer having a storage medium configured to store a plurality of application programs and a remote computer. The remote computer has a first interface arranged and configured to be operatively connected to the interface port of the pumps, a second interface arranged and configured to be operatively connected to the central computer, and circuitry operatively connected to the storage medium, the first interface, and the second interface.

Abstract: An infusion system having a pumping mechanism with tube-engaging members for pumping fluid through a tube, a releasable pressure plate that can be attached and detached from the pumping mechanism having a releasable attachment mechanism for attaching an infusion tube to the pressure plate such that the infusion tube can be engaged by the tube-engaging members when the pressure plate is attached to the pumping mechanism, and an infusion tube for delivering fluid from a fluid source to a patient that is arranged and configured to be attached to the pressure plate by the attachment mechanism and used with the pumping mechanism. The infusion tube can be quickly replaced by detaching the infusion tube from the releasable attachment mechanism and attaching a new infusion tube to the pressure plate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus used to place a catheter having a distal end and a proximal end where the proximal end cannot be trimmed within a patient. The method and apparatus utilize a device operative in locating the tip of a catheter, which includes a detector assembly having a detector and a locator. The detector of the detector assembly is locked into positioned remote from the distal end of the catheter prior to inserting the catheter in the patient. The distal end of the catheter is trimmed, as to define a trimmed distal end, the detector is then unlocked and placed proximate the trimmed end. In the preferred embodiment the detector is locked into place proximate the trimmed distal end and the catheter is placed within the patient.

Abstract: A portal assembly includes a port with at least one resealable septum, and a tube extending from the port with the tube being sized to be received inside a catheter, an angled surface surrounding the tube wherein the angled surface diverges away from the tube in a direction away from the port, and sleeve structure for forcing the end of the catheter into the angled surface, thereby forcing the end of the catheter radially inwardly toward the tube and forming a thickened portion adjacent the end of the catheter to seal and hold the catheter. In a dual port construction, the outlet tube are parallel to one another at their distal ends, and the sleeve structure forces the end of the catheter into the angled surface, thereby forcing the end of the catheter radially inwardly toward the tubes and forming a thickened portion adjacent the end of the catheter to seal and hold the catheter and to prevent cross-talk between lumens of a dual lumen catheter.

Abstract: A flexible, integral polymer resistance heated conduit is provided that is particularly suitable for use with physiological fluids. The conduit is highly effective in uniformly heating a fluid and in maintaining the fluid at a uniform, predetermined temperature. The conduit is inexpensive and easy to manufacture, and is at least partially transparent or translucent, thereby allowing easy viewing of its contents.

Abstract: A gas elimination device for cellular fluids has a cylindrical chamber that is divided radially into two parts by a cylindrical filter centrally located in the chamber. The fluid inlet is directed tangentially to the outer part of the chamber to create a vortex flow. The vortex flow is stopped by passage of the fluid through the filter, and gas bubbles that have formed rise to the top of the outer part of the chamber. A hydrophobic membrane covers the top of the chamber and allows the gas to exit the chamber to the atmosphere. A one way valve formed in a two part cap covering the chamber prevents flow of air into the chamber. A float valve stops flow when the chamber fills with air.

Abstract: A batch process for the conversion of organic solid waste material containing cellulose and lignin through liquid thermophilic aerobic digestion comprises comminuting the organic solid waste material, adjusting the moisture content of the comminuted material to at least 90% parts by weight of water, mixing the comminuted material with a thermophilic aerobic micro-organism, adjusting the pH of the mixture to 5.5-7.5 and supplying heat and oxygen to the mixture to effect thermophilic aerobic digestion of the mixture. The thermophilic aerobic digestion of the mixture is terminated after the mixture has stabilized as a low nitrogen material but prior to digestion of the cellulose and lignin in the mixture, and the stabilized mixture is separated into solid and liquid fractions. The process includes the monitoring of parameters for determining the termination of digestion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for monitoring pressure conditions in the fluid pressure upstream and downstream of an intravenous fluid administration system and to detect upstream and/or downstream occlusions. In addition, the invention incorporates a method for detecting pressure conditions at an upstream or downstream detector across the wall of the tubing to identify upstream or downstream occlusions, respectively. The present invention also relates to a process for determining the fluid pressure in a fluid tube across the tube wall where the normal tube force changes over time, and more particularly, using a normalization process to eliminate changes in the tubing resilience.