Abstract: A handheld device measures all vital signs and some hemodynamic parameters from the human body and transmits measured information wirelessly to a web-based system, where the information can be analyzed by a clinician to help diagnose a patient. The system utilizes our discovery that bio-impedance signals used to determine vital signs and hemodynamic parameters can be measured over a conduction pathway extending from the patient's wrist to a location on their thoracic cavity, e.g. their chest or navel. The device's form factor can include re-usable electrode materials to reduce costs. Measurements made by the handheld device, which use the belly button as a ‘fiducial’ marker, facilitate consistent, daily measurements, thereby reducing positioning errors that reduce accuracy of standard impedance measurements. In this and other ways, the handheld device provides an effective tool for characterizing patients with chronic diseases, such as heart failure, renal disease, and hypertension.

Abstract: A handheld device measures all vital signs and some hemodynamic parameters from the human body and transmits measured information wirelessly to a web-based system, where the information can be analyzed by a clinician to help diagnose a patient. The system utilizes our discovery that bio-impedance signals used to determine vital signs and hemodynamic parameters can be measured over a conduction pathway extending from the patient's wrist to a location on their thoracic cavity, e.g. their chest or navel. The device's form factor can include re-usable electrode materials to reduce costs. Measurements made by the handheld device, which use the belly button as a ‘fiducial’ marker, facilitate consistent, daily measurements, thereby reducing positioning errors that reduce accuracy of standard impedance measurements. In this and other ways, the handheld device provides an effective tool for characterizing patients with chronic diseases, such as heart failure, renal disease, and hypertension.

Abstract: A stand-on physiological sensor (e.g. floormat) measures vital signs and various hemodynamic parameters, including blood pressure and ECG waveforms. The sensor is similar in configuration to a common bathroom scale and includes electrodes that take electrical measurements from a patient's feet to generate bioimpedance waveforms, which are analyzed digitally to extract various other parameters, as well as a cuff-type blood pressure system that takes physical blood pressure measurements at one of the patient's feet. Blood pressure can also be calculated/derived from the bioimpedance waveforms. Measured parameters are transmitted wirelessly to facilitate remote monitoring of the patient for heart failure, chronic heart failure, end-stage renal disease, cardiac arrhythmias, and other degenerative diseases.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method of securing a length of flexible conduit to a subject, and adjusting the flexible conduit to a length tailored to the subject, in order to reduce or eliminate excess conduit traversing the subject's body. The apparatus comprises a base with elongate channels for accepting flexible conduit, a lid which mates with the base, and a securing member for attaching the mated base and lid to the body of the subject.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body via a reversibly collapsible sidewall. The upper body has a first channel fluidly coupled to a needle and a second channel fluidly coupled to an interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body has two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber. The chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state where chamber is configured to transition from the collapsed state to the expanded state by introducing fluid into the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body has two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: A medical infusion device including a chamber characterized by an upper body joined to a lower body by a reversibly collapsible sidewall, affixed to the upper body is a downward extending needle, wherein the upper body having two channels, the first channel fluidly coupled to the needle and the second channel fluidly coupled to the interior of the chamber, further wherein each channel is configured to receive fluid from outside of the chamber, the lower body comprising a pierceable barrier that can be pierced by the needle; wherein the chamber has a collapsed state and an expanded state, the collapsed state characterized as the sidewall being collapsed and the needle piercing entirely through the pierceable barrier, the expanded state characterized as the needle less than entirely piercing through the pierceable barrier and the chamber capable of retaining a fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides devices and methods for sterilization/disinfection control of medical devices. In particular, a system is provided which comprises (i) an enclosure which is configured to deliver UV light for purposes of sterilization and/or disinfection; and (ii) one or more medical devices. The enclosure and medical device(s) are configured to communicate such that the system recognizes the identity of the medical device, recognizes that sterilization/disinfection has occurred, and electronically stores data related to the sterilization/disinfection of the medical device(s) within the enclosure. This data storage can occur on the medical device(s) themselves, or on a remote computer.

Abstract: A method of purifying a hydrogen stream using an electrochemical cell having an enclosed electrically conductive cylindrical outer shell and a hollow wet polymeric membrane located within and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member which provides an inner compartment and an outer compartment. An electrode having a longitudinal axis is located within the inner compartment and is spaced from the hollow polymeric membrane. A gas inlet for feeding a hydrogen stream that is to be purified communicates with the inner compartment and a gas outlet is provided for passing purified hydrogen gas thru the cylindrical outer shell. The electrode within the hollow wet polymeric membrane is connected to an anode terminal of a dc supply with an electrical conductor and the outer shell of the cylindrical shaped member is connected to a cathode terminal of the dc supply with another electrical conductor.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method of securing a length of flexible conduit to a subject, and adjusting the flexible conduit to a length tailored to the subject, in order to reduce or eliminate excess conduit traversing the subject's body. The apparatus comprises a base with elongate channels for accepting flexible conduit, a lid which mates with the base, and a securing member for attaching the mated base and lid to the body of the subject.

Abstract: An articulating laparoscopic instrument including a handle, an outer shaft, an end effector, and a wrist assembly. The wrist assembly connects the end effector to the shaft and includes torque and articulation mechanisms. The torque mechanism includes a plurality of links disposed over the rod and connected with one another in a pivotable yet rotationally locked fashion. The articulation mechanism includes a plurality of articulation member disposed over the rod to collectively define a deflection section. The links freely rotate relative to the articulation members, with the rod and links collectively bending in response to a change in shape of the deflection section.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method whereby small particle nano materials may be contained in a highly functional package for fluid separation and/or purification applications. The package consists of an aerogel material which uniformly surrounds the nano-particles. The aerogel may be composed of carbon, silicon, or silicon oxide or other suitable materials. The morphological features of the aerogel may be tailored specifically towards fine particle and ultrafine particle containment while maintaining uniform fluid flow in separation and purification processes. The aerogel may be bonded to a suitable rigid housing by chemical or mechanical means.

Abstract: A method of purifying a hydrogen stream using an electrochemical cell having an enclosed electrically conductive cylindrical outer shell and a hollow wet polymeric membrane located within and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical member which provides an inner compartment and an outer compartment. An electrode having a longitudinal axis is located within the inner compartment and is spaced from the hollow polymeric membrane. A gas inlet for feeding a hydrogen stream that is to be purified communicates with the inner compartment and a gas outlet is provided for passing purified hydrogen gas thru the cylindrical outer shell. The electrode within the hollow wet polymeric membrane is connected to an anode terminal of a dc supply with an electrical conductor and the outer shell of the cylindrical shaped member is connected to a cathode terminal of the dc supply with another electrical conductor.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method whereby small particle nano materials may be contained in a highly functional package for fluid separation and/or purification applications. The package consists of an aerogel material which uniformly surrounds the nano-particles. The aerogel may be composed of carbon, silicon, or silicon oxide or other suitable materials. The morphological features of the aerogel may be tailored specifically towards fine particle and ultrafine particle containment while maintaining uniform fluid flow in separation and purification processes. The aerogel may be bonded to a suitable rigid housing by chemical or mechanical means.