Abstract: A system monitors cable interface connections in a network. An individual cable interface connection includes a connection between a cable and an associated device in the network. The system includes a plurality of individual interface controllers. The plurality of individual interface controllers monitor one or more cable interface connections in a network. This plurality of interface controllers include a first interface controller for automatically acquiring device type identification data from a second interface controller which is monitoring a connection between a cable and an associated device in the network. The device type identification data is acquired via the cable and the first and second cable interface connections at the end of the cable. The device type identification data supports identification of the device associated with the second cable interface connection.

Abstract: A modular medical care system, housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, includes a plurality of different modules including: (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient; and (b) a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient. A processor processes signals derived from the plurality of different modules. A communication interface provides bidirectional communication between the processor and the plurality of different modules via a network.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a system to monitor a patient. In some aspects, a signal representing a value of a physiological parameter is received from a monitoring device. The received value is a value that caused the monitoring device to trigger an alarm associated with the psychological parameter. A notification is determined based on the received signal and on a second signal that represents a value of a second physiological parameter. The notification is then presented to an operator.

Abstract: A modular medical care system, housing a plurality of different modules providing different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient, includes a plurality of different modules including: (a) a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing signals derived from sensors suitable for attachment to a patient; and (b) a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient. A processor processes signals derived from the plurality of different modules. A communication interface provides bidirectional communication between the processor and the plurality of different modules via a network.

Abstract: An electrically isolated, combined power and signal coupler, for a patient connected device, is disclosed. A docking station and a portable device, capable of docking with the docking station each include a power coupler and an electrically isolated data transducer. The respective power couplers include a magnetically permeable element including a central pole and a peripheral pole and a printed circuit board with an opening through which the central pole protrudes. The printed circuit board includes windings surrounding the central pole opening: a primary winding in the docking station and a secondary winding in the portable device. When the portable device is docked with the docking station, the magnetically permeable element in the portable device and the magnetically permeable element in the docking station are arranged to form a magnetic circuit, and the data transducer in the portable device and the data transducer in the docking station are arranged to exchange data.

Abstract: A docking station advantageously provides a location identifier to a portable processing device which processes the location identifier to determine docking station location (and other information) and to upload settings and configuration information related to an identified location which is retained until a different docking station location is encountered. In a system for use in a docking station suitable for attaching to a portable patient monitoring device for processing signal parameters acquired from a patient, a power coupler couples power to provide electrical power to a portable processing device. An adaptive communication interface, in a first mode of operation, communicates an identifier associated with a particular docking station to the portable processing device, and in a second mode of operation, establishes connection of the portable processing device to a network.

Abstract: A medical workstation chassis including a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment is formed as a monolithic aluminum casting which includes pedestals which mate to heat generating electronic components such as integrated circuits mounted within the first compartment. A plastic thermal barrier is sandwiched between the first compartment and the second compartment to attenuate heat transfer from the chassis to the components, such as a disk drive and battery, housed within the second compartment. A series of heat sink fins are formed along the lateral perimeter of the aluminum casting and are interconnected to the pedestals by a series of large cross section ribs which are also formed as part of the aluminum casting.

Abstract: A process for the application of a pigmented or metallic layer from a foil to a substrate comprising: (i) applying an adhesive to the substrate; (ii) curing the adhesive; (iii) heating the substrate bearing the cured adhesive to render the adhesive tacky; and (iv) transferring the pigmented or metallic layer from the foil to the adhesive-bearing areas of the substrate.

Abstract: A shielded conductor path comprising: a first signal conductor having an input end for acquiring a physiological signal and an output end for coupling the physiological signal to a physiological signal input of a patient monitor, and a second signal conductor positioned with respect the first signal conductor for acting as a shield therefore. An inductance connected in series between an output end of the second signal conductor and the reference signal input of the patient monitor forms a filter circuit which attenuates the level of an interference signal in the second signal conductor. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the inductance is part of an RLC filter circuit contained in a housing which is selectively insertable between an EKG lead set and the EKG signal input of a patient monitor. The selectively insertable filter permits the use of standard EKG lead sets in the presence of RF electrosurgery procedures, without risk of burning the patient at the site of the EKG electrodes.

Abstract: A hot-stamping foil including a metallic layer carried on flexible carrier layer, and having a layer of heat-activated adhesive on the underside of the metallic layer and a layer of a lacquer composition coating the upper surface of the metallic layer, the lacquer being a blend of at least 50% by weight, based on the total dry weight of the lacquer composition, of a copolymer of styrene and maleic anhydride (SMA copolymer) with at least one other acrylic copolymer selected from polymethylmethacrylate copolymers, polyacrylic acid copolymers and styrene/acrylic acid copolymers. Such lacquers have an improved heat resistance.

Abstract: An image display control signal is developed from a plurality of bit-plane memories having digital image data stored therein, by applying bits corresponding to the same location that are simultaneously read out from the plurality of bit-plane memories to a control input of a respective one of a corresponding plurality of switches. A digital signal representative of a display characteristic (such as intensity) for each of the bit-plane images is applied to a D/A converter for generating an analog display characteristic signal. The analog display characteristic signal for each bit-plane is applied to the signal input of a respective one of the switches. The signal output of each switch is coupled to a processing circuit which processes the analog display characteristic signals for developing the image display control signal. In a preferred embodiment, the processing comprises selecting the analog display characteristic signal corresponding to the greatest image intensity as the image display control signal.