Abstract: A membrane gas dryer includes an upstream fitting assembly, a downstream fitting assembly, a purge tube, and a sample element. The upstream fitting assembly and the downstream fitting assembly include fitting bodies and barrier sleeves. The fitting bodies and the barrier sleeves form purge plenums that are in fluid communication with the purge tube. Sealing interfaces on the fitting bodies maintain fluid-tight seals around the purge plenums as the barrier sleeves rotate about fitting bodies. The sample element includes a water-permeable membrane and passes inside the purge tube such that moisture in a sample gas flowing in a downstream direction through the sample element between the fitting body to the downstream fitting body passes moisture through the water-permeable membrane and into a purge gas flowing in the purge tube in one of an upstream direction or a downstream direction between the purge plenums.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method includes measuring blood flow through a right rotary blood pump, measuring blood flow through a left rotary blood pump, and controlling a speed of one of the rotary blood pumps using a controller that calculates the speed of one of the rotary blood pumps based on the measured blood flow through the other rotary blood pump.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a probe assembly comprising a flange assembly, a probe platform, a platform extension, an extension enclosure, and a fluid coupling assembly is provided. The fluid coupling assembly comprises a removable portion and a retained portion. An engaging interface of the retained portion cooperates with an engaging interface of the removable portion such that, with engagement of the removable and retained portions, respective fluid passages of the removable and retained portions form one or more integrated fluid channels configured to permit passage of fluid through the fluid coupling assembly. The probe assembly is configured such that the probe platform, the platform extension, and the removable portion of the fluid coupling assembly are interconnected and are configured to be withdrawn simultaneously from the probe assembly independent of the retained portion of the fluid coupling assembly.

Abstract: A blood pump controller includes a microcontroller and a communication interface. The microcontroller is configured to communicate with various types of blood pump communication modules. The microcontroller is further configured to determine, based on communication with a particular type of blood pump communication module, the particular type of blood pump communication module communicated with. The microcontroller is further configured to select, based on the determination of the particular type of blood pump communication module, control logic used to control the particular type of blood pump communication module. The microcontroller is further configured to generate, based on the selected control logic, commands for controlling the blood pump communication module. The communication interface is configured to connect the microcontroller to the particular type of blood pump communication module.

Abstract: A membrane gas dryer includes an upstream fitting assembly, a downstream fitting assembly, a purge tube, and a sample element. The upstream fitting assembly and the downstream fitting assembly include fitting bodies and barrier sleeves. The fitting bodies and the barrier sleeves form purge plenums that are in fluid communication with the purge tube. Sealing interfaces on the fitting bodies maintain fluid-tight seals around the purge plenums as the barrier sleeves rotate about fitting bodies. The sample element includes a water-permeable membrane and passes inside the purge tube such that moisture in a sample gas flowing in a downstream direction through the sample element between the fitting body to the downstream fitting body passes moisture through the water-permeable membrane and into a purge gas flowing in the purge tube in one of an upstream direction or a downstream direction between the purge plenums.

Abstract: This document relates to continuity monitoring of electrical conductors. For example, materials and methods for continuity monitoring of conductors for use providing power to a blood pump (e.g., an assist device) are provided.

Abstract: A stable aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody, polysorbate 80, a buffer which inhibits polysorbate oxidation is described along with methods of making the preparation. Also described are formulations with high antibody concentrations which maintain fixed volumes and which may be used on patients of variable weight.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a probe assembly comprising a flange assembly, a probe platform, a platform extension, an extension enclosure, and a fluid coupling assembly is provided. The fluid coupling assembly comprises a removable portion and a retained portion. An engaging interface of the retained portion cooperates with an engaging interface of the removable portion such that, with engagement of the removable and retained portions, respective fluid passages of the removable and retained portions form one or more integrated fluid channels configured to permit passage of fluid through the fluid coupling assembly. The probe assembly is configured such that the probe platform, the platform extension, and the removable portion of the fluid coupling assembly are interconnected and are configured to be withdrawn simultaneously from the probe assembly independent of the retained portion of the fluid coupling assembly.

Abstract: The components of a hand-held shower assembly, namely the hose and spray head, are each made of a polymeric material that has an antimicrobial additive embedded therein or coated on the water passages of each.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for separating a particulate-containing gas flow into particulate and substantially non-particulate flow portions is provided. The apparatus comprises a sample gas inlet, a radial separating ring, a separation draw, a separated gas outlet, a bypass eductor, and a bypass gas outlet. The radial separating ring comprises a separating ring gap defined between an inlet ring orifice and an outlet ring orifice, and is positioned such that a sample gas flow moving downstream from the sample gas inlet through the bypass eductor to the bypass gas outlet passes across the separating ring gap. The radial separating ring is configured such that the inlet ring orifice and the outlet ring orifice are relatively large, in relation to the size of the separating ring gap, and are positioned in close proximity to each other along the direction of the sample gas flow.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxidized collagen compositions wherein the thiomethyl group of one or more of the methionine residues of the collagen have been replaced with methylsulfoxy and/or methylsulfonyl groups.

Abstract: The faucet spout attachment includes a handle that is moved by a user during use from a rest position into a rear position or forward position from which the handle is spring-biased back to the rest position when released. A cam is actuated by the handle that allows the handle to be moved into a locked position for hands-free operation. The handle is mounted on the lower housing piece of a two-piece housing that is rotatable relative to the upper housing piece to allow for alignment of the handle for proper use.

Abstract: A blood pump may be adapted to sense the onset of left ventricular collapse by monitoring a pulsatility index, and may adjust the pump speed to maintain the index at a setpoint. The pulsatility index may be measured by the amount of difference between the maximum and the minimum volume of flow through the pump during a particular time period. The setpoint may be increased when the onset of ventricular collapse is detected, for example, when the pulsatility index falls suddenly. The setpoint may be decreased incrementally when the onset of ventricular collapse has not been detected for a period of time, such as for a particular period of time since the last detection of the onset of ventricular collapse.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxidized collagen compositions wherein the thiomethyl group of one or more of the methionine residues of the collagen have been replaced with methylsulfoxy and/or methylsulfonyl groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxidized collagen compositions wherein the thiomethyl group of one or more of the methionine residues of the collagen have been replaced with methylsulfoxy and/or methylsulfonyl groups.

Abstract: A blood pump may be adapted to sense the onset of left ventricular collapse by monitoring a pulsatility index, and may adjust the pump speed to maintain the index at a setpoint. The pulsatility index may be measured by the amount of difference between the maximum and the minimum volume of flow through the pump during a particular time period. The setpoint may be increased when the onset of ventricular collapse is detected, for example, when the pulsatility index falls suddenly. The setpoint may be decreased incrementally when the onset of ventricular collapse has not been detected for a period of time, such as for a particular period of time since the last detection of the onset of ventricular collapse.

Abstract: Disclosed are oxidized collagen compositions wherein the thiomethyl group of one or more of the methionine residues of the collagen have been replaced with methylsulfoxy and/or methylsulfonyl groups.

Abstract: The adjustable foot support has an internally threaded plastic housing and an externally threaded plastic tubular toe which is threaded into the housing. The two plastic components serve to transfer the weight of the table or cabinet to a support surface. A sleeve of a stainless steel and a collar of stainless steel or similar material are placed about the tubular toe and the plastic housing to present exposed surfaces.

Abstract: The adjustable foot support has been internally threaded plastic housing and externally threaded plastic tubular toe which is threaded into the housing. The two plastic components serve to transfer the weight of the table or cabinet to a support surface. A sleeve of a stainless steel and a collar of stainless steel or similar material are placed about the tubular toe and the plastic housing to present exposed surfaces which give the appearance of a metal foot support.

Abstract: The strainer for the drain assembly is formed of a cup-shaped body having an outer peripheral wall with slots for draining water, an upraised central portion having an inner peripheral wall with slots for draining water and a floor extending between the two walls with openings for draining water. A bail is pivotally secured to the upright central portion for manipulating the strainer. This strainer also has a plurality of tabs which extend outwardly of the body to interfit with a retainer within a sink for securement purposes.