Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing the volume of fluid required to purge a patient's blood from a blood sampling site after the blood has been sampled for measurement. A coil is formed in the fluid flow line between the source of fluid and the blood sampling site by looping the fluid flow line around on itself in order to generate turbulence in the fluid flow to help purge the patient's blood from the blood sampling site after sampling. This turbulence-inducing coil is conveniently formed in a fluid flow line extending from the upstream end of a blood chemistry sensor module which is adapted to be installed in the fluid flow line of a standard IV infusion set as part of a combined infusion fluid delivery and blood chemistry monitoring system.

Abstract: An improved sensor apparatus of a kind that positions a semi-permeable membrane adjacent to an electrode assembly, for measuring a predetermined parameter, e.g., glucose concentration, of an adjacent fluid sample. A special compressible ring serves a first function of tensioning the membrane so that it is maintained in intimate contact with the electrode assembly, and it further serves a second function of sealing the fluid sample from the external environment.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: A computer system includes a computing device such as a microcontroller and a memory device. The memory device is illustratively a serial device connected to the serial port of the microcontroller. The memory device includes a page latch load circuit which provides serial I/O to the microcontroller and transfers I/O bits in a predetermined order to/from the page latches. Page latches are connected over many bit lines to a memory cell array. The page latches not only supports programming and reading of sectors in the memory cell array, but also provides one or more of the following functions: directly accessible to the microcontroller as an SRAM scratch pad, directly loadable from the memory cell array to facilitate single byte "read-modify-write" operations, and loadable during programming operations to support real time applications.

Abstract: A low power recording devices permits various flexible power options, including a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the telephone wall socket and from the RS-232 socket of a computer, and a no-battery option in which the recording device satisfies its entire power requirements from the power source for the mobile telephone. Neither no-battery option exerts a significant additional load on the power source. Voice signals are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory. Facsimile signals either are digitized and stored in low power non-volatile memory, or are decoded and stored in low power non-volatile memory. An audio recording and playback capability through an integrated speaker-microphone pair is provided.

Abstract: Each device of a family of removable digital media devices (310, 320, 330, 340, 350 and 360) may be plugged into a host to permits the host to store data in it or to retrieve data from it. The form factors of the digital media devices in the family and the connector system used by the digital media devices are compact for minimizing the volume of space occupied in portable devices and for easy storage. Some embodiments (310, 320, 330, 350 and 360) provide an elongated compact form factor that provides easy and firm grasping for insertion and removal. The digital media devices of the family have respective body portions (312, 322, 332, 342, 352 and 362) preferably of a rigid or semi-rigid material. Preferably, the digital media devices of the family use serial memory requiring few power and signal lines, so that few electrical contacts are required.

Abstract: An improved electrode assembly is disclosed for use in assaying glucose in solution, e.g., in undiluted whole blood. The assembly includes a sensor electrode and a special overlaying multi-layer membrane that can be sterilized by gamma radiation without reducing the activity of a glucose oxidase enzyme located in an intermediate layer of the membrane. An outer layer of the membrane is formed with microscopic pores having a predetermined density and predetermined size, for reliably controlling the flux of glucose and oxygen from the solution to the intermediate layer, where they react in the presence of the glucose oxidase enzyme to form reactions products that include hydrogen peroxide. The outer layer thus functions as a diffusion barrier, to eliminate the adverse effects of any oxygen deficit that might be present. In addition, an inner layer of the membrane functions as an interference barrier, for controlling the permeation of the hydrogen peroxide reaction product to the underlying electrode.

Abstract: An improved system is disclosed for monitoring a patient's blood chemistry, wherein the system intermittently draws blood samples from the patient into a special sensor assembly having a plurality of analytical sensors, each sensitive to a particular parameter of the blood. After signals produced by these various sensors have been read, the system reinfuses the blood samples back into the patient. Withdrawal of the successive samples to a desired, optimal position within the sensor assembly is achieved by monitoring signals produced by one or more of the analytical sensors, themselves. This allows a catheter that connects the sensor assembly to the patient to have a variable length and internal volume and obviates the need for a separate, dedicated sensor for detecting the arrival of the blood sample at the desired position.

Abstract: A computer system includes a computing device such as a microcontroller and a memory device. The memory device is illustrtively a serial device connected to the serail port of the microcontrollerThe memory device includes a page latch load circuit which provides serial I/O to the microcontroller and transfers I/O bits in a predetermined order to/from the page latches. Page latches are connected over many bit lines to a memory cell array. The page latches not only supports programming and reading of sectors in the memory cell array, but also provides one or more of the following functions: directly accessable to the microcontroller as an SRAM scratch pad, directly loadable from the memory cell array to facilitate single byte "read-modify-write" operations, and loadable during programming operations to support real time applications.

Abstract: Novel calibration solutions are provided which are useful, for example, with sensor assemblies used for analysis of CO.sub.2, and optionally, for concurrent analysis of O.sub.2, especially in combination infusion fluid delivery/blood chemistry analysis systems which include a sensor assembly with each of the assembly electrodes mounted in an electrode cavity in the assembly. The analysis system used in the practice of the present invention typically includes provision for delivering infusion fluid and measuring blood chemistry during reinfusion of the physiological fluid at approximately the same flow rates. The invention calibration solutions are useful for calibrating an array of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring a number of blood chemistry parameters, including the partial pressures (tensions) of carbon dioxide and oxygen, pH (hydrogen ion), sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, chloride, glucose, lactate and hematocrit, in body fluids.

Abstract: Novel calibration solutions are provided which are useful, for example, with sensor assemblies used for analysis of CO.sub.2, especially in combination infusion fluid delivery/blood chemistry analysis systems which include a sensor assembly with each of the assembly electrodes mounted in an electrode cavity in the assembly. The analysis system used in the practice of the present invention typically includes provision for delivering infusion fluid and measuring blood chemistry during reinfusion of the physiological fluid at approximately the same flow rates. The invention calibration solutions are useful for calibrating an array of sensors capable of simultaneously measuring a number of blood chemistry parameters, including the partial pressures (tensions) of carbon dioxide and oxygen, pH (hydrogen ion), sodium, potassium, ionized calcium, ionized magnesium, chloride, glucose, lactate and hematocrit, in body fluids.

Abstract: This invention provides an electrochemical sensor capable of measuring the glucose level of body fluids, especially blood. More particularly, this invention also relates to the use of such a glucose sensor in an automated bedside blood chemistry system which facilitates the operation of the sensor.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a combination infusion fluid delivery system and blood chemistry analysis system includes a sensor assembly with each of the assembly electrodes mounted in an electrode cavity in the assembly. Each electrode cavity includes a circular ridge that defines a cylindrical inner cavity and a ring-shaped outer cavity. The circular ridge prevents the water soluble gel from wicking into the surrounding selectively-permeable membrane, and thereby provides easier manufacture, higher yield rates, and longer shelf life. A helical groove increases turbulence in the assembly, reducing the purge volume needed to flush the assembly after each sample measurement. The system includes provision for delivering the infusion fluid and measuring blood chemistry during reinfusion of the blood at approximately the same flow rates.