Abstract: An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of resources. The system includes a housing including at least one water vapor distillation device, at least one power generating device, at least one source water reservoir, at least one product water reservoir, and at least one energy storage device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for concentration determination using polarized light. The apparatus includes a first polarized light source having a first light source polarization axis and a second polarized light source having a second light source polarization axis generally perpendicular to the first light source polarization axis. Also, a first polarized light receiver having a first polarized light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the first light receiver polarizer and a second polarized light receiver having a second polarized light receiver polarization axis substantially perpendicular to the first light receiver polarization axis and configured to measure an intensity of light transmitted from the second light receiver polarizer, wherein the first and second light receiver polarization axes are generally +/?45 degrees relative to the first and second light source polarization axes.

Abstract: A controllable launcher for propelling a payload through a predictable and repeatable trajectory to a desired height. The launcher has an energy source for propelling a carriage and a piston in substantially opposing directions and a controller for controlling the trajectory of the propelled payload to enable the payload to land gently at a safe impact distance from the edge of a destination structure.

Abstract: An RFID system includes an RFID antenna assembly configured to be positioned on a product module assembly of a processing system. The product module assembly is configured to releasably engage at least one product container. A first RFID tag assembly configured to be positioned on the at least one product container. The at least one product container is configured to position the first RFID tag assembly within a detection zone of the RFID antenna assembly whenever the product module assembly releasably engages the at least one product container.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

Abstract: A system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction is described. More particularly, a system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of one or more pulmonary embolisms is described. The system and method described herein include a plurality of sensors, a thermal control system, and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors and the thermal control system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction.

Abstract: A magnetic field focusing assembly includes a magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field, and a split ring resonator assembly configured to be magnetically coupled to the magnetic field generating device and configured to focus the magnetic field produced by the magnetic field generating device.

Abstract: A repeater system may control a pump by using a repeater and a user interface. An adhesive patch system may be used for affixing a pump or other object to a human body. Such an adhesive patch system may include two sets of adhesive members, each member including an adhesive material on at least one side so as to attach to the body. The members of the first set are spaced to allow the members of the second set to attach to the body in spaces provided between the members of the first set, and the members of the second set are spaced to allow members of the first set to detach from the body without detaching the members of the second set. Also, fill stations and base stations are provided for personal pump systems.

Abstract: A system for monitoring flow conditions of fluid flowing from a product container through a solenoid pump.

Abstract: An infusion pump assembly is disclosed. The infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.

Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.

Abstract: A pump, related system, and related method are provided. The pump includes a reservoir, a port, and a plunger. The reservoir delivers a liquid by discharging the liquid through the port coupled to the reservoir. The plunger has a piston coupled to a shaft and is disposed within the reservoir in sliding engagement with an inner surface of the reservoir. The piston defines a liquid side of the reservoir and a non-liquid side of the reservoir whereby movement of the plunger towards the liquid side of the reservoir discharges liquid through the port. The pump also includes a reference-volume assembly and/or a linear position sensor. The reference-volume assembly is coupled to the reservoir at an opposite end of the reservoir relative to the port and includes a reference-volume chamber in acoustic communication with the non-liquid side of the reservoir, a speaker disposed within the reference-volume chamber, and a reference microphone disposed within the reference-volume chamber.

Abstract: A pill dispenser includes a housing, a pill-dispensing mechanism, a receptacle, a pill-viewing camera, an identifying camera, one or more processors, and a storage medium (e.g., a memory). The pill-dispensing mechanism is coupled to an opening of the housing. The first pill-viewing camera is positioned to capture an image of the receptacle, and the identifying camera is positioned to capture an image of an area adjacent to the housing. The one or more processors are in operative communication with the pill-dispensing mechanism, the pill-viewing camera, and the identifying camera. The storage medium stores processor-executable instructions for: instructing the pill-dispensing mechanism to dispense a pill; instructing the pill-viewing camera to capture a first image of the pill to determine a presence of the pill; instructing the pill-viewing camera to capture a second image to determine an absence of the pill; and instructing the identifying camera to capture a third image.

Abstract: A method implemented by an operative set of processor executable instructions configured for execution by a processor includes: determining if a monitoring client is connected to a base through a physical connection; establishing a first communications link between the monitoring client and the base through the physical connection; updating, if necessary, the interface program on the monitoring client and the base through the first communications link; establishing a second communications link between the monitoring client and the base using the first communications link; and communicating data from the base to the monitoring client using the second communications link.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for regulating fluid flow are disclosed. The apparatus includes a curved, elongated support member elastically deformable and having first and second ends. The apparatus also include an opposing support member configured to position a tube against the curved, elongated support member between the first and second ends. Deformation of the curved, elongated support member by movement of the first and second ends toward each other reduces an internal volume of the tube.

Abstract: A pump for administering an agent to a patient includes a housing, a motor, a gearbox, a sensor, and a controller. The motor may be coupled to housing. The gearbox is operatively connected to said motor. The sensor senses a rotation of said motor. The controller acts to control operation of said motor and monitor the quantity of said agent delivered to said patient. The pump also includes a pump assembly such that the pump is configured such that the pump assembly may be interchangeable from a syringe pump assembly and a peristaltic pump assembly.

Abstract: A clamp includes a housing, a fixed gripper, a moveable gripper, a driven member, and an actuator. The housing includes first and second tracks. The fixed gripper is coupled to the housing. The driven member is configured to slide within the first and second tracks of the housing. The moveable gripper is operatively coupled to the driven member. The actuator is configured to move the driven member towards a first position to thereby move the moveable gripper towards the fixed gripper. The actuator is further configured to move the driven member towards a second position to thereby move the moveable gripper away from the fixed gripper.

Abstract: A medical treatment system, such as peritoneal dialysis system, may include control and other features to enhance patient comfort and ease of use. For example, a peritoneal dialysis system may include a control system that can adjust the volume of fluid infused into the peritoneal cavity to prevent the intraperitoneal fluid volume from exceeding a pre-determined amount. The control system can adjust by adding one or more therapy cycles, allowing for fill volumes during each cycle to be reduced. The control system may continue to allow the fluid to drain from the peritoneal cavity as completely as possible before starting the next therapy cycle. The control system may also adjust the dwell time of fluid within the peritoneal cavity during therapy cycles in order to complete a therapy within a scheduled time period.

Abstract: A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.