Abstract: A closed-ended catheter assembly that includes an electrically conductive pathway is disclosed. The conductive pathway enables electrical signals, such as ECG signals produced by a patient's heart, to pass through the closed-ended tip of the indwelling catheter while still preventing unintended fluid flow. In one embodiment, therefore, a catheter assembly is disclosed and comprises an elongate catheter tube including a closed distal end. The catheter tube defines at least one lumen and includes a valve defined in the catheter tube that is configured to selectively enable fluids to pass therethrough. The catheter tube includes a conductive element that provides an electrically conductive pathway between the at least one lumen and an exterior portion of the catheter. The conductive element includes a porous material extending between the at least one lumen and the exterior portion of the catheter, the porous material being transmissive to electrical signals and non-permeable to blood.

Abstract: Alcohol resistant aromatic polycarbonate urethanes including their use in catheters. In one embodiment, a power injectable central venous access device is provided comprising a single or multilumen catheter shaft, junction, and extension leg(s), all of which may comprise aromatic polycarbonate polyurethane that is configured to withstand direct and prolonged exposure to alcohol.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device including the ability to determine when a component, such as a removable probe cap, is attached to a portion of an ultrasound probe. Such a cap is employed in one embodiment to act as a spacer component to provide a standoff for the probe head. Detection of probe cap attachment to the ultrasound probe enables the resultant ultrasound image to be adjusted automatically by the ultrasound imaging system. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound probe, a cap or other component that is attachable to the probe, and a component attachment detection system for detecting attachment of the component to the probe. Once the cap is detected, an aspect of an ultrasound image produced by the imaging system is modified, such as cropping the image to remove undesired portions of the cap, such as the spacer component.

Abstract: A vascular access device having a fluid chamber in which UV-C radiation is emitted to irradiate pathogens contained in an infusate flowing though the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A system and devices for transferring and storing digital files from a local host to a remote host using a PSTN network to communicate at a time predetermined and preset by the recipient. A local device accepts data files from a local host, stores them until a predetermined and preset time and then uses a modem to contact a remote device. Once the local device has contact the remote device, the data files are transferred to the remote device. A remote host, connected to the remote device, can then access the data files from the remote device.

Abstract: A disk cartridge for use in a miniature drive. The drive is usable in a variety of small computer devices. As such it is constrained in both height, width and length. Preferably, the drive is of a PCMCIA size, preferably type II. The cartridge for use therein is less than about {fraction (1/10)} inches high and less than about 2 inches wide.

Abstract: A system provides for mounting a removable media disk cartridge in a disk drive without translating the cartridge or spindle motor in a Z-axis relative to each other. The system comprises a spindle in the drive having a substantially planar top surface with an annular groove disposed and an datum ring disposed thereon. The annular groove accepts an inner ring surface of a media disk hub. The disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages the annular groove in the spindle. Additionally the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. During disengagement of the hub from the spindle, the hub is tilted when the cartridge shell engages the outer peripheral edge. The datum ring acts as a fulcrum while the inner ring is tilted out of the annular groove.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has two shell layers encapsulating a medium. The first layer encases the disk medium. The second layer encases the first layer. Both layers have a head access opening such that rotation of one layer relative to the other layer causes the head access openings to be aligned or misaligned. When the head access openings are misaligned the cartridge is closed. When the head access openings are aligned the cartridge is open.

Abstract: A system is for mounting a removable media disk cartridge in a disk drive without translating the cartridge or spindle motor in a Z-axis relative to each other The system comprises a spindle in the drive having a substantially planar top surface with an annular groove disposed and an datum ring disposed thereon. The annular groove accepts an inner ring surface of a media disk hub. The disk cartridge has a hub with an inner ring that engages the annular groove in the spindle. Additionally the hub has an outer peripheral edge that has an angled surface. During disengagement of the hub from the spindle, the hub is tilted when the cartridge shell engages the outer peripheral edge. The datum ring acts as a fulcrum while the inner ring is tilted out of the annular groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a cartridge in a removable media disk drive during drive operation is disclosed. The apparatus has a protuberance at a distal end of a flexible arm. When a cartridge is pushed into the drive, it engages the protuberance and flexes it along the edge of the cartridge. The protuberance flexes back when it engages a cut-out in the side of the cartridge. An opening in a side wall of the disk drive chassis allows the flexible arm to flex out when the cartridge engages it. The flexible arm is attached to a sliding lever. As the cartridge is inserted further into the drive, the flexible arm moves past the opening and thereby locks the cartridge into the drive.

Abstract: An apparatus protects an actuator from shock forces. The apparatus comprises an inertial latch that has two opposing latch members. In response to a force from a first direction, the first latch member operates to force the actuator to a predetermined position. In response to a force from an opposite direction the second latch member operates to force the actuator to the predetermined position.

Abstract: An apparatus protects an actuator from shock forces. The apparatus comprises an inertial latch that has two opposing latch members. In response to a force from a first direction, the first latch member operates to force the actuator to a predetermined position. In response to a force from an opposite direction the second latch member operates to force the actuator to the predetermined position.

Abstract: A system for inserting and ejecting a cartridge from a removable media disk drive is disclosed. The system works by pushing the cartridge into the drive until a stop is reached. Thereafter, when the pushing is ceased, the cartridge is locked into position in the disk drive. To eject the cartridge, the cartridge is again pushed into the drive until a second stop is reached. Thereafter, the cartridge is ejected form the drive.

Abstract: A system for inserting and ejecting a cartridge from a removable media disk drive is disclosed. The system works by pushing the cartridge into the drive until a stop is reached. Thereafter, when the pushing is ceased, the cartridge is locked into position in the disk drive. To eject the cartridge, the cartridge is again pushed into the drive until a second stop is reached. Thereafter, the cartridge is ejected from the drive.

Abstract: A disk cartridge has two shell layers. The first layer encases the disk medium. The second layer encases the first layer. Both layers have a head access opening such that rotation of one layer relative to the other layer causes the head access openings to be aligned or misaligned. When the head access openings are misaligned the cartridge is closed. When the head access openings are aligned the cartridge is open.

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disk cassette is for use in a disk drive. The cassette comprises a flexible magnetic disk disposed within a cartridge shell with a driving hole in the bottom of the cartridge. The flexible magnetic disk has a center hub projecting through the center hole. The hub has a projection for engaging the driving hole to restrain the lateral movement of the disk cartridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a cartridge in a removable media disk drive during drive operation is disclosed. The apparatus has a protuberance at a distal end of a flexible arm. When a cartridge is pushed into the drive, it engages the protuberance and flexes it along the edge of the cartridge. The protuberance flexes back when it engages a cut-out in the side of the cartridge. An opening in a side wall of the disk drive chassis allows the flexible arm to flex out when the cartridge engages it. The flexible arm is attached to a sliding lever. As the cartridge is inserted further into the drive, the flexible arm moves past the opening and thereby locks the cartridge into the drive.

Abstract: A disk insertion and ejection mechanism for use in a mini disk drive. The insertion and ejection mechanism operates by using cooperating cammed surfaces on a mini-cartridge and a movable sled within the mini disk drive. The cams operate to keep the mini-cartridge raised above the drive spindle during cartridge insertion. When the mini-cartridge is fully inserted into the drive, the cams in the drive mate with cam openings on the disk and the cartridge can move down onto the spindle. Additionally, wedges in the drive and wedge cut-outs on the cartridge cooperate to lock a cartridge into the drive during insertion. During cartridge ejection, the cams within the drive cooperate with the cammed surfaces in the cartridge to raise the cartridge above the spindle. At that moment, the cartridge is forced from the drive.