Abstract: A system includes a drip chamber. The drip chamber has a proximal end coupled with a drug container and a distal end coupled with fluidic tubing. The drip chamber has a proximal check valve configured to prevent fluid flow in a proximal direction and to allow fluid flow in a distal direction when a cracking pressure threshold is overcome. The drip chamber also includes a distal check valve configured to prevent fluid flow in the proximal direction and to allow fluid flow in the distal direction when a cracking pressure threshold is overcome. The cracking pressure threshold of the proximal check valve and the cracking pressure threshold of the distal check valve in combination is greater than or equal to 1 PSId. The system also includes a pneumatic port between the check valves that is configured to pneumatically couple with a pneumatic feedback control system.

Abstract: A system for precision liquid delivery includes a gas reservoir having a known volume. The system has a tightly load-coupled pneumatic driver (a “TLCP driver”) that is configured to receive input power to cause the TLCP driver to move gas into the gas reservoir to produce a gas drive pressure. A valve is configured to couple the gas reservoir with a fluid reservoir having an unknown volume. The valve is further configured to selectively isolate or pneumatically couple pressures in the gas reservoir and the fluid reservoir. A gas-fluid interface couples pressure in the fluid reservoir to pressure in a fluid path. The fluid path is configured so that the fluid drive pressure driving the liquid in the fluid path is substantially the same as the fluid reservoir pressure. The system also has a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the gas reservoir and/or the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A system for precision liquid delivery includes a gas reservoir having a known volume. The system has a tightly load-coupled pneumatic driver (a “TLCP driver”) that is configured to receive input power to cause the TLCP driver to move gas into the gas reservoir to produce a gas drive pressure. A valve is configured to couple the gas reservoir with a fluid reservoir having an unknown volume. The valve is further configured to selectively isolate or pneumatically couple pressures in the gas reservoir and the fluid reservoir. A gas-fluid interface couples pressure in the fluid reservoir to pressure in a fluid path. The fluid path is configured so that the fluid drive pressure driving the liquid in the fluid path is substantially the same as the fluid reservoir pressure. The system also has a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the gas reservoir and/or the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A system for precision liquid delivery includes a gas reservoir having a known volume. The system has a tightly load-coupled pneumatic driver (a “TLCP driver”) that is configured to receive input power to cause the TLCP driver to move gas into the gas reservoir to produce a gas drive pressure. A valve is configured to couple the gas reservoir with a fluid reservoir having an unknown volume. The valve is further configured to selectively isolate or pneumatically couple pressures in the gas reservoir and the fluid reservoir. A gas-fluid interface couples pressure in the fluid reservoir to pressure in a fluid path. The fluid path is configured so that the fluid drive pressure driving the liquid in the fluid path is substantially the same as the fluid reservoir pressure. The system also has a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the gas reservoir and/or the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A monitoring system for a gravity infusion IV tubing includes a drip chamber having an inlet configured to receive fluid from a fluid source. The drip chamber also has an outlet configured to deliver fluid towards a patient. The system includes a pressure sensor pneumatically coupled with the drip chamber. The pressure sensor is configured to measure the pressure inside the drip chamber. A controller is configured to receive pressure measurements from the pressure sensor and to use the pressure measurements to count a number of drops entering the drip chamber from the fluid source.

Abstract: A system includes a drip chamber. The drip chamber has a proximal end coupled with a drug container and a distal end coupled with fluidic tubing. The drip chamber has a proximal check valve configured to prevent fluid flow in a proximal direction and to allow fluid flow in a distal direction when a cracking pressure threshold is overcome. The drip chamber also includes a distal check valve configured to prevent fluid flow in the proximal direction and to allow fluid flow in the distal direction when a cracking pressure threshold is overcome. The cracking pressure threshold of the proximal check valve and the cracking pressure threshold of the distal check valve in combination is greater than or equal to 1 PSId. The system also includes a pneumatic port between the check valves that is configured to pneumatically couple with a pneumatic feedback control system.

Abstract: A system for precision liquid delivery includes a gas reservoir having a known volume. The system has a tightly load-coupled pneumatic driver (a “TLCP driver”) that is configured to receive input power to cause the TLCP driver to move gas into the gas reservoir to produce a gas drive pressure. A valve is configured to couple the gas reservoir with a fluid reservoir having an unknown volume. The valve is further configured to selectively isolate or pneumatically couple pressures in the gas reservoir and the fluid reservoir. A gas-fluid interface couples pressure in the fluid reservoir to pressure in a fluid path. The fluid path is configured so that the fluid drive pressure driving the liquid in the fluid path is substantially the same as the fluid reservoir pressure. The system also has a pressure sensor configured to detect pressure in the gas reservoir and/or the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: Belt core and belt core systems for winding a belt or other winding material are described. The belt core and belt core system described are lightweight and reusable. The belt core and belt core system includes at least one belt core unit. A plurality of units may be combined to form a belt core system, in which each unit has the same general size and is configured with means for interlocking each unit with another unit. This provides customization of the described system so that it may accommodate a winding material of any width.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A fluid control system for delivery of a liquid includes a pneumatic drive that incorporates a linear actuator to effect known volume changes in a gas reservoir. The gas reservoir is in fluid communication with a gas-side reservoir that is separated from a fluid-side reservoir by a flexible membrane. Movement of the linear actuator effects positive or negative volume differences on the gas in the gas-side reservoir, resulting in a decrease or increase in pressure of the gas that is transmitted to the fluid-side reservoir to draw fluid, primarily liquid, in from a source or deliver liquid out to a sink. In another aspect, a mechanism is provided for the detection and elimination of air bubbles in the fluid path.

Abstract: A portable infusion apparatus and method are provided for controlling the delivery of medicinal fluid to a patient. A fluid delivery system receives control input to control a setting of a variable fluid flow resistor. The variable fluid flow resistor resists passage of fluid through a fluid pathway between a fluid source and a recipient. The fluid delivery system; produces a control signal indicative of the setting of the variable fluid flow resistor; derives a fluid flow rate value from the control signal; and applies pressure to the fluid source to deliver the fluid from the fluid source to the recipient through the variable fluid flow resistor at a rate as specified by the derived fluid flow rate value.

Abstract: A portable infusion apparatus and method are provided for controlling the delivery of medicinal fluid to a patient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for air content and pressure measurement of sample fluid, especially sample fluid in association with an infusion pump. Volume change in a chamber as the chamber transitions between negative and positive pressure relates to the air content in the chamber. In particular, in an infusion pump, the volume change of infusion fluid as it transitions between being under negative pressure and positive pressure within a cassette central chamber, e.g., pumping chamber, relates to the air content in the infusion fluid. The outlet pressure of the cassette central chamber, e.g., blood pressure, can be monitored based on the cassette central chamber pressure.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system using flow rate changes to extract additional information from an in-line flow sensor. The system provides the ability to determine a position of a movable flow sensor element of a flow sensor by illuminating a photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a first set of pixel intensity values introducing an abrupt change to the fluid driving pressure, illuminating the photosensitive pixel array with a light source to create a second set of pixel intensity values, and calculating the difference between the first and second sets of pixel intensity values as a function of pixel position.

Abstract: In one aspect, an extended range fluid flow resistor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and defining a fluid passageway therebetween A plunger is slidably received within the fluid passageway and an actuator is rotatably coupled to the housing and the plunger, such that rotation of the actuator causes sliding movement of the plunger within the fluid passageway The plunger has a sealing region and a variable flow region axially adjacent the sealing region Fluid flow through the fluid passageway is prevented when the sealing region is aligned with the inlet and fluid flow through the fluid passageway is permitted when the variable flow region is aligned with the inlet The variable flow region includes a helical groove extending from a first end of the variable flow region adjacent the sealing region and away from the sealing region to a second end of the vanable flow region.