Abstract: An operational environment is disclosed herein that includes a cryogenic environment and a signal source. The cryogenic environment includes a signal target, an optical link, signal converter devices, and an electrical link. Outside of the cryogenic environment, the signal source generates an electric signal. An electric-to-optical converter converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical link delivers the optical signal into the cryogenic environment. Inside the cryogenic environment, an optical-to-electrical converter converts the optical signal back into an electrical signal. The optical-to-electrical converter transfers the electric signal to the signal target.

Abstract: An operational environment is disclosed herein that includes a cryogenic environment and a signal source. The cryogenic environment includes a signal target, an optical link, signal converter devices, and an electrical link. Outside of the cryogenic environment, the signal source generates an electric signal. An electric-to-optical converter converts the electrical signal into an optical signal. The optical link delivers the optical signal into the cryogenic environment. Inside the cryogenic environment, an optical-to-electrical converter converts the optical signal back into an electrical signal. The optical-to-electrical converter transfers the electric signal to the signal target.

Abstract: A blood filter device having an iron-chelating molecule, a haem-binding molecule and a haemoglobin-binding molecule bound to a support. Use of the device in a vessel containing blood, for example a blood bag or a flow line, removes haemolysis-derived components from the blood.

Abstract: There is provided a glove for protecting fingers of a wearer against impact from an object. The glove includes a plurality of finger portions for receiving the fingers of the wearer. Each finger portion defines a palm side and a dorsal side. At least one substantially rigid force transferring element is attached to at least one of the finger portions and extends at least partially between the palm side and dorsal side of such finger portion. The force transferring element is configured, upon receiving a compressive impact force from the object on the dorsal side of the finger portion, to at least partially transfer the compressive force past the wearer's fingers. A palm side edge of the force transferring element is operatively spaced away from the palm side of the finger portion when the glove is worn by the wearer.

Abstract: A blood filter device having an iron-chelating molecule, a haem-binding molecule and a haemoglobin-binding molecule bound to a support. Use of the device in a vessel containing blood, for example a blood bag or a flow line, removes haemolysis-derived components from the blood.

Abstract: A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other and to confirm the authenticity of instructions sent to the infusion device from the remote controller. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.

Abstract: An infusion device for delivering discrete boluses of medication to a patient, using a mechanically actuated piston. The infusion pump employs a near-field communication system to convey the occurrence of an actuation, the amount of medicament remaining in the pump, and other information to a nearby near-field receiver device. The disclosed drive system and nearer-field communications system provides an infusion device capable of accurately delivering medication and providing a means for tracking and logging data while eliminating the need for a power source within the device, thereby minimizing weight and size.

Abstract: A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other and to confirm the authenticity of instructions sent to the infusion device from the remote controller. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing and using optoelectronic gates are disclosed. One such method includes superimposing an electrical data bit onto a first optical input to produce a pair of first-stage optical outputs. The first one of the pair of first-stage optical outputs carries the electrical data bit and the second carries the complement of the electrical data bit. The method further includes comparing an electrical target bit with the electrical data bit conveyed by the first first-stage optical outputs and with the complement of the electrical data bit conveyed by the second first-stage optical outputs, to determine whether the electrical target bit and the electrical data bit are same or different.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel display system for a drug delivery device that reduces power consumption and permits the user of the device to see messages when the device is not in a powered state or when the device has encountered an error condition. By using a bistable display, the medical device is able to maintain messages that can been seen by the user even when the device's power supply is exhausted or when the device has encountered an error that interrupts its normal operation. The use of such a display also improves the battery life by eliminating the need to provide power to the display screen when it is not being updated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing and using optoelectronic gates are disclosed. One such method includes superimposing an electrical data bit onto a first optical input to produce a pair of first-stage optical outputs. The first one of the pair of first-stage optical outputs carries the electrical data bit and the second carries the complement of the electrical data bit. The method further includes comparing an electrical target bit with the electrical data bit conveyed by the first first-stage optical outputs and with the complement of the electrical data bit conveyed by the second first-stage optical outputs, to determine whether the electrical target bit and the electrical data bit are same or different.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel display system for a drug delivery device that reduces power consumption and permits the user of the device to see messages when the device is not in a powered state or when the device has encountered an error condition. By using a bistable display, the medical device is able to maintain messages that can been seen by the user even when the device's power supply is exhausted or when the device has encountered an error that interrupts its normal operation. The use of such a display also improves the battery life by eliminating the need to provide power to the display screen when it is not being updated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical infusion device including a dedicated processing unit for detecting abnormal operation of the operation of the device. Specifically, a watchdog controller is employed as an independent monitor of the functioning of microprocessors used in the medical infusion device for controlling things such as RF communication, insulin infusion, and system integrity. Through the use of an independently-powered watchdog control system, the accuracy and reliability of the device is enhanced, resulting in greater assurance to the patient receiving periodic or continuous infusion of a drug.

Abstract: Described is a medical infusion device that is configured to send and receive data on a real-time basis through the use of circuitry that enables the connection of the device to a cellular network. In one embodiment, a medical infusion device is provided that includes a housing having a drug reservoir, a first processing system and a drive mechanism adapted to receive and execute instructions from the first processing system. The drive mechanism is in mechanical cooperation with the drug reservoir for controlling expulsion of the drug from the reservoir. Medical infusion device also includes an input device for receiving external instructions and configured to transmit the external instructions to the first processing system, a display for receiving and displaying information from the first processing system, and a second processing system in communication with the first processing system for controlling communication between the first processing system and a remote processing system via a cellular network.

Abstract: Three-way poppet valves having a poppet valve body, first and second poppet valves disposed in a valve guide within the body for motion between first poppet valve open and first poppet valve closed positions, a first poppet valve seat disposed in the poppet valve body so as to have freedom in a plane perpendicular to the poppet valve axis, the first poppet valve, when moving to the closed position, engaging the first poppet valve seat and centering the first poppet valve seat with respect to the first poppet valve, and when in the closed position, holding the first poppet valve seat against the poppet valve body, and a second poppet valve connected with the first poppet valve, the poppet valve body having a second poppet valve seat, the second poppet valve being in the closed position when the first poppet valve is in the open position and being in the open position when the first poppet valve is in the closed position.

Abstract: Three-way valves having reduced leakage and fuel injectors using the same. Three-way spool poppet valves are disclosed having a spool with a poppet valve thereon cooperating with a seat on the valve housing to provide a substantially leak free valve closing in one direction characteristic of a poppet valve while preserving the advantages of a spool valve. Three-way ball valves are also disclosed having substantially leak free valves closing in both directions, but further including reduced short circuit losses due to direct flow from a high pressure source to a low pressure vent during transition of the ball from one position to the opposite position. Fuel injectors with direct needle control using the three-way valves of the present invention are also disclosed.