Abstract: Devices and methods for performing automated fluid sampling of a patient are disclosed, comprising a patient sampling assembly, test substrates, and a sample transfer assembly to transfer fluid samples from the sampling assembly to the test substrates. The sample transfer assembly may be configured to maintain the sterility of the patient sampling assembly while transferring samples to non-sterile components, test substrates.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining the fluid characteristics of a blood sample may include the assessment of a pressure waveform of a fluid sample having a pre-determined volume passed through or out of a flow restrictor. The interface between the blood and other fluids in the tubing line of the blood monitoring system may also be assessed. These assessments may be used alone or in combination to generate estimates of other fluid characteristics, such as the hematocrit of a blood sample. This information may be used for the real-time determination of change of hematocrit levels in a patient's blood while the patient is being transfused with intravenous fluids or other vascular products, or to provide adjustment factors for other blood assays affected by the hematocrit or other blood parameters.

Abstract: The menu selection device uses a combination of the rotary position of a rotary optical encoder and the operation of a coaxially mounted push-button switch to enable the user to progress through various layers of a hierarchical menu system. The rotary position of the shaft translates to a menu category which is selected by the user activating the push-button switch. The selection of the menu category allows the user to then sequence through the plurality of menu entries within this menu category by again rotating the shaft. The user selects one of these menu entries by again activating the push-button switch.

Abstract: A method and means is disclosed for carrying out the calibration of a gas monitor. The calibration is effected by providing a calibration gas containing a precise amount of the constituent that is measured by the gas monitor. That calibration gas is introduced into the gas monitor and passes therethrough in a closed system such that leakage of calibration gas to the surrounding environment at the inlet to the gas monitor and from the outlet of the monitor is prevented. The calibration gas is further stalled in the gas sensor chamber of the gas monitor for the operator to make necessary adjustments to the gas monitor at no flow conditions of the calibration gas.