Abstract: A vaporizer including a reservoir for storing an anesthetic liquid agent and a vaporizing element configured to vaporize the anesthetic liquid agent. A level detector is located outside of and adjacent to the exterior of the reservoir. The level detector includes at least one electrical field sensor configured to provide an output voltage signal based upon the capacitance of material within the reservoir proximate the electrical field sensor. The vaporizer includes a display providing a visual indication of the amount of liquid anesthetic agent in the reservoir.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer system is disclosed herein. The anesthetic vaporizer system may include a sump adapted to retain an anesthetic agent. The anesthetic vaporizer system may also include a level sensor disposed at least partially within the sump. The level sensor is configured to generate an optical beam, and to estimate the amount of anesthetic agent within the sump based on a measured characteristic of the optical beam.

Abstract: A vaporizer including a reservoir for storing an anesthetic liquid agent and a vaporizing element configured to vaporize the anesthetic liquid agent. A level detector is located outside of and adjacent to the exterior of the reservoir. The level detector includes at least one electrical field sensor configured to provide an output voltage signal based upon the capacitance of material within the reservoir proximate the electrical field sensor.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer system is disclosed herein. The anesthetic vaporizer system may include a sump adapted to retain an anesthetic agent. The anesthetic vaporizer system may also include a level sensor disposed at least partially within the sump. The level sensor is configured to generate an optical beam, and to estimate the amount of anesthetic agent within the sump based on a measured characteristic of the optical beam.

Abstract: A sensor for redundantly measuring gas flow has a housing suitable for being interposed in a gas flow conduit. The housing has an orifice through which the gas to be measured flows. A gas flow measuring, hot wire anemometer is positioned in the housing proximate to the orifice for providing a first measurement of the gas flow in the conduit. A first absolute pressure sensor measures gas pressure downstream of the orifice. The first pressure sensor may provide pressure compensation to the anemometer. A second absolute pressure sensor measures gas pressure upstream of the orifice. The first pressure sensor may be further used with the second pressure sensor to obtain a differential pressure measurement providing a further measurement of the gas flow in the conduit that is redundant to that of the anemometer.

Abstract: An inflatable cuff is disclosed for encircling a patient's finger and which includes a light source and a light detector constructed in a way to detect the movement, or lack of movement, of arterial passages within the finger. The cuff is comprised of an inflatable bladder that contacts the patient finger; having a tubing provided for inflation and deflation of the bladder. Surrounding the external surface of the bladder from the finger is a metalized backing that covers and shields the inflatable bladder. A flexible circuit is affixed to the metalized backing and to which is attached the light source and light detector and which further includes wiring from the light detector and light source to a connector at its distal end for connection to further circuiting. Further, surrounding the flexible circuit is a electrical and light shielding and label that covers the flexible circuit and which provides shielding as well as a means of affixing the inflatable cuff to the patients finger.