Abstract: A system and method for the automatic diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea in a centralized hospital critical care monitoring system for the monitoring of a plurality of patients in at least one of a critical care, step down, and cardiac ward by telemetry. The system includes a central processor having a display, and a plurality of telemetry units for mounting with patients, each of the telemetry units has a plurality of sensors for connection with each patient, the telemetry unit is capable of the transmission of multiple signals derived from the sensors to the central processor, in one preferred embodiment the method comprising steps of programming the system to analyze the signals and to automatically identify the presence and severity of obstructive sleep apnea and to provide an indication of the identification.

Abstract: A medical valve comprises a housing having an inlet end and a fluid outlet end, and a flexible elastomeric plug defining an upper face. At least a portion of the plug is moveable along said housing in response to the application of a male luer against said upper face. The plug defines an elastomeric flow path within said plug. The flow path defines a distal aperture. The luer displaces at least a portion of the elastomeric plug in a first direction along said housing and the displacing force distorts the plug increasing the volume of the flow path within the plug and enlarge at least a portion of the fluid flow path between said upper face of the plug and outlet end.

Abstract: A relational pulse oximetry alarm system and method is presented for earlier identification of the occurrence of an adverse clinical event. The system includes a pulse oximeter based microprocessor alarm system which provides an alarm based on a relational conformation of a plurality of time series and further based on the recognition of specific dynamic patterns of interaction between a plurality of corresponding and related time series including the occurrence of pathophysiologic divergence of two or more time series outputs. The processor is programmed to compare a first time series to a second time series to produce a comparison result, to identify a relationship between the first time series and the second time series, to identify a relational threshold breach, and to output an alarm based on the relational threshold breach. The system can include an oximeter testing system for predicting the timeliness of the response of the alarm of a pulse oximeter to the occurrence of an adverse clinical event.

Abstract: A catheter system for fluid connection between a patient's vasculature and a fluid system that has a luer lock connector including a luer tip. The catheter system includes a catheter having a hub having an open end sealed with an elastomeric septum. The hub defines a female luer sized to be received into and locked to the connector of the fluid system when the luer tip is advanced into the septum. A needle extends through at least a portion of the septum, the needle having a tip projecting adjacent the catheter tip and a needle hub disposed adjacent the outer face of the septum. The needle is removable from the catheter and septum after the catheter is advanced into a blood vessel. The elastomeric septum seals subsequent to withdrawal of the hollow needle to provide a sealed outer face for engaging and receiving the luer tip.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a patient with sleep apnea includes monitoring a patient to produce at least one timed waveform of at least one physiologic parameter, identifying along the waveform a first waveform variation indicative of an apnea, identifying along the waveform a second waveform variation indicative of another apnea, determining the interval intermediate at least one portion of the first waveform variation and at least one portion of the second waveform, and assessing the severity of sleep apnea based on at least the determining.

Abstract: A resuscitation system for the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asthma patients, and for teaching the cardiopulmonary resuscitation of asthma patients. The invention includes a deflatable bag and a gas flow channel connected with said bag, for connection with an indwelling endotracheal tube so that gas can flow from the bag into the patient and from said patient through said flow channel, an exhalation port in flow connection with said flow channel and an indicator mounted adjacent said system for detecting expiration flow and/or pressure within at least one of said flow channel and exhalation port to detect inadequacy in the expiratory component of ventilation during CPR and to train healthcare workers in the emergency ventilation of severe asthmatic patients in the field and emergency room.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a patient with sleep apnea includes monitoring a patient to produce at least one timed waveform of at least one physiologic parameter, identifying along the waveform a first waveform variation indicative of an apnea, identifying along the waveform a second waveform variation indicative of another apnea, determining the interval intermediate at least one portion of the first waveform variation and at least one portion of the second waveform, and assessing the severity of sleep apnea based on at least the determining.

Abstract: A positive pressure generator is provided proximal the valve or septum of a vascular catheter for inducing sufficient positive pressure in the lumen or fluid path of the catheter so that a sufficient portion of the fluid at the tip of the catheter is forced into the blood vessel after the cannula or needle has been removed from the hub so that any blood in the tip is displaced back into the vessel or is sufficiently diluted such that clotting within the lumen adjacent the tip is substantially mitigated. The positive pressure generator is preferably comprised of a flexible tube or cavity which has a variable internal volume and which is configured to have a first stable configuration with a first internal fluid volume and a second stable configuration with a smaller internal fluid volume.

Abstract: A system is provided for the storage and injection of a beneficial agent. The system includes a barrel, the barrel having a loading end and a distal end, and a piston having an elastomeric portion slidably disposed in the barrel bore. A receptacle pre-filled with the beneficial agent is loaded into the loading end of the barrel and is movable with the piston. A tubular flow connector is carried by the piston for connecting the receptacle to a distal chamber of the barrel so that the agent can flow from the storage receptacle into the distal chamber when the piston is retracted away from the distal end of the barrel. A structure is provided along a portion of the receptacle to allow the agent to flow from the receptacle, through the flow connector and into the distal chamber without being inhibited by the development of negative pressure within the receptacle.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a patient with sleep apnea includes monitoring a patient to produce at least one timed waveform of at least one physiologic parameter, identifying along the waveform a first waveform variation indicative of an apnea, identifying along the waveform a second waveform variation indicative of another apnea, determining the interval intermediate at least one portion of the first waveform variation and at least one portion of the second waveform, and assessing the severity of sleep apnea based on at least the determining.

Abstract: A medical fluid administration system is provided for connection with an intravenous tubing system in fluid communication with a patient. In an exemplary embodiment the system includes a conduit, a housing connected to the conduit, and a piston having a slit received in the housing and displaceable in its entirety along the longitudinal axis of a region of the housing. A contact member is positioned within the housing for engaging the piston when the piston is displaced along the longitudinal axis of the housing and forcibly pressed against the contact member. The contact member and the piston are sized and configured such that the opposing walls of the slit are deflected laterally to open the slit when the piston is forcibly pressed against the contact member, so that when the piston is pressed against the contact member, fluid can flow through the slit in direct contact with the opposing walls and through the conduit.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a patient with sleep apnea includes monitoring a patient to produce at least one timed waveform of at least one physiologic parameter, identifying along the waveform a first waveform variation indicative of an apnea, identifying along the waveform a second waveform variation indicative of another apnea, determining the interval intermediate at least one portion of the first waveform variation and at least one portion of the second waveform, and assessing the severity of sleep apnea based on at least the determining.

Abstract: An improved luer lock receiving septum having a configuration which provides rapid and tight resealing and yet allows penetration of the septum by the luer tip with a low penetration force. The elongated septum includes an upper portion of enlarged diameter having a target surface, a central slit, and a central, lower septum extension projecting about the slit below the upper portion and into a housing so that following luer insertion there is provided sufficient room for both the laterally displaced extension of the septum, the luer taper, and the housing to be received into a conventional luer lock connector. The septum is further preferably configured to minimize or eliminate the negative pressure deflection normally associated with the withdrawal of the large diameter luer cannula from an enclosed fluid filled lumen or chamber, by substantially isolating the lumen or chamber from the septum material displacement resultant from luer insertion.

Abstract: A device for diagnosing sleep apnea by identifying desaturation and resaturation events in oxygen saturation of a patient's blood. The slope of the events is determined and compared against various information to determine sleep apnea.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical packaging system is provided that includes a sealed envelope having a compartment containing a syringe and a second compartment for containing a medical material. A sealed portal is defined intermediate the two compartments. The sealed portal is sized and configured to receive a distal member of the syringe whereby liquid can be withdrawn from the second compartment into the syringe without being exposed to the ambient environment.

Abstract: A system for the sequential and repetitive aspiration and injection of fluid. The system includes a syringe having an internal volume, a piston to vary the internal volume and a chamber divider for separating the internal volume into proximal and distal reservoirs. The chamber divider is moveable along the chamber and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the chamber prior to withdrawal of fluid into the syringe. The proximal reservoir has a maximum displacement volume for receiving fluid. A flow channel provides flow between the proximal and distal reservoirs and a valve disables and enables flow therethrough. A tensile element links the piston and the chamber divider so that after the piston is moved and the proximal reservoir is filled with a first liquid, the chamber divider is pulled away from the distal end of the syringe to enlarge the distal reservoir and draw the blood into the distal reservoir.

Abstract: A displacement-activated medical check valve is provided for selectively opening and closing medicinal fluid communication. The check valve includes a flexible elastomeric member that has a proximal end and a distal end and has a sealed perforation defined at least partially through the flexible elastomeric member. A housing receives the flexible elastomeric member so that it can be displaced along the length thereof. A contact member is provided for engaging the distal end of the elastomeric member when at least a portion of the elastomeric member is displaced against the contact member. The elastomeric member and the sealed perforation are sized and configured such that the perforation is shortened and thereby compressed open when the elastomeric member is compressed against the contact member. When a compressive force is removed the elastomeric member rebounds to close the perforation.

Abstract: A syringe for the sequential withdrawal of a first liquid and a second liquid. The syringe has a barrel, a proximal piston moveable along the barrel to define a variable volume chamber intermediate the piston and the end of the barrel, and a distal chamber divider piston for separating the variable volume chamber into primary and secondary reservoirs. A flow channel is defined along the syringe for providing flow connection between the primary and secondary reservoirs. An element links the two pistons so that as the proximal piston is moved away from the distal piston, the first liquid enters the first reservoir and thereafter the second liquid enters the secondary reservoir.

Abstract: A device for diagnosing sleep apnea by identifying desaturation and resaturation events in oxygen saturation of a patient's blood. The slope of the events is determined and compared against various information to determine sleep apnea.

Abstract: A medical valve is provided that includes a housing having a main conduit and a branch extending from the main conduit and in fluid communication with it. The bore of the branch has an elastomeric septum piston disposed therewithin and at least a portion of the elastomeric septum piston is movable by either compression or by a longitudinal advancement along the secondary bore towards the bore of the main conduit. In one embodiment, the septum piston is cylindrical and includes a centrally positioned slit. The bore of the branch includes two opposing projecting members along a distal portion of the bore which effectively narrow the diameter of the bore. When the elastomeric member is pushed from a proximal position to a distal position, it is transversely compressed by the projecting members to open the slit and allow fluid passage. After removal of the longitudinal displacement force the septum piston retracts away from the distal portion back to the proximal portion.