Abstract: A sensing device is disclosed. The sensing device comprising a printed circuit board (PCB), a conductive port coupled to the PCB via a conductive adhesive and defining an orifice filled with a protective gel. Further, the sensing device comprises a sensing element disposed on the PCB within the conductive port and encased by the protective gel, and a conductive member disposed at least over the protective gel. The conductive member is configured to discharge static charges accumulated over the protective gel to the PCB via at least the conductive adhesive.

Abstract: A microchannel slide system is provided. For example, a microchannel slide system comprises a microchannel slide comprising a main body, two or more flow channels, a mixing chamber, a selectively actuated vibrator positioned within or adjacent to the mixing chamber, an imaging chamber, and a mixing chamber release valve positioned between the mixing chamber and the imaging chamber. Each flow channel receives a corresponding flow of a liquid. The mixing chamber receives the flows of the liquid from the flow channels. The vibrator, when actuated, mixes the received flows of the liquid to create a mixed liquid. The imaging chamber receives the mixed liquid from the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber release valve selectively allows the mixed liquid to flow from the mixing chamber to the imaging chamber. A depth of the imaging chamber is selected to enable imaging of the mixed liquid in the imaging chamber.

Abstract: A device comprising a gel-coupled force sensor for detecting bubbles and/or blockages in fluids using light sources and/or ultrasonic transducers is provided. The devices may include a housing having a gel-coupled force sensor, wherein the gel-coupled force sensor comprises a substrate, at least one force sensing element, at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a cover for the at least one force sensing element and the at least one ASIC, a gel for covering the force sensing element, a mesh layer proximate to the top of the gel, a barrier layer proximate to the mesh layer, and a membrane layer proximate to the barrier layer protruding at least a distance past an edge of the cover. The gel-coupled force sensor may surround a fluid flow tube. The housing may comprise a first light source and a second light source and/or an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, a pressure sensor is provided. In some embodiments, the pressure sensor comprises a circuit board, a sensing element eccentrically positioned on the circuit board, a cover portion mounted to the circuit board and comprising a columnar portion defining a port, and a column of bio-compatible gel disposed within the port. The columnar portion has a distal open end and a proximal open end that is adhered to the circuit board and that surrounds the sensing element such that the columnar portion is eccentrically positioned relative to the circuit board. The columnar portion is connected to a reservoir containing a fluid, and the fluid is exposed to the gel column via the distal open end and such that a pressure of the fluid is translated by the gel column to the sensing element such that the sensing element detects the fluid pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an internal organ temperature are provided. The internal organ temperature monitoring system includes a sensor system, where the sensor system includes: a tube having a first end and a second end; a temperature sensor in the tube and located at the first end of the tube; a thermal conductive material occupying space between the temperature sensor and the tube; and an electrical connector located at the second end of the tube, coupling the sensor to a controller component. The internal organ temperature monitoring system further includes the controller component configured to retrieve temperature data from the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A system for regulating the pressure of an intravenous fluid supply is provided. An example intravenous fluid supply system may include an intravenous fluid supply tube supplying intravenous fluid to a patient from an intravenous fluid supply bag. A pressure may be applied to the intravenous fluid supply bag by a pressure bag adjacent to the intravenous fluid supply bag. A pump may be fluidly connected to the pressure bag, such that a fluid may be pumped into the pressure bag, applying pressure to the intravenous fluid supply bag. The system may further include a pressure sensor positioned to measure a pressure within the intravenous fluid supply tube. The intravenous fluid supply may include a controller communicatively connected to the pressure sensor and the pump, wherein the controller regulates an output of the pump based at least in part on one or more measurements of the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A fluid flow system and a method for detecting air bubble and liquid are provided. The fluid flow system comprises a force sensor configured to monitor at least one of an air bubble or an occlusion in a flow tube. The fluid flow system comprises a controller to execute the method. The controller is configured to monitor an output signal of a force sensor of the fluid flow system, and the output signal comprises an Alternating Current (AC) component and a Direct Current (DC) component, and detect a change in the output signal to a new output signal based on a number of transitions to the new output signal, and a time duration of the new output signal. The controller compares the change in the output signal with one of a predefined number of transitions or a predefined time and determines a new threshold when the change in the output signal exceeds one of the predefined number of transitions or the predefined time.

Abstract: A fluid flow system and a method for detecting air bubble and liquid are provided. The fluid flow system comprises a force sensor configured to monitor at least one of an air bubble or an occlusion in a flow tube. The fluid flow system comprises a controller to execute the method. The controller is configured to monitor an output signal of a force sensor of the fluid flow system, and the output signal comprises an Alternating Current (AC) component and a Direct Current (DC) component, and detect a change in the output signal to a new output signal based on a number of transitions to the new output signal, and a time duration of the new output signal. The controller compares the change in the output signal with one of a predefined number of transitions or a predefined time and determines a new threshold when the change in the output signal exceeds one of the predefined number of transitions or the predefined time.

Abstract: A fluid flow system and a method for detecting air bubble and liquid are provided. The fluid flow system comprises a force sensor configured to monitor at least one of an air bubble or an occlusion in a flow tube. The fluid flow system comprises a controller to execute the method. The controller is configured to monitor an output signal of a force sensor of the fluid flow system, and the output signal comprises an Alternating Current (AC) component and a Direct Current (DC) component, and detect a change in the output signal to a new output signal based on a number of transitions to the new output signal, and a time duration of the new output signal. The controller compares the change in the output signal with one of a predefined number of transitions or a predefined time and determines a new threshold when the change in the output signal exceeds one of the predefined number of transitions or the predefined time.

Abstract: A fluid sensor for monitoring a flow tube of a fluid flow system is provided. The fluid sensor comprises a housing to hold a portion of the flow tube, and the housing defines a first cavity, a second cavity, a first fixture and a second fixture. The fluid sensor comprises an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the first cavity and a force sensor disposed within the second cavity. The ultrasonic transducer has an emitting face to emit ultrasonic signals, and the emitting face is configured to face the portion of the flow tube. The first fixture extends along a boundary of the first cavity and the second fixture extends along a boundary of the second cavity.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed for sensing a force applied by an external source. An example system comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of electrical contact pads disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The system further comprises a force sensing device disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the second surface opposite the first surface. The system further comprises a housing disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The housing defines an aperture that provides a common coupling interface. The common coupling interface provides a common path for the force to be transmitted to the force sensing device either through a first coupling or a second coupling different from the first coupling.

Abstract: Example systems, apparatuses and methods are disclosed for sensing a force applied by an external source. An example system comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of electrical contact pads disposed on a first surface of the substrate. The system further comprises a force sensing device disposed on a second surface of the substrate, the second surface opposite the first surface. The system further comprises a housing disposed on the second surface of the substrate. The housing defines an aperture that provides a common coupling interface. The common coupling interface provides a common path for the force to be transmitted to the force sensing device either through a first coupling or a second coupling different from the first coupling.