Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region with a posterior end of the article of footwear, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region with an anterior end of the article of footwear; a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; a sole structure, the sole structure coupled to the upper, and wherein the sole structure has; a cushioning element disposed in the heel region, the cushioning element having a first tube and a second tube, wherein each of the first tube and the second tube extend from the lateral side of the article of footwear to the medial side of the article of footwear, wherein the first tube includes a contained fluid volume at a first pressure, and the second tube includes a contained fluid volume at a second pressure, wherein the first pressure and the second pressure are equal to one another.

Abstract: A sole structure for an article of footwear having a first support element, the first support element including a first set of recesses; a second support element, the second support element including a second set of recesses, and wherein the second support element includes an opening extending therethrough; a coupling portion, the coupling portion including a third set of recesses, and wherein the coupling portion is disposed within the opening of the second support element; a cushioning element disposed between the first support element and the second support element, the cushioning element including a plurality of tubes, wherein the first set of recesses, the second set of recesses, and the third set of recesses form a continuous receiving area, and wherein the cushioning element is disposed within the continuous receiving area.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising an upper and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure includes a cushioning element, comprising a plurality of tubes, wherein adjacent tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area, disposed between a first support element and a second support element, wherein one or more of the respective web areas is exposed to the external environment.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having a lateral side, and a medial side opposite the lateral side; an upper; and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure has a first cushioning element, having a plurality of first tubes and a plurality of first web areas. Adjacent first tubes are connected to one another by a respective first web area of the plurality of first web areas. The sole structure also having a second cushioning element, having a plurality of second tubes and a plurality of second web areas. Adjacent second tubes are connected to one another by a respective web area of the second plurality of web areas.

Abstract: An article of footwear having a heel region including a posterior end, a mid-foot region, and a forefoot region including an anterior end. The article of footwear having an upper extending from the heel region to the forefoot region and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The sole structure further has a first cushioning element having a first tube, a second tube, a third tube, and a fourth tube, and an outsole layer extending from the posterior end to the anterior end. The outsole layer is configured to directly receive a portion of the first cushioning element, and the outsole layer forms a ground-contacting surface of the article of footwear.

Abstract: A vaporizer device includes various modular components. The vaporizer device includes a first subassembly. The first subassembly includes a cartridge connector that secures a vaporizer cartridge to the vaporizer device and includes at least two receptacle contacts that electrically communicate with the vaporizer cartridge. The vaporizer device includes a second subassembly. The second subassembly includes a skeleton defining a rigid tray that retains at least a power source. The vaporizer device also includes a third subassembly. The third subassembly includes a plurality of charging contacts that supply power to the power source, and an end cap that encloses an end of the vaporizer device.

Abstract: A top for a plasma storage container includes a top body that defines the structure of the top and seals an opening of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a first opening and a vent opening extending through the top body. A valve mechanism is located at least partially within the top body and includes an aperture therethrough. The aperture opens upon connection of a blunt cannula to provide access to the interior of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a vent filter. The vent filter allows air to vent through the vent opening during plasma collection.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: A pump-valving assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes a pumping chamber, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The pump-valving assembly further includes an inlet ball check-valve assembly, first and second tapered tracts disposed between the inlet port and the pumping chamber, an outlet ball check-valve assembly, and third and fourth tapered tracts disposed between the pumping chamber and outlet port. The first tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the inlet port to the inlet ball check valve assembly, and the second tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the inlet ball check valve assembly to the chamber. The third tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the chamber to the outlet ball check valve assembly and the fourth tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the outlet ball check valve assembly to the outlet port.

Abstract: A pump-valving assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes a pumping chamber, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The pump-valving assembly further includes an inlet ball check-valve assembly, first and second tapered tracts disposed between the inlet port and the pumping chamber, an outlet ball check-valve assembly, and third and fourth tapered tracts disposed between the pumping chamber and outlet port. The first tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the inlet port to the inlet ball check valve assembly, and the second tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the inlet ball check valve assembly to the chamber. The third tapered tract expands in cross sectional area from the chamber to the outlet ball check valve assembly and the fourth tapered tract decreases in cross sectional area from the outlet ball check valve assembly to the outlet port.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump system includes a pump-valving assembly including a chamber and a diaphragm assembly coupled to the chamber and including a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm assembly and the pump-valving assembly are configured as an integral pump assembly. The system further includes a linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The system also includes a control housing rigidly coupled to the linear motor and a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, the controller system defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output to cause desired operation of the diaphragm. The integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the control housing, and the diaphragm assembly of the integral pump assembly is configured to be removably coupled to the linear motor.

Abstract: A pulsatile fluid pump system for driving a fluid pump assembly includes a reciprocating linear motor having a magnet and a coil, the magnet moving in relation to the coil, the coil having an electrical input. The pulsatile fluid pump system further includes a controller system having an electrical output coupled to the electrical input of the coil, and the controller system is configured to execute a waveform program defining an electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is configured to control operation of the linear motor by modification of a feature, selected from the group consisting of amplitude, frequency, shape, and combinations thereof, of the electrical waveform at the electrical output. The waveform program is further configured to accept a set of user-specifiable parameters defining the performance of the linear motor and to modify the electrical waveform in response to such parameters.

Abstract: A diaphragm assembly for a pulsatile fluid pump includes an edge-mounted flexible diaphragm, the diaphragm configured for operation cyclically between a diastole mode and a systole mode. The diaphragm assembly further includes a systolic distribution brace having an interior wall configured to cup a portion of the outside surface of the diaphragm, and a diastolic plate, embedded in the diaphragm, mechanically coupled to a portion of the inside surface of the diaphragm. In the course of the systole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the systolic distribution brace, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the periphery of the systolic distribution brace. In the course of the diastole mode, force is applied across the maximum radial extent of the diastolic plate, so as to impart tension in the diaphragm around the diastolic plate.

Abstract: A flow through fluid sampling system includes a sample tube and a cap. The sample tube is configured to collect a sample of a fluid and has an open top. The cap is configured to be secured to the sample tube to close the open top. The cap includes an inflow port configured to allow fluid to enter the fluid sample tube, an outflow port configured to allow fluid to leave the sample tube.

Abstract: A top for a plasma storage container includes a top body that defines the structure of the top and seals an opening of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a first opening and a vent opening extending through the top body. A valve mechanism is located at least partially within the top body and includes an aperture therethrough. The aperture opens upon connection of a blunt cannula to provide access to the interior of the plasma storage container. The top also includes a vent filter. The vent filter allows air to vent through the vent opening during plasma collection.

Abstract: A fluid cassette for a blood processing system includes a cassette housing and a rigid structure. The cassette housing defines the structure of the cassette and has a fluid path at least partially extending through it. The fluid path is configured to allow a fluid to pass through the housing. The rigid structure defines a cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The rigid structure also has an interface for interfacing and/or connecting with a pressure monitoring device. The interface allows the pressure monitoring device to measure the pressure within the fluid path. The cavity has a volume of air located between the fluid path and the interface.

Abstract: A pumping system 10, FIG. 1, provides a physiological pulsatile flow and includes controller 121, a pump drive head 50 coupled to a motor 12 and a fluid housing 52 having at least one port 60. The port 60 includes a ball valve retainer region 69, a valve seat 73, and an occluder ball 71 disposed in the ball valve retainer region 69. During operation, the motor 12 forces the fluid in and out the fluid housing 52 and causes the occluder ball 71 to move from a first position whereby the fluid cannot pass through the port 60, to a second position whereby the fluid moves annular to and generally around the occluder ball 71. This movement creates a slight flow reversal that “breaks up” any blood clots that may form. The pumping system may be used as part of a cardiopulmonary bypass system, a ventricular assist device (VAD) and/or a heart pump.

Abstract: A fluid cassette for a blood processing system includes a cassette housing and a rigid structure. The cassette housing defines the structure of the cassette and has a fluid path at least partially extending through it. The fluid path is configured to allow a fluid to pass through the housing. The rigid structure defines a cavity that is in fluid communication with the fluid path. The rigid structure also has an interface for interfacing and/or connecting with a pressure monitoring device. The interface allows the pressure monitoring device to measure the pressure within the fluid path. The cavity has a volume of air located between the fluid path and the interface.

Abstract: A pumping system 10 provides a physiological pulsatile flow and includes controller 121, a pump drive head 50 coupled to a motor 12 and a fluid housing 52 having at least one port 60. The port 60 includes a ball valve retainer region 69, a valve seat 73, and an occluder ball 71 disposed in the ball valve retainer region 69. During operation, the motor 12 forces the fluid in and out the fluid housing 52 and causes the occluder ball 71 to move from a first position whereby the fluid cannot pass through the port 60, to a second position whereby the fluid moves annular to and generally around the occluder ball 71. This movement creates a slight flow reversal that “breaks up” any blood clots that may form. The pumping system may be used as part of a cardiopulmonary bypass system, a ventricular assist device (VAD) and/or a heart pump.