Abstract: A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Tilting of a drip chamber from its vertical axis during fluid administration can have negative effects upon the accuracy of systems configured for drop counting and/or for volumetric measurement of individual drops passing through the drip chamber. To address these negative effects, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid delivery system that measures the flow volume of a fluid delivery system is disclosed, which includes an imaging apparatus that captures a first image of a drip chamber while a drop is falling therein and a second image of the drip chamber with no drop. Portions of each image that are in substantially the same position in each image are subtracted.

Abstract: Tilting of a drip chamber from its vertical axis during fluid administration can have negative effects upon the accuracy of systems configured for drop counting and/or for volumetric measurement of individual drops passing through the drip chamber. To address these negative effects, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid delivery system engages in a fluid control process that comprises determining an error parameter, based at least in part on a tilt signal, generating an error condition, and either holding the fluid flow at the present rate or stopping the flow.

Abstract: Infusion systems and methods containing unique inner passage configurations are provided to improve the in-line detection of air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system by reducing the problems associated with the presence of bouncing air bubbles and stuck fluid droplets in the fluid delivery line.

Abstract: Infusion systems and methods containing unique inner passage configurations are provided to improve the in-line detection of air in a fluid delivery line of an infusion system by reducing the problems associated with the presence of bouncing air bubbles and stuck fluid droplets in the fluid delivery line.

Abstract: A point of care fluid testing system for determining properties of a fluid comprises a patient connection, a primary fluid routing portion, a pump, a secondary fluid routing portion, and a flushing fluid connection. The patient connection connects the system to a patient. The primary fluid routing portion has a pump region, a fluid transfer region, and an in-line testing region. The pump region pumps the fluid sample from the patient to the testing portion and back to the patient. The in-line testing region evaluates a first characteristic of the fluid sample. The fluid transfer region transmits a portion of the fluid sample out of the primary fluid routing portion. The secondary fluid routing portion includes an off-line testing portion that receives the portion of the fluid sample transmitted from the fluid transfer region. The off-line testing portion evaluates a second characteristic of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion, and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Tilting of a drip chamber from its vertical axis during fluid administration can have negative effects upon the accuracy of systems configured for drop counting and/or for volumetric measurement of individual drops passing through the drip chamber. To address these negative effects, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid delivery system that measures the flow volume of a fluid delivery system is disclosed, which includes an imaging apparatus that captures a first image of a drip chamber while a drop is falling therein and a second image of the drip chamber with no drop. Portions of each image that are in substantially the same position in each image are subtracted.

Abstract: Tilting of a drip chamber from its vertical axis during fluid administration can have negative effects upon the accuracy of systems configured for drop counting and/or for volumetric measurement of individual drops passing through the drip chamber. To address these negative effects, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid delivery system engages in a fluid control process that comprises determining an error parameter, based at least in part on a tilt signal, generating an error condition, and either holding the fluid flow at the present rate or stopping the flow.

Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.

Abstract: A differential pressure based flow sensor assembly and method of using the same to determine the rate of fluid flow in a fluid system. The sensor assembly comprises a disposable portion, and a reusable portion. A flow restricting element is positioned along a fluid flow passage between an inlet and an outlet. The disposable portion further has an upstream fluid pressure membrane and a downstream fluid pressure membrane. The reusable portion has an upstream fluid pressure sensor and a downstream fluid pressure sensor. The upstream fluid pressure sensor senses the upstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the flow restricting element. The downstream fluid pressure sensor senses the downstream fluid pressure at a location within the fluid flow passage between the flow restricting element and the outlet. The process utilizes output of the sensors to calculate the flow rate of the fluid.

Abstract: Automated blood sampling systems and methods of use are disclosed which are configured to withdraw and test the blood of a mammal without clotting of the withdrawn blood in a main flow path of the automated blood sampling system. The automated blood sampling systems and methods do not require the use of an anti-blood-clotting solution or drug such as Heparin to avoid clotting of the blood in the main flow path of the automated blood sampling system.

Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and method for controlling the application of a coupling agent, such as a silicone oil or mineral oil, on a surface of a tissue prior to contacting the tissue with an apparatus for non-invasive optical measurement of the concentration of an analyte. The article ensures that a specific quantity of the coupling agent is deposited in a uniform layer over the entire target area of the tissue, thereby enhancing both the optical signal and the repeatability of thermal and optical coupling with the components of the apparatus.

Abstract: A method of monitoring performance of a fluid testing system is provided. The method draws a fluid sample to the testing system using a pump. A voltage output of a sensor, such as an optical sensor, is generated. The voltage output of the optical sensor during the drawing is compared to an upper fluid volume drawn based voltage limit and a lower fluid volume drawn based voltage limit stored within a memory. The system is flushed with a flushing fluid using the pump to flush the flushing fluid from the testing system. The voltage output of the optical sensor during the flushing is compared to an upper fluid volume flushed based voltage limit and a lower fluid volume flushed based voltage limit stored within the memory. An alert generates if at least one of the voltage output during the drawing of the fluid sample is outside of voltage limits.

Abstract: This invention provides an article of manufacture and method for controlling the application of a coupling agent, such as a silicone oil or mineral oil, on a surface of a tissue prior to contacting the tissue with an apparatus for non-invasive optical measurement of the concentration of an analyte. The article ensures that a specific quantity of the coupling agent is deposited in a uniform layer over the entire target area of the tissue, thereby enhancing both the optical signal and the repeatability of thermal and optical coupling with the components of the apparatus. The article comprises a backing and a layer of coupling agent on at least one major surface of the backing.

Abstract: A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly, and method for making the same, the disposable comprises a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned along the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is at a location in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane defines an opening for receiving the flow restricting element. The fluid pressure membrane is located between the lid portion and the base portion of the body.

Abstract: A disposable assembly for use with a sensor assembly, the disposable comprising a body, a flow restricting element, and a fluid pressure membrane. The body has a lid portion and a base portion. The body defines a fluid flow passage that forms an inlet and an outlet. The flow restricting element is positioned in the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is disposed along the fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid pressure membrane is located between the lid portion and the base portion of the body.

Abstract: A method of monitoring performance of a fluid testing system is provided. The method draws a fluid sample to the testing system using a pump. A voltage output of a sensor, such as an optical sensor, is generated. The voltage output of the optical sensor during the drawing is compared to an upper fluid volume drawn based voltage limit and a lower fluid volume drawn based voltage limit stored within a memory. The system is flushed with a flushing fluid using the pump to flush the flushing fluid from the testing system. The voltage output of the optical sensor during the flushing is compared to an upper fluid volume flushed based voltage limit and a lower fluid volume flushed based voltage limit stored within the memory. An alert generates if at least one of the voltage output during the drawing of the fluid sample is outside of voltage limits.

Abstract: A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.