Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to providing breathing gas to a patient using a base unit and an auxiliary unit configured to be removably disposed on or at least partially in the base unit. The base unit has several couplings for improved control and sensing of the auxiliary unit and its components, wherein the couplings are configured to be non-contact with the corresponding components of the auxiliary unit and/or otherwise configured to minimize operational defects or improve efficiency. Non-contact couplings include induction heating, capacitive level sensing, a magnetically coupled rotor pump, RFID tag and reader, and Hall effect sensing. The breathing gas can be provided at high velocities by setting breathing gas flowrates based on dimensions of a nasal cannula used to direct the breathing gas into a patient's nares.

Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to providing breathing gas at a high velocity to a patient using a base unit and an auxiliary unit configured to be removably disposed on or at least partially in the base unit. The base unit has several couplings for improved control and sensing of the auxiliary unit and its components, wherein the couplings are configured to be non-contact with the corresponding components of the auxiliary unit and/or otherwise configured to minimize operational defects or improve efficiency. Non-contact couplings include induction heating, capacitive level sensing, a magnetically coupled rotor pump. RFID tag and reader, and Hall effect sensing. The breathing gas can be provided at high velocities by setting breathing gas flowrates based on dimensions of a nasal cannula used to direct the breathing gas into a patient's nares.

Abstract: The systems, devices, and methods described herein relate to providing breathing gas to a patient using a base unit and an auxiliary unit configured to be removably disposed on or at least partially in the base unit. The base unit has several couplings for improved control and sensing of the auxiliary unit and its components, wherein the couplings are configured to be non-contact with the corresponding components of the auxiliary unit and/or otherwise configured to minimize operational defects or improve efficiency. Non-contact couplings include induction heating, capacitive level sensing, a magnetically coupled rotor pump, RFID tag and reader, and Hall effect sensing. The breathing gas can be provided at high velocities by setting breathing gas flowrates based on dimensions of a nasal cannula used to direct the breathing gas into a patient's nares.

Abstract: A battery-powered medical device comprising an outer housing having an opening formed therein, at least one power source housed within the outer housing, which is configured to at least partially enclose the power source so as to prevent contamination of the power source with biohazardous materials, and the power source being removable from the outer housing via the opening, a cover configured to cover the opening in the outer housing and to retain the power source within the outer housing, and an actuator provided within the outer housing that engages with a portion of the power source when the cover covers the opening, wherein the actuator is configured to physically remove the power source from the outer housing and the outer housing is configured to release the power source via the opening without requiring physical contact between the user and the power source.

Abstract: A battery-powered medical device comprising an outer housing having an opening formed therein, at least one power source housed within the outer housing, which is configured to at least partially enclose the power source so as to prevent contamination of the power source with biohazardous materials, and the power source being removable from the outer housing via the opening, a cover configured to cover the opening in the outer housing and to retain the power source within the outer housing, and an actuator provided within the outer housing that engages with a portion of the power source when the cover covers the opening, wherein the actuator is configured to physically remove the power source from the outer housing and the outer housing is configured to release the power source via the opening without requiring physical contact between the user and the power source.

Abstract: A battery-powered medical device comprising: an outer housing having an opening formed therein; a power source housed within the outer housing, the outer housing being configured to at least partially enclose the power source so as to prevent contamination of the power source with biohazardous materials, the power source being removable from the outer housing via the opening; and a cover configured to cover the opening in the outer housing and to retain the power source within the outer housing, wherein the cover is configured to be operated by a user to expose the opening in the outer housing, when the cover is operated to expose the opening, the outer housing is configured to release the power source via the opening without requiring physical contact between the user and the power source, and when the cover is operated to expose the opening, the outer housing is configured to provide a direct path for release of the power source via the opening, such path providing no contact with contaminated surfaces of t

Abstract: A battery-powered medical device comprising: an outer housing having an opening formed therein; a power source housed within the outer housing, the outer housing being configured to at least partially enclose the power source so as to prevent contamination of the power source with biohazardous materials, the power source being removable from the outer housing via the opening; and a cover configured to cover the opening in the outer housing and to retain the power source within the outer housing, wherein the cover is configured to be operated by a user to expose the opening in the outer housing, when the cover is operated to expose the opening, the outer housing is configured to release the power source via the opening without requiring physical contact between the user and the power source, and when the cover is operated to expose the opening, the outer housing is configured to provide a direct path for release of the power source via the opening, such path providing no contact with contaminated surfaces of t

Abstract: A device for suturing tissue includes a handle including a housing and a suturing needle for advancing a suture through the tissue. The device also includes a first needle gripper that is configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. A second needle gripper is also configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. An actuator is coupled to the housing and is operatively coupled to: (a) a first linkage that pivots the second gripping gripper between a fully extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing; and (b) a second linkage that is operatively coupled to the first and second needle grippers and configured to alter a state of each of the first and second needle grippers. The second linkage can include a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A device for suturing tissue includes a handle including a housing and a suturing needle for advancing a suture through the tissue. The device also includes a first needle gripper that is configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. A second needle gripper is also configured to both grasp and release the suturing needle. An actuator is coupled to the housing and is operatively coupled to: (a) a first linkage that pivots the second gripping gripper between a fully extended position and a retracted position relative to the housing; and (b) a second linkage that is operatively coupled to the first and second needle grippers and configured to alter a state of each of the first and second needle grippers. The second linkage can include a one-way clutch.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell stack including a layer of encapsulating material disposed about the separator plate, MEA, and reactant manifold, wherein the reactant manifold is bounded at least in part by the encapsulating material. The fuel cell stack also includes a first opening through the plate body to the first face from the second face, and an open channel in the second face extending from the opening toward a periphery of the plate. The invention also provides a fuel cell stack having a first face including an opening for passage of a reactant therethrough, a first reactant flow field defined thereon, and a first raised surface formed thereon substantially surrounding the opening. The first raised surface is configured and adapted to mate with a second surface on a face of an adjacent plate to create a flow obstruction for encapsulating material.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell stack including a layer of encapsulating material disposed about the separator plate, MEA, and reactant manifold, wherein the reactant manifold is bounded at least in part by the encapsulating material. The fuel cell stack also includes a first opening through the plate body to the first face from the second face, and an open channel in the second face extending from the opening toward a periphery of the plate. The invention also provides a fuel cell stack having a first face including an opening for passage of a reactant therethrough, a first reactant flow field defined thereon, and a first raised surface formed thereon substantially surrounding the opening. The first raised surface is configured and adapted to mate with a second surface on a face of an adjacent plate to create a flow obstruction for encapsulating material.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.

Abstract: The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell stack including a layer of encapsulating material disposed about the separator plate, MEA, and reactant manifold, wherein the reactant manifold is bounded at least in part by the encapsulating material. The fuel cell stack also includes a first opening through the plate body to the first face from the second face, and an open channel in the second face extending from the opening toward a periphery of the plate. The invention also provides a fuel cell stack having a first face including an opening for passage of a reactant therethrough, a first reactant flow field defined thereon, and a first raised surface formed thereon substantially surrounding the opening. The first raised surface is configured and adapted to mate with a second surface on a face of an adjacent plate to create a flow obstruction for encapsulating material.

Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell stack including a layer of encapsulating material disposed about the separator plate, MEA, and reactant manifold, wherein the reactant manifold is bounded at least in part by the encapsulating material. The fuel cell stack also includes a first opening through the plate body to the first face from the second face, and an open channel in the second face extending from the opening toward a periphery of the plate. The invention also provides a fuel cell stack having a first face including an opening for passage of a reactant therethrough, a first reactant flow field defined thereon, and a first raised surface formed thereon substantially surrounding the opening. The first raised surface is configured and adapted to mate with a second surface on a face of an adjacent plate to create a flow obstruction for encapsulating material.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.

Abstract: The present invention provides membrane cassettes and stacks thereof which are suitable for a use in a variety of electrochemical applications. The invention further provides membrane cassettes which comprise one or more external manifolds which deliver reagents and/or coolant to one or more reactant or coolant flow fields of the membrane cassettes. In particular, the present invention describes the insert molding method, whereby the plenums of the external manifolds are created during the stack encapsulation step. The invention describes several methods for creating the manifold runner geometry via insert-molding, machining, or with separate components.