Abstract: A medicament preparation system, according to an embodiment, includes a water purification module and a medicament proportioning module. The system is configured to allow convenient and safe use in a home environment or a critical care environment as well as others affording safety, reliability, and a compact form factor.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system for use in blood circuits comprised of a pressure sensing pod and a force measurement device. The pressure sensing pod can include a flexible, moveable, fluid-impermeable diaphragm and can be formed via either a one-shot or a two-shot molding process. A mechanical engagement member of the force measurement device engages with a mechanical engagement feature of the diaphragm, and the engagement member is operative to move in concert with movement of the engagement feature of the diaphragm based on pressure variations with the pressure sensing pod. The force measurement device generates and outputs to a processor a signal based on detected force associated with movement of the engagement member.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system for use in blood circuits comprised of a pressure sensing pod and a force measurement device. The pressure sensing pod can include a flexible, moveable, fluid-impermeable diaphragm and can be formed via either a one-shot or a two-shot molding process. A mechanical engagement member of the force measurement device engages with a mechanical engagement feature of the diaphragm, and the engagement member is operative to move in concert with movement of the engagement feature of the diaphragm based on pressure variations with the pressure sensing pod. The force measurement device generates and outputs to a processor a signal based on detected force associated with movement of the engagement member.

Abstract: High accuracy temperature measurement devices, methods, and systems for measuring the temperature of medical fluids are described. In embodiments, the devices have the features that they are compatible with the measurement of temperatures in a sealed fluid circuit, thereby promoting compatibility with sterile disposable circuits. Also described are combinations of temperature sensors and conductivity measurement for precise determination of the concentration of ions in a medicament.

Abstract: A pressure measurement system for use in blood circuits comprised of a pressure sensing pod and a force measurement device. The pressure sensing pod can include a flexible, moveable, fluid-impermeable diaphragm and can be formed via either a one-shot or a two-shot molding process. A mechanical engagement member of the force measurement device engages with a mechanical engagement feature of the diaphragm, and the engagement member is operative to move in concert with movement of the engagement feature of the diaphragm based on pressure variations with the pressure sensing pod. The force measurement device generates and outputs to a processor a signal based on detected force associated with movement of the engagement member.

Abstract: A low leakage current fluid heater and systems and methods thereof. The fluid heater has a configuration whereby a heating element is isolated from a fluid channel so as to leak into fluid passing through the channel an allowed amount of leakage current. Fluid passing through the fluid heater can be heated to a desired temperature. A controller can provide control signals to driver the fluid heater to the desired temperature and maintain the temperature at the desired temperature.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply to a pressurized combustion chamber. A fuel pump is included in the gas train from supply to chamber. The fuel pump increases the pressure of the gas to allow efficient injection into the chamber. The pump is modulated to control the fuel flow. Both alternating current and pulse-width-modulated direct current signals may be used to control the flow. The pump may be a piston pump or a diaphragm pump. Feedback may be provided from sensors that determine operating parameters of the engine and such sensor signals may be used by the controller to maintain a parameter, such as temperature, at a specified value. An acoustic filter can be included in the gas train to significantly reduce gas flow pulsations generated by the pump. This filter improves the uniformity of the combustion process.

Abstract: An electromechanical compression release valve for compressors, engines with rotary or reciprocating mechanisms and external combustion engines, such as, a Stirling cycle engine, reduces the engine starting power by reducing the compression pressure in the cylinder head space area. The valve reduces the compression pressure by passing the working fluid from the cylinder head space to another compartment. The valve comprises a housing, a valve member, a valve-driving member, a valve position sensor, and a ratchet pawl. In the open position, and while starting the engine, the inlet of the rotatable valve member is aligned with the opening in a chamber connected to the engine work space, thus, the working fluid passes through the valve member into the crankcase. After the engine starts, the valve position sensor directs the valve-driving member to rotate the valve member to the closed position. When closed, the engine working fluid can now achieve the operating compression pressures.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the flow of a gaseous fuel from a fuel supply to a pressurized combustion chamber. A fuel pump is included in the gas train from supply to chamber. The fuel pump increases the pressure of the gas to allow efficient injection into the chamber. The pump is modulated to control the fuel flow. Both alternating current and pulse-width-modulated direct current signals may be used to control the flow. The pump may be a piston pump or a diaphragm pump. Feedback may be provided from sensors that determine operating parameters of the engine and such sensor signals may be used by the controller to maintain a parameter, such as temperature, at a specified value. An acoustic filter can be included in the gas train to significantly reduce gas flow pulsations generated by the pump. This filter improves the uniformity of the combustion process.

Abstract: A shielded conductor path comprising: a first signal conductor having an input end for acquiring a physiological signal and an output end for coupling the physiological signal to a physiological signal input of a patient monitor, and a second signal conductor positioned with respect the first signal conductor for acting as a shield therefore. An inductance connected in series between an output end of the second signal conductor and the reference signal input of the patient monitor forms a filter circuit which attenuates the level of an interference signal in the second signal conductor. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the inductance is part of an RLC filter circuit contained in a housing which is selectively insertable between an EKG lead set and the EKG signal input of a patient monitor. The selectively insertable filter permits the use of standard EKG lead sets in the presence of RF electrosurgery procedures, without risk of burning the patient at the site of the EKG electrodes.

Abstract: A deflation control system for the pressurized cuff of an automatic blood pressure gauge uses a pressure sensor to control solenoid valves. The solenoid valves are responsive to respective pulse signals having variable duty cycles to change their time-apertures and, thus, their flow rates. The duty cycles of the pulse signals are controlled to maintain a desired constant rate of pressure reduction in the cuff. A microprocessor generates a control value which determines the duty cycles of the pulse signals. This value is proportional to the initial volume of fluid in the cuff and to a predictive term which is provided from a table that is indexed by cuff pressure. This value is then augmented by a feedback term, generated by a feedback control loop to ensure an accurate deflation rate. The gain of the feedback loop is selected so that the feedback correction signals do not interfere with pulse signals modulating the pressure signal. The feedback term is normalized by the initial volume measurement.

Abstract: An automatic blood pressure measuring device includes a flexible inflation system which quickly and accurately inflates neonatal, pediatric and adult cuffs without significant pressure overshoot. The device uses an electric pump having two intake orifices. A restricted orifice provides air to the pump for all cuff sizes. An unrestricted orifice, which may be opened or closed by actuating a valve, provides air to the pump only when an adult or pediatric cuff is being used. In addition, the pump is controlled by a motor controller which provides dynamic breaking to stop the pump quickly when the threshold pressure has been reached. An overpressure mechanism, separate from the pressure sensor that controls the pump, removes operational power from the pump when a predetermined cuff pressure level, greater than the threshold pressure, has been reached.

Abstract: An automatic blood pressure gauge uses two pulse width modulated solenoid valve to achieve a substantially linear deflation curve. The solenoid valves are controlled by a valve switching signal that has a fixed fundamental frequency. The gauge samples and digitizes the cuff pressure signal. To eliminate artifacts related to the valve switching signal, a microprocessor in the gauge filters the sampled data pressure signal using a third-order Chebychev 2 filter having a zero at the frequency of the valve switching signal. A single timing source used for controlling the microprocessor is also used for developing both the valve switching signal and the sampled data pressure signal, in order to achieve high attenuation of the valve switching signal components in the pressure signal via the Chebychev filter.