Abstract: An example device includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from an oxygen sensor, an ambient air signal indicative of an oxygen partial pressure of ambient air. The processing circuitry is further configured to receive, from an atmospheric pressure sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor signal indicative of atmospheric pressure. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the atmospheric pressure sensor signal, an oxygen partial pressure of the ambient air, determine, based at least in part on the oxygen partial pressure of the ambient air and the ambient air signal, the one or more calibration parameters, and calibrate, based on the one or more calibration parameters, the oxygen sensor. The calibrated oxygen sensor may be used to, for example, determine the oxygen content of urine of a patient to monitor renal function of the patient.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube. The assembly includes a first outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The solenoid assembly has a strain gage fixed to the spring. A strain detected by the strain gage indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: Example systems, catheters, and methods are disclosed for actively sampling a fluid. An example system includes a pump configured to pump fluid to direct the fluid a dissolved oxygen sensor and the dissolved oxygen sensor configured to output a signal indicative of an amount of dissolved oxygen in the fluid.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The assembly includes a first pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the open position. Pressure detected by the first pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the open position. The assembly includes a second pressure sensor positioned to be compressed when the plunger is moved toward the closed position. Pressure detected by the second pressure sensor indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube and an outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube, the solenoid assembly having an induction coil surrounding the plunger. The assembly includes a Hall effect sensor that detects a magnetic field of the solenoid assembly. The assembly includes a computer in communication with the Hall effect sensor, the computer having a processor and memory that stores instructions executable by the processor to identify a resistance of the induction coil based on data from the Hall effect sensor, and to determine whether the plunger is at the closed position based on the identified resistance of the induction coil.

Abstract: An assembly includes an inlet tube. The assembly includes a first outlet tube. The assembly includes a solenoid assembly having a plunger movable between an open position in which fluid is permitted to flow from the inlet tube to the outlet tube and a closed position in which fluid is inhibited from flowing from the inlet tube to the outlet tube. The solenoid assembly has a spring urging the plunger to the closed position. The solenoid assembly has a strain gage fixed to the spring. A strain detected by the strain gage indicates whether the plunger is at the closed position.

Abstract: An example device includes processing circuitry configured to receive, from an oxygen sensor, an ambient air signal indicative of an oxygen partial pressure of ambient air. The processing circuitry is further configured to receive, from an atmospheric pressure sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor signal indicative of atmospheric pressure. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the atmospheric pressure sensor signal, an oxygen partial pressure of the ambient air, determine, based at least in part on the oxygen partial pressure of the ambient air and the ambient air signal, the one or more calibration parameters, and calibrate, based on the one or more calibration parameters, the oxygen sensor. The calibrated oxygen sensor may be used to, for example, determine the oxygen content of urine of a patient to monitor renal function of the patient.

Abstract: An example device includes memory configured to store an observer and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the memory. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, from an oxygen sensor, an oxygen sensor signal indicative of an amount of dissolved oxygen in a fluid, wherein the oxygen sensor is located in a distal portion of a catheter or distal to a distal end of the catheter, and wherein the fluid flows to the oxygen sensor from a location within a patient. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the oxygen sensor signal, a measurement of the amount of dissolved oxygen in the fluid. The processing circuitry is configured to apply the observer to the measurement of the amount of dissolved oxygen in the fluid. The processing circuitry is configured to determine, based on the observer, an estimate of an amount of dissolved oxygen in the fluid at the location.

Abstract: Example devices and techniques for sensing a parameter of a substance of interest are disclosed. An example catheter includes an elongated body defining a lumen. The lumen is configured to receive or house an oxygen sensing element. When the oxygen sensing element is located in a proximal portion of the lumen, the oxygen sensing element is configured to sense an amount of dissolved oxygen in a fluid external to the lumen. The catheter is configured to block ingress of the fluid into the lumen while the oxygen sensing element senses the amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used for any endoscopy procedure. In certain embodiments, the devices of the invention reduce the occurrence of looping in the most difficult segment of the colon to navigate—the splenic flexure. In other embodiments, the devices of the invention make colonoscopies more comfortable for patients and reduce the risk of damage to the colon. In yet other embodiments, the devices of the invention comprise a supportive, friction-reducing device that can be attached to the tip of existing endoscopes to help the scope advance better through the colon and intestinal tract.

Abstract: The invention provides devices that can be used for any endoscopy procedure. In certain embodiments, the devices of the invention reduce the occurrence of looping in the most difficult segment of the colon to navigate—the splenic flexure. In other embodiments, the devices of the invention make colonoscopies more comfortable for patients and reduce the risk of damage to the colon. In yet other embodiments, the devices of the invention comprise a supportive, friction-reducing device that can be attached to the tip of existing endoscopes to help the scope advance better through the colon and intestinal tract.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed casket enclosure comprising a tray; a bottom cover adapted to be housed within the tray and having an open perimeter equipped with a first half of a zipper; a top cover adapted to fit over a casket and proportioned to mate with the bottom cover wherein the top cover has an open perimeter equipped with a second half of a zipper which corresponds with and engages the first half of the zipper so as to join the top cover to the bottom cover; and a clasp for sealing a start end and a finish end of the zipper.

Abstract: A base for a sealed package used to ship or store a large and valuable asset is formed by drilling the base to receive a bolt array, placing the bolts in the drilled bolt holes, punching holes in a sealing layer to fit over the bolts and rest on the base; applying sealant material around each bolt below and above the sealing layer to seal the junctures between the bolts and the sealing layer; and preferably arranging a protective layer over the sealing layer to leave an exposed perimetal region of the sealant layer extending continuously around a protective layer. The bolts are used to fasten the asset or a carriage for the asset to the base, and a flexible top cover with a bottom region engaging the peripheral region of the sealing layer is then bonded to the sealing layer to seal the asset within the package.

Abstract: A carton for storing and serving a self-heating meal and a beverage container includes a closable first compartment for storing and heating the meal. The first compartment has a first top wall and a first flap covering a first opening to the first compartment and a first securing means for releasably securing the first flap in a first closed position. The carton includes a second compartment for storing the beverage container and has a hole in a second top wall of the second compartment for holding the beverage container. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a second flap attached to the second top wall covers a second opening to the second compartment. A third compartment in the carton is disposed between the first and second compartments wherein the third compartment is open along a top side of the carton.

Abstract: A protective-sleeve-cartridge/stethoscope assembly includes a stethoscope and a cartridge mounted to the stethoscope, with the cartridge including a sleeve. In a cartridge-and-sleeve assembly, the assembly includes a cartridge having a first elongated circumferential sidewall, with the first elongated circumferential sidewall defining an interior space. The assembly further includes a sleeve, at least a part of which is stored in the interior space. In this assembly, the cartridge and sleeve are constructed and arranged whereby the cartridge may be mounted to a stethoscope, and at least a part of the sleeve may be dispensed from the cartridge interior space and over a head of the stethoscope. A cartridge for mounting to a stethoscope includes a first elongated circumferential sidewall and a second elongated circumferential sidewall inwardly spaced from the first sidewall.

Abstract: A protective-sleeve-cartridge/stethoscope assembly includes a stethoscope and a cartridge mounted to the stethoscope, with the cartridge including a sleeve. In a cartridge-and-sleeve assembly, the assembly includes a cartridge having a first elongated circumferential sidewall, with the first elongated circumferential sidewall defining an interior space. The assembly further includes a sleeve, at least a part of which is stored in the interior space. In this assembly, the cartridge and sleeve are constructed and arranged whereby the cartridge may be mounted to a stethoscope, and at least a part of the sleeve may be dispensed from the cartridge interior space and over a head of the stethoscope. A cartridge for mounting to a stethoscope includes a first elongated circumferential sidewall and a second elongated circumferential sidewall inwardly spaced from the first sidewall.

Abstract: A carton for storing and serving a self-heating meal and a beverage container includes a closable first compartment for storing and heating the meal. The first compartment has a first top wall and a first flap covering a first opening to the first compartment and a first securing means for releasably securing the first flap in a first closed position. The carton includes a second compartment for storing the beverage container and has a hole in a second top wall of the second compartment for holding the beverage container. An exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a second flap attached to the second top wall covers a second opening to the second compartment. A third compartment in the carton is disposed between the first and second compartments wherein the third compartment is open along a top side of the carton.

Abstract: A solenoid valve that includes a valve body in which a valve spool is slidably mounted, and a solenoid assembly mounted at one end of the valve body. The solenoid assembly includes a solenoid having a plunger operatively coupled to the spool and a solenoid coil for actuating the plunger. A solenoid valve driver circuit includes a circuitboard assembly that has a power supply responsive to external power for supplying electrical power to the driver circuit and the solenoid coil, and a microprocessor-based control circuit responsive to external control signals for controlling actuation of the solenoid coil. The solenoid assembly, including the solenoid and the circuitboard assembly, comprises a unitary molded or potted assembly.

Abstract: A fluid control system that includes a fluid manifold having a plurality of manifold bodies fastened to each other end-to-end so as to form at least first and second passages extending continuously through the manifold and each of the bodies. A plurality of solenoid valves are each mounted on a side of an associated body with valve ports opening into the body to the fluid passage(s) that extend through the manifold. An electrical connection arrangement is mounted at one end of the manifold for receiving control signals from an external source. A plurality of circuitboards are disposed one within the second passage of each body, with each of the circuitboards including male and female connectors at opposed ends for connecting the circuitboards in series with each other to the electrical connection arrangement at the end of the manifold. A third connector on each circuitboard extends laterally from the circuitboard for connection to the solenoid valve mounted on the side of the associated manifold body.