Abstract: Embodiments of a reduced pressure system and methods for operating the system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system can include one or more processors responsible for various functions associated with various levels of responsiveness, such as interfacing with a user, controlling a vacuum pump, providing network connectivity, etc. The system can present GUI screens for controlling and monitoring its operation. The system can be configured to determine and monitor flow of fluid in the system by utilizing one or more of the following: monitoring the speed of a pump motor, monitoring flow of fluid in a portion of a fluid flow path by using a calibrated fluid flow restrictor, and monitoring one or more characteristics of the pressure pulses. The system can be configured to provide external connectivity for accomplishing various activities, such as location tracking of the system, compliance monitoring, tracking of operational data, remote selection and adjustment of therapy settings, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of a negative pressure wound therapy systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system includes a pump assembly, canister, and a wound dressing configured to be positioned over a wound. The pump assembly, canister, and the wound dressing can be fluidically connected to facilitate delivery of negative pressure to a wound. The pump assembly can present graphical user interface screens for controlling and monitoring delivery of negative pressure. The system can be configured to efficiently deliver negative pressure and to detect and indicate presence of certain conditions, such as low pressure, high pressure, leak, canister full, and the like. Monitoring and detection of operating condition can be performed by measuring one or more operational parameters, such as pressure, flow rate, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of reduced pressure systems and methods for operating the systems are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system can include a source of negative pressure and a controller configured to present GUI screens for controlling and monitoring operation of the system. The controller can be configured to receive, via the GUI, an adjustment of a negative pressure therapy parameter and adjust (or cause adjustment) of the operation of the negative pressure source based on received adjustment. The controller can be further configured to record historical data parameters associated with negative pressure therapy parameters. The controller can also be configured to transmit (or cause transmission) over a communication channel at least some of recorded historical data. The system can be configured to provide external connectivity for accomplishing various activities, such as location tracking, compliance monitoring, tracking of operational data, remote selection and adjustment of therapy settings, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of a reduced pressure system and methods for operating the system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system can include one or more processors responsible for various functions associated with various levels of responsiveness, such as interfacing with a user, controlling a vacuum pump, providing network connectivity, etc. The system can present GUI screens for controlling and monitoring its operation. The system can be configured to determine and monitor flow of fluid in the system by utilizing one or more of the following: monitoring the speed of a pump motor, monitoring flow of fluid in a portion of a fluid flow path by using a calibrated fluid flow restrictor, and monitoring one or more characteristics of the pressure pulses. The system can be configured to provide external connectivity for accomplishing various activities, such as location tracking of the system, compliance monitoring, tracking of operational data, remote selection and adjustment of therapy settings, etc.

Abstract: A brush-to-brushless motor controller adapter for use with a two-wire output signal from a medical console consists of a small enclosure containing a circuit board and has a short cable terminating in a two-wire connector which plugs into the two-wire controller output of the medical console and a connector jack for an electrical connection to a surgical instrument having a brushless D.C. motor. The brush-to-brushless motor controller generates a stable voltage for the adapter internal electronics (i.e., 12 to 15 volts), from a varying input voltage (i.e., 2.5 to 30 volts D.C.). The surgical instrument brushless D.C. motor speed is controlled as a function of the console output signal drive voltage amplitude and the adapter accepts pulsed inputs from a high power two-wire motor controller (e.g., 10 watts and up). The adapter accepts bipolar drive signals and is adapted to reverse the surgical instrument brushless D.C.

Abstract: A redundant active hand controller system has first and second motors connected to a common shaft. A compensator which differentiates a motor command signal from a first proportional and integral controller, differentiates a motor command signal from a second proportional and integral controller and subtracts the first differentiated motor command signal from the second differentiated motor command signal to provide a correction signal. The correction signal is summed with the error signal into the first proportional and integral controller to correct for slight differences in the integral control function of the first and second proportional and integral controllers.

Abstract: A state detector and loop compensation parameter controller for use with an active hand controller system having a single hand controller or having first and second hand controllers, processing and control means for the hand controllers and a flight control computer. The state detector and loop compensation parameter controller accepts a plurality of inputs and provides a plurality of adjustment signals to the processing and control means to improve the performance of the active hand controller system.

Abstract: A control system for an active hand controller, for example, uses a control stick connected to and controlled by a motor. Electronics are provided to control the motor to eliminate oscillations due to motor torque and high gain due to breakout at the control stick when the control stick is at about its null position. Both hardware as well as software implementations can provide position dependent dampening to the control sticks such that when the control stick is located about a null position, a higher rate of dampening is provided than when the control stick is located outside the null position, when a lower rate of dampening is provided. The system provides a stable active hand controller control stick without degraded force and feel characteristics of the system.

Abstract: An active hand controller system is provided wherein a feedback loop detects the position of a control stick to control a motor driving the control stick to thereby provide certain force feel characteristics to the control stick. The feedback loop includes a detector for detecting force exerted for the control stick to generate a signal indicative of the force or torque being applied to the control stick. In a more specific aspect, the invention includes the use of variable reluctance transformers, preferably in a push/pull configuration to detect the forces being exerted on the control stick.