Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc.

Other

David W Peterson

Louis Leegrande Barrett

Perry N Law

Matthew A Stowell

Kristian Allen Sammann

Louis L Barrett

Michael J Germain

Ronald S Glaittli

Peter Kotanko

Jon F Moss

Kenneth M Bueche

Douglas L Cox

Robert W Schroeder

Charles T Ray, Jr

Michael Jack Germain

Michael K Black

Robin E Bowen

N Diane Hudkins

Louis LeeGrande Barrett

Bemjamin D Jensen

Brian Harris Nathanson

Brian H Nathanson

Kristian A Sammann

A circuit for measuring the conductivity of a medical fluid, the circuit comprising: a data collecting cell through which a medical fluid is configured to flow; an input voltage source that provides an input voltage to the data collecting cell; a voltage measurement unit configured to measure the input voltage and an output voltage of the data collecting cell; and a switch in communication with the voltage measurement unit, the switch configured to switch between a first state in which the voltage measurement unit is configured to measure the input voltage and a second state in which the voltage measurement unit is configured to measure the output voltage of the data collecting cell.

Systems and methods for measuring electrical characteristic of medical fluids

Systems and sensor clip assemblies for optically monitoring blood flowing through a blood chamber are provided. A sensor clip assembly includes emitters and photodetectors positioned on opposing arms, a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning raw analog signals generated by the photodetectors while the sensor clip assembly is fastened to a blood chamber, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the conditioned analog signals to raw digital data. The sensor clip assembly may include a microcontroller for calculating parameters of blood flowing through the blood chamber such as hematocrit, oxygen saturation, and change in blood volume from the raw digital data. The sensor clip assembly is in communication with a networked computer, and the networked computer is in communication with a remote computer configured to provide a user interface for monitoring and/or controlling the sensor clip assembly.

Controlling data output of a sensor clip assembly for an optical monitoring system

Remote interfacing with a sensor clip assembly for an optical monitoring system

Systems and sensor clip assemblies for optically monitoring blood flowing through a blood chamber are provided. A sensor clip assembly includes emitters and photodetectors positioned on opposing arms, a signal conditioning circuit for conditioning raw analog signals generated by the photodetectors while the sensor clip assembly is fastened to a blood chamber, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting the conditioned analog signals to raw digital data. The sensor clip assembly may output the raw digital data to an external device and receive synchronized control signals from the external device, or the sensor clip assembly may include a microcontroller for performing calculations on the raw digital data and providing synchronized control signals internally. Parameters of blood flowing through the blood chamber such as hematocrit, oxygen saturation, and change in blood volume may be calculated from the raw digital data derived from the raw analog signals generated by the photodetectors.

Sensor clip assembly for an optical monitoring system

An embodiment of the disclosure provides a method for measuring change in blood volume using a transcutaneous measurement system applied to a patient's skin. The method involves placing a sensor in contact with the skin of a patient, where the sensor includes a light emitter and a photodetector. An intensity of light emanating from the light emitter is set and an initial intensity of light received at the photodetector is determined, where the light received at the photodetector has traveled through the patient's tissue. A later determination is then made of the intensity of the light received at the photodetector. A change in the blood volume is determined based on the intensity of the light emanating from the light emitter, the initial intensity of light received at the photodetector and the final intensity of light received at the photodetector.

Transcutaneous measurement of hemoglobin changes to calculate estimated blood volume change during peritoneal dialysis

A hemodialysis patient data acquisition and management system resides on a host computer which receives information from one or more non-invasive, optical blood monitors associated with a hemodialysis system. When a patient is undergoing hemodialysis treatment, a sensor assembly monitors the patient's blood flowing through the hemodialysis system and a controller for the blood monitor generates data which includes at least an identification code for the patient undergoing the treatment on the respective system, and non-invasively determined blood data taken at the onset of the scheduled treatment, such as initial Hgb, HCT, and SAT values. A host computer communicates with the one or more optical blood monitors, preferably via a wireless network, and the patient's session commencement data is downloaded to the host computer. The host computer includes a patient database containing historical session commencement data for a plurality of patients, as well as screen displays for displaying historical data for individual patients, such as Hgb trends. The system also preferably provides a predictive algorithm for the patient's Hgb at the patient's next scheduled hemodialysis treatment session. The preferred system also includes software that provides a recommended dose of the anemia management drug for the patient.

Hemodialysis patient data acquisition, management and analysis system

A sensor clip assembly for an optical blood monitoring system includes a circuit board with a microprocessor that is programmed with a ratiometric model to calculate hematocrit and/or oxygen saturation levels of a patient.

An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Measuring hematocrit and estimating hemoglobin values with a non-invasive, optical blood monitoring system

In a transparent election system that protects voter privacy, the actual votes cast are published as a public record, with individual voter information redacted, allowing verification of the election results. A voter may verify that his votes were properly read and counted, to a high degree of certainty. The voter retains a receipt, including a unique voterID, from his ballot. During verification, using the voterID, the voter receives a plurality of non-matching sets of votes, one of which is his, without any indication of which one that is. If a voter does not recognize his set of votes, his marked ballot may be physically audited by voterID. A third party may verify the election results using these verification and auditing procedures on randomly selected ballots or sets of votes from a database.

Verifiable, auditable voting system maintaining voter privacy

Apparatus for lifting and transporting drywall panels has a pair of panel-supporting legs of square tubing attachable to side rails of a lift platform. Each leg is connected to the rails by an upper bracket at the top of the leg and a lower bracket at a middle location. A panel-receiving U-shaped channel is located on the opposite side of the legs, away from the rails. The lower bracket has a standoff member projecting the bottom of the leg outward at an angle. A roller at the base of the channel provides low-friction rolling contact with an inserted panel, and a groove in this roller serves to guide the panel. Rollers at the tops of the legs and elsewhere are placed to keep panels from being damaged by contact with the legs.

Drywall panel carrier

A compliance monitoring apparatus (10) includes sensors (70, 72, 74, 76) for sensing specified conditions such as temperature and impact, and a signal processor (26) for storing sensor data and concurrent time data for subsequent analysis. The invention finds utility in monitoring compliance with a prescribed mode of a person wearing an appliance such as a splint (12), and for monitoring the conditions experienced by a package (100) during shipment.

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Clinton, UT, United States of America

David W Peterson