Steelcase Inc.

Healthetech, Inc.

Nektar Therapeutics

Ivac Corporation

Kevin S Nason

James R Mault

Edwin Marcum Pearce, Jr

Craig M Lawrence

Theodore W Barber

Timothy J Prachar

Jeffrey C Weintraub

Jonathan I Kaplan

David K Jones

David John Law

Mark A Baloga

Paul B Siebert

Adrian Edward Smith

Carlos A Schuler

William W Alston

Don S Minami

Scott H Russell

Andrew Clark

Steve Paboojian

Dennis Rasmussen

Derrick Tuttle

Brian R S Ward

Aneesh Bakshi

David P Lathrop

An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes, a flow pathway, and a hygiene barrier positioned to block a predetermined pathogen from the exhaled gases. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow pathway having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The flow pathway includes a flow tube through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, an outer housing surrounding the flow tube, and a chamber disposed between the flow tube and the first end. The indirect calorimeter also includes a flow meter configured to generate electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway, and a component gas concentration sensor operable to generate electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases as the gases pass through the flow pathway. The indirect calorimeter further includes a computation unit operable to receive the electrical signals from the flow meter and the concentration sensor and operative to calculate at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.

Metabolic calorimeter employing respiratory gas analysis

An indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject includes a disposable portion and a reusable portion. The disposable portion includes a respiratory connector configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. The disposable portion also includes a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases, having a first end in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. The disposable portion is disposed within the reusable portion, which includes a flow meter, a component gas concentration sensor, and a computation unit. The flow meter generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of respiratory gases passing through the flow pathway and the component gas concentration sensor generates a signal as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases. The computation unit receives the electrical signals from the flow meter and the concentration sensor and calculates at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.

A method of determining a respiratory parameter for a subject using an indirect calorimeter is provided. The indirect calorimeter includes a respiratory connector for passing inhaled and exhaled gases, a flow pathway operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases having a flow tube within the flow pathway through which the inhaled and exhaled gases pass, a flow meter for determining an instantaneous flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases, a component gas concentration sensor for determining an instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas and a computation unit having a processor and a memory. The method includes the steps of initializing the indirect calorimeter and the subject breathing into the respiratory connector if the indirect calorimeter is initialized, sensing the flow volume of the inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway using the flow meter and transmitting a signal representing the sensed flow volume to the computation unit. The method also includes the steps of sensing a concentration of a predetermined component gas as the inhaled and exhaled gases pass through the flow pathway using the component gas sensor, and transmitting a signal representing the sensed concentration of the predetermined component gas to the computation unit. The method further includes the steps of calculating at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter using the sensed flow volume and the sensed concentration of the predetermined component gas, and providing the subject with the at least one respiratory parameter.

Method of respiratory gas analysis using a metabolic calorimeter

Systems and methods are provided for aerosolizing a pharmaceutical formulation. According to one method, respiratory gases are prevented from flowing to the lungs when attempting to inhale. Then, respiratory gases are abruptly permitted to flow to the lungs. The flow of respiratory gases may then be used to extract a pharmaceutical formulation from a receptacle and to place the pharmaceutical formulation within the flow of respiratory gases to form an aerosol.

Systems and methods for aerosolizing pharmaceutical formulations

The present invention provides an indirect calorimeter for measuring the metabolic rate of a subject. The calorimeter includes a respiratory calorimeter configured to be supported in contact with the subject so as to pass inhaled and exhaled gases as the subject breathes. A flow pathway is operable to receive and pass inhaled and exhaled gases. A first end of the flow pathway is in fluid communication with the respiratory connector and a second end is in fluid communication with a source and sink for respiratory gases. A flow meter generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous flow volume of inhaled and exhaled gases passing through the flow pathway. A component gas concentration sensor generates electrical signals as a function of the instantaneous fraction of a predetermined component gas in the exhaled gases as the gases pass through the flow pathway. A computation unit receives the electrical signals from the flow meter and the component gas concentration sensor and calculates at least one respiratory parameter for the subject as the subject breathes through the calorimeter.

An adjustable support for a data input device and the like including a base attached to an associated worksurface, a platform shaped to support the data input device thereon and having a front portion and a rearward portion, and a support arm having one end pivotally joined with the base, and an opposite end pivotally joined to the rearward portion of the platform. Also included is a locking member fixed to the support arm, and an elongate brake element wrapped around the locking member, and having one end coupled to the base and a second end connected with the platform at a point spaced from the opposite end of the arm such that rotation of the tray about the coupling at the second end of the support arm releases the brake element and permits changes in the elevation of the support with respect to the base, and the moment of the platform and any associated input device tenses the braking element against the locking member and locks the platform in its selected position.

Articulated keyboard shelf

An adjustable support for data input devices and the like includes a base attached to an associated worksurface, a platform shaped to support the data input device thereon and having a front portion and a rearward portion. A support arm has one end pivotally joined with the base, and an opposite end pivotally joined to the platform. A brake element selectively engages a locking member, such that rotation of the tray about the second end of the support arm releases the brake element and permits changes in the elevation of the support with respect to the base, and the moment of the platform and any associated input device frictionally engages the braking element with the locking member and locks the platform in a selected position.

An adjustable support for a data input device and the like including a base attached to an associated worksurface, a platform shaped to support the data input device thereon and having a front portion and a rearward portion, and a support arm having one end pivotally joined with the base, and an opposite end pivotally joined to the rearward portion of the platform. Also included is a locking member fixed to the support arm, and an elongate brake element wrapped around the locking member, and having one end coupled to the base and a second end connected with the platform at a point spaced from the opposite end of the arm such that rotation of the tray about the coupling at the second end of the support arm releases the brake element and permits changes in the elevation of the support with respect to the base, and the moment of the platform and any associated input device tenses the braking element against the locking member and locks the platfform in its selected position

A heat releasable bracket, for supporting a ceiling panel under normal conditions, and for releasing the ceiling panel when exposed to elevated temperatures caused by a nearby fire or the like, includes a first bracket part which includes a mounting portion for securing the first bracket portion to a support structure such as a beam, column, wall, etc.; a second bracket part which is adapted to be secured to the first bracket part and provide a support for the ceiling panel; and a heat releasable link which normally joins the first and second bracket parts together, but which releases the second bracket part from the first bracket part when exposed to elevated temperatures, which in turn allows the ceiling panel to drop away from the position at which it is normally supported. The heat releasable bracket can form part of an effective and relatively inexpensive ceiling panel support system comprised of at least one heat releasable bracket and at least one other bracket which is not heat releasable. The invention is useful for normally supporting a ceiling panel, but releasing it if a fire occurs so that it does not interfere with effective utilization of a sprinkler system located above the ceiling panel.

Heat releaseable ceiling support

A sliding flow controller for controlling flow through a pumping segment used in a fluid delivery system. The flow controller includes a slider that travels along a channel defined by an elastomeric membrane and a variable size groove formed in a rigid component. The slider includes a projecting ball that presses the membrane against the groove. At one end the groove has a maximum cross-sectional area for a maximum flow position and at another end, the groove has no cross-sectional area for a flow stop position. The slider and the pumping segment have respective click stops to impart sensory feedback to the operator when manually operated. A ramped thumb indentation is provided on the exterior of the slider to facilitate sliding movement.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Kevin S Nason