Ivac Corporation

Tensys Medical, Inc.

United States Gtm Medical Devices

Ronald S Conero

Russell D Hempstead

Gregory I Voss

Stuart L Gallant

Stephen H O'Leary

William H Markle

Mark W Perona

Simon E Finburgh

Terry L Landis

Ronald J Vidischak

Stephen R Hessel

An improved apparatus and method for interfacing a time variant waveform between two hardware environments. In one aspect, the invention comprises a circuit for accurately simulating the output of one or more types of sensing device (e.g., passive bridge pressure transducer) for use with a plurality of different monitoring and/or analysis devices, thereby obviating the need for specialized interface circuitry adapted to each different monitor/analyzer. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensing device comprises a non-invasive blood pressure monitor (NIBPM), which universally interfaces with prior art patient monitors via the interface circuit of the invention. In a second aspect of the invention, an improved NIBPM device incorporating the interface circuit is disclosed. An improved disconnect circuit adapted to sense the status of the electrical connection between the sensing device and monitor is also described.

Apparatus and method for interfacing time-variant signals

A sensor assembly used for the measurement of one or more physiologic parameters of a living subject which is capable of storing both data obtained dynamically during use as well as that programmed into the device. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly comprises a disposable combined pressure and ultrasonic transducer incorporating an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), the assembly being used for the non-invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure. The sensor EEPROM has a variety of information relating to the manufacture, run time, calibration, and operation of the sensor, as well as application specific data such as patient or health care facility identification. Portions of the data are encrypted to prevent tampering. In a second embodiment, one or more additional storage devices (EEPROMs) are included within the host system to permit the storage of data relating to the system and a variety of different sensors used therewith. In a third embodiment, one or more of the individual transducer elements within the assembly are made separable and disposable, thereby allowing for the replacement of certain selected components which may degrade or become contaminated. Methods for calibrating and operating the disposable sensor assembly in conjunction with its host system are also disclosed.

Smart physiologic parameter sensor and method

A plunger driver system which engages a plurality of different sizes of syringes. A pushing surface includes a detector to determine syringe plunger presence. In the event that the plunger is not present and the pump is operating, a processor provides an alarm and may stop the pump motor. Arms retain the plunger flange in a fixed position in relation to the plunger driver. The arms have anti-siphon flanges to prevent too rapid movement of the plunger into the syringe barrel. A shelf for opposing downward movement of the syringe plunger and a ramp to guide the syringe plunger into position in relation to the plunger driver are included in the plunger driver. A cradle for containing all sizes of syringe barrels yet aligning the syringes with the plunger driver is included with a clamp to hold the syringe barrel in position in the cradle. The detector button includes a bevel at its top edge to facilitate loading the plunger in the driver. The plunger driver arms are biased independently from the screw drive disengagement mechanism. A ramp is also formed with the shelf to assist in guiding the syringe plunger into position during syringe installation.

Syringe plunger driver

Automatic engagement of a lead screw with a lead screw drive mechanism. A plunger driver used to move the plunger of a syringe is connected to the screw drive mechanism. A first detector provides a plunger signal indicating the presence of a syringe plunger in the plunger driver and a second detector provides a thread engagement signal indicating engagement or disengagement of the lead screw drive mechanism with the lead screw. The thread engagement detector monitors movement of a rigid linkage at the screw drive mechanism which has a nonlinear characteristic curve. In the case where the plunger signal indicates the presence of a plunger and the thread engagement signal indicates engagement of the drive mechanism with the lead screw, the lead screw is rotated in a forward direction to remove the thread clearance. In the case where the thread engagement signal indicates disengagement of the drive mechanism with the lead screw, the processor rotates the lead screw first in a reverse direction and then in a forward direction to cause engagement of the threads.

Dynamic lead screw engagement and indicator

Flow sensor for IV fluid administration

An improved optical flow sensor for optically detecting and measuring the flow of a fluid through a drip chamber assembly. The sensor comprises an optical energy-emitting chip sealed within a first lens block having a refracting lens in one surface and an optical energy detecting chip sealed within a second lens block having a refracting lens in one surface. The two lens blocks are positioned on the two parallel arms of a 'U'-shaped base with their lens surfaces facing each other across the open space between the arms of the 'U'. The drip chamber assembly has transparent walls defining a drip chamber, and the lenses compensate for the refractive effects of the walls of the drip chamber assembly on the optical energy passing through. As drops of fluid fall through the chamber, they intersect the optical energy passing through the chamber and produce a corresponding output signal from the detector.

Optical flow sensor

Growing community of inventors

San Diego, CA, United States of America

Ronald S Conero