8513results about "Flow control" patented technology

An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.

An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and an external device communicate with one another via telemetry messages that are receivable only during windows or listening periods. Each listening period is open for a prescribed period of time and is spaced from successive listening periods by an interval. The prescribed period of time is typically kept small to minimize power consumption. To increase likelihood of successful communication, the window may be forced to an open state, by use of an attention signal, in anticipation of an incoming message. To further minimize power consumption, it is desirable to minimize use of extended attention signals, which is accomplished by the transmitter maintaining an estimate of listening period start times and attempting to send messages only during listening periods. In the communication device, the estimate is updated as a result of information obtained with the reception of each message from the medical device.

Systems and methods for integrating a continuous glucose sensor, including a receiver, a medicament delivery device, and optionally a single point glucose monitor are provided. Manual integrations provide for a physical association between the devices wherein a user (for example, patient or doctor) manually selects the amount, type, and / or time of delivery. Semi-automated integration of the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components aids the user (for example, patient or doctor) in selecting, inputting, calculating, or validating the amount, type, or time of medicament delivery of glucose values, for example, by transmitting data to another component and thereby reducing the amount of user input required. Automated integration between the devices includes integrations wherein an operable connection between the integrated components provides for full control of the system without required user interaction.

A drug delivery system provides for mixing various drugs in an optimally controlled manner, for using flow controllers to guide multiple drugs into a single or into multiple catheters, for enabling a single lumen catheter to treat a specific region with several drugs, for allowing for dilution of a concentrated drug in order to both increase the time between refilling and also for providing any concentration of a drug that might be desired, for using a buffer fluid to deliver exact amounts of several drugs from the same catheter or to separate several drugs within a single catheter, for using external fluid present in the human body either as a diluent or buffer fluid, and for providing for a drug testing / filler apparatus to be used prior to implant to ensure proper function and easy means of filling multiple reservoirs with different fluids, and also after implant for refilling operations. The drug delivery system (DDS) can perform both bolus and continuous delivery of substances, and enable the measured delivery of any one of several drugs to one or more distal locations at independently programmable rates. New types of catheter systems and uses therefore are also described. Catheter hub assemblies allowing for easy replacement of drug delivery systems offer advantages when replacing drug delivery systems. New methods for using the DDS in the promotion of healthy pregnancy and treatment of a developing fetus are also possible.

A device for delivering a fluid to a patient, including an exit port, a dispenser for causing fluid from a reservoir to flow to the exit port, a local processor programmed to cause a flow of fluid to the exit port based on flow instructions from a separate, remote control device, and a wireless receiver connected to the local processor for receiving the flow instructions. The device also includes a housing free of user input components for providing flow instructions to the local processor, in order to reduce the complexity and costs of the device so that the device lends itself to being disposable in nature. A system and a kit are also described that include the fluid delivery device, a separate, remote control device, and accessories for transcutaneous delivery of fluid medications. Methods of utilizing the fluid delivery device to infuse fluid medications are additionally disclosed.

A system for delivering a fluid comprising cells to tissue of a patient includes a container holding an injection fluid and a powered drive. A sensor system provides a measurement indicative of at least shear forces on the cells to a control system. Based at least in part on this measurement, the control system is adapted to transmit a control signal to the powered drive for pressurizing the contents of the container to deposit cells within the tissue of a patient via a fluid path and a patient interface. As an example, the cells can be pregenitor or stem cells.

A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.

A minimally-invasive analyte detecting device and method for using the same. The system and method employ a device having an active electrode optionally coated with a substance, and a counter-electrode that is configured at least partially surround the active electrode. The configuration of the auxiliary electrode and active electrode improves the current flow through the device and increases the sensitivity of the device. When the device is placed against the patient's skin, the active electrode is adapted to enter through the stratum corneum of a patient to a depth less than a depth in the dermis at which nerve endings reside. An electric potential is applied to the active electrode and the analyte level is determined based on the amount of current or charge flowing through the device.

A piston-type infusion pump is provided having an improved method of occlusion detection. The infusion pump includes processing circuitry for controlling the drive mechanism to infuse medication to a patient, including a sensor to track the position of the syringe plunger, thereby metering the amount of medication dispensed to the patient. The processing circuitry also includes a force sensor for providing signals indicative of the presence of occlusions along the infusion path. The operation of the drive mechanism causes delivery of medication to the patient. The infusion pump is constructed to be watertight.

A method for transcutaneously delivering fluid to a patient including providing at least one disposable infusion pump, wherein the pump includes a housing adapted to be mounted on a patient's skin, a transcutaneous patient access tool for extending through the housing and providing transcutaneous access to the patient, a reservoir prefilled with a therapeutic fluid, a dispenser for causing fluid from the reservoir to flow to the transcutaneous patient access tool, a processor connected to the dispenser and programmed to cause a flow of fluid from the reservoir to the transcutaneous patient access tool based on flow instructions, and a wireless receiver connected to the processor for receiving flow instructions from a remote controller and for delivering the flow instructions to the processor.

A method of dispensing fluid includes three processes. A first one of these processes includes pumping fluid into a resilient variable-volume dispensing chamber. The dispensing chamber is in series with a normally present finite fluid impedance and an output. The impedance is sufficient so as to cause expansion of the dispensing chamber as it receives pumped fluid even while some fluid flows through the output. Another one of these processes includes repeatedly measuring a parameter related to volume of the dispensing chamber over time. A third one of these processes includes controlling the pumping of fluid based on repeated measurements of the parameter to produce a desired fluid flow through the output. A corresponding system for dispensing fluid implements these processes.

A pump system for an infusion system includes a linear drive (36, 36′) which minimizes the space occupied by the pump components in a portable housing (10, 10′). A motor (34) and a motor drive shaft (42) are arranged in parallel with, and adjacent to a syringe (14, 14′) and lead screw (94, 94′). A gear box (54) connects the drive shaft and lead screw to transfer rotational movements between them. A piston driving member, such as a cone (116) or drive nut (116′) converts the rotational movement of the lead screw into linear motion of a syringe piston (24). Sensors (150, 152) detect when the piston or cone is in a “home” position and in an “end” position, respectively. Optionally, a proximity sensor (170) is used to ensure that the cone and the piston (24) are abutting during dispensing. Alternatively, a clamping member (350) selectively clamps the lead screw (94′) against linear motion in at least a dispensing direction.

This invention relates to an integrated vapor or liquid phase reagent dispensing apparatus having a plurality of vessels and a plurality of carrier or inert gas feed / vapor or liquid phase reagent delivery manifolds, that may be used for continuously dispensing vapor or liquid phase reagents such as precursors for deposition of materials in the manufacture of semiconductor materials and devices.

A method of dispensing a therapeutic fluid from a line includes providing an inlet line connectable to an upstream fluid source. The inlet line is in downstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber has a pump outlet. The method also includes actuating a force application assembly so as to restrict retrograde flow of fluid through the inlet while pressurizing the pumping chamber to urge flow through the pump outlet. A corresponding system employs the method.

A method of detecting a change (that is, an increase or a decrease) in the level of fluid in tissue in a first area of a body includes the steps of: applying electromagnetic energy, preferably in the frequency range of approximately 300 MHz to approximately 30 GHz, to a first volume of the body; measuring a resultant or returned signal; comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if the fluid level in the tissue has changed. In one embodiment, the method detects changes in the level of fluid in tissue of a body by applying electromagnetic energy to a first volume of the body over a period of time (for example, using an antenna or antennae); measuring a resultant signal or a signal returned from the tissue; and comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if a level of fluid in the tissue has changed during the period of time.

PCT No. PCT / JP96 / 01254 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 2, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 2, 1997 PCT Filed May 13, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO96 / 35368 PCT Pub. Date Nov. 14, 1996The present invention relates to a device for diagnosing physiological state based on blood pulse waves detected in the body. It is the objective of the present invention to provide a device which correctly diagnoses the current physiological state based on changes in physiological state measured over a specified period of time in the past while taking into consideration the cyclical variation exhibited in physiological state. In order to realize this objective, the device according to the present invention has as its main components: blood pulse wave detector 381 and stroke-volume-per-beat measurer 382 which respectively detect blood pulse wave and stroke volume in the body; blood pulse wave extraction memory 386 which extracts characteristic information from the detected blood pulse wave; memory 383 in which the physiological state calculated from the stroke volume and this characteristic information is stored; output portion 385 which outputs an alarm; and microcomputer 387 which controls each part inside the device. The microcomputer calculates the circulatory parameters based on characteristic information obtained from the waveform extraction memory, and stores the parameters in memory at specified time intervals. At these times, microcomputer 387 calculates the circulatory parameters from the stroke volume per beat and the characteristic information of the blood pulse wave at specified time intervals, and stores the parameters in memory 383. Further, microcomputer 387 reads out from memory 383 the circulatory parameters from a specified time interval in the past, and calculates the average value and standard deviation. Microcomputer 387 then determines whether or not the current circulatory parameters are within a specified range determined by their average value and standard deviation. When the circulatory parameters are determined to be outside this range, microcomputer 387 controls output portion 385 to sound an alarm.

An impedance model of tissue is useful for describing conductivity reconstruction in tissue. Techniques for determining and mapping conductivity distribution in tissue supply useful information of anatomical and physiological status in various medical applications. Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) techniques are highly suitable for analyzing conductivity distribution. Electrical characteristics of tissue include resistive elements and capacitive elements. EIT techniques involve passing a low frequency current through the body to monitor various anatomical and physiological characteristics. The system can interrogate at multiple frequencies to map impedance. Analytical techniques involve forward and inverse solutions to boundary value analysis to tissue characteristics.

Described herein are several embodiments relating to modular irrigation controllers. In many implementations, methods of implementing irrigation control are provided that detect a presence of a first module coupled with a control unit of an irrigation controller, the control unit operating in accordance with a bootloader set of code and a first set of code to implement irrigation control, identify that the first module stores a second set of code, and activate the bootloader set of code to replace the first set of code with the second set of code. Also described are various different types of modular controllers, expansion modules that may be coupled to the modular controller, having as variety of functions and features, as well as related methods of use and configuration of the controller and these modules in the controller.

A medication delivery and monitoring system and methods whereby drugs are safely delivered to a patient, monitored in real-time during delivery and crucial events are recorded during delivery to provide real-time, on-line information and detail for an audit trail. A novel safety label cradle unit is disclosed. Safety label cradles (SLC's) are provided in a plurality of sizes to match varying sizes of syringes which are disposed on a cradle of the SLC to provide a constant needle height on the SLC unit independent of syringe volume (barrel diameter). A selected SLC is securely affixed to a syringe by an adhesively backed label wrapping. The label is preprinted to provide drug identification indicia and drug preparation information. The information is automatically read into the system from the label. A novel delivery station of the system monitors drug delivery as a plunger of the syringe is pushed to deliver a drug to a patient. A smart tray in cooperation with a slider portion of the SLC is used to selectively deliver drugs to a port in the IV set. The smart tray comprises a first portion for carrying SLC units, an attachable second portion having a control panel for operating the system and a cover for lockably affixing the SLC units to the tray.

A system for at least partial closed-loop control of a medical condition is disclosed. The system includes at least one medical fluid pump. The medical fluid pump including a sensor for determining the volume of fluid pumped by the pump. Also, at least one continuous analyte monitor, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the medical fluid pump and the at least one continuous analyte monitor. The controller includes a processor. The processor includes instructions for delivery of medical fluid based at least on data received from the at least one continuous analyte monitor.

Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.