A renal therapy machine includes a blood filter including a plurality of porous fibers; a blood circuit in communication with the blood filter; and a dialysate circuit in communication with the blood filter and operable with at least one pump, wherein the renal therapy machine is configured to perform a priming sequence in which a physiologically compatible solution, other than dialysate, primes the blood circuit and is flowed within the fibers and through pores in the fibers of the blood filter, and the pump of the dialysate circuit vents air from the blood filter into the dialysate circuit.

A needle dislodgement and blood leakage detection device includes a sensor assembly having a flexible sensor and a flexible substrate. The flexible sensor is provided, on an underside thereof at a location close to the flexible substrate, with a photoelectric sensor including near infrared transmitters that are of an array arrangement. The photoelectric sensor includes a signal amplifier module and a signal filter module that are electrically connected. An alarm device is coupled to the sensor assembly and includes a microprocessor unit, which includes a digital signal converter module, a signal sampling module, a signal demodulation module, a signal processing module, a time division module, a storage module, and a wireless transmission module that are connected in series. The digital signal converter module is connected to the signal filter module. The storage module and the wireless transmission module are respectively connected to a display unit and a computer.

This invention provides a dosage form dispenser, comprising a casing comprising a first portion adapted for insertion within an oral cavity of a subject and a second portion adapted to encase a dosage form dispensing mechanism located therewithin; at least one camera positioned on said second portion of said casing, further positioned to capture a field of view of a portion of a face of a subject, wherein said field of view comprises at least a portion of a base view of the nose of said subject; a dosage form dispensing mechanism; a microprocessor and associated memory for processing and storing user authentication information, comparing images relayed from said at least one camera to at least one stored user standard and providing authentication when a match is established; and an interface connected to said dispensing mechanism, which promotes dispensing said dosage form when said authentication has been obtained. Methods for dispensing a dosage form directly within an oral cavity of a subject in need thereof, using the dispensers are also described.

The invention is a wearable breast pump system including a housing shaped at least in part to fit inside a bra and a piezo air-pump. The piezo air-pump is fitted in the housing and forms part of a closed loop system that drives a separate, deformable diaphragm to generate negative air pressure. The diaphragm is removably mounted on a breast shield.

Methods and systems are provided for delivering anesthetic agent to a patient. In one embodiment, an anesthetic vaporizer includes a vaporizing chamber configured to hold a liquid anesthetic agent; a grid disposed within the vaporizing chamber; and a heating element positioned relative to the vaporizing chamber and configured to increase the temperature of the grid.

Apparatus and methods for delivering humidified breathing gas to a patient are provided. The apparatus includes a humidification system configured to deliver humidified breathing gas to a patient. The humidification system includes a vapor transfer unit and a base unit. The vapor transfer unit includes a liquid passage, a breathing gas passage, and a vapor transfer device positioned to transfer vapor to the breathing gas passage from the liquid passage. The base unit includes a base unit that releasably engages the vapor transfer unit to enable reuse of the base unit and selective disposal of the vapor transfer unit. The liquid passage is not coupled to the base unit for liquid flow therebetween when the vapor transfer unit is received by the base unit.

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.

Apparatus for determining information associated with reflection characteristics of a surface comprising a sensor (60) configured to generate sensor output dependent on an intensity of light incident on the sensor and having a field of view directed at an external surface (57) in use; an illumination source (58) configured to emit light onto the external surface in use; an optically transparent window (61) located such as to allow light to pass from the illumination source to the external surface and to allow light to pass to the sensor from the external surface in use; a light concentrator (66) fixed to or integral with the window, the light concentrator being configured to concentrate at least some light from the illumination source onto the external surface in use such that the concentrated light may be reflected from the external surface onto the sensor via the window; and a processor (40) configured to use the sensor output to determine information associated with reflection characteristics of the external surface.

A portable body fluid collection device that includes an apparatus for controlling the collection of body fluids and at least one strap associated with the apparatus for controlling the collection of body fluids. The strap can be worn by a patient to support the weight of the automated body fluid drain control apparatus. The apparatus for controlling the collection of body fluids includes a drainage tube and a fluid collection chamber in fluid communication with the drainage tube. The fluid collection chamber includes a first valve, and the fluid collection chamber is configured such that when a predetermined amount of fluid is collected in the collection chamber before a first predetermined period of time elapses, the collection chamber ceases collecting fluid.

Apparatus comprising: a sensor configured to generate sensor output dependent on an intensity of light incident on the sensor and having a field of view directed at an external surface in use; an illumination source configured to emit light onto the external surface in use; a window located such as to allow light to pass from the illumination source to the external surface and to allow light to pass to the sensor from the external surface in use; a shield coupled to or integral with the window, the shield being substantially opaque to substantially all wavelengths of light detectable by the sensor and defining an aperture which limits the field of view of the sensor; and a processor configured to use the sensor output to determine information associated with reflection characteristics of the external surface.