Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).

In one set of embodiments a selected section of tubular stock has its ends welded together to form a pillow-like pressure sensing device with an entry tube and an exit tube each configured to facilitate insertion of the pressure sensing device into the flow path of IV infusate in an IV administration set or system. Fluid pressure in excess of a predetermined amount reconfigures the pressure sensing device from a generally oval configuration to a generally circular configuration to restrict and/or cut off fluid flow into the device while permitting fluid flow from the device to reduce the fluid pressure again reconfiguring the device back to its generally oval configuration and permitting fluid flow into and through the device. In other embodiments a fluid pressure sensing device is formed with a fluid entry chamber and a fluid exit chamber interconnected by a passageway and provided with a piston that reacts to an increase in fluid pressure above a predetermined amount to close off the interconnection between the chambers and fluid flow into the exit chamber. Continued fluid flow from the eit chamber results in a reduction of fluid therein and reopening of the fluid passageway between the chambers.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as “pods,” “pump pods,” or “pod pumps”) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).

An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: (i) a first port, (ii) a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and (iii) a third port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a spool slidably accommodated in a sleeve; an annular chamber formed between the spool and the sleeve, wherein the annular chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port, and wherein a first flow area is formed between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the annular chamber to the second port via the first flow area; and a solenoid coil, wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, a solenoid force the spool, thereby causing the spool to move, forming a second flow area between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the third port to the annular chamber via the second flow area.

A pumping cassette including a housing having at least two inlet fluid lines and at least two outlet fluid lines. At least one balancing pod within the housing and in fluid connection with the fluid paths. The balancing pod balances the flow of a first fluid and the flow of a second fluid such that the volume of the first fluid equals the volume of the second fluid. The balancing pod also includes a membrane that forms two balancing chambers. Also included in the cassette is at least two reciprocating pressure displacement membrane pumps. The pumps are within the housing and they pump the fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet line and pump the second fluid from a fluid inlet to a fluid outlet.

A diaphragm-type control valve having a diaphragm and a valve body is provided preferably for use in the separation of and fluid control between a fluid source and a pressurized gas volume. The diaphragm element and a port in the body together form an intermediate chamber that eliminates the need for a check-valve downstream of the valve. In one preferred embodiment, an inner surface of the valve body defines a chamber having an inlet and an outlet in communication with the chamber, and an elongated seat member defining a groove in communication with the port. A diaphragm member having upper and lower surfaces is disposed within the chamber. The lower surface preferably includes a pair of spaced apart elongated members defining a channel therebetween. The diaphragm member engages the seat member placing the channel in communication with the groove to define an air seat in communication with the port.

An example valve includes: a plurality of ports comprising: (i) a first port, (ii) a second port configured to be fluidly coupled to a reservoir, and (iii) a third port configured to be fluidly coupled to a source of fluid; a spool slidably accommodated in a sleeve; an annular chamber formed between the spool and the sleeve, wherein the annular chamber is fluidly coupled to the first port, and wherein a first flow area is formed between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the annular chamber to the second port via the first flow area; and a solenoid coil, wherein when the solenoid coil is energized, a solenoid force the spool, thereby causing the spool to move, forming a second flow area between the spool and the sleeve to fluidly couple the third port to the annular chamber via the second flow area.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to certain types of reciprocating positive-displacement pumps (which may be referred to hereinafter as pods, pump pods, or pod pumps) used to pump fluids, such as a biological fluid (e.g., blood or peritoneal fluid), a therapeutic fluid (e.g., a medication solution), or a surfactant fluid. The pumps may be configured specifically to impart low shear forces and low turbulence on the fluid as the fluid is pumped from an inlet to an outlet. Such pumps may be particularly useful in pumping fluids that may be damaged by such shear forces (e.g., blood, and particularly heated blood, which is prone to hemolysis) or turbulence (e.g., surfectants or other fluids that may foam or otherwise be damaged or become unstable in the presence of turbulence).

A firefighting monitor includes logic circuitry for determining the reaction force caused by the flow of firefighting fluid therethrough. The reaction force may be communicated to structures remote from the monitor for taking appropriate actions in response to the reaction forces exceeding one or more criteria. The monitor may also use flow and nozzle data for calculating a reach of the stream of the fluid, and may transmit this reach data to a remote location. The monitor may also utilize multiple pressure sensor transducers positioned inside the monitor for determining the rate of fluid flow, rather than a paddle wheel-type sensor.

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a gas valve assembly may include a valve body with one or more valves movable between an opened position and a closed position, one or more valve actuators configured to operate the valves, and one or more pressure sensors to sense a pressure within a fluid path of the valve assembly. A valve controller may receive a measure related to a sensed pressure from the one or more pressure sensor(s). The valve controller may compare the received measure related to the sensed pressure to an overpressure threshold. In the event the measure related to the sensed pressure surpasses the overpressure threshold value, the valve controller may be configured to provide a signal that indicates an overpressure event has occurred.