A vacuum suspension system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism has a first member and a second member. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the first and second members. A fluid chamber is located between the first and second members and fluidly separate from the inflatable bladder. Inflation of the inflatable bladder mechanically separates the first and second parts to create a vacuum pressure in the fluid chamber.

A vacuum suspension system includes a pump mechanism operatively connectable to a prosthetic socket. The pump mechanism has a first member and a second member. An inflatable bladder is disposed between the first and second members. A fluid chamber is located between the first and second members and fluidly separate from the inflatable bladder. Inflation of the inflatable bladder mechanically separates the first and second parts to create a vacuum pressure in the fluid chamber.

A piezoelectric cooling system and method for driving the cooling system are described. The piezoelectric cooling system includes a first piezoelectric cooling element and a second piezoelectric cooling element. The first piezoelectric cooling element is configured to direct a fluid toward a surface of a heat-generating structure. The second piezoelectric cooling element is configured to direct the fluid to an outlet area after heat has been transferred to the fluid by the heat-generating structure.

Pump cassettes, wound-treatment apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a pump cassette comprises: a pump body having a pump chamber, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a diaphragm coupled to the pump body such that the diaphragm is movable to vary a volume in the pump chamber; and an identifier configured to store one or more properties of the pump cassette such that the identifier is readable by an automated reader to determine the one or more properties. In some embodiments, the pump cassette is configured to be removably coupled to a wound-treatment apparatus having an actuator such that the actuator can be activated to move the diaphragm.

Pump cassettes, wound-treatment apparatuses and methods. In some embodiments, a pump cassette comprises: a pump body having a pump chamber, an inlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber, and an outlet valve in fluid communication with the pump chamber; a diaphragm coupled to the pump body such that the diaphragm is movable to vary a volume in the pump chamber; and an identifier configured to store one or more properties of the pump cassette such that the identifier is readable by an automated reader to determine the one or more properties. In some embodiments, the pump cassette is configured to be removably coupled to a wound-treatment apparatus having an actuator such that the actuator can be activated to move the diaphragm.

A fluid control device has a housing. A first main plate of the housing includes a vibration portion, on which a drive body is disposed, having a rotationally symmetric shape in plan view, and multiple openings which is formed outside the vibration portion and through which a pump chamber and the outside communicate with each other. A second main plate includes an opening through which the pump chamber and the outside communicate with each other and which has a rotationally symmetric shape in plan view. The opening is arranged to include the center of the vibration portion in plan view of the first main plate and the second main plate. An opening area of the opening is from 10% to 75% of an area of the vibration portion.

A pump assembly includes a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, a motor supported by the housing, the motor including a drive shaft rotatable about a drive shaft axis, a first plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the first plurality of diaphragms positioned along a first plane, and a second plurality of diaphragms supported by the housing, the second plurality diaphragms positioned along a second plane, the second plane spaced apart from the first plane. Rotation of the drive shaft is operable to move each diaphragm of the first plurality of diaphragms and each diaphragm of the second plurality of diaphragms from an intake position to a compression position to pump a fluid from the air inlet through the air outlet.

A cooling system and method for using the cooling system are described. The cooling system includes a plurality of individual piezoelectric cooling elements spatially arranged in an array extending in at least two dimensions, a communications interface and driving circuitry. The communications interface is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements such that selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements within the array can be activated based at least in part on heat energy generated in the vicinity of the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements. The driving circuitry is associated with the individual piezoelectric cooling elements and is configured to drive the selected individual piezoelectric cooling elements.

A blood pressure monitor configured to removably mount to a cuff in a substantially symmetrical position with respect to a width of the cuff can include a housing defining an interior, a first port, and a second port. The first port can: secure to a first prong of the cuff when the cuff is mounted in a first orientation; receive and secure to a second prong of the cuff when the cuff is mounted in a second orientation; and enable fluid communication between the interior and at least one of a first fluid passage within the first prong and a second fluid passage within the second prong. The second port can: secure to the second prong of the cuff when the cuff is mounted in the first orientation; and receive and secure to the first prong of the cuff when the cuff is mounted in the second orientation.

Modular mechanically driven diaphragm pump features are presented herein. Such a diaphragm pump can include a motor, a drive mechanism, and a coupling mounted on a wheeled frame. A diaphragm pump can be mounted to the coupling by forming mechanical static and dynamic connections to brace a housing of the diaphragm pump relative to a drive rod which is moved by the drive mechanism to operate the pump. These mechanical static and dynamic connections can be broken to dismount the pump for replacement or servicing. In some cases, a gas charge can be introduced on the non-working fluid side of the diaphragm to boost performance and/or a dampener can be integrated into the housing of the diaphragm pump and mounted/dismounted with the diaphragm pump.