Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide pumps that impart low shear force and turbulence to a fluid being pumped.SOLUTION: A reciprocating positive-displacement pump comprises: a hemispherical rigid chamber wall; a flexible membrane attached to the rigid chamber wall so that the flexible membrane and the rigid chamber wall define a pumping chamber; an inlet for directing a flow through the rigid chamber wall into the pumping chamber in a direction that is substantially tangential to the rigid chamber wall; and an outlet for directing a flow through the rigid chamber wall out of the pumping chamber in a direction that is substantially tangential to the rigid chamber wall.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pump that imparts low shear forces and turbulence on the fluid being pumped.SOLUTION: A reciprocating positive-displacement pump includes: a hemispherical rigid chamber wall; a flexible membrane attached to the rigid chamber wall, so that the flexible membrane and rigid chamber wall define a pumping chamber; an inlet for directing flow through the rigid chamber wall into the pumping chamber in a direction that is substantially tangential to the rigid chamber wall; and an outlet for directing flow through the rigid chamber wall out of the pumping chamber in a direction that is substantially tangential to the rigid chamber wall.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method for treating obesity. SOLUTION: A tube is positioned that passes through a patient's abdominal wall into the upper digestive system of the patient. The patient is allowed to carry out his/her everyday affairs including ingesting food. After the patient has ingested food, the food is extracted by pumping it out of the upper digestive system through the tube. The present invention is less invasive than current surgical procedures for reducing weight and allows patients to live a normal and active lifestyle without experiencing adverse side effects. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user. A dynamic support apparatus for supporting the prosthetic arm apparatus has a frame, a dynamic interface, a temperature control mechanism, and a control system. The dynamic support apparatus has a control system that is operably connected to the dynamic interface and controls the dynamic interface to change its geometry.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a variable acoustic source and a microphone, both acoustically coupled to a volume having a fluid region and an air region. The apparatus also can include a processor to determine a volume of the air region based on signals received from the microphone and the variable acoustic source. A fluid valve is coupled to the processor, and is configured to allow an amount of fluid to exit the fluid region associated with the volume of the air region. An atomizer, coupled to the fluid region, is configured to aerosolize at least a portion of the fluid.
Abstract:
A control unit system. The system includes a control unit which includes a control unit charging interface, at least one magnet located proximate to the control unit charging interface, at least one actuator, a detachable manifold including at least one magnet, fluidly coupled to the at least one actuator, a pump connected to the at least one actuator for causing actuation thereof, and a control system for controlling the pump, wherein the control system controls the pump to actuate the at least one actuator at least in response to a signal received by the control system. The system also includes a recharging device configured to receive the control unit, the recharging device including a reed switch, wherein when the magnet in the control unit is located proximate to the reed switch, the switch is activated.
Abstract:
A dynamic support system includes a control system for controlling inflation and deflation of at least one actuator having an inlet connectable to the a control unit of the dynamic support system. The control unit may be in communication with a sensor and may control inflation and deflation of the at least one actuator in response to information provided by the sensor.
Abstract:
A prosthetic arm apparatus including a plurality of segments that provide a user of the prosthetic arm apparatus with substantially the same movement capability and function as a human arm. The segments are connectable to one another and connectable to a prosthetic support apparatus that may be adorned by the user. Each segment of the plurality of segments provides a portion of the movement capability, enabling the plurality of connected segments connected to the harness mount to provide substantially the same movement capability as that lacking in the user. A dynamic support apparatus for supporting the prosthetic arm apparatus has a frame, a dynamic interface, a temperature control mechanism, and a control system. The dynamic support apparatus has a control system that is operably connected to the dynamic interface and controls the dynamic interface to change its geometry.
Abstract:
A cardiopulmonary bypass system utilizing membrane-based reciprocating positive displacement blood pumps (8300,8400) ('pod pumps'). In one aspect, the pod pumps are constructed to provide reduced shear forces on the blood being pumped. In another aspect blood flow through the pod pumps can be controlled by a controller using information from pressure sensors in the control chamber of the pod pumps. In another aspect, the pod pumps are included on a disposable unit that can be received and held by a receptacle means on a base unit, the base unit also providing pressurized control fluid to the pod pumps on the disposable unit through the receptacle means.
Abstract:
A system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction is described. More particularly, a system and method for aiding in the diagnosis of one or more pulmonary embolisms is described. The system and method described herein include a plurality of sensors, a thermal control system, and a controller means coupled to the plurality of sensors and the thermal control system for aiding in the diagnosis of a respiratory dysfunction.