| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090048535 | Detecting Cross-contamination in Blood Measurements with a Multilumen Catheter - The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide accurate measurement of glucose or other analytes from a multilumen catheter in the presence of infusion of substances, including glucose. Examples of “multilumen catheters” include central venous catheters having multiple lumens, midline catheters having multiple lumens, multiple catheters configured or emplaced such that their lumens are in proximity to each other, and, in the case of indwelling analyte sensors, a catheter with a lumen for infusion and an indwelling sensor spaced apart from the infusion lumen. For blood withdrawal, anti-cross contamination controls can prevent the entrainment of blood which might be contaminated with feeding fluids or medications that are administered through other lumens within the catheter and in proximity of the blood sampling port. Cross contamination can occur under various situations, and is known to occur when the patient is connected to a ventilator. The ventilator cyclically raises the intra-thoracic pressure and diminishes blood flow rate in the central veins returning to the heart. The diminished flow can increase the chances for cross-contamination when additional lumens are introducing fluids during a draw sample. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090048576 | Managing Cross-contamination in Blood Samples Withdrawn from a Multilumen Catheter - The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide accurate measurement of glucose or other analytes from a multilumen catheter in the presence of infusion of substances, including glucose. Examples of “multilumen catheters” include central venous catheters having multiple lumens, midline catheters having multiple lumens, multiple catheters configured or emplaced such that their lumens are in proximity to each other, and, in the case of indwelling analyte sensors, a catheter with a lumen for infusion and an indwelling sensor spaced apart from the infusion lumen. For blood withdrawal, anti-cross contamination controls can prevent the entrainment of blood which might be contaminated with feeding fluids or medications that are administered through other lumens within the catheter and in proximity of the blood sampling port. Cross contamination can occur under various situations, and is known to occur when the patient is connected to a ventilator. The ventilator cyclically raises the intra-thoracic pressure and diminishes blood flow rate in the central veins returning to the heart. The diminished flow can increase the chances for cross-contamination when additional lumens are introducing fluids during a draw sample. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090201247 | Communications with a Haptic Interface Device from a Host Computer - The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses that can provide reliable communications between a computer and a haptic interface device. The methods and apparatuses can provide communication that is more secure against errors, failures, or tampering than previous approaches. Haptic devices allow a user to communicate with computer applications using the user's sense of touch, for example by applying and sensing forces with the haptic device. The host computer must be able to communicate with the haptic device in a robust and safe manner. The present invention includes a novel method of accomplishing such communication; a computer-readable medium that, when applied to a computer, causes the computer to communicate according to such a method; and a computer system having a host computer and a haptic device communicating according to such a method. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20100113899 | Alignment System for Optically Sampling a Hand - This invention relates to measurements of material properties by determination of the response of a sample to incident radiation, and more specifically to the measurement of analytes such as glucose or alcohol in human tissue. Some example embodiments of the present invention provide an optical sampling apparatus including an optical subsystem, having a receiver for receiving light expressed from tissue; and an alignment subsystem, adapted to urge a portion of a hand placed in operative relationship with the alignment subsystem into a defined configuration relative to the receiver. In some such example embodiments, the alignment subsystem includes a substrate having a plurality of projections therefrom disposed in a pattern such that the projections urge a portion of a hand placed on the substrate to a defined configuration relative to the receiver. In some such example embodiments, the alignment subsystem includes a substrate having a surface defining a volume approximating the shape of a portion of a hand such that the volume urges a portion of a hand placed therein to a defined configuration relative to the receiver. In some such example embodiments, the alignment subsystem includes a surface having a generally U-shaped cross-section and extending for a distance, wherein the surface is mounted relative to the sampling means such that a finger placed in the U-shaped cross-section of the surface is urged to a defined configuration relative to the receiver. In some such sample embodiments, the alignment subsystem is customized to portion of the hand of a specific individual. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100160747 | SELECTION OF PREFERRED SAMPLING LOCATION ON HAND VIA MINIMIZATION OF SAMPLING ERROR, AND OPTICAL ALIGNMENT FOR REPEATABLY SAMPLING TISSUE - The present invention relates to measurements of material properties by determination of the response of a sample to incident radiation, and more specifically to the measurement of analytes such as glucose or alcohol in human tissue. The invention is particularly useful in connection with noncontact optical sampling of skin. Some example embodiments of the invention provide for selection of preferred sampling locations responsive to optically-determined characteristics of the tissue. Some example embodiments of the invention provide for precise and repeatable alignment of the tissue based on optically-determined characteristics of the tissue. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100261526 | HUMAN-COMPUTER USER INTERACTION - Methods of and apparatuses for providing human interaction with a computer, including human control of three dimensional input devices, force feedback, and force input. | 10-14-2010 |
