Stephen John Coble

US Patent:

49367587, Jun 26, 1990

Filed:

Aug 15, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/231967

Inventors:

Stephen J. Coble - Sun Valley CA

Assignee:

ACI Medical, Inc. - Sun Valley CA

International Classification:

F04B 4304

US Classification:

417413

Abstract:

A fluid pump is disclosed herein having a frame defining an internal pumping chamber in combination with a flexible diaphragm. A top ring retains the diaphragm in position on the frame and includes a central area carrying an actuation mechanism for cyclically maintaining the fluid pumping operation in the pumping chamber. Inlet and outlet valves are disposed in the frame and interconnected with the pumping chamber to complete the pump. The actuation mechanism includes a motor-driven eccentric cam coupled to the central diaphragm area with top surface attachment only.

US Patent:

50025392, Mar 26, 1991

Filed:

Apr 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/036029

Inventors:

Stephen J. Coble - Sunland CA
Edward J. Arkans - Sunland CA

International Classification:

A61M 5165

US Classification:

604253

Abstract:

A rate meter for use with an IV fluid administration system having a vertical transparent drip chamber, the rate meter having an elongated housing having a notch therein for receiving the drip chamber, and a spring bias moveable portion which engages the drip chamber so that the housing is held to the drip chamber in a horizontal manner, the housing having two light emitters positioned on one side of the drip chamber and a photodetector on the other side, the light path between the light emitters and the photodetector being affected by passages of drops of fluid through the drip chamber, circuitry for computing a volumetric flow rate based on the frequency of detected drops, an indicator for displaying the detected flow rate and a self-contained battery. The two light emitters are arranged to provide equal light intensity on the photodetector. The rate meter is further identified by the provision of an occluder element forming a part of the housing slideable portion which moves to intercept the light beam from one of the light emitters when the housing is removed from engagement with a drip chamber to provide an OFF signal employed by program instructions to de-energize most of the circuit components to thereby prolong battery life.

US Patent:

46815694, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

Mar 22, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/715162

Inventors:

Stephen J. Coble - Sunland CA
Edward J. Arkans - Sunland CA

International Classification:

A61M 5165

US Classification:

604253

Abstract:

A rate meter for use with an IV fluid administration system having a vertical transparent drip chamber, the rate meter having an elongated housing having a notch therein for receiving the drip chamber, and a spring bias moveable portion which engages the drip chamber so that the housing is held to the drip chamber in a horizontal manner, the housing having two light emitters positioned on one side of the drip chamber and a photodetector on the other side, the light path between the light emitters and the photodetector being affected by passages of drops of fluid through the drip chamber, circuitry for computing a volumetric flow rate based on the frequency of detected drops, an indicator for displaying the detected flow rate and a self-contained battery. The two light emitters are arranged to provide equal light intensity on the photodetector. The rate meter is further identified by the provision of an occluder element forming a part of the housing slideable portion which moves to intercept the light beam from one of the light emitters when the housing is removed from engagement with a drip chamber to provide an OFF signal employed by program instructions to de-energize most of the circuit components to thereby prolong battery life.

US Patent:

45511330, Nov 5, 1985

Filed:

Apr 16, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/600663

Inventors:

Rene H. Zegers de Beyl - Glendale CA
Stephen J. Coble - Sunland CA

Assignee:

American Hospital Supply Corporation - Evanston IL

International Classification:

A61M 500

US Classification:

604 66

Abstract:

A medication infusion system which includes an infusion line for introducing medication to a peripheral vein of a patient. The infusion system includes a pump for delivering the medication and a pressure transducer within the infusion line for converting sensed fluid pressure waves to electrical signals. An amplifier is provided within the system for increasing the strength of the electrical signal. A gain control amplifier is electrically connected within the system for maintaining the electrical signal at a predetermined amplitude regardless of input variations. A tracking filter is provided within the system to provide an electrical signal representative of the patient's respiration rate over a preselected full clinical respiration rate range. A microprocessor is provided within the system for deriving from the electrical signal a control signal for controlling the operation of the pump. The microprocessor includes the ability to determine the presence or absence of the electrical signal representative of the patient's respiration rate, a comparator for comparing the rate signal with a preselected respiration rate and a storage capability for storing the rates and preselected rate values.

US Patent:

50899619, Feb 18, 1992

Filed:

Jul 24, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/385329

Inventors:

Stephen J. Coble - Sunland CA
Edward J. Arkans - Sunland CA

Assignee:

ACI Medical Incorporated - Sun Valley CA

International Classification:

G06F 1500

US Classification:

36441302

Abstract:

An apparatus and a method are provided for vascular examination of a limb by inflation of a flexible-walled pneumatic chamber mounted to the limb and calibration of the pressure within the chamber in units of volume. Calibration is accomplished by inflating the chamber to a preselected reference pressure, altering the volume of the chamber, and measuring the calibration pressure at the altered volume. The calibration pressure is stored for use off-line in scaling subsequent pressure fluctuations as changes in limb volume.