Abstract: In a fluid sampling system, a pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. One form of a blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula, the locking member latches to the injection site and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula includes an elongated member having a tapered distal end region and a substantially cylindrical sheath surrounding the elongated member to protect it from inadvertent touch contamination. The sheath may include means defining at least two slots opposite one another at its distal end and the sheath may be outwardly tapered.

Abstract: A continuous cardiac output monitor includes a general-purpose monitoring console with local display and communication facilities, and a module removably interfacing with the console to configure the latter for performing continuous cardiac output monitoring. The module includes a switch-mode high efficiency power amplifier for providing electrical heating power at a selected voltage, frequency, and wave form to a heating element of a continuous cardiac output monitoring catheter, which catheter at a distal end portion thereof is immersed in the blood flow of a patient. The catheter effects a temperature transient in the patient's blood flow by the controlled application of electrical resistance heating utilizing electrical power from the power amplifier, and this temperature transient is sensed and used to derive a value for the patient's cardiac output.

Abstract: Improved optical mode mixers for use in conjunction with optical fibers and devices incorporating optical fibers are disclosed and claimed. The optical mode mixers are formed from a coherent, orderly bundle of numerous small diameter optical fibers in a longitudinally aligned, parallel array. The mode mixer is optically linked to the fiber optic cable and effectively reduces undesirable high order modes of light transmission while eliminating alignment sensitivity. The coherent fiber optic bundles may be as short as ten wavelengths of light in length and will have a diameter substantially equal to that of the fiber optic cable to which they are coupled.

Abstract: Reduced allergenicity natural rubber latex articles having otherwise normal physical, mechanical, and chemical properties are produced by directly sequestering the antigenic components on one surface of the article followed by inducing the remaining antigenic components of the natural rubber latex to bloom onto and adjacent to the opposed surface of the article prior to treatment with a subsequent screening reagent to sequester the remaining antigenic compounds.

Abstract: An improved, full-authority, digital-electronic-controlled cylinder fuel injection system for internal combustion engines is conceived that utilizes positive displacement metering and electrohydraulic actuation with pressure amplification, positive feedback control and self cooling. The injectors operate from a relatively low pressure common rail fuel supply that may be fed by either pumping or from a pressurized fuel tank. The injectors incorporate self cooling passages that enable continuous operation independent of engine cooling, if any. The injectors comprise a stepped piston freely oscillating in a cylindrical housing providing an actuation chamber at the large end and a metering cup and injection nozzles at the other. A third chamber is provided in between for handling a degree of piston leakage and ullage.

Abstract: The device for blocking (e.g., embolizing) the side branches of an anatomical passageway under endoscopic guidance. The device comprises an elongate catheter body having a side branch blocking apparatus, such as an embolization catheter, disposed therein and further incorporating an endoscope (e.g., an angioscope). The incorporated endoscope is useable to A) visually locate side branches which emanate from the anatomical passageway and b) visually observe the operation of the side branch blocking apparatus. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing a device of the forgoing character, including methods for performing in situ embolization of the side branches of a vein, under angioscopic visualization. The endoscopic component of the device may also be utilized to visually observe the use and/or effect of one or more separate device, such as valvulotome(s) used for cutting venous valves located within the lumen of a vein.

Abstract: Reduced allergenicity natural rubber latex articles having otherwise normal physical, mechanical, and chemical properties are produced by inducing the antigenic components of the natural rubber latex to bloom onto and adjacent to the tissue contacting surface of the article prior to treatment with a screening reagent to sequester the antigenic regions.

Abstract: Cardiac output CO is separately estimated in a local estimator and a trend estimator to provide CO values. A thermal signal is injected preferably according to a pseudo-random binary sequence signal profile at an upstream position in a blood flow region of a patient's body and is sensed as an indicator output signal at a downstream position. Low-frequency noise is preferably removed from the sensed indicator output signal. The local and trend estimations are based on measured frequency-domain transfer function values between the sensed and input indicator signal in relation to a pre-determined transfer function model, which is preferably a lagged normal model. The trend estimator is preferably a Kalman filter. The local estimator preferably forms its estimate based on non-recursive optimization of a cost function. The local estimator preferably provides initial values to start the trend estimator.

Abstract: An assembly for holding a substantially flexible suture guide of predetermined length in a substantially taut position used to achieve a suture line having a dimension equal to the length of the suture guide, such as the circumference about a heart valve annulus. The assembly includes a rigid suture guide holder having a surface against which the length of suture guide is releasably positioned. The guide holder can have a shape or geometry, such as a circumference or circumferential segment, equivalent to the shape or geometry of the intended suture line. The shape of the guide holder can therefore be selected to hold the suture guide in the shape most advantageous to placing the desired suture line.

Abstract: Methods and devices for separating leukocytes from a leukocyte contaminated blood fraction by use of a rotating membrane filter apparatus. The invention includes methods/devices for preparing substantially leukocyte free platelet concentrate for therapeutic use. The devices of the invention include a rotating membrane filter apparatus for leukocyte separation as well as tubing harness/component systems (FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c) useable in connection with automated apheresis instruments.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and controlling the temperature of a heating element in a thermodilution catheter to maintain it within safe physiological limits includes, in the preferred embodiment, a thermodilution catheter having a resistive heating element with a known temperature coefficient of resistance and system elements which (1) supply and control power to the heating element, (2) monitor the temperature of the heating element by monitoring its resistance, (3) determine the rate of change of the temperature of the heating element, and (4) respond to the rate of temperature change measurement by removing power from the heating element.

Abstract: A continuous cardiac output monitor includes a general-purpose monitoring console with local display and communication facilities, and a module removably interfacing with the console to configure the latter for performing continuous cardiac output monitoring. The module includes a switch-mode high efficiency power amplifier for providing electrical heating power at a selected voltage, frequency, and wave form to a heating element of a continuous cardiac output monitoring catheter, which catheter at a distal end portion thereof is immersed in the blood flow of a patient. The catheter effects a temperature transient in the patient's blood flow by the controlled application of electrical resistance heating utilizing electrical power from the power amplifier, and this temperature transient is sensed and used to derive a value for the patient's cardiac output.