Abstract: Automated gel permeation chromatography of multiple individual samples is effected with high precision and high speed utilizing a common sample sizing loop into which each sample is placed prior to its injection into the chromatography column, thereby eliminating the need for precisely matched sample loops. Each sample is pre-stored in its own container, the containers being automatically sequentially accessed to feed a portion of the contained sample medium to the common sample sizing loop. The common sample flow path, including the sample sizing loop is automatically cleaned with rinse solvent between loading of successive samples into the sizing loop. Multiple programs may be employed to control the processing times for different types of sample fluid. A sample container closure member having a unique sealing insert member is provided to preclude leakage of fluid from the sample storage container when the container is pressurized.

Abstract: A television camera is encapsulated in plastic material providing protection from environmental hazards. The camera, including a camera body, lens and lens cover glued to the lens, is embedded in and chemically bonded to the encapsulate material. A lens opening in the forward end of the encapsulate housing exposes the lens cover. A camera cable and pushrod extend from the rearward end of the housing and are chemically bonded to the encapsulate material. Individual light sources, partially embedded in the encapsulate material, are disposed in respective recesses oriented in an annular pattern about the lens opening. The encapsulation process employs a mold assembly having a base with a raised pedestal on which the lens cover is placed to support the camera. Multiple lamp receivers are disposed in the base in an annular pattern about the pedestal to sealingly receive the forward portions of respective lamps while leaving the remaining rearward portions exposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for killing undifferentiated epithelial cells during cataract surgery on an eye to prevent posterior capsule clouding after the surgery and to a method for performing cataract surgery on an eye including injecting a cell-killing substance between the anterior capsule and the natural lens prior to removing the natural lens from the eye. The cell-killing substance is preferably an acid or base adjusted aqueous solution having a pH in the range between about 1.0 to below 6.5 or about above 7.5 to 14.0; or a hypotonic solution having a salinity less than 0.9% or a pH adjusted hypotonic solution having a salinity less than 0.9% and a pH either below 6.5 or above 7.5. The compositions of the present invention also incorporates a viscoelastic material, a dye or a mixture thereof, in combination with the cell-killing substance.

Abstract: Suture devices, primarily for use in endoscopic surgery, include a suture needle having a length of suture material attached thereto with a contractible loop or passage at the proximal end of the suture material to allow the suture needle to be passed therethrough, the loop or passage contracting to clamp or grip the suture material to function similar to a conventional tied suture knot.

Abstract: A new composition, useful as a medicament, contains ascorbate, preferably as metallic salt(s), in combination with a dopamine agonist such as bromocriptine, with the ratio by weight of ascorbate to bromocriptine being 400:1 or greater. This combination, believed to act through stimulation of pituitary production of somatotropin, has a significant ability to stimulate enhanced lymphocyte function to result in method to reduce cholesterol levels in humans.

Abstract: A horse-drawn hitch cart has its tongue adjustably positioned laterally, by means of a clevis and plural hand-actuable locking pins, along an apertured drawbar suspended forwardly and below the floor level of the cart frame to be rotatable about a laterally-extending axis. A yoke bar is attached to the distal end of the tongue by means of a yoke ring circumscribing the tongue between two longitudinally spaced and hand-actuable stop pins preventing the ring from being disengaged from the tongue. The proximal stop pin position is adjustable to accommodate different length horses by virtue of a series of through holes defined along the tongue rearwardly of the most distal stop pin. A clutch assembly, actuable from the cart floor by means of a lever, permits a ground driven power takeoff unit to be selectively engaged quickly and easily without requiring the driver to leave his seat.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument having elongate inner and outer tubular members with distal ends cooperating to cut bodily tissue and aspirate the cut bodily tissue through the inner tubular member includes a coating of titanium nitride formed on the inner tubular member to extend from the distal end to the proximal end thereof such that the titanium nitride coating forms an elongate bearing surface extending along the length of the surgical cutting instrument to prevent cocking or skewing of the inner tubular member relative to the outer tubular member, to increase the surface hardness of the inner tubular member, to reduce the coefficient of friction of the inner tubular member and to prevent galling and possible seizure of the inner tubular member by distributing or dispersing heat along the surgical cutting instrument while reducing the clearance between the outer diameter of the inner tubular member and the inner diameter of the outer tubular member.

Abstract: A removable valve seat has a peripheral annular flange retained between an annular shoulder in a flow passage and a pair of retainer pins slidably received in bores defined in the valve body. The pins are not threadedly or otherwise engaged in the bores but instead extend beyond the bore termini toward the valve access opening and are prevented from substantial axial displacement by a collar projecting into the access opening from a bonnet. The collar also precludes clapper mounting pins from being dislodged from open hanger recesses disposed in a hanger surface. Removal of the valve seat and other components are readily effected via the access opening by removing the cover, lifting the clapper out from the hanger recess, sliding the retainer pins out from their respective bores and then withdrawing the valve seat out of its flow passage.

Abstract: A single pole, single throw switch for flashlights and other low amperage circuits is enclosed in a dielectric housing having an electric circuit contact fixed therein, the switch being selectively actuable by moving a threaded portion of a first electrode into and out of a complementarily threaded portion of a second electrode. Relative motion of the electrodes is achieved by manually rotating a cap-like part of the housing to which the first electrode is fixed. Voltages that can be accommodated by the switch are limited by the associated I.sup.2 R effects of contact resistance during switch actuation. Various components of the switch are fixed in the dielectric housing by friction, tongue and groove fasteners, and screws to facilitate servicing and repair.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implant in the anterior chamber has four fixation members extending from a lens body with the lens body having curved, opposed end peripheral edges and curved side peripheral edges, the radius of curvature of the end peripheral edges being less than the radius of curvature of the side peripheral edges and the fixation members extending from the junctions of the end and side peripheral edges and having continuously curved proximal legs, junction portions and distal legs terminating at footplates to be received in the angle of intesection of the cornea and iris such that the fixation members flex along their entire length in response to forces applied to the footplates.

Abstract: Pipeline repair and leak sealing are effected by unrolling a tube, using an inflatable mandrel disposed inside the tube, to radially expand a stretchable and circumferentially continuous gasket or sealant sleeve into flush contact with the pipeline interior. Before actuation, the tube is constrained in a rolled-up condition by a shrink-wrap sleeve of plastic film that may be sealed at its ends to an interior film sleeve in order to protect the tube against moisture. When fully expanded, the tube includes longitudinally-extending edges that overlap and are secured together by adhesive issued from a rupturable package disposed proximate one of the edges so as to be caused to burst as the edges approach overlapped positions. An outer sleeve of scrim material surrounds the tacky or gum-like gasket sleeve to facilitate handling and movement of the assembly in the pipeline.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning a stack of newspapers in a fireplace or stove includes a firebox positionable in a fireplace or stove and having a floor for horizontally supporting a stack of newspapers and an air supply unit for directing a flow of air angularly onto the floor to flow around the sides of the stack and obtain burning of the outer surface of the stack.

Abstract: Apparatus for trimming a lateral edge of a moving continuous sheet including a hold down plate selectively movable to positions spaced from the lateral edge of the sheet and covering the lateral edge, a cutting blade carried on the hold down plate selectively movable between an inoperative position within or above hold down plate to an operative position extending beneath the hold down plate to trim the lateral edge of the sheet as the sheet moves past the cutting blade and a latch mechanism locking the cutting blade in the operative position and responsive to movement of the hold down plate to the spaced position to unlock the cutting blade to permit the cutting blade to automatically return to the inoperative position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aspirating fluids from a surgical operating room utilizing a suction head that readily slides along the floor in response to translational forces applied by foot by operating room personnel. The suction head has a flat bottom surface with a plurality of narrow flow channels defined therein between a suction port mouth and the surface periphery. Support ribs, disposed on the top surface in juxtaposed alignment with respective flow channels, impart strength to the suction head and prevent sealing of the flow channels. The suction head is adapted to operate with suction sources commonly available in surgical operating rooms operating through a fluid waste collection chamber. The flow channels conduct fluid to be aspirated while preventing the bottom surface from becoming sealed to the floor.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having two alternatively actuable condensers operating at different condensing temperatures and pressures includes a compensatory metering arrangement for preventing significant changes of refrigerant fluid flow rate to the system evaporator when the system switches from one condenser to the other. Compensation is effected by changing the size of the metering orifice as necessary to accommodate the different condenser operating pressures. In one embodiment a thermostatic expansion valve is modified to include a damping factor preventing rapid changes in the valve position. Damping is achieved with a liquid-filled damping chamber having a damping diaphragm as one wall secured to the valve actuator rod. Opening of the valve requires the damping diaphragm to compress the liquid which is permitted to leak from the damping chamber at a controlled rate to slow the valve actuation rate.

Abstract: A guided bone screw includes proximal and distal sections threaded with different pitches in the same direction and spaced by an unthreaded intermediate section having a shorter length than the distal section with a diameter substantially equal to the major diameter of the distal section. The intermediate section diameter is greater than the minor diameter and smaller than the major diameter of the proximal section thread. The threads of both the distal and proximal sections are self-tapping. A guide bore for a guide wire extends the entire length of the screw. Two drive recesses are disposed in the proximal screw end on opposite sides of the guide bore for engagement by a two-pin screwdriver. The unthreaded intermediate section radially fills the bone bore in which it is implanted to provide lateral stability for the bone screw.

Abstract: A sealed glove bag for containing and disposed of asbestos particles released during work on a pipe section is continuously ventilated by negative pressure applied at an exhaust port. An inlet port permits replacement ambient air to enter the bag and is provided with a HEPA-type filter to prevent asbestos particles from escaping via the inlet port. A similar filter may be placed at the exhaust port to prevent the particles from egressing via the exhaust port. In order to prevent collapse of the glove bag from the negative pressure, the bag is configured with a flat bottom and spaced walls, preferably in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, that is reinforced with an insert configured to overlie the flat bottom and extend a short distance upwardly along the walls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aspirating fluids from a surgical operating room utilizing a suction head that readily slides along the floor in response to translational forces applied by foot by operating room personnel. The suction head has a flat bottom surface with a plurality of narrow flow channels defined therein between a suction port mouth and the surface periphery. Support ribs, disposed on the top surface in juxtaposed alignment with respective flow channels, impart strength to the suction head and prevent sealing of the flow channels. The suction head is adapted to operate with suction sources commonly available in surgical operating rooms operating through a fluid waste collection chamber. The flow channels conduct fluid to be aspirated while preventing the bottom surface from becoming sealed to the floor.