Abstract: An improved segmented peristaltic cartridge comprising a housing and a cover for assembly in snap-fit relation, said housing and cover defining a pumping chamber having an open segment therein wherein the pumping chamber holds a rotor, a rotor sleeve and a section of flexible tubing looped around the rotor and connected to respective inlet and outlet ports of the cartridge. Mounted on an exterior face of the housing is a safety shield which protects the tubing exposed in the open segment of the cartridge when the cartridge is inserted into a motor pump frame. The cartridge includes free standing walls on the cartridge housing engaging registration surfaces on the cartridge cover, an improved dowel pin structure and peripheral ribs on the rear cover and engaging a rear face of the rotor to minimize friction therebetween.

Abstract: An improved armboard includes receptacles for receiving and holding a medical device to be used in conjunction with the treatment of a patient. The patient's forearm is immobilized on the armboard, a sensor associated with the medical device is inserted into the patient, with a side channel of the armboard holding the medical device and a cable extending from the sensor to a fiber optic connector received in a modular unit stored in a suitable cavity and optical cable channels extending from opposite ends thereof are appropriately sized to prevent misinsertion of the modular unit into the armboard. The armboard is formed from polystyrene foam, and thus is lightweight, disposable after a single use, and the cavities provided therein are appropriately sized to receive and retain the components of the medical device associated therewith.

Abstract: An optical distribution system incorporating improved absorbance-based optical fiber sensor incorporating fiber optic couplers, thereby eliminating fiber optic connectors in the system to provide improved efficiency and improved output in the system, the system further incorporating specific thermal stabilizing mechanisms to improve the stability of the system and a specific construction for the photodiode assembly to minimize internal reflection therein.

Abstract: An improved site protector of simple one-piece construction includes a convex tapered bubble as the main body portion, and a plurality of aeration openings defined at step-down portions of the bubble, the step-down portions providing strength, stability and rigidity to the bubble. A locking member provided at one end of the site protector stabilizes the catheter at the insertion site.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the key activating force or "touch" for a keyboard or for one or more function key groups on that keyboard to the needs of any individual operator.

Abstract: A multiple inlet manifold for mixing and transporting therethrough fluids under pressure comprising a manifold body including a plurality of valve inlets and a single outlet, a mixing chamber provided between the valve inlets and the outlet, and a flexible membrane disposed between the valve inlets and the outlet to retain the valve inlets normally closed at selected levels of fluid pressure. Fluid flow under pressure opens a valve inlet to enable fluid flow into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An improved package for a medical device includes an inner wrap that envelopes the medical device, the inner wrap including a gas-permeable surface, and a chamber defined in the inner wrap to store a hydratable sensor of the medical device. Plumbing for the package controls fluid flow into and within the inner wrap, to selectively establish, without breaching a portion of the inner wrap surrounding the sensor, fluid communication between the gas-permeable surface and the sensor, to sterilize the sensor and the inner wrap with a gaseous sterilant, or to hydrate the sensor with hydration fluid obtained from a source of hydration fluid connected to the chamber, or to equilibrate the hydration fluid in the chamber with an external source of gas, to calibrate the sensor within the inner wrap.

Abstract: A filter for removing a liquid from a gas comprising a housing, a liquid absorbent material disposed in the housing to absorb the liquid from the gas passing through the filter, and a plurality of ribs disposed on an inner surface of the housing, the ribs spaced apart from each other and supporting the liquid absorbent material within the housing. The ribs define a plurality of open passages around the liquid absorbent material, and connecting an inlet of the housing in fluid communication with an outlet, so that the gas flowing between the inlet and the outlet experiences substantially no pressure drop, the liquid in the gas being absorbed by the liquid absorbent material in the filter, as the gas flows through the filter.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector in which first and second optical fibers are aligned at a fiber interface of the connector. The first optical fiber has a beveled angle end face, and the second optical fiber has a complementary beveled angle end face. Abutting connector members are joined in a connector enclosure which enables the respective fiber end faces to abut at an angle at the fiber interface. The respective fiber end faces are joined at a vertical aligned position for the connector, also at a horizontal aligned position for the connector. Suitable alignment means provided on the connector members enable alignment of the fiber end faces at the fiber interface. In a fixed aligned position of the assembled connector, the respective fiber end faces are held in abutting and full engagement at the fiber interface, in which the vertical aligned position of the optical fibers in the connector is coincident with the horizontal aligned position thereof.

Abstract: Support apparatus for a fiber optic cable assembly which includes optical fibers having end faces, high tensile strength fibers contiguous with and generally parallel to the optical fibers, and one or more electrical conductors. A main body portion of the apparatus supports the fiber optic cable assembly and includes a central channel and posts therein, for first supporting the cable assembly, then separating the optical fibers from the high tensile strength elements and the electrical conductor, and then aligning the optical fibers on the apparatus so as to precisely position the respective end faces thereof at an outer end of the main body portion of the apparatus.

Abstract: A frangible element valve assembly including a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port connected by a fluid passage that extends through the housing; and an actuator selectively controlling fluid flow through the fluid passage being biased to a predetermined fluid flow control position by a spring member of the valve assembly. Frangible elements of the valve assembly oppose the spring member to temporarily prevent the actuator from assuming the predetermined fluid flow control position, and these elements include breakable members that are broken by an operator to allow the actuator to thereafter assume the predetermined fluid flow control position until selectively changed by the operator.

Abstract: A shut-off valve incorporating a tube-cutting member, and including a tubing support channel extending through the valve body. An actuator closes off, and then severs, a tubing section which is extended through the channel in the valve during an actuation stroke of the valve, the actuator including first and second spaced-apart, generally parallel slots provided in the valve body and intersecting the tubing support channel, and a driving member and first and second actuating members, each actuating member disposed in a respective slot of the valve body. During a mid-portion of the actuation stroke, the first actuating member first engages, and then closes, the tubing disposed across the first slot. At the end of the actuation stroke, after the tubing has been closed, the second actuating member severs the tubing disposed across the second slot.

Abstract: A preformed one-piece plastic dispensing tray includes a storage compartment for retaining an elongated, flexible pacing lead therein. A series of spaced apart dividers extend upward from the storage compartment to engage successive serpentine loops of the pacing lead retained in the storage compartment. The construction of the storage compartment permits the pacing lead to be withdrawn therefrom with negligible resistance, and with no twisting, binding, or interference as the lead is inserted into a patient.

Abstract: A method for aligning first and second optical fibers of a fiber optic connector at a fiber interface wherein the first optical fiber has a beveled angle end face and the second optical fiber a complementary beveled angle end face, the method including the step of abutting the respective fiber end faces at an angle at the interface, cooperatively engaging a vertical reference surface associated with the first optical fiber with a vertical reference nodule associated with the second optical fiber to align the respective fiber end faces at a vertical aligned position for the connector. Respective horizontal reference surfaces associated with the first optical fiber are also cooperatively engaged with a horizontal reference node and a compressible crush rib associated with the second optical fiber to align the respective fiber end faces at a horizontal aligned position for the connector.

Abstract: A magnetic transducer of the erasing type, in which the coil is pre-wound to achieve greater manufacturing economy; and in which for the same reason, and also for electromagnetic operating efficiency, the core is laminated with each lamination being of one-piece fabrication. However, the single transducing gap in the core is too small to permit threading the coil thereon. Therefore, the core is formed of flexible material so that the gap can be enlarged to accept the coil during assembly. Alternatively, the core can be fabricated initially with an enlarged gap, and the flexible core is then bent to provide a desired gap length after the coil is assembled thereon. A variational form of the invention has two erase gaps and one record-play gap with a separate coil therefor.

Abstract: A carriage mechanism operable with a picker assembly mounted at the face of a bin structure having discrete bin locations within that structure for storing cassettes, the picker assembly moveable along the face of the bin structure and between bin locations, the carriage mechanism operable to extract a cassette from a first bin location, and load it into a cassette-receiving envelope of the carriage mechanism at a selected stored position of the envelope for transport to a second bin location remote from the first location. A bumper element mounted on the carriage mechanism at a fixed reference point is provided to move cassettes out of interferring relation with the carriage mechanism, by sweeping all X-Y coordinates of the face of the bin structure with the picker assembly to displace misaligned cassettes.

Abstract: A protective or purge enclosure provides a positive atmosphere around an operating device such as a hand-held computer or calculator contained therein. The protective enclosure has sufficient flexibility, even though providing a positive, sealed atmosphere, to enable the user to operate the functional features of the device sealed within the enclosure, and the material forming the device is sufficiently transparent to enable the user to view the functional features of the device for operation. A visible indicator provided on the enclosure enables the user to determine if the enclosure is maintaining the positive atmosphere sealed therein.

Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly includes two spacedly positioned flexible supports which support an elongated rod, with one end of the elongated rod contacting a pressure detector section on a disposable pumping cassette; the pressure sensor assembly can detect pressures in the cassette both above and below atmospheric (i.e., zero psig); when pressure changes in the cassette, the pressure detection section causes axial movement of the rod and the rod, in turn, flexes the two flexible supports. Position detection means associated with one of the two supports monitors the flexural movement of the one support, providing an indication of the pressure within the cassette.