Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A versatile electrophysiology system including an amplification system, an ablation machine, a filter box, a display monitor and a chart recorder as well as an optional data management and analysis system wherein the amplification system receives endocardial signals from an ablation catheter during both the electrophysiology study and the ablation procedure and wherein the amplification system, ablation machine and ablation catheter are interconnected with the filter box such that the endocardial signals and the high energy ablation signal pass therethrough and are filtered thereby.

Abstract: A sanitary protective cover or sheath for the ear canal probe of a tympanic thermometer. The speculum has a generally tubular body portion and an infrared transparent membrane attached to and sealing the forward end of the body portion. While the tubular body portion is being injection molded of plastic material such a polypropylene or polyethylene, a film of a similar plastic material is mated to the forward end of the membrane and is thus severed from the film and one side thereof thermally bonded to the tubular body portion. At the same time a bonding ring of roughly the same diameter as the forward end of the tubular body portion is injection molded. The ring is thermally bonded to the opposite side of the film in alignment with the forward end of the tubular body portion.

Abstract: A catheter introducer (31) which allows a dilator section (33) and a sheath section (32) to be engaged with and disengaged from each other promptly and smoothly. The catheter introducer (31) is composed of a sheath section (32) consisting of a sheath (35) and a sheath hub (34) and a dilator section (33) consisting of a dilator (38) and a dilator hub (36). The dilator hub (36) includes a flange (37) to cover the end of said sheath hub 34) in the state of engagement formed at the distal end of the dilator hub (36), a circular groove (40) formed in the internal circular portion of the flange (37) or in the external circular portion of the sheath hub (34), and a protrusion (39) to be engaged with said groove wherein the protrusion is formed on the external circular portion of the sheath hub or on the internal circular portion of the flange.

Abstract: A gastroenteric feeding tube is provided which is ideally adapted for endoscopic placement through an endoscope having a working channel and a steerable tip. The feeding tube is provided with a longitudinal length sufficient to allow the endoscope to be removed from about the feeding tube without disturbing the distal placement of the feeding tube within the patient's intestines. After the feeding tube has been properly positioned within the patient and the endoscope has been removed from about the feeding tube, a connector is securely attached to the proximal end of the feeding tube to allow it to be connected to a feeding pump, or the like, to provide nourishment to the patient.

Abstract: A bioabsorbable assembly for sealing an incision or puncture in the body of the patient including a first member which is positioned generally along the wall of the blood vessel, duct, body cavity or lumen of the patient and a gelatinous material which is injected into the incision or puncture around a filament or clip member which is associated with the first member to seal the incision or puncture from the flow of fluids through the blood vessel, duct or lumen of the patient and the method therefore.

Abstract: A variable speed AC motor control drive system for use in devices such as treadmills and including a module to sense the voltage of the line voltage provided to the system and adjusting the pulse width modulated signals provided to the AC motor in response thereto as well as providing a module for sensing the load placed on the AC motor by monitoring the bus voltage of the system and providing a signal representative of the load such that the duty cycles of the pulse width modulated signals are varied in accordance with the line voltage of the system and the load on the AC motor to maintain the desired motor speed.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set includes a stop cock valve, and the pump includes a valve actuation unit into which the stop cock valve is positioned for operation of the system. The valve actuation unit includes a valve receiving mechanism which requires the valve to be closed in order to be inserted into or removed from the valve actuation unit, thereby preventing accidental free flow of fluid at all times. The fluid delivery set may also include an auxiliary fluid source to allow periodic flushing of the fluid delivery line, and the valve actuation unit can be programmed by the pump to automatically initiate periodic flushing cycles if desired.

Abstract: A medical electrode and skin preparation device is adapted to be secured to the skin of a patient and is designed to allow the user to acquire physiological signals for use by a plurality of signal acquisition devices and optionally to also reliably prepare the skin of the patient by abrasion or penetration of the epidermal layer of the skin which is in conductive contact with the conductive member of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of post members capable of conducting physiological signals received from the skin of the patient for acquisition, recording and/or analysis by one or more external devices.

Abstract: A versatile electrophysiology study monitoring system including an amplification system, a real time display monitor and a chart recorder as well as an optional data management and analysis system wherein the display monitor and chart recorder are controllable directly from the amplification system which may be positioned at the bedside of the patient to provide a portable system which may be used at the bedside of the patient or in the electrophysiology laboratory and which also includes a 32 channel display of physiological data and user settable filter settings for high and low pass filters.

Abstract: A fluid collection and disposal system which includes a reusable collection unit designed to operate in conjunction with a disposable manifold for collecting fluids aspirated from a patient during a surgical procedure, and to be cleaned by a servicing unit after use. The servicing unit removes the collected fluid from the collection unit and prepares it for reuse. The disposable manifold is removed from the collection unit prior to its attachment to the servicing unit, and a new disposable manifold is replaced on the collection unit after servicing.

Abstract: A device for sealing incisions in the body of a patient wherein the device includes a bioabsorbable sealing member having an elongate shaft member and an elastomeric and flexible balloon member. The device may also include a preformed or injectable collagenous material associated therewith to hemostatically seal the incision in the body of the patient. The shaft member may include one or more lumens extending therethrough in flow communication with one or more balloon members thereon to provide a relatively simple device which effectively seals an incision in the body of a patient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a lubricant coating to surgical needles utilizes a belt coating system with two endless belts. The endless belts have confronting running sides and are rotated in opposite directions for feeding the surgical needles therebetween. The needles are fed between the confronting running sides and are pressed lightly between the endless belts, whose surfaces have been wetted with the lubricant solution. The needles are cured after coating.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold is disclosed which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning device for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that insertion of an accessory device adaptor therein forces the normally closed valve to an open position. Removal of the adaptor of the accessory device allows the normally closed valve to return to its closed position, thus allowing continued operation of the respiratory system even when no accessory device is present in the accessory device access port.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials for medical or veterinary use that possess considerably improved properties with regard to friction. The invention also relates to the production of such materials from existing materials that possess suitable bulk properties, but inappropriate frictional properties. This invention also relates to a hydrophilic coating material that provides improved frictional properties.

Abstract: A method for destroying residual lens epithelial cells in an eye in order to prevent the occurrence of posterior chamber opacification. A solution containing a basement membrane binding agent conjugated to a cytotoxic agent is introduced into the lens capsule. The solution is maintained in the lens capsule for a period of time sufficient to permit the basement membrane binding agent to bind to basement membranes within the lens capsule. The solution is then removed from the lens capsule, whereby a portion of the basement membrane binding agent remains bonded to basement membranes within the lens capsule, thereby exposing residual lens epithelial cells disposed on the basement membrane to the cytotoxic agent.

Abstract: A system for the transmission of physiological signals from a patient to a display analysis and/or recording device using a spread spectrum transmission technique to reduce interference with the detection of the transmitted physiological signal wherein multiple channels of the physiological signals are transmitted over a bandwidth of approximately 3 MHz.

Abstract: A footstand for stabilizing or securing a body of a medical device against overturn. The body may especially be a chest drainage unit designed and configured to receive and collect fluids from a medical patient. The invention comprises a two leg component rotatable footstand which incorporates a gear driving mechanism which operates between the legs to simplify the action of pulling out the respective legs of the footstand. The gear driving mechanism allows the medical technician to activate the footstand by simply pulling out either the front or back leg to its stabilizing position, the other leg will automatically be rotated into its stabilizing position. A detent is provided which will provide a secure "click" sound so that a medical technician will know the legs have been pulled out away from the CDU a sufficient distance to provide the proper stabilization for the CDU.