Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: An assembly for preventing movement of a sharp lancet tip out of a lancet device of the type having a linearly movable and retractable lancet tip is disclosed. The lancet device has a patient contacting or distal end and an opposed proximal end. The lancet device has a lancet that is substantially encased in an elongated molded plastic lancet body. The lancet has a sharp tip that extends beyond the end of the lancet and is enclosed in a removable cap. The distal end of the lancet has a pair of retainer arms that extend away from the lancet body on opposite sides of the lancet body parallel to the axis of the lancet body. The distal end of the retainer arms extend slightly beyond the distal end of the lancet body and are curved toward the axis of the lancet body to contact the outer surface of the cap. Each retainer arm has a stop, located near the distal end of the retainer arms. The distal end of the lancet body fits in a chamber in the lancet device.

Abstract: A self packaged medical device, such as a syringe assembly, having a hollow body and an operative element therein for the controlled dispensing or entry of fluid into the body. An extension member operatively connected to the operative element and extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the body. The device further including a proximal barrier between the extension member and the body and a distal barrier to maintain the sterility of the interior of the device prior to use. The medical device is also disclosed in combination with a safety syringe wherein a needle protective shield is movably mounted about the body and is movable between retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A handle attachment for use with a chest drainage unit (CDU) having a pair of hangers extending above the CDU to support the CDU on a bedrail or the like. The handle attachment being used to capture both CDU hangers to allow the CDU to be transported within a medical facility by the necessary medical personnel in an easy, one-handed manner.

Abstract: A catheter assembly including a wire stiffener or a dilator and modified wire stiffener which are used in combination to assist in the insertion of a relatively soft catheter into the patient wherein the wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the catheter and the modified wire stiffener temporarily stiffens the dilator for insertion of the combined wire stiffener and dilator into the catheter. The catheter preferably includes one or more lumens therein and includes an end opening and one or more side openings thereon.

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 catheter is disclosed which includes a mechanical connection between the strain relief thereof and the hub. The strain relief operates both to secure the catheter tube to the hub and to provide strain relief for the catheter tube. The strain relief connection is assisted in gripping the catheter tube by intentional overstressing of the catheter hub during manufacture thereof to expand the hub wall and generate residual hoop stresses therein which assist in securing the catheter tube within the hub.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough, or alternatively, to a third position in which the primary access port remains closed to suction pressure therethrough and the actuator becomes locked against movement into the second position. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: A device is provided for reducing the number of ECG data sample points presented to a video display system to avoid overwhelming the video display screen with a number of ECG sample points and to present several seconds of data on the screen at the same time. The device ensures that the maximum and minimum values of the original ECG signal are displayed. A collection of consecutive points is broken into sub-groups which are each processed to produce representative amplitude values for each sub-group which representative values are then displayed on the display screen.In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a microprocessor with electronic memory which calculates a representative amplitude value for each sub-group. The representative amplitude value is chosen depending on whether the sub-group contains a local maximum or a minimum in the values of consecutively sampled points or whether the data points of the sub-group are part of a curve leading to a local maximum or minimum.

Abstract: Thin-walled anesthesia needles are disclosed which include blunted pencil point tips and each contains a built in mechanism for directing the motion of a catheter through a side opening in the needle wall for positive location of a catheter in a patient for the delivery of required medications, or for directing the flow of directly injected medications perpendicularly to the axis of the needle.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold and adaptors therefore are disclosed which allow attachment of respiratory system accessory devices to the ventilator manifold without loss of PEEP. 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 accessory access port such that placement of an adaptor therein forces the normally closed valve to an open position, and removal of the adaptor allows the normally closed valve to return to its closed position. The adaptors are formed to allow attachment of accessory devices such as an ambulatory resuscitation bag, a metered dose inhaler, and a bronchial scope. The adaptors may also include a locking ring thereon for locking the adaptor in position in the accessory access port.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted optical glass fiber bundle received within an internal lumen of the catheter. The lumen for receiving the optical glass fiber bundle is heated and expanded under internal fluid pressure. The catheter and lumen are then cooled with the lumen still under the internal fluid pressure. After cooling, the fluid pressure is released and the lumen retains its expanded condition. An optical glass fiber bundle is inserted into the expanded lumen to a predetermined position within the catheter. The catheter and lumen are reheated to contract the expanded diameter of the lumen about the optical glass fiber bundle to provide a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted fiber optic bundle within the catheter.

Abstract: An elongated catheter formed of coextruded materials such that the inner surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter have a higher durometer than the outer surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter to reduce septum deflection during normal use, and the likelihood of tearing or sticking of the extension members is reduced.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and an electro-optical sensor. A detector detects drops passing through the drop detector in an optical sensing path between the detector and at least one light source. In response to the detection of a drop passing through the optical path, the detector produces an output signal. A capacitor is connected between the detector and an amplifier to block the DC component of the output signal. After amplification, the signal is passed through a low pass filter to further block signals caused by undesirable factors. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is controlled by a microprocessor that controls the pump that pumps liquid from the drop chamber. The detector and light source or sources are arranged to detect drops falling in the drop chamber at virtually any angle and in virtually any ambient light condition.

Abstract: A Holter-type recorder unit for use with an ambulatory ECG recording system is described. The recorder features real-time beat differentiation, including ST analysis and paced beat analysis of two or three channel sampled electrocardiogram data. The recorder also features real-time coding of beat morphology and summary information on cassette tape. Further, summary information for an entire analysis can be compiled and reverse recorded onto the cassette tape at the end of the analysis to allow downloading thereof into an ECG scanner while the cassette is being rewound.

Abstract: An endotracheal respiration system which includes a respirator manifold with a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment includes a suctioning system for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold of the respiration system includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. However, the normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed male adaptor located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid container attachment adaptor for an ambulatory fluid delivery system which includes a support device for attachment of a fluid delivery set and a pump. The fluid container attachment adaptor allows simple attachment to the support device of fluid containers which have been designed for attachment to commonly used IV poles. The fluid container attachment adaptor preferably includes a disk-shaped body portion and a hook-shaped attachment member which is positioned centrally thereon, and extends away from the body portion. The disk-shaped body portion is designed to be accepted within the clamping members of the support device and the hook-shaped attachment member is designed to receive a fluid container for suspension from the adaptor in substantially the same manner as the fluid container may have been attached to a standard IV pole.