Abstract: A multi-lumen, multi-purpose cardiac catheter which incorporates optical filaments and an optical coupler for use with external apparatus for determining the oxygen concentration in the blood of a patient under critical care conditions, as well as incorporating therein a heater coil useable with a second external apparatus for measurement of continuous cardiac output. The catheter also includes a thermistor and at least one injectate port for enabling the user to also conduct thermal dilution readings and obtain intermittent measurements of cardiac output. The combination of a thermal dilution catheter with a SVO.sub.2 catheter and a continuous cardiac output catheter gives the multi-purpose catheter above described substantial versatility as well as providing the user with a versatile cardiac catheter device which enables him to conduct multiple evaluations of disparate blood-related parameters which require the use of separate apparatus.

Abstract: A latching piercing pin useable to retain the pin and an associated fluid vial in latching relation. Latching members provided on the pin engage a peripheral lip provided on the end cap of the vial to maintain the latching relation between the pin and the vial. The pin is useable with vials and end caps of varying sizes, although larger end caps may require the mounting of a locking ring on the end cap of the vial to receive and engage the latching piercing pin.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein the primary dye container is connected to a secondary dye container with sufficient safeguards, including at least one-way check valve and at least one stopcock between the primary dye container and the secondary dye container, to assure a sterile barrier between the primary and secondary dye sources so that less than the total amount of sterile contrast media can be transferred from the primary dye container in an amount sufficient to perform a cardiac catheterization procedure.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring the concentration of an analyte in solution is described. The device includes a composite membrane which incorporates a porous membrane containing an immobilized biologically-active protein and at least one other membrane. The other membrane may optionally be a blocking membrane, partly embedded in the porous membrane, which is adapted to exclude low molecular weight interfering species such as ascorbic acid. The other membrane may optionally be a protecting membrane which is useful for preventing high molecular species from fouling the porous membrane. Both a blocking membrane and a protecting membrane may be included in the composite membrane, simultaneously. The composite membrane is attached and reliably sealed to a housing by means of ultrasonic welding.These features operate synergistically so that the device exhibits relatively fast response and recovery times, is reliably leak-proof, and may be constructed in relatively small sizes.

Abstract: An improved rotor for use with a segmented peristaltic cartridge comprising a housing and a cover for assembly, said assembled housing and cover defining a pumping chamber which holds the improved rotor, a rotor sleeve and a section of flexible tubing wrapped around the rotor and connected to respective inlet and outlet ports of the cartridge. The flexible rotor includes an eccentric structure wherein flexible beam members provided on an outer surface of the rotor form a compliant member which improves the flexibility of the rotor assembly to avoid excessive compression loads or high torque and/or dynamic leak back or low torque for the tubing in the cartridge.

Abstract: A blood sampling system incorporates a fluid storage mechanism which can be disposed along the longitudinal axis of a fluid line extending from an injection site to a fluid supply. Both the main body portion of the fluid storage mechanism and a fluid draw element of the fluid storage mechanism are axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the fluid line. The fluid storage mechanism also incorporates a vortex inducer element at the distal end of the fluid draw element to induce a swirl of fluid to cleanse the fluid storage mechanism once a sample drawn into the fluid storage mechanism has been returned to the patient. An alternative embodiment of the fluid storage mechanism includes a volume control device.

Abstract: A sensor for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a solution is disclosed. The sensor may be adapted for use as either an amperometric or a potentiometric sensor. It includes a membrane having a biologically active protein immobilized within. The membrane is attached and reliably sealed to a housing by means of ultrasonic welding, either directly or indirectly. Further, the membrane may be compressed to a fraction of its original dimensions. Metallic parts of the device may, optionally, be physically isolated from the sample solution to reduce corrosion. These features operate synergistically so that the claimed device exhibits relatively fast response and recovery times, is reliably leak-proof, and may be constructed in relatively small sizes.

Abstract: An optical distribution system incorporating an improved luminescent based optical fiber sensor incorporating a signal generating component for generating a first optical signal, a signal separating component for delivering said first optical signal to the sensor, delivering said second returned optical signal to an associated signal detector, and including signal interference means to separate said first and second signals and minimize cross-talk therebetween. A sensor optical fiber connects a sensor tip to the signal separating component. The signal detector receives a returned signal from the signal separating component and transmits it to a signal-measuring component of the distribution system.

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: 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.