Abstract: Oxydiacetaldehyde is an active antimicrobial agent when used in aqueous solution for disinfecting or sterilizing purposes. The activity of such solutions against bacteria or spores can be improved by adding alkalinating agents, e.g., sodium acetate, or alcohols, e.g., isopropanol or propylene glycol, or by raising pH or temperature.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer probe assembly dseigned to provide an instrument which is highly accurate and convenient to use. The thermometer includes a probe section having a flexible plastic shaft with a thermistor mounted at its tip. A disposable probe sheath covers the thermistor and flexible shaft, and is replaced after each measurement to ensure that the instrument remains uncontaminated. The sheath is cylindrically shaped, and has an open end which extends onto a conically-shaped retainer for the sheath. The thermometer handle includes an axially displaceable section, movement of which dislodges the sheath from the retainer to enable it to be disposed of conveniently.

Abstract: A thermometer probe sheath comprises a paper backing sheet, a first plastic sheet releasably supported on the backing sheet and a second plastic sheet overlying the first plastic sheet and sealed around its edges to the edges of the first plastic sheet except for an insertion opening at one end of the sheets. The edges of the plastic sheets at the insertion opening are coterminous with each other and with one edge of the backing sheet and notches are formed in only the coterminous edges of the backing sheet and the first plastic sheet. The coterminous edge of the second plastic sheet remains unnotched and thereby provides a stop against which a probe may be placed to expand the insertion opening. The second plastic sheet may be colored to provide a color contrast between it and the first plastic sheet to further facilitate the insertion of a probe.

Abstract: The method of making a medical glove adapted to tightly conform to a wearer's skin and to be donned without the use of additional lubricants comprises the steps of applying a first layer of elastomeric material onto a glove form having the general contour of a human hand; applying a second layer over the first layer; the second layer being a particulate suspension comprising an elastomeric material having particulate matter randomly distributed therethrough; the particulate matter having a size greater than the thickness of the second layer of elastomeric material; curing the layers so that the first and second layers are permanently bonded together and the particulate matter is securely embedded within the second layer with portions thereof extending outwardly beyond the surface of the elastomeric material; removing the glove from the form; and reversing the glove to position the particulate matter on the inner, skin-contacting surface thereof.

Abstract: A disposable combination of support and mat is used for removing loose dirt from objects coming in touch with the mat. The generally flat support has an area for a mat thereon with a pair of beveled surfaces astride opposed borders of the mat area. Additionally, along at least one edge of the support is means for interlocking the mat combination with similar combinations to provide a linked mat assembly.

Abstract: A uniquely contoured glove adapted to tightly conform to a wearer's hand is made by depositing an elastomeric material on a relatively flat glove form having recessed areas covering substantially the entire surface of the hand-forming and finger-forming portions of the form except for a peripheral edge surrounding the recessed areas. The resulting glove, when stripped from the form and reversed, has a hand portion, an open end cuff portion and a plurality of elongated finger-receiving compartments, each of said compartments and said hand portion having a transverse cross-sectional configuration formed by four outwardly curved sections connected by four inwardly curved sections.

Abstract: A nozzle formed by the mating of two separable parts, a housing and a plug insert, having smaller diameter orifice formed at a first mating interface of these two parts, a Venturi chamber connected to the smaller orifice, being formed at a second mating interface of these two parts and a larger diameter orifice extending through the plug insert part being connected to the Venturi chamber.

Abstract: An improved tacky floor mat for removing loose particles of dirt, dust and the like coming in contact therewith from shoes, wheels, etc. The floor mat includes a stack of adhered, peelable sheets with a layer of adhesive on the upper surface of each sheet. As the adhesive ability of each sheet is diminished it is peeled from the stack to expose the next fresh sheet. To improve the peeling of the sheet a thin coating of non-adhesive material is print deposited on the adhesive layer in a corner of the upper surface of each sheet. To inform the user which corner has been treated the thin coating is generally a different color than the sheets.

Abstract: A fluid heating apparatus for use in medical applications in the heating of water for use in a nebulizer is provided having a heated passageway for connecting between a water reservoir and a nebulizer head for heating only the water being used immediately before use. The passageway may be formed at the interfacing surfaces of a housing and an insert. The insert may be coated with a biocompatible material which possesses certain heat conductive properties while providing a water seal. A channel may transverse the surface of the coating to establish the passageway. An electrical heater may be located within the insert.

Abstract: A medical glove adapted to tightly conform to a wearer's skin and to be donned without the use of additional lubricants is formed with an outer layer of elastomeric material, an inner layer of elastomeric material bonded to the outer layer and particulate matter securely embedded in and randomly distributed throughout the inner layer. The particulate matter is preferably partially exposed on the inner, skin-contacting surface of the inner layer so that it extends inwardly beyond the surface of the inner layer to provide a lubricating means to facilitate donning of the glove without the use of additional lubricants. A method for making the unique medical glove is also disclosed.

Abstract: Starch, in a form so it is absorbable by body tissues and especially suitable for use as a medical dusting powder or lubricant for surgical gloves, is obtained by treating a substituted polysaccharide such as etherified vegetable starch with an acid or alkaline material and heating until it has a reducing power of at least 15 R.sub.Cu units, and then optionally is sterilized with gamma-irradiation thereby raising the reducing power to at least 65 R.sub.Cu units.

Abstract: A uniquely contoured glove adapted to tightly conform to a wearer's hand is made by depositing an elastomeric material on a relatively flat glove form having recessed areas covering substantially the entire surface of the hand-forming and finger-forming portions of the form except for a peripheral edge surrounding the recessed areas. The resulting glove, when stripped from the form and reversed, has a hand portion, an open end cuff portion and a plurality of elongated finger-receiving compartments, each of said compartments and said hand portion having a transverse cross-sectional configuration formed by four outwardly curved sections connected by four inwardly curved sections.

Abstract: A convertible function water vapor generating device is provided for use with medical oxygen delivery systems for creating a nebulizing mist suspended in the oxygen flow and for creating a bubble humidified oxygen flow. An oxygen handling component may be connected to a refillable and/or disposable water container which may be prefilled and which preferably has a passageway for directly accessing the bottom of the water supply held therein. A heater for heating water accessed may reside as part of the handling component which also may contain a nebulization nozzle and a nebulizer-humidifier function control.

Abstract: A water and other fluids supply container is provided for use in the medical field with oxygen humidifiers and nebulizers and the like. Included may be a collapsible plastic reservoir having an attachment mechanism for mating to the mist generating apparatus. An access opening to the interior of the bag above the normal fluid level preferably exists at the attachment mechanism. A passageway may extend into the bottom of the bag to access the fluid located therein.

Abstract: A box for holding and enclosing a plurality of fixed size and character packages, from amongst a plurality of predetermined character packages, is provided having preferably six sides, each rectangularly shaped and positioned to define a rectangular enclosure. A bottom end may be provided to close one end of this rectangular enclosure while an identification end may be provided to close the other end. Included as part of this identification end may be a plurality of symbols, one each identifying one among the plurality of predetermined character packages as contained in the box. The symbol representing the contents may be selectively displayed via a removable display window located on an outer panel comprising this identification end. Identification symbols may be located on panels folded under the outer panel. As additional symbols are needed they are supplied on additional under-folded panels.

Abstract: A nozzle formed by the mating of two separable parts, a housing and a plug insert, having a smaller diameter orifice formed at a first mating interface of these two parts, a Venturi chamber connected to the smaller orifice, being formed at a second mating interface of these two parts and a larger diameter orifice extending through the plug insert part being connected to the Venturi chamber.

Abstract: A wound drainage container for withdrawing and collecting body fluids from a patient is equipped with a valved fluid inlet port and with a fluid outlet port having a one-way valve for emptying the container and for preventing the entry of contaminants into the container. A gate movable between a first position and a second position is provided for actuating the inlet valve. When the gate is in the first position it opens the inlet valve and covers the outlet valve which is located adjacent the inlet valve, and when the gate is in the second position it closes the inlet valve and uncovers the outlet valve so that fluid in the container may be emptied therefrom without the danger of the fluid being flushed back into the patient's wound.