Abstract: This invention relates to a method for administering drugs. In particular a lipophilic drug is solubilized by a food, such as chocolate, and admixed with an oil-based carrier. The lipid soluble drug is thus conveyed to the gastrointestinal tract. Because this type of food is digested readily, the drug is absorbed as intended, and the dose is not subject to day-to-day variations.

Abstract: A method of controlling laser energy removal of plaque or other obstructions from a vessel of the cardiovascular system includes advancing a laser delivery catheter to a position in proximity with a targeted lesion, placing a laser energy sensor device in a monitoring position adapted to sense laser energy from the catheter that passes beyond the lesion, and controlling the laser energy according to the output of the sensor. An intraoperative approach places the sensor external to the vessel, while a percutaneous approach places the sensor within the vessel utilizing an additional sensor fiber on the catheter that extends beyond the lesion to the monitoring position. Each fiber in a multifiber laser delivery bundle may be controlled according to sensor output for precision aiming and improved laser control.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve assembly which includes an artificial annulus, a prosthetic valve and a retaining ring for releasably retaining the prosthetic valve on the artificial annulus. By removing the retaining ring, the valve can be replaced with another valve. The artificial annulus includes a suture ring and a mounting ring mounted on the suture ring for receiving the prosthetic valve and the retaining ring.

Abstract: A container includes facing plastic wall portions, one having a nonuniform or irregular surface finish, the other having a uniform or regular surface finish. The two differing surface finishes each have a different mean depth. The juxtaposition of these unlike wall finishes reduces or eliminates the likelihood of the walls sticking or adhering together during surface contact.The container can undergo heat sterilization while empty without loss of function.

Abstract: A catheter includes an elongated tube having a size and shape adapted to be inserted into the cardiovascular system that is composed of a material having a modulus of elasticity providing stiffness to enhance catheter torque control, and a sheath coaxially disposed over and bonded to the tube that is composed of a biocompatible material having a modulus of elasticity providing softness to reduce catheter trauma to the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: An automated disinfection system for a hemodialysis machine having a proportioning pump includes a manifold block having a check valve for connection to a container of disinfection solution. The manifold block has an outlet connected to the suction line of the pump and an inlet connected to a warm water source via a solenoid valve. A timing and control circuit controls the solenoid valve to produce a water rinse cycle when the solenoid valve is open and a disinfection cycle when the solenoid valve is closed. The check valve closes when positive pressure is present in the manifold block during a rinse cycle and opens to admit solution to the pump when negative pressure is present in the manifold block during a disinfection cycle.

Abstract: A method and assembly provided for the detection and determination of at least one ligand in a sample suspected of containing the ligand. The method includes providing in a hand-held assembly having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a separation means which permits the passage therethrough of materials of a relatively small size while preventing the passage therethrough of materials of a relatively larger size; a suspension in the first chamber of an admixture of a binding partner for the ligand and a labeled component. The labeled component is selected from the group consisting of binding partner, compound which can bind to the binding partner, compound which can bind to the reaction product of the ligand and binding partner, and compound which can bind to the ligand. The sample suspected of containing the ligand is introduced to the first chamber.

Abstract: A method for conducting a ligand assay in an inert porous medium wherein a binding material is immunologically immobilized within the medium, which includes the steps of immunologically immobilizing a binding material within a finite zone of the medium, applying an analyte to the zone containing the immobilized binding material, applying a labeled indicator to the zone which becomes immobilized within the zone in an amount which can be correlated to the amount of analyte in the zone, applying a solvent to substantially the center of the zone to chromatographically separate the unbound labeled indicator from the zone, and measuring the amount of labeled indicator remaining in the zone.

Abstract: A fluid collection system includes an input unit having a hollow needle coupled through a section of flexible conduit to an anticoagulant reservoir which is in turn coupled via a second section of hollow conduit to a first sterile connector. A collection container, which can be a dry, flexible, plastic bag, is coupled by a plastic conduit to second and third sterile connectors. The first and second connectors can be joined together and sealed to form a sterile system. A transfer container includes a flexible plastic container coupled via a hollow plastic conduit to a fourth sterile connector. The fourth sterile connector is joinable with the third sterile connector to form a sterile two container system. Fluids collected in the primary container can then be transferred to the secondary container.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing liquid and residue from a web of film is provided. The apparatus includes an exhaust tube having an inlet and an outlet, the web of film passing through the exhaust tube from the inlet through the outlet, the exhaust tube being under a negative pressure. Two air knives are located above the outlet of the exhaust tube, one air knife being located on a first side of the film and second air knife being located on a second side of the film, the air knives include a plurality of holes for directing a gas for removing the liquid and residue onto the web of film. The exhaust tube cooperates with the air knives to capture a portion of the removed liquid and residue.

Abstract: A pressure regulation device utilized in an irrigation system. The pressure regulation device includes an inflatable air bladder within a housing in which a flow-through egress bladder connected to the irrigation site is placed. An operator may inflate the air bladder which is in contact with the egress bladder to restrict the flow of irrigation fluid to thereby increase the fluid pressure at the irrigation site such as a joint capsule. Once the fluid pressure in the egress bladder displaces air in the air bladder an equilibrium is reached between the air pressure in the air bladder and fluid pressure in the egress bladder and joint capsule. The operator may control the fluid pressure in the joint capsule by controlling the air pressure in the air bladder. To reduce pressure at the irrigation site, the operator deflates the air bladder to allow for increased fluid flow through the egress bladder.

Abstract: A closure for removably sealing a port is provided. The closure includes a guide member receivable within an opening of a port and a sleeve member extending for a length of the guide member and defining with the guide member an annular channel, at least a portion of the port being received within the annular channel when the closure seals the port, the inner circumference of the sleeve member being sufficiently small to exert a retaining force around the portion of the port so received securing the closure onto the port. The closure includes a handle member having a reduced thickness portion, upon the application of a pulling force on the handle member the reduced thickness portion will stretch before the retaining force exerted by the closure on the port is overcome.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching fitments a web of film. The apparatus includes an elongated tube, the web of film being passed around at least a portion of the elongated tube. A film puncher and remover for punching at least one hole in the web of film and removing the resultant slug is provided. The web of film passes between the elongated tube and the film puncher and remover. The apparatus also includes a fitment feed member for feeding a fitment from outside the elongated tube to a fitment pick-up position inside the elongated tube. The elongated tube also includes a fitment moving member for moving the fitment from the fitment pick-up position to a fitment attachment position. The fitment attachment position is located so that a portion of the fitment is received by the hole in the web of film. The apparatus also includes a sealer for welding the film to the fitment.

Abstract: In a fluid flow control system a weight comparator compares the weight of fluid in a reservoir with a weight reference that is programmed to decrease at a desired rate. A fluid flow comparator compares the actual fluid flow rate with a programmed fluid flow rate and operates directly on a flow controller to control fluid flow in the system. The weight comparator operates indirectly on the flow controller by recurringly updating the programmed fluid flow rate so that flow is controlled on a current basis by the fluid flow comparator and on a long-term basis by the weight comparator.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of polymer blends in making multiple layer films. In some layers, the elastomer or ethylene-based copolymer is blended with polypropylene, and in some layers, with polyethylene. Typical films have two to five layers. In multilayer films, at least one layer of a blend of polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene, with elastomer and/or ethylene-based copolymers. Another layer is polypropylene blended with elastomers and/or ethylene-based copolymers. The films may have as few as two layers, one each having polypropylene and polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene. Additional layers may be added to the two or three layer films taught herein, for variety of purposes.

Abstract: A method for conducting a ligand assay in an inert porous medium wherein a binding material is immunologically immobilized within the medium, which includes the steps of immunologically immobilizing a binding material within a finite zone of the medium, applying an analyte to the zone containing the immobilized binding material, applying a labeled indicator to the zone which becomes immobilized within the zone in an amount which can be correlated to the amount of analyte in the zone, applying a solvent to substantially the center of the zone to chromatographically separate the unbound labeled indicator from the zone, and measuring the amount of labeled indicator remaining in the zone.

Abstract: A water purification system includes a water purifying module having an inlet, a first outlet for purified product water and a second outlet for untreated concentrate water. An inlet line is connected to the module inlet, a purified water line is connected to the first outlet, and a drain line is connected to the second outlet. A first return line including a check valve is connected between the purified water line and the inlet line, and a second return line is connected between the drain line and the inlet line. Water to be treated is supplied to the inlet line by a pressure regulator, which provides regulated water pressures in the inlet line, the first and second return lines, and the purified water line.