Abstract: A flexible surgical stapler assembly includes a staple firing head assembly and a handle actuator assembly connected to the staple firing head assembly through a flexible spine. The staple firing head assembly includes an anvil assembly defining an anvil surface which provides an array of staple forming depressions. A staple housing on the staple firing head assembly carries an array of staples to be formed. A staple pusher means on the staple firing head assembly is provided for exerting a force on the staples in the staple housing to eject the staples from the housing and form the staples against the anvil surface. The handle actuator assembly includes a housing which defines an inner cavity. A cable carrier is provided within the cavity and is freely slidable within the cavity. A length of flexible cable is connected at one of its ends to the cable carrier and at its other end to the anvil assembly of the staple firing head assembly.

Abstract: Techniques for determining different parameters associated with an individual's blood pressure in a non-invasive manner are disclosed herein. These techniques include (1) generating a blood pressure waveform corresponding to the individual's actual waveform, whereby the means pressure of the individual can be readily calculated, (2) generating a transformation curve unique to the patient from his diastolic and systolic pressures and his cuff pulses, (3) successively monitoring certain parameters of the patients's blood pressure including his systolic and diastolic pressures over closely spaced intervals of time without having to subject the patient to cuff pressures much greater than his diastolic pressure, other than initially or not at all utilizing what is referred to as a stat mode, and (4) measuring a patient's diastolic and systolic blood pressures at any given instance without ever having to subject the patient to cuff pressures much greater than his diastolic pressure.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of activated prothrombin complex concentrate are disclosed which have a F-VIII correctional activity of from about one to 35 units per ml. and an NAPT time of from about 27 to 70 seconds per ml. The compositions are used to treat blood clotting factor inhibitors.

Abstract: A novel roller clamp is described for controlling flow of fluids in flexible tubing used for intravenous fluid administration to a patient. The roller clamp includes a unique placement means to enhance placement of a roller within a clamp body or frame. The novel placement means includes angular portions disposed in an infeed section of the frame. The angular portions form an angle greater than 90 degrees with a side wall portion of the frame to encourage upward movement of the roller during insertion onto guide surfaces in the frame of the clamp.

Abstract: A container is disclosed having a semirigid or rigid outer shell and a co-extensive flexible inner liner which is weakly or temporarily adhered to the shell to permit more convenient manufacturing of the container, and yet is collapsible to permit dispensing of the contents without displacement air. The liner may be weakly adhered to the shell by a low tensile strength adhesive although natural adherence or static electric attraction may also be used. Alternatively, a degradable adhesive may be used which holds the liner and shell together during assembly, but weakens to a point below the threshold of release between the shell and liner prior to the time of use. The container is particularly useful as a nursing container for feeding infants.

Abstract: A fitment for attachment to a container having an integral body constructed from a thermoplastic foam and having an integral skin outer surface and a cellular core. The body has a top and bottom surface and includes at least one resealable port.

Abstract: A device automatically uncouples two connectors and forms a new coupling between one of the connectors and another connector in a aseptic manner, without touch contamination from the user. The device automatically readies itself for use after every operation.

Abstract: A container (10) having a line of weakness (18) at which the container is opened includes an inner closure (20) mounted within the container cover (16) above the line of weakness (18), and an annular sidewall (22) depending below the frangible line of weakness (18). The inner closure (22) protects the line of weakness (18) from the liquid contents, thereby preventing spillage of liquid contents onto outer non-sterile surfaces upon opening of the container. The container prevents the commercially undesireable retention of moisture in the volume (40) defined by the cover (16) and the inner closure (20). The container may be integrity tested using standard testing procedures.

Abstract: A disposable electrode pad is provided with a socket for a reusable electrode conductor attached to a lead wire. The pad includes a socket plate having a release coated top surface and overlying a frame having a bore filled with a gel matrix. The pad further includes a flexible clamp plate, part of which is strongly adhered to the frame and the rest of which is adhered to the release coated surface of the socket plate. The socket plate is provided with a bore used as a socket for a reusable, low profile electrode conductor which is fixedly attached to a lead wire having a jack for connection to external monitoring equipment. In use, the electrode pad is applied to the skin of a subject, the releasable part of the clamp plate is peeled away from the socket plate, the electrode conductor is inserted into the bore of the socket plate, and the clamp plate re-adhered to the socket plate in covering relation to the electrode conductor and the end of the lead wire attached thereto.

Abstract: A laminate film for producing a flexible container comprising an outermost layer made of polyethylene terephthalate or biaxially oriented polypropylene, an intermediate layer made of a polyamide optionally layered with a highly transparent resin, and an innermost layer made of a transparent heat-sealable resin.

Abstract: Techniques for determining different parameters associated with an individual's blood pressure in a non-invasive manner are disclosed herein. These techniques include generating a blood pressure waveform corresponding to the individual's actual waveform whereby the mean blood pressure of the individual can be readily calculated. This is accomplished by either using a specifically selected cuff pressure or by ramping the cuff pressure as would be done in taking blood pressure.

Abstract: Accurate in vivo measurement of blood oxygen saturation by fiberoptical means is made possible throughout a wide range of hematocrit or total hemoglobin values by using a single R/IR ratio I and calculating the SO.sub.2 value therefrom through the use of a second-order polynomial of the formSO.sub.2 =Ak.sup.2 I.sup.2 +BkI+Cin which A, B and C are hematocrit or total hemoglobin-dependent coefficients. These values may be contained in a lookup table accessed by a hematocrit or total hemoglobin value selection, and k is a purely multiplicative calibration constant which can be readily determined for any individual fiberoptic system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fast, efficient and precise method and apparatus for compounding a large number of solutions for use in hyperalimentation therapy. The apparatus includes a host computer which maintains a data base of prescriptions to be compounded, and a high speed compounding apparatus connected to the host computer for compounding mixtures of base solutions in response to information supplied by the host computer from the prescription data base.Information can be entered concerning patients or prescriptions through a video display tube into the host computer data base. The host computer also includes provisions for a library of prestored standard prescriptions which can be recalled and associated with a given patient. A group of prescriptions to be compounded is first sorted in accordance with the types of specified base solutions and optionally sorted again based on the concentration of base solutions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of collecting a desired end-point weight amount of material first conveys the material into the collection container until a predetermined weight amount is collected. The predetermined weight amount is less than the desired end-point weight amount by a selected initial weight offset amount. An additional incremental amount of material is next conveyed into the container for a predetermined fixed time period. In doing so, the method and apparatus gauge the particular flow characteristics of the associated flow system. A further additional incremental amount of material is conveyed into the collection container for another time period, the length of which reflects the anticipated flow characteristics of the system, based upon the performance of the system during the preceding period. The method and apparatus repeat this sequence until the then-existing weight amount equals or exceeds the desired end-point weight amount.

Abstract: A process is provided for detecting if a temperature sensor (18) is correctly located in a heating conduit at a point that is remote from the heater (28). Power is applied to the heater (28) in a predetermined manner. The change in the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor (18) is observed. If the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor (18) has changed in a certain manner, a signal is provided indicating that the temperature sensor (18) is located correctly. If, during observation, the temperature sensed has not changed in the certain manner, an alarm signal is provided.

Abstract: A venous reservoir is provided in which a blood inlet (42) is located at an inlet end (70) of the container (48) which extends upwardly with a fast rise and for a sufficient distance to allow the blood entering the inlet to enter a large volume and to expand rapidly. The top (74) of the inlet end wall (70) of the container communicates with a vent outlet (46) whereby a sharp decrease in the velocity of the blood flow resulting from its rapid expansion provides buoyancy to air in the blood causing air bubbles to rise to the top of the container and be vented through the vent opening. A top wall (76) of the container extends from the vent opening and toward a blood outlet (44), with the top wall being curved in a manner to prevent the velocity of blood from increasing until the blood is substantially at the blood outlet.

Abstract: A container such as a nursing container, fabricated from a single web of flexible material, is provided. The container maintains the nursing fluid or other liquid and an attached nipple or other access assembly in a sterile condition until use. The walls of the single web container enclose the nipple during filling, packaging, and shipping, and separate the access assembly from the container contents until accessed for use. Sterility is readily maintained by single point fabrication and filling. A method is provided for fabricating the container from a single web of flexible material. The web is defined, the access assembly, the web folded to enclose the nipple or other access assembly, and folded back to form a liquid compartment. Seals and peelable seals are formed to complete the container and allow access to the nipple for use.

Abstract: A nipple assembly is disclosed for attachment to sealed nursing containers which includes accessing means for accessing the container contents by manipulating the nipple assembly. In one embodiment, the accessing means is disposed within a flexible nipple and is movable to pierce the container wall upon lateral compression or squeezing of the nipple. Other embodiments access the container contents by axially compressing or rotating the nipple assembly. Protective covers for the nipple assemblies are disclosed which cooperate to permit the particular manual manipulation needed to access the contents without direct human contact with the nipple surface. Also shown are particular features of a flexible container to which the nipple assemblies may be attached.

Abstract: A gripper member comprises an openable and closable pair of handles interconnected by a hinge member. Each handle defines, adjacent its hinge member, an arcuate recess positioned to face the corresponding recess of the other handle and defining gripping projections therein. A wall member is positioned longitudinally on each handle to cross each arcuate recess, both wall members being positioned at the same side of their respective recesses. Accordingly, a plastic tube may be surrounded and gripped in the arcuate recesses of the handles for rotational retention thereof as a connector member is inserted into or withdrawn from the tube. At the same time, the wall members pinch the tube into closed, sealed relation with the handles in closed position.