Abstract: A MEMS device with an overhanging ‘polymer’ capillary provides vital and significant improvements in interfacing a MEMS electrospray nozzle to an MS inlet or other macroscopic instrumentation. The fabrication methodology associated therewith is easily expanded to include built-in micro particle filters and centimeter long serpentine micro channels provided on-chip and fabricated using a low temperature process.

Abstract: Methods for modulating the activity of the mammalian FXR receptor. The methods include methods of treating a hyper- or hypocholesterolemic mammal comprising contacting the mammal with synthetic compounds having FXR receptor activity.

Abstract: Enhancement of attentional processing is attained by administration of an endorphinase inhibitor or enkephalinase inhibitor and optionally, a dopamine precursor, or a serotonin precursor, a GABA precursor, or an endorphin or enkephalinase releaser, or certain herbal compounds including Rhodiola rosea extract (Pharmaline) and/or Huperzine. These components promote restoration of normal neurotransmitter function and the components combined enhance the release of dopamine at the nucleus accumbens and are non-addictive. Use of the dopamine precursors L-phenylalanine, or L-Tyrosine, the enkephalinase inhibitor D-phenylalanine, and/or the serotonin precursor -hydroxytryptophan and a natural acetylcholenesterase inhibitor and chromium salts (i.e. picolinate, nicotinate, etc.) is especially preferred, but not limited to assist in relieving symptoms associated with brain phenylalanine deficiency.

Abstract: A protective device and method for the removal and disposal of spinal needles. The protective device is comprised of a needle pulling assembly upon which is slidably mounted an external housing. In operation, a needle to be removed from a patient is engaged in the needle cradle portion of the needle pulling assembly. The external housing is moved into contact with the patient's skin and the needle is withdrawn by pulling on the pulling rod portion of the needle pulling assembly in a direction away from the patient. The needle is withdrawn into the interior of the external housing, thereby covering the entire length of the needle. The pulling assembly is then locked into place and the entire assembly including the withdrawn needle can be disposed of, thereby avoiding the possibility of needle pricks by contaminated spinal needles.

Abstract: A sheath for use in removing hypodermic needles having butterfly-shaped gripping side strips from patients and retaining the point of the removed needle in the sheath even when the needle and sheath are disposed of so that all persons who handle the needle are protected from being pricked.

Abstract: A seal for a container having a straight cylindrical neck with an opening in the neck includes an upper sealing member which fits over the top of the neck and down a portion of the cylindrical surface of the neck. The top sealing member has a tapered edge on its bottom which accepts an indentically tapered edge of an intermediate sealing member which engages it. The intermediate sealing member also has a further tapered edge which accepts a tapered edge of a bottom sealing member which mates with it. A lower locking member goes around the cylindrical neck of the bottle and is shaped such that a portion of it is spaced away from the cylindrical neck of the bottle to form a cavity in which fits the intermediate and lower sealing members. A top locking member goes over the top sealing member and both a skirt on the top sealing member and the top locking member also fit within the cavity of the lower locking member. Threads between the upper and lower locking member hold the structure together.

Abstract: A valve which is primarily useful in avoiding liquid being held or trapped around the exterior of a closure member used to close off the flow from an inlet to an outlet cavity through an opening after having been positioned so as to permit such flow can be constructed so that the terminal surface on the closure member appears as a continuation of the internal surface of the outlet cavity around the opening when the closure member is in this closed position. Preferrably, the outlet cavity is a cylindrical bore and the terminal surface of the closure member is a cylindrical surface having the same diameter as the bore. When the outlet cavity and the terminal surface are so shaped, a guide structure is used to control the movement of the valve closure member so that it can only be located in a closed position in which the cylindrical surface appears as a part of the cylindrical bore.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for labeling leukocytes and other phagocytic cells with labeled micellular particles involving incubating the cells with the micellular particles. Also described is a process for detecting the locus of an infection by administering to a subject leukocytes radiolabeled by incubation with labeled micellular particles followed by scanning the subject to detect the locus of radiation emitted by the particles.

Abstract: A nasal cannula structure capable of being adjusted so as to fit comfortably relative to the nose of a user can be constructed so as to utilize an elongated tubular conduit held by a suitable support so that a portion of the conduit extends beneath and adjacent to the nostrils of the nose of the user. Two separate, spaced holes are provided in this portion of the conduit. Each of these holes is covered by a sleeve which fits closely around the exterior of the conduit in such a manner there is no gas leakage between the exterior of the conduit and the interiors of the sleeves and in such a manner that the positions of the sleeves relative to the conduit can be changed. These sleeves carry small tubes which are in communication with the holes in the conduit and which also extend into the nostrils of a user.

Abstract: A ventilatory muscle training apparatus is disclosed which utilizes a gas rebreathing system having a reservoir and a mouthpiece for use in conveying gas into and out of the reservoir during inhalation and exhalation. An adjustable valve-like aperture is located in the system in a position to vent some expired gas to the ambient atmosphere during exhalation and in a position such that some ambient air is drawn into the system from the ambient during inhalation. This aperture structure is capable of being adjusted so as to normalize the carbon dioxide content of the gas breathed in during inhalation to a patient's normal respiratory level. The reservoir used is preferably an enclosed chamber which is open to the ambient air remote from the mouthpiece. The apparatus also includes a means for use in monitoring the air flow through the mouthpiece so that the patient can determine that his or her breathing is in accordance with the intended manner of use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A variable capacitor can be constructed so as to utilize two elongated metal strips serving as electrodes. Such strips are secured to one another so that at least a part of one is above at least a part of the other. The electrodes are insulated from one another and are disposed in a helical coil in which the turns are spaced from one another a sufficient extent to permit relative movement between the individual turns. In the disclosed capacitor a support or mounting collar is secured to the outermost turn and a movable actuator is secured to the innermost turn. Preferably at least one of the electrodes is sufficiently resilient so as to serve as a helical spring which will return the coil back to its initial configuration after at least one turn of the coil has been moved relative to an adjacent turn of the coil. A second collar may be located around the first and secured to the first by a flexible mounting structure such as a spring.

Abstract: A measurement corresponding to the intrathoracic pressure within the body of an individual can be obtained through the use of a transducer. The transducer used includes a movable actuator and is held with reference to the body so that the actuator engages the soft tissue above the suprasternal notch of the individual. As the transducer is located in this manner the actuator moves in accordance with the movement of such tissue as the individual breathes. As a consequence of the operation of the transducer during such movement of the actuator an electric signal is obtained which corresponds to the individual's intrathoracic pressure. An appropriate conventional circuit may be used to indicate such pressure.

Abstract: A breathing apparatus primarily intended to be used in administering oxygen to a patient can be constructed so as to utilize a fluidic control device in such a manner as to conserve oxygen. The control device is connected to a supply of the gas to be administered to the user, to a reservoir type structure for temporarily storing this gas and a respiration structure such as a connected pair of tubes adapted to extend loosely into the nostrils of the user. On inhalation through the respiration structure the control device serves to permit gas flow from both the supply and the reservoir type structure to the respiration structure and to the user while on exhalation by the user the control device is responsive to the pressure exerted by the flow of exhaled gas in order to cause gas flow from the supply to the reservoir type structure.

Abstract: The pulse of a patient suffering from an obstructive lung ailment or problem such as emphysema, bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, asthma or the like may be monitored so as to obtain a signal varying in accordance with the peak values of successive pulse beats. The signal so obtained is used to provide an output to the patient which is capable of being sensed by the patient and which corresponds to the differences in the peak values of successive pulse beats. This output is used by the person in learning to control the operation of his or her heart in order to reduce the work of breathing and to avoid potential eventual heart failure when the individual encounters breathing problems.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuous measurement and display of the endocardial viability ratio of a patient to provide an indication of the condition of the heart muscle. A system using signals representative of the systemic arterial pressure and the left atrial pressure as inputs to generate a tension time index and a diastolic pressure time index by separation of the systemic arterial pressure wave form into two parts and selective integration of the inputs, followed by division to obtain the desired ratio.