Abstract: The present invention is directed to a formulation and associated method for neutralizing one or more toxic chemical and/or materials including toxic industrial chemicals and toxic industrial materials, such as irritants, heavy metals, radioactive metals, acids and acid irritants, pesticides, and various agricultural chemicals, (collectively referred to as toxic chemical, materials, or simply toxins) as well as decontaminating surfaces that have come into contact with these agents. As a result, the formulation of the present invention can be used for neutralizing a broad spectrum of toxic chemicals and materials. In one embodiment, the active ingredient comprises 2, 3, butanedione monoxime (also known as diacetyl monoxime (DAM)), and alkali salts thereof such as potassium 2,3-butanedione monoxime (KBDO). The formulation also typically includes a carrier in which the active ingredient is dispersed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to formulations for use in medical or diagnostic procedures comprising a stabilizing agent alone or in combination with an osmotic agent. In one embodiment, the stabilizing agent is a natural hydrocolloid, preferably locust bean gum, and the osmotic agent is a sugar-based compound, preferably mannitol. The present invention also relates to formulations and methods for distending an anatomic segment. The present invention further relates to formulations and methods for delineating an anatomic segment on a diagnostic image, for example. The formulations of the present invention are especially suitable for use with diagnostic imaging procedures including, but not limited to magnetic resonance imaging (MR), computer assisted tomography (CT), and CT-PET (Position emission tomography), as well as other medical and therapeutic uses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nutritional kit for use in preparing an individual for a predetermined activity which requires a clean digestive tract, particularly the colon. Such predetermined activities include, but are not limited to, gastrointestinal surgery and colon screenings. Specifically, the present invention provides an individual low amounts of fat, dietary fiber and solid food content to minimize stool formation and/or facilitate removal of stool from the digestive tract prior to the predetermined activity. The present invention also provides the individual with sufficient calories and nutrition to enable the individual to conduct daily, routine activities while utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to a nutritional dietary system, formulation, kit and method for use in preparing an individual for a predetermined activity which requires a clean digestive tract, particularly the colon. Such predetermined activities include, but are not limited to, gastrointestinal surgery and colon screenings. Specifically, the present invention provides an individual low amounts of fat, dietary fiber and solid food content to minimize stool formation and/or facilitate removal of stool from the digestive tract prior to the predetermined activity. The present invention also provides the individual with sufficient calories and nutrition to enable the individual to conduct daily, routine activities while utilizing the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: A medical extravasation device has an electrode patch that can attach to the skin for sensing electrical information. Tissue impedance is calculated from the electrode patch signals. The patch has elongate pick-up electrodes inboard of elongate energizing electrodes. The measuring zone determined by the elongate space between the pick-up electrodes enhances sensitivity and specificity. The presence of an extravasation is determined by interpreting the tissue impedance measurement. The method for determining the extravasation includes a first step of determining a pre-injection baseline measurement of the tissue impedance. Then, the tissue impedance is monitored during the procedure itself. A predetermined amount of change in tissue impedance is determined to indicate an extravasation.

Abstract: The technique for detecting extravasation during the injection of fluid into a patient involves the establishment of a baseline representing impedance at the zone of the injection prior to the injection starting. Extravasation is signaled when at least two characteristics appear. First is that the impedance varies from the baseline more than a predetermined amount in more than a predetermined number of discreet time slots called epochs herein. Second is that, the rate of change of the impedance, which is called the slope herein, is consistently greater than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A negative contrast agent for MRI is an aqueous suspension having a quantity of barium sulfate between 25 and 30 percent by weight and a quantity of bentonite between 2.5 and 3.5 percent by weight in which a substantial portion of the barium sulfate particles have a mean diameter of at least 10 microns. This negative contrast agent provides dark imaging in a T2 weighted pulse sequence; namely a relative signal intensity (RSI) approaching zero. It also provides a relative signal intensity (RSI) of under 30 percent of that of a reference that approximates tissue in a T1 weighted pulse sequence.

Abstract: An angiographic catheter has a relatively stiff though flexible shaft and a soft tip. The soft tip consists primarily of a tungsten loaded polyether block amide (PEBA) copolymer surrounded by two thin PEBA layers. This three ply radiopaque tip is bonded to a PEBA shaft. The shaft is reinforced either by a inner nylon ply or by metal braiding.

Abstract: A needle system which upon arterial entry provides a visual indication of pulsatile blood flow. The needle system includes an elongated needle with distal and proximal ends. There is a needle hub at the proximal end of the needle and a port position between the proximal needle end and proximal hub end. The visualization connector tube having two ends is provided. The tube is sufficiently clear to permit visualization of material held therein. The first end of the tube is in communication with the port. An elastomeric reservoir is provided. The reservoir is in free, direct, unrestricted two-way communication with a second tube end. The needle, needle hub, and tube all have predetermined volumes. The reservoir has an initial unexpanded state with a first pressure and a first volume and a second state expanded with a second pressure and a second volume. Air pressure in the needle system is increased upon arterial entry.

Abstract: A negative contrast agent for MRI is an aqueous suspension having a quantity of barium sulfate between 25 and 30 percent by weight and a quantity of bentonite between 2.5 and 3.5 percent by weight and between 0.15 and 0.25 mM Fe as a ferrite. Such a negative contrast agent provides substantially black imaging in a T2 weighted pulse sequence; namely a relative signal intensity (RSI) of near zero. It also provides a relative signal intensity (RSI) of well under 10 percent of that of water in a T1 weighted pulse sequence.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use with a contrast media injector. The injector is of the type including a gas source and a liquid source. The apparatus includes a gas delivery channel connected to the gas source and a liquid delivery channel connected to the liquid source. Two normally closed valves are provided to control flow from the gas and liquid channel. The valves insure that gas and liquid do not simultaneously exit from the channel. The valves minimize inadvertent mixing of the gas and saline downstream of the valves. The gas channel is connected to a gas source using a fitting which also connects electro-conductive wires in the apparatus to a power source. The liquid channel connects to a source of liquid.

Abstract: An improved enema insufflation system includes a source of barium sulfate suspension connected, by tubing, to a multi-lumen enema tip and a source of carbon dioxide, connected to the enema tip. The carbon dioxide source contains compressed carbon dioxide. The source is connected to a carbon dioxide reservoir capable of holding a pre-determined volume of carbon dioxide at a relatively low pressure. A hand actuated insufflation bulb is connected to the carbon dioxide reservoir. The insufflation bulb can draw carbon dioxide from the reservoir for delivery, through the enema tip, to a patient. The compressed, high-pressure carbon dioxide is functionally isolated from the patient to ensure patient safety.

Abstract: A protective garment incorporating radiation resistant materials has a resilient support for conforming to and supporting the weight of the garment across the back of the wearer. The support is a wide resilient band having a first end connected at a first interior side seam and a second end connected at a second interior side seam for extending across an interior back panel surface of the garment. When stretched across the back, the garment weight is distributed uniformly across the back to reduce fatigue. Alternatively, the garment may have a pair of resilient straps which extend from the shoulder seams and sides of a front panel, across the back to the front of the garment. By providing resilient back panels which extend from the shoulders, the front panel weight is distributed over the shoulders and back. Utilizing such a protective garment reduces upper body fatigue for those required to wear such garments.

Abstract: A catheter for introducing material into the vascular system is provided. The catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a side wall defining a catheter lumen. The catheter body has a proximal portion. Material can be introduced into the catheter lumen at its proximal portion. The catheter body has a distal portion. The distal portion has a single wall in an exit zone. At least one pressure responsive exit is formed in the side wall of the distal portion of the catheter body. The pressure responsive exit permits material to exit from the catheter lumen in response to a pressure over a first predetermined amount while preventing material from entering into the catheter lumen at a pressure less than a second pre-determined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to deliver carbon dioxide to an animal in a manner which allows the carbon dioxide to totally displace blood in an area of interest and to thus serve as a contrast media for angiographic procedures, or blood displacement media for angioscopic or laser procedures. The apparatus enables the carbon dioxide to flow at varied flow rates, the varied flow rates correlated to the varied flow rate of blood in the animal's vascular system. The flow rate of the carbon dioxide is variable during the course of a single injection.

Abstract: A catheter for introducing material into the vascular system is provided. The catheter includes an elongated catheter body having a side wall defining a catheter lumen. The catheter body has a proximal portion. Material can be introduced into the catheter lumen at its proximal portion. The catheter body has a distal portion. The distal portion has a single wall in an exit zone. At least one pressure responsive exit is formed in the side wall of the distal portion of the catheter body. The pressure responsive exit permits material to exit from the catheter lumen in response to a pressure over a first pre-determined amount while preventing material from entering into the catheter lumen at a pressure less than a second pre-determined amount.

Abstract: A medical extravasation device has an electrode patch that can attach to the skin for sensing electrical information. Tissue impedance is calculated from the electrode patch signals. The patch has elongate pick-up electrodes inboard of elongate energizing electrodes. The measuring zone determined by the elongate space between the pick-up electrodes enhances sensitivity and specificity. The presence of an extravasation is determined by interpreting the tissue impedance measurement. The method for determining the extravasation includes a first step of determining a pre-injection baseline measurement of the tissue impedance. Then, the tissue impedance is monitored during the procedure itself. A predetermined amount of change in tissue impedance is determined to indicate an extravasation.

Abstract: The technique for detecting extravasation during the injection of fluid into a patient involves the establishment of a baseline representing impedance at the zone of the injection prior to the injection starting. Extravasation is signaled when at least two characteristics appear. First is that the impedance varies from the baseline more than a predetermined amount in more than a predetermined number of discreet time slots called epochs herein. Second is that, the rate of change of the impedance, which is called the slope herein, is consistently greater than a predetermined amount.