Abstract: Disclosed herein is a centrifugal rotor for delivering and analyzing biological sample. Chambers within the centrifugal rotor is used to split a biological sample, which comprises biological cellular components and biological fluids, into separate parts under centrifugal force after the biological sample being diluted, metered and distributed by the centrifugal rotor.

Abstract: A fluid transferring apparatus includes a frame, a sample inlet chamber, a filling channel, a plurality of filling passageways, a plurality of test wells, and a plurality of venting passageways. The sample inlet chamber is disposed within the frame. The filling channel is disposed on the frame and connected to the sample inlet chamber, wherein the filling channel has a top part above the outlet of the sample inlet chamber. The filling passageways are disposed on the frame and connected to the filling channel. The test wells are disposed within the frame and connected to the filling passageways respectively, wherein the test wells are below the top part of the filling channel. The venting passageways are connected to the test wells respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a centrifugal rotor for delivering and analyzing biological sample. Chambers within the centrifugal rotor is used to split a biological sample, which comprises biological cellular components and biological fluids, into separate parts under centrifugal force after the biological sample being diluted, metered and distributed by the centrifugal rotor.

Abstract: The septum includes a fill chamber having a port that is reinforced or otherwise protected by a needle stop structure. The needle stop structure prevents a needle that has accessed the fill chamber from penetrating the fluid flow structure that extends from the fill chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure overhangs the port thereby preventing a needle from entering the port. In a further embodiment of the invention the needle stop structure includes a nozzle-like annular collar which extends from the port into the fill chamber. In another embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure includes a nozzle-like annular collar that extends from the port into the fluid flow structure. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the needle stop structure includes a cup-shaped structure that extends from the port into the fluid flow structure and has an opening in the fluid flow structure.

Abstract: A condom is coated on the interior surface with a vasoactive coating, such as a transdermal nitroglycerine coating. As the comdom is fitted onto a penis, contact between the penile tissue and the transdermal nitroglycerine coating increases blood flow through the corpus cavernosum. The resulting increase in blood flow aids the development of a tumescent condition of the penis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a dynamic flow rate of a bodily fluid in which the rate of flow is constantly changing includes an inlet to a chamber where flow accumulates. The accumulating fluid is in communication with the base of a sealed vertical column of air. An air pressure transducer in the upper portion of the column of air measures the pressure exerted upon the air by the accumulated fluid. The air pressure corresponds to the volume of accumulated fluid and is manipulated to yield a running indication of the flow rate. The chamber is automatically drained by a drainage conduit when the fluid reaches an upper operating level to reset the apparatus to a lower operating level to be ready to resume taking meaurements.

Abstract: A penile implant for use in treating erectile impotence includes an elongated flexible rod having a short proximal stem to support the implant and longer distal portion to be implanted in the corpus cavernosum of a penis. A layer of swellable hydrophilic material covers at least part of the distal portion. When the implant is implanted, the hydrophilic layer absorbs water and expands to increase the girth of the penis.

Abstract: An adjustable mammary prosthesis for augmentation mammoplasty is comprised of an outer teardrop-shaped, gel filled distensible container or shell. Disposed within the outer shell is an extensible column-shaped container with a valve. The projection (H.sub.1) of the prosthesis can be altered without altering the base diameter (B) of the prosthesis by adding an appropriate volume of fluid to the column-shaped container via the valve to extend it axially and to increase its height and the projection (H.sub.2) of the outer container. In another embodiment, a pillow-shaped distensible inner container is positioned between the top of the extensible column-shaped inner container and the underside of the top of the outer container.

Abstract: The elastic sheath of a urinary collection device is more securely retained in place upon the penis of an incontinent patient by modifying the patient's penis by making an incision in the penis, implanting penile implants having expansible chambers and a self sealing tip in the corpora cavernosa of the penis, closing the incision and then periodically filling the chambers with fluid introduced through a cannula extending through the glans of the penis and the self sealing tip. The periodic addition of fluid to the chambers causes them to gradually expand and stretch the penile tissue until the penis is larger and firmer and will more securely retain the elastic sheath of the collection device. The implants are especially useful for patients having spinal cord injuries because the implants are soft and not rigid even when filled and therefore they are less likely to erode through the skin of the penis or the urethra.

Abstract: A micro-hemostat especially useful for microsurgery includes a T-shaped member having a highly flexible, double walled tubular bar. The tubular stem of the T-shaped member is connected at one end to the outer wall of the bar and it communicates with an annular space between the walls of the bar. The other end of the stem is connected and communicates with a pressure bulb containing a pressurizing fluid to form a completely closed fluid system. The outer wall of the bar includes cuff portions of highly elastic material adjacent each end of the bar and the inner wall of the bar is a tube of relatively inelastic material. In use, the highly flexible, unpressurized bar is introduced into a blood vessel through an incision using the stem and the pressure bulb as a handle. The bar is then pressurized by squeezing the pressure bulb to inflate the cuff portions to form seals with the inner wall of the blood vessel and to rigidize the normally highly flexible portions of the bar intermediate the cuff portions.

Abstract: An ureteral catheter stent comprises an elongated, flexible tubular member of uniform outside diameter throughout its length which has proximal and distal ends which are in the form of hooks. Openings extend through the wall of the member to provide passages for fluid to enter the lumen of the tubular member and the proximal end of the member is closed to facilitate its introduction into a body passage. Since the stent is straightened for introduction into a body passage by inserting a wire stylet in the lumen of the stent, the stent is provided with indicating means which show the direction the proximal hook will form when the stylet is removed so that proper placement is insured.

Abstract: An implantable sleeve for increasing the penile diameter includes a flexible sheet of soft, physiologically acceptable implantable material, said sheet being of sufficient length when formed in the general shape of a cylindrical sleeve to extend from the glans penis to the base of the penis and of a width which is insufficient to completely encircle the penis, but sufficient to cover the corpora cavernosa. The sheet preferably has edges which are rounded and tapered side edges. The sleeve also includes suturing strips on the inside wall of the sleeve adjacent the side edges of the sheet which facilitate the suturing of the sheet to the tunica albuginea. The sleeve further includes porous patches located on the interior of the inside wall of the sleeve into which fibroblasts from the underlying tissues can grow to further anchor the sleeve to the tunica albuginea.

Abstract: A penile prosthesis which is adapted to be surgically implanted in man for the treatment of erectile impotence includes two separate penile implants each comprising an elongated, flexible rod having a short proximal portion of relatively stiff material which is adapted to be implanted into the root end of the corpus cavernosum to support the implant and a longer distal portion of softer material which is adapted to be implanted into the corpus cavernosum of the pendulus penis. A flexible, cylindrical sleeve is positioned axially about an intermediate section of the distal portion of the rod and is sealed at its ends to the rod in a fluid tight manner to form a chamber for pressurizing fluid. The implant also includes a pressure bulb for pressurizing fluid; tubing communicating between the chamber and the pressure bulb; and valve means for controlling the flow of fluid between the pressure bulb and the chamber.

Abstract: A T-shaped blood vessel occluder has a stem with a pair of opposing arms at one end forming a bar. Generally conically shaped solid bulbs are connected to the extremities of the bar. The occluder is insertable through an incision in the blood vessel with the arms and bulbs extending in opposite directions along the vessel. A section of the blood vessel is thus sealed off at both ends for anastomosis for other purposes.

Abstract: A package for a prosthetic heart valve or the like comprising a pair of separable mating package sections for receiving the heart valve and retaining it in sterile manner in biased position against a resilient pad. A separate retainer member is positioned in the package for biasing the heart valve against the pad, the retainer member being a rigid sheet having an aperture adapted to receive a portion of the valve. One of the mating package sections is provided with a shoulder which urges the retainer member into a biased position against the heart valve so that the valve is in turn biased against the resilient pad. The shoulder is adapted to slide along the surface of the retainer member so that the torque is not transmitted to the heart valve when the package sections are rotated to open or close the package.