Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which includes a mechanical connection between the strain relief thereof and the hub. The strain relief operates both to secure the catheter tube to the hub and to provide strain relief for the catheter tube. The strain relief connection is assisted in gripping the catheter tube by intentional overstressing of the catheter hub during manufacture thereof to expand the hub wall and generate residual hoop stresses therein which assist in securing the catheter tube within the hub.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough, or alternatively, to a third position in which the primary access port remains closed to suction pressure therethrough and the actuator becomes locked against movement into the second position. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: Thin-walled anesthesia needles are disclosed which include blunted pencil point tips and each contains a built in mechanism for directing the motion of a catheter through a side opening in the needle wall for positive location of a catheter in a patient for the delivery of required medications, or for directing the flow of directly injected medications perpendicularly to the axis of the needle.

Abstract: A connector and method is disclosed for connecting a thoracic catheter to a source of suction. The connector comprises a first tube approximately equal in inner diameter to the inner diameter of the main lumen of the thoracic catheter and a second tube connected to and in fluid communication with the first tube along a common longitudinal axis. The first and second tubes form a continuous non-constricted passage through the first and second tubes. In one embodiment, a connecting tube is placed over and in binding contact with the second tube at one end and in contact with the source of suction at the other end. In another embodiment, primarily for use with catheters with a funnel tip for connecting to the source of suction, the first and second tubes have inner diameters approximately equal to the inner diameter of the main lumen of the thoracic catheter.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold and adaptors therefore are disclosed which allow attachment of respiratory system accessory devices to the ventilator manifold without loss of PEEP. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the accessory access port such that placement of an adaptor therein forces the normally closed valve to an open position, and removal of the adaptor allows the normally closed valve to return to its closed position. The adaptors are formed to allow attachment of accessory devices such as an ambulatory resuscitation bag, a metered dose inhaler, and a bronchial scope. The adaptors may also include a locking ring thereon for locking the adaptor in position in the accessory access port.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted optical glass fiber bundle received within an internal lumen of the catheter. The lumen for receiving the optical glass fiber bundle is heated and expanded under internal fluid pressure. The catheter and lumen are then cooled with the lumen still under the internal fluid pressure. After cooling, the fluid pressure is released and the lumen retains its expanded condition. An optical glass fiber bundle is inserted into the expanded lumen to a predetermined position within the catheter. The catheter and lumen are reheated to contract the expanded diameter of the lumen about the optical glass fiber bundle to provide a fiberscopic catheter having a tightly fitted fiber optic bundle within the catheter.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and an electro-optical sensor. A detector detects drops passing through the drop detector in an optical sensing path between the detector and at least one light source. In response to the detection of a drop passing through the optical path, the detector produces an output signal. A capacitor is connected between the detector and an amplifier to block the DC component of the output signal. After amplification, the signal is passed through a low pass filter to further block signals caused by undesirable factors. The cutoff frequency of the low pass filter is controlled by a microprocessor that controls the pump that pumps liquid from the drop chamber. The detector and light source or sources are arranged to detect drops falling in the drop chamber at virtually any angle and in virtually any ambient light condition.

Abstract: An endotracheal respiration system which includes a respirator manifold with a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment includes a suctioning system for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold of the respiration system includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. However, the normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed male adaptor located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluid container attachment adaptor for an ambulatory fluid delivery system which includes a support device for attachment of a fluid delivery set and a pump. The fluid container attachment adaptor allows simple attachment to the support device of fluid containers which have been designed for attachment to commonly used IV poles. The fluid container attachment adaptor preferably includes a disk-shaped body portion and a hook-shaped attachment member which is positioned centrally thereon, and extends away from the body portion. The disk-shaped body portion is designed to be accepted within the clamping members of the support device and the hook-shaped attachment member is designed to receive a fluid container for suspension from the adaptor in substantially the same manner as the fluid container may have been attached to a standard IV pole.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is linearly movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough. The valve also includes a rotatable valve core which can be rotated by the actuator to a third position to disable its linear movement and to open the ancillary access port. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: A battery compartment for a device having a housing is provided. The battery compartment pivots around an axis that is generally parallel with a wall of housing. The battery compartment is generally an elongated wedge or sector shape with an elongated pivoting axis extending along the apex of the wedge. One planar side of the wedge becomes a portion of the wall of the housing as the battery compartment is pivoted about the elongated axis into a closed position. This planar side becomes a door into the housing that is opened or closed as the battery compartment is pivoted around its pivoting axis. As the battery compartment is pivoted around its pivoting axis, the battery compartment rotates out and away from the plane that previously encompassed the wall of the device so that access to the batteries may be had. The battery compartment encloses the batteries and segregates them from the other components in the housing.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough, or alternatively, to a third position in which the primary access port remains closed to suction pressure therethrough and the actuator becomes locked against movement into the second position. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: An endotracheal respiration system is disclosed which includes a respirator manifold which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning system for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold of the respiration system includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. However, the normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed male adaptor located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: A tracheal tube having a distal end for placement in a patient's trachea. In one embodiment, the tracheal tube includes a preformed curved proximal end that directs the tracheal tube, upon leaving the patient's mouth, toward the patient's left or right ear depending on the particular preformed curvature. In another embodiment, a swivel assembly is located anywhere along the region of a bend connecting the proximal and distal ends of the tracheal tube. The swivel assembly allows the proximal end of the tracheal tube to rotate through 360.degree. relative to the distal end. A variation of this embodiment forms the proximal end of the tracheal tube in substantially the shape of a patient's nasal cavity so that the tracheal tube may be placed in the patient's trachea through the patient's nasal cavity. In a further variation of all the embodiments, a flexible corrugated piece of tubing is attached to the proximal end of the tracheal tube.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold is disclosed which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning device for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that placement of a specially designed adaptor therein located on the suctioning device forces the normally closed valve to an open position, thus allowing passage of a suction catheter through the manifold into the patient.

Abstract: A strain relief device for use at a tube/hub junction of a tubular device such as a catheter. The strain relief device forms a lumen which may have a reduced diameter at a distal section thereof which can cooperate with the outer diameter of a catheter tube to form a wicking surface. The wicking cavity is formed to allow bonding material to be added thereto which, through capillary action, forms a uniform and controlled bond pattern between the strain relief device and the catheter tube. A catheter including the strain relief device of the invention is manufactured by inserting the strain relief device over a catheter tube/hub junction and permanently bonding the proximal end of the strain relief device to the hub in a conventional manner. The distal end of the strain relief device is then bonded to the catheter tube. The stain relief device of the present invention resists axial pulling forces, as well as bending forces, which may be applied to the catheter.

Abstract: A blood lancet is disclosed having a lancet needle with a sharpened lancet tip. The lancet tip is covered before use. The lancet tip end of the lancet needle extends through a slidable proximal needle piece while the opposite end of the lancet needle is immovably embedded in a distal needle piece. The distal needle piece is connected to the proximal needle piece through a pair of opposed normally bowed flexible arms. After pricking the user's skin with the lancet tip, the bowed flexible arms are pinched towards each other which pushes the proximal needle piece into a position over and enclosing the lancet tip. The flexible arms each have an arrow shaped protrusion or catch that engages a correspondingly shaped receptacle on the distal needle piece to lock the proximal needle piece in position over the lancet tip. In one embodiment, a removable cap covers the lancet tip. In another embodiment, the proximal needle piece is formed around the lancet tip.

Abstract: An epidural or anesthesia needle assembly having a "wing" selectively attachable to the needle hub is disclosed. The "wing" is made of a sturdy but resilient material. The "wing" has a tang for placing in a corresponding slot in the needle hub to ensure the correct orientation of the "wing" with the bevel tip of the cannula. In addition, the tang allows the "wing" to be pushed along the elongated axis of the cannula with improved efficiency so that the "wing" does not become inadvertently detached from the needle hub. In the preferred embodiment, the "wing" includes a protective sheath mount enclosure shaped in contour to the protective sheath mount located at the most distal end of the needle hub. The protective sheath mount enclosure forms a lock around the protective sheath mount.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed that vents to atmosphere the residual vacuum pressure presented to a suction catheter or similar device when the central bore of the valve is completely blocked by a valve member and the device that the suction control valve is controlling becomes occluded. A vent bore extends from the central bore through the valve body underneath the valve member. A vent channel is formed in the underside of the valve member longitudinally aligned with the vent bore and extending a small distance along the underside of the valve body from the end of the valve body. The length of the vent channel is such that when the valve member completely blocks the central bore, the vent channel is positioned over the vent bore thereby forming a vent path from the central bore through the vent bore and vent channel to the atmosphere. Unless the valve body is in the fully closed position, the vent bore is not aligned with the vent channel.