Abstract: A syringe assembly including a plunger rod and a plunger tip which are designed to provide a low frictional resistance against the interior surface of the syringe barrel while the plunger rod is at rest but which will increase the sealing pressure between the plunger tip and the interior surface of the syringe barrel in proportion to the amount of force applied to the plunger rod. Additionally, the plunger rod may be moved in the syringe barrel in a laterally offset manner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the syringe barrel without significantly affecting the seal between the plunger tip and the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A suction catheter device usable with a respiratory support system which includes a catheter enveloped in a sleeve having a proximal end connector for connection to a suction source through a suction control device such as a suction control valve, and a distal end connector for attachment to a manifold of the respiratory support system. The proximal end connector includes a normally closed valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until a suction control device is attached thereto. The proximal end connector may also be adapted for use on a dual lumen catheter and thereby include a fluid injection passage having a one-way check valve therein. The distal end connector of the suction catheter device includes a magnifying window through which a portion of the catheter within the connector can be viewed.

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. A rigid sheath surrounds the lancet needle between the distal needle piece and the proximal needle piece. The sheath is rigidly attached to either the distal or proximal needle piece at one end and is frangibly connected to the proximal or distal needle piece, respectively, at its other end. The sheath precisely positions the proximal needle piece relative to the distal needle piece. A removable cap covers the lancet tip. In use, the cap is removed.

Abstract: A lancet injector is provided having a lancet tip that may be automatically removed from the lancet injector after piercing and being retracted from the skin of the subject. A separation recess extends from the slot along the housing toward the proximal end of the housing allowing the control member to move proximally into the separation recess. The separation recess has a proximally extending retention recess that retains the lancet holder in its most proximal position. The lancet holder has a bore extending longitudinally through it aligned with the central axis of the housing. A pin extends from the proximal end of the housing along the central axis of the housing toward the central bore of the holder. The control member moves into the separation recess causing the pin to enter the bore of the lancet holder and contact the lancet.

Abstract: A closed ventilation and suction catheter system for aspirating or suctioning the bronchial tree or trachea of a patient including a dual lumen catheter, the proximal end of the catheter is connected to a dual valve assembly which is connected to separate irrigation fluid and suction pressure sources and the distal end of the catheter is adapted to be slidably positioned in communication with the bronchial tree of a patient. A transparent and flexible envelope surrounds the catheter to protect the catheter from direct exposure to the atmosphere. The catheter is slidable from the inside of the envelope through an adaptor and a tracheal tube to communicate with the bronchial tree or trachea of the patient. A ventilator is connected to the adaptor near the distal end of the catheter to provide for the artificial ventilation of the patient.

Abstract: A double lumen gastric tube including a valve to prevent gastric reflux or leakage through the vent lumen thereof. The gastric tube also includes an adaptor which allows fluid injection through the tube without removing the valve. The valve allows the passage of air into the vent lumen when atmospheric pressure exceeds stomach pressure. When stomach pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure the valve prevents flow of fluid through the tube. The adaptor allows fluid to be injected into the vent lumen through the valve.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed having an outer sheath made of a porous polymer material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). The sheath has a porosity to allow anti-microbial or anti-bacterial medicament or other medicaments or liquids to pass through the sheath. A medicament lumen is provided passing through the elongated tube of the catheter from the catheter's proximal or out of patient end to openings along the catheter tube wall. Medicament is passed from the proximal end of the catheter through the medicament lumen and expelled through the openings into the area between the sheath and the catheter's main tube. There, the medicament or other liquid passes through the sheath into contact with the patient's body lumen. In the preferred embodiment, the catheter is a Foley urinary catheter.

Abstract: A linear phase high pass filter having a linear phase low pass filter in parallel with an electronic delay means is disclosed to remove baseline wander from an ECG signal. The linear phase low pass filter is preferably a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter. An input ECG signal is simultaneously presented to an IIR low pass filter and an electronic delay. The low pass filter passes the low frequency baseline signal while blocking the ECG signal comprised of higher frequency components than the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter. Thereafter, the outputs from the IIR low pass filter and delay are passed to a summer that subtracts the output of the low pass filter from the output of the delay to produce the output of the filter. The combination of the output of a low pass filter being subtracted from a delayed input signal produces a high pass filter. The resulting high pass filter has a -0.3 dB cutoff frequency of about 0.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes a member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a combination thereof to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase. The member also physically separates the separated material from the fluid to be sampled to allow the user to obtain an uncontaminated fluid sample.

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 photodiode detects drops passing through its optical sensing path, and a capacitor is connected between the photodiode and an amplifier to block the DC component of the diode 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensed member and sensing member for use on a medical fluid infusion device and support device wherein the fluid infusion device is usable in a conventional manner such as on an IV pole and in an ambulatory manner such as in a support device for use in an ambulatory backpack. The sensing member of the present invention detects when the fluid infusion device is to be used in an ambulatory manner to adjust the operation of the infusion control member to account for the difference in fluid flow rates caused by the different fluid pressures within the fluid delivery set when the fluid infusion device is used in a conventional manner and an ambulatory manner.

Abstract: A relatively flexible, dual-lumen enteral feeding tube for delivery of fluid through a patient's esophagus to the patient's digestive system, the enteral feeding tube having proximal and distal ends. The tube comprises an enteral feeding lumen having a feeding lumen inlet opening adjacent the proximal end of the tube and a feeding lumen outlet opening adjacent the distal end of the tube. Additionally, a relatively small stylet lumen is provided separate from said enteral feeding lumen, the stylet lumen having a stylet lumen inlet opening adjacent the proximal end of the tube and being longitudinally co-extensive with a substantial length of the enteral feeding lumen. A relatively stiff stylet having a tapered annealed distal portion is removably positioned in the stylet lumen and extends from the stylet inlet lumen opening to adjacent to the feeding lumen outlet opening.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes an affinity member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a coating on the collection tube which has an affinity for the separated oil or degradation material from the gel material to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The affinity member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device for use with a fluid delivery system which includes a fluid delivery set and an infusion pump. The support device allows simple attachment of various types of fluid delivery sets and infusion pumps thereto and is adapted for use with bed ridden patients in a traditional manner, or for ambulatory patient use. The support device includes a compartment for securely holding an infusion pump and a separate compartment for securely holding a fluid container of the fluid delivery set. The device further includes an elongate channel into which the tubing of the fluid delivery set can be inserted and subsequently protected from kinking or inadvertent occlusion, and is adapted for use with rigid bottle, flexible bag, burette, spike sets, or other standard types of fluid delivery sets. The device may be used on an infusion pole in a standard manner, placed on a horizontal surface such as a table, or enclosed in a carrying case for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A ventilation cap for a flashback chamber is formed of a hollow elongate cylindrical body of polymeric material and includes a proximal opening which is blocked by a venting material such as a hydrophobic filter, and a distal opening which is sized to allow an extension of the flashback chamber to be inserted therein for airtight connection therewith. The elongate body of the ventilation cap has a tear strip formed therein by a pair of generally parallel score lines. The cap is affixed to the flashback chamber so as to allow air to pass from the flashback chamber through the vent as blood fills the flashback chamber, while preventing blood from passing through the vent. When it is desired to attach other apparatus to the extension of the flashback chamber, the tear strip, which may have a pull tab integrally formed therewith, is torn away from the elongate body to destroy the airtight seal between the flashback extension and the cap.

Abstract: A device having a rechargeable power source with an associated battery charger base having a quick charge current output and a trickle charge current output. A control circuit within the device is also provided that monitors if and for how long the device is attached to the base and determines the present capacity of the power source. Based on these signals, the control circuit selects an appropriate charge current output. The control circuit also includes timer circuits and circuits to measure the battery voltage during charging to allow for maximum but safe quick charging to protect the power source from long-term damage.