Abstract: An improved blood samplng device is disclosed which includes a coupling device connected to a needle for receiving blood withdrawn from a patient. The coupling device includes first and second ports in flow communication with the needle and is adapted to conduct blood to either the first or second port. The first port includes an adapter sleeve which is adapted to receive a vacutainer-type blood storage device for storing blood samples taken from the patient. A microporous hydrophobic plug is positioned within the coupling device intermediate the first port and the needle for venting air which is trapped within the coupling device during the initial stages of the sampling operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which body fluid chemistry is measured in either differential or nondifferential mode using apparatus of the kind employed in infusing fluids into patients' blood streams, either with or without combination with such infusion, to the end that measurement of body fluid chemistry is conveniently and measured automatically at selected frequency.

Abstract: A reference electrode (102), standard calibration solutions (72 and 76) and a sample solution (80) are all placed in liquid contact with one another and a reference solution (70). Contact between the reference solution (70), the sample (80) and the calibration solutions (72 and 76) is made through salt bridges (82, 74 and 78). A special conical shaped solution container (FIG. 5) having a porous plug or other salt bridge extending through the container wall at the apex provides special advantage.

Abstract: An ion selective electrode capable of production in miniaturized form suitable for in vivo monitoring is produced by coating a metal-metal salt half cell with a layer of hydrophilic material containing electrolyte with an over-layer of an ion selective membrane. The coatings may be applied by a dipping and drying process. Stability is enhanced by addition of silver black and platinum black to the half cell and those materials may be added as layers in a similar dip and dry process. A companion reference electrode half cell is made of the same materials that are used in making the "half cell" portion of the selective electrode, except that the reference half cell is coated with a protein layer. Special packaging and a special procedure facilitate calibration.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a bio-electric event measuring electrode combines a salt with adhesive. The adhesive serves as the vehicle for dispersing solvent to form the electrolyte in a solid or semisolid mixture. The adhesive serves further as a structural element in holding the parts of a practical electrode together and in making the electrode adhere to a subject's skin.

Abstract: An electrolyte for a bio-electric event measuring electrode combines a salt with adhesive. The adhesive serves as the vehicle for dispersing solvent to form the electrolyte in a solid or semi-solid mixture. The adhesive serves further as a structural element in holding the parts of a practical electrode together and in making the electrode adhere to a subject's skin.Such an electrolyte is combined with a mesh or otherwise foraminated patch of pliant material and a connector to form what can be an inexpensive, effective electrode having long shelf life, low irritation, and low electrical resistivity.