Abstract: Rotating Relaxer Shower Head has a housing with multiple heads that rotate and a standard connection for use with piping in a bathroom. A user simply turns the shower on in the ordinary manner and positions his body underneath the housing with the multiple showerheads. Water enters the housing through the standard connection and spins the multiple showerheads, causing a rotating stream of water to be emitted through the plurality of holes in the heads. The water then contacts the user in a rhythmic, rotating manner that helps relax and cleanse a user.

Abstract: The present invention claims an apparatus for transdermal delivery of medicaments, with novel electrode systems, which avoids burns caused by changes in pH or excessive current applied at the sight of delivery, which is low in cost and easy to manufacture. In the present invention, preferably, the anode of the electrode system is predominantly formed from a low-cost bulk base metal which includes a coating of a precious metal thereon. The cathode of the electrode system is preferably formed from an chemically inert material which is a poor electron condutor and is coated on a good electron conductive material which has poor chemical stability. The electrode system of the present invention is highly efficient, easy to manufacture and cost-effective.

Abstract: A blood sample is gravimetrically separated into its heavier and lighter phases by centrifugation in a tube. The phases are separated by a disc which has a center of buoyancy and a center of mass that are spaced apart from each other along the axis of symmetry of the disc. The diameter of the disc is slightly larger than the bore diameter of the tube. The disc is initially positioned in the tube with its axis of symmetry perpendicular to the axis of the tube so that blood drawn into the tube can readily pass by the disc. Upon centrifugation, the disc will tumble through a 90.degree. angle so that the axis of symmetry of the disc will be coincidental with the axis of the tube. Once the disc has tumbled in the sample, the ongoing centrifugal forces will cause a stretching of the disc along its axis of symmetry thereby decreasing the diameter of the disc.

Abstract: A thermal cycle apparatus comprises a body having a hollow interior and an access for the passage of liquid into an out of the body. Thermally conductive liquid is contained within the interior of the body. This liquid has a thermal capacity greater than the thermal capacity of the body itself. A pump or piston is provided for moving liquid into and out of the body in conjunction with the access opening. The liquid within the body is alternated between lower and higher temperatures in repeating cycles. A well or container for holding a sample of material to be subjected to cyclic thermal changes is held in contact with the liquid within the body in order to conduct the cyclic temperature changes of the liquid to the sample. A method for thermally cycling samples of material between lower and higher temperatures is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: A vented cap and capillary tube assembly is disclosed together with a method of use of such assembly. The assembly includes a capillary tube having a bore extending therethrough and a cap slidably mounted to one end of the tube. The cap includes one or more vent grooves therein which allow air to escape therethrough when the cap is in a first slidable position. The walls of the capillary tube prevent air from escaping through the vent when the cap is more fully inserted within the tube. The method provided herein includes the steps of providing such a pre-assembled capillary tube and vented cap assembly, maintaining the cap in the first position while the opposite end of the capillary tube is inserted within a liquid sample, allowing the liquid to enter the tube through capillary action, thereby displacing air within the tube through the vent, and sliding the cap to the fully inserted position, thereby sealing the vent.

Abstract: An iontophoresis system includes an iontophoretic drug delivery device for placement against the skin of a patient and having at least one segmented electrode, and a circuit for controlling and equalizing current passing through each of a plurality of electrode segments. The current controlling circuit includes a plurality of constant current sources, each of which is electrically coupled to a corresponding one of the electrode segments. The constant current sources are selected such that substantially the same amount of current flows through each electrode segment independent of the impedance of the skin of the of the patient.

Abstract: An iontophoresis system includes an iontophoretic drug delivery device for placement against the skin of a patient and having a pair of electrodes, and a circuit for delivering and controlling the current and voltage provided to the electrodes. The current and voltage controlling circuit includes a power supply for generating a voltage or current, an intermediary storage device and a first switching circuit interposed and coupled to the power supply and the intermediary storage device. The intermediary storage device is selectively coupled to the drug delivery device through a second switching circuit or device. Energy from the power supply is transferred and stored in the intermediary storage device for later delivery to the transdermal drug delivery device. In this way, should a component of the circuit fail, the energy or power delivered to the drug delivery device is interrupted or maintained at least equal to a predetermined safe level to avoid damage or injury to the patient's skin.

Abstract: An iontophoresis drug delivery system includes a device which is attachable to the skin of an animal and having a drug reservoir, an electrolyte reservoir, and electrodes electrically communicating with the reservoirs and with the skin of the animal. An electronic circuit for controlling the rate or amount of current or voltage applied to the electrodes of the device includes a constant voltage and current generator, and a switching circuit for switching between applying either a constant current to the electrodes or a constant voltage. Current and voltage sensors are attached to the electrodes and provide feedback signals which are compared with predetermined threshold signals to control through feedback the amount of constant voltage and constant current applied to the electrodes.

Abstract: A vented cap and capillary tube assembly is disclosed together with a method of use of such assembly. The assembly includes a capillary tube having a bore extending therethrough and a cap slidably mounted to one end of the tube. The cap includes one or more vent grooves therein which allow air to escape therethrough when the cap is in a first slidable position. The walls of the capillary tube prevent air from escaping through the vent when the cap is more fully inserted within the tube. The method provided herein includes the steps of providing such a pre-assembled capillary tube and vented cap assembly, maintaining the cap in the first position while the opposite end of the capillary tube is inserted within a liquid sample, allowing the liquid to enter the tube through capillary action, thereby displacing air within the tube through the vent, and sliding the cap to the fully inserted position, thereby sealing the vent.

Abstract: A method for collecting blood while preserving the integrity of the blood sample is provided. The method includes the steps of applying a protective layer to the skin, lancing the skin through the protective layer, allowing blood from the subject to accumulate on the protective layer, and collecting a sample of the blood accumulated on the protective layer. The protective layer may be formed in situ or applied as a tape. In either case, the surface of the protective layer should be hydrophobic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining blood from a patient which comprises:(a) iontophoretic delivery of a bacteriocidal effective amount of a bacteriocide through the patient's skin, and(b) obtaining blood through the skin at the site of the iontophoretic delivery.The invention is particularly advantages in reducing the effects of contaminants responsible for large numbers of false positives. This advantageous is beneficial not only to a patient who benefits from an accurate diagnosis, but is also beneficial economically by eliminating unnecessary hospital stays, testing, and consulting.

Abstract: A device for the separation of a separable component from a liquid sample for use with an evacuated receptable includes a housing having an interior cavity and a separator membrane dividing the cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The separator membrane has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacros. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. Communication structure is provided for allowing fluid communication between one of the portions of the cavity and the evacuated receptacle. A rigid receptacle is in fluid communication with the other of the portions of the cavity.

Abstract: A combined throw-away lancet and blood microcollection tube assembly is provided with a housing having outer dimensions for the assembly the size of a standard test tube for ease of handling and labeling, which housing incorporates a built-in lancet and blood microcollection tube. The housing includes one or more snap-open hinged covers which may be opened and closed with one hand. A further feature of the invention is provision for incorporating the used lancet in the housing for subsequent disposal to reduce contamination potential. The entire assembly may be disposed of as a single unit after use.

Abstract: Apparatus having an antimicrobial surface includes a medical device and a plurality of metals, at least one of which is in contact with a surface of the device and in contact with a different metal. The invention includes a method to use the apparatus to treat a living body wherein the antimicrobial surface of the apparatus is contacted with a body electrolyte thereby inhibiting growth of microorganisms in the body consequent to the use of the apparatus.

Abstract: A data storage system utilizing a technique for compressing input data from cross-correlated sets of parameter values. The system dynamically allocates storage space based upon values of the input data. In systems where the multivalues parameters are grouped about a mean value, the data allocation techniques saves considerable memory area over a memory allocation for all possible values. A first embodiment uses one or more pointer matrix memories which store the addresses of blocks of counter locations. The first occurrence of a parameter set causes the assignment of a counter location for that set in a memory block whose address is stored in a pointer called by the occurrence of the set. Upon each subsequent occurrence of a set, the assigned counter location for the set is called through the pointer and incremented to maintain an accurate account of the frequency of the set occurrence.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particles, adapted to operate continuously even in the absence of particles contained in a sample medium, includes a sensing region and a particle analyzer associated therewith. A fluid flow path, preferably air flow, causes a sample medium with particles therein to flow through the sensing region. Another fluid flow path ensheathes the sample medium with a flowing sheath fluid for hydrodynamically focusing the particles as they pass through the sensing region. The sheath fluid is adapted to flow at a first flow rate compatible with the flow rate of flowing particles. When the apparatus is operating in the absence of a sample medium, the sheath fluid is controlled to flow at a second flow rate, slower than the first flow rate, for collection thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting platelets and red blood cells in a whole blood sample includes an aperture type transducer. Alarm techniques are provided for indicating defects in the counting procedure due to excessive noise or red cell fragments, small (microcytic) red cells, and giant (macro) platelets.

Abstract: Valve apparatus controls fluid flows in ten flexible tubes. The tubes are opposite each other in pairs and associated with each of five cams. One half of each cam provides cam surfaces which close and open one tube, and the other half, the opposite tube. With this arrangement five switch positions, which are equal to the number of cams, can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting platelets and red blood cells in a whole blood sample includes an aperture type transducer. Alarm techniques are provided for indicating defects in the counting procedure due to excessive noise or red cell fragments, small (microcytic) red cells, and giant (macro) platelets.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method therefor for counting platelets and red blood cells in a whole blood sample includes an aperture type transducer having front sheath and back sheath flows but also including various fluid resistors to maintan proper pressure differentials and which are driven from a common air supply. The whole blood sample is injected through the aperture by use of a small bore tube also driven by the common air supply.