Abstract: An apparatus or method identifies and quantifies components of a sample medium filling a gap of an assembly of a transparent tube and a cylindrical float located substantially coaxially with the tube. This identification or quantification is made based on the high angle scatter and/or fluorescence of the medium. A polarized monochromatic or biochromatic light beam of the wavelength for which the tube is transparent projects through an optical focusing and/or scanning system to illuminate a section of the gap with a line of light positioned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube but displaced laterally therefrom. Means position and rotate the tube about its longitudinal axis producing a complete circumferential illumination of the sample medium sections in the gap. Light filtering and detecting means normal to the illumination axis detects high angle light scattering properties and/or fluorescence properties from the sample medium.

Abstract: An infusion catheter adapter and cap assembly, the catheter adapter has a housing with an input, an output and a side port, normal to the housing axis, which has a cap. The cap is fixedly attached to the housing by a living hinge with a retaining knob. The retaining knob on the living hinge conjugates with a groove on the housing. The groove is formed as a transverse channel defined by two opposing locking fingers. The position of the retaining knob in the groove is further ensured by a recess on the knob which conjugates with a peak in the groove to center and lock the retaining knob in the groove.

Abstract: A needle cooperates with a tip cover the coaxially fits about the needle and slides axially relative thereto. A thin walled tube of the needle has a shank portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end and a tip portion extending from the distal end toward the proximal end. The tip portion has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the shank portion. The needle includes a transition zone between the shank and tip portions wherein the axial distance of the transition zone is about an order of magnitude greater than the difference in the diameters of the tip and shank portions. The tip portion includes a bevel extending from the distal end toward the transition zone as a sharpened edge to ease insertion. The cover includes a bearing and a tip protecting part. The bearing is sized to coaxially fit about the shank portion and slide axially relative thereto. The difference in the diameters of the tip and shank portions is such that the bearing can not slide distally over the transition zone.

Abstract: An over the needle catheter with adapter that has an integral valve in a passage. Distal and proximal parts form the adapter along an axis. The distal part communicates with a catheter. A hub conjugates with the proximal part and has a needle extending along the axis and through the passage when the hub is within the proximal part. A valve assembly has an elongate resilient member captured in the passage between the parts. A proximal portion of the valve assembly is engaged by a fitting to open the valve. A valve seat in the passage has a frusto-conical surface located coaxial about the axis and facing the distal part. The seat engages a chamfered surface on the elongate resilient member to seal and prevent flow and to allow flow when the seal is broken by axial compression of the elongate resilient member by the fitting. A septum like end across the elongate resilient member permits the needle to pass therethrough in a resealable fashion.

Abstract: A catheter sensor assembly and support has a member with a distal end and a proximal extension joined by an intermediate part. An open passage extends along the proximal extension and across the intermediate part to carry a sensor overlaying the passage. Conductors attach to the sensor bottom for transmitting signals from the sensor through a catheter lumen. An adhesive sealant secures the sensor to the intermediate part near the distal end so that the passage remains open between the lumen and the bottom. A method for assembling and supporting a sensor at a distal end of a catheter tube includes steps of attaching a sensor with an area toward an end connected to electrical conductors, placing a tube in the passage to provide a passageway between the lumen and the sensor, mounting the sensor to the member overlying the passage, inserting the proximal extension into the lumen with the electrical conductors passing through the lumen and sealing the sensor to the passage.

Abstract: A kit comprises a tray with a well for a tourniquet, a dressing to use with a medical device inserted into a blood vessel. An antimicrobial treatment in the well disinfects an area of skin through which the medical device punctures the vessel. A pair of juxtaposed gloves with the finger ends, the hand parts and the cuff portions against one another are rolled up along their longitude from their fingers to their cuffs driving out air entrapped within the gloves. The process of rolling from the fingers to the cuffs leaves the cuffs of each glove at the periphery of the rolled generally cylindrical gloves for access to the inside of each when donning. A method for rolling gloves into a relatively cylindrical package, includes setting the gloves side by side with the finger ends, the hand parts, and the wrist or cuff portions juxtaposed. The finger portions are gathered into an axial bundle and rolled from the finger ends toward the palm or back hand parts driving out air within the gloves.

Abstract: A flow apparatus for the analysis of particles passing substantially one at a time through an analysis region includes a flow rate control responsive to changes in the pressure used to drive the particles through the analysis region. The flow rate control automatically regulates the flow to a preset value throughout the analysis by adjusting the particle driving pressure to be uniform even though the sheathe liquid supply is depleted during the analysis. A method for controlling the flow of a supply of particles to be analyzed includes steps of sensing differential pressure and regulating the differential pressure to a preset reference.

Abstract: An automatic syringe drive assembly and disposable heat exchanger cassette are used in combination to provide an improved thermodilution technique and apparatus. The automatic syringe drive assembly includes replaceable connecting rods on a slider crank mechanism which permit easy and accurate adjustment of the syringe injection volume. The drive assembly supports as insulated syringe for use in making the injection. The heat exchanger cassette includes a heat transfer plate and a thermoformed plastic labyrinth adhesively connected and used in combination with a thermoelectric chiller to provide a cold bolus of injectate.

Abstract: A flashback plug has a body molded of a semi-transparent polymeric material along and about an axis. A distal end of the body engages in fluid tight communication a needle hub flash chamber and a proximal end extends therefrom to receive a fitting. A passage extends through the body along the axis from the proximal end to the distal end to permit flow therethrough. A vent membrane of a hydrophobic filter media is mounted by its periphery across the passage. The vent membrane is insert molded within the body to capture the proximally extending periphery thereof so that liquid in the passage distal end can not reach the proximal end. The proximal end of the passage has the shape of a female luer taper which terminates distally at the vent membrane. A pair of opposed channels extend longitudinally and parallel to the axis from the vent membranes to the proximal end. The distal end of the body has an outside a male luer for engaging the needle hub flash chamber.

Abstract: A sorter with a body member passageway has analysis, pre-analysis and post analysis portions for particles. An elongate catcher tube carried on the body member, and mounted with its axis to be selectively aligned with the analysis portion for intermittently receiving analyzed particles. An operator receives a signal from the analysis portion relative to one or more particle characteristics and selectively aligns the catcher tube in fluid communication with the analysis portion. The signal is an electrical pulse of strength and timing sufficient to cause a driver mounted to the body member and associated with the catcher tube to align the catcher for sorting particles. A resilient support attaches the catcher tube to the body member and provides a pivot for the catcher tube. A method for sorting includes generating a signal representative of one or more characteristics of the particles and applying the signal to a driver to change the position of the catcher tube.

Abstract: An apparatus or method determines the gap between an assembly of a tube and a cylindrical float located substantially concentric to the tube. An elliptically polarized light beam at the wavelength for which the materials of the tube and the gap are transparent or translucent is along an optical axis. The index of refraction of the tube and float materials are greater than the index of refraction of the gap material. Means translates and rotates the assembly along and about its longitudinal axis producing an illumination. A light filtering means along the optical axis beyond the assembly blocks light of the illumination reflected by the assembly and refracted by the tube, the gap between the tube, and the float and the float and transmits light of the illumination refracted by the tube and the gap between tube and float. Light detection means receives transmitted light and signals a signal processing means.

Abstract: A test tube handling assembly has an elongate member with an end for engaging a test tube and an end opposite thereto driven about an axis of the member for orbital movement with its axis. The member is a slender rod with a spherical bearing about a center part thereon between the ends thereof and along its axis. An arm extends from a support to carry the spherical bearing and permit limited motion of the rod relative to the support. A gripping means on the end for engaging the test tube holds the test tube and its contents during movement of the rod relative to the axis. A drive located on the support near the end opposite causes the test tube to swing about the center part. Contacting means with a seal for closing the open end of the test tube is part of an inflatable bladder which holds the open end of the test tube by fitting in the open end of the test tube. The drive has a motor for providing orbital motion.

Abstract: A connector body with a first end and a first part thereon and a second end and a first part thereon includes a passageway aligned along an axis passing through the first end and part. Openings in second part permit communication from the first end to the second end since the openings extend from the second end to at least the passageway. A male luer taper located on the first part about the passageway tapers outwardly of the axis from the first end to a annular groove. A luer nut with an internally threaded collar and an apertured flanged portion seats within the groove permitting rotary but not axial movement of the luer nut relative to the taper. A method provides a plurality of connections between openings and a passageway with a connector body having a first end and a first part thereon and a second end and a second part thereon and a passageway through the first part from the first end extends to a plurality of openings in the second part permitting communication.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining one or more characteristics of particles or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow stream for moving particles therethrough substantially one at a time. A light source provides a beam of focused light to illuminate the particles moving in the stream. A beam steering member is positioned to adjust the focal point of the light beam on the particles by refracting the light beam to cause a displacement of the focal point. At least one detector is provided for detecting light and for associating that light with one or more characteristics of each particle.

Abstract: A syringe pump comprises a housing and a retainer mounted thereon for receiving a syringe. The syringe to be received is of the type including a barrel for holding liquid medication and a plunger movably positioned in the barrel for expelling the liquid medication therefrom. A driver is movably mounted on the housing for engagement with the plunger and for pushing the plunger into the barrel to thereby force the liquid medication out of the barrel. A control mechanism within the housing regulates the movement of the driver against the plunger. This thereby regulates delivery of the liquid medication from the barrel. Depressible actuation buttons or switches are mounted on the housing for manual access by a user. These switches are associated with the control mechanism to permit the user to select one or more functions under which the control mechanism is to operate. The actuation switches include an electrically conductive material positioned to contact the control mechanism when depressed by the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the detection of the growth of microorganisms through infrared analysis of a sample of the gas produced by growth of the microorganism is descirbed. In the method, a sample of the headspace gas in a vial containing a growth medium which has been inoculated with a sample suspected of containing a microorganism is removed and transferred to a sample cell where infrared analysis is used to determine the presence of carbon dioxide, if any, produced by the growth of the microorganism.

Abstract: The method of the present invention employs an enzyme immunoassay for measuring the concentration of an analyte in a sample by indirect colorimetric detection. An incident light beam at a plurality of wavelengths is directed into a liquid solution containing an analyte of interest. The solution is capable of attenuating the amount of light at a first wavelength received from this solution as a function of the increasing concentration of the analyte present. A light signal from the solution at the first wavelength is detected, and light at a second wavelength, at which substantially no attenuation of light signal occurs as the concentration of the analyte increases, is also detected. The ratio of the two respective wavelengths is formed and that ratio is compared with ratios of known amounts of the analyte to determine the amount of the analyte in the sample.

Abstract: An iontophorectic electrode has a plurality of ion transmitters for establishing electric field lines in an area and a plurality of receivers for accepting ions flowing along the field lines. A plurality of shields are located to resist ion flow between adjacent transmitters and receivers. The transmitters, shields and receivers are in at least a sequence of transmitter, shield, receiver, shield. The electric field lines emanate substantially in one direction and return in substantially the opposite direction. The transmitters and receivers have matrix structures with space to contain ionic medication and electrolyte, respectively. A support for holding a plurality of sequences has current carrying contacts exposed to connect the transmitters and receivers in circuit with a source of electrical power. The preferred method includes establishing an electric field with lines of energy between a plurality of first and second conductors of ions and then passing ions along the energy lines between the conductors.

Abstract: A blood collecting valve (10) is provided with a structural input part (11.1) with a half moon shaped separating wall opening (18) as well as a structural output part (12.1) which is rotatable with respect to the structural input part with a seal face opening (23). Both are disposed outside of the rotational axis of the associated structural parts. Thereby, it is possible to bring the two opening into congruence with each other by rotating around the rotational axis or to again sealingly separate the same from each other.The mentioned common rotating of the structural input part and the structural output part and thereby the opening and closing of the blood collection valve may be performed by rotating a blood collecting cylinder (16) being inserted into the structural output part with an application conus (15). Hence, no separate manual handling is required for using the blood collection valve.