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 an 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 suture tab body has inside and outside surfaces and first and second parts with a line therebetween. Openings located about the first part pass through the body from the inside to the outside surface. Adhesion means on a section of the inside surface is juxtaposed to itself when the first and second parts are folded along the line. The openings in the first part are on another section apart from the adhesion means. A reinforcement as a thicker area of the first part has ears for the openings. The ears are adjacent a pair of opposite edges, each of which defines an elongate dimension of the body. And least two ears are disposed near each edge with one ear near each edge and the line. The adhesion means is a double faced foam tape with a releasable covering for protecting an adhesive facing prior to use. A combination of suture tab and catheter is used with a method for attaching the suture tab to the catheter.

Abstract: A flash cavity is positioned between the inside of a translucent over the needle catheter and a needle for providing flash detection. The needle bore is connected to the cavity by an access port positioned near the location where the tip of the catheter sealably engages the needle. The needle bore is flow restricted between the access port and a hub for manipulating the needle. In one form of the introducer, a guide wire positioned by a syringe plunger carried for movement in a syringe barrel, is used to advance the catheter into the vessel. The syringe barrel restricts passage of liquid blood, but vents gases. In another arrangement of the introducer, a porous vent plug cooperates with the end of the needle and the catheter adapter to restrict blood flow through the needle bore and to prevent escape of blood while permitting escape of gases.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to determine with a high degree of precision the position of the inside wall of a translucent or transparent tube comprises a laser beam at a wavelength for which the material being measured is transparent or translucent and a directing means for aiming the laser beam toward the tube and normal to the axis of the tube while moving the aimed beam to traversely scan the tube. A light detection means, positioned to receive light polarized normal to the axis of the tube which light, having been reflected by the inside wall and refracted by the tube, causes the detection means to generate signals. The signals are processed to analyze when the light beam is reflected by and when the light is refracted at the inside wall of the tube. The apparatus is also useful in connection with finding the position of the inside wall of curved material of generally uniform thickness.

Abstract: An air bubble sensor device comprises a sensor block and a recess in the block for receiving a hollow tube through which liquid flows. The tube has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A light source is arranged in the block to direct light at the tube when placed in the recess. This arrangement permits light rays to strike the interior surface at an angle with respect to the normal of the interior surface. A light detector is arranged in the block to receive a light reflected at the interior surface when an air bubble is present in the tube. The light detector is positioned to receive substantially no light refracted at the interior surface when liquid is present in the tube. A mechanism is provided for taking the light received by the detector to produce a signal for indicating the presence of an air bubble in the tube. A method for detecting the presence of an air bubble in liquid is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic means for entering into a cardiac output computer a computation constant for a given size catheter. The technique involves the placement of a capacitor across the output terminals of a thermodilution catheter assembly. This capacitor does not effect temperature measurements. By means of software controlled switching in the cardiac output computer circuity, the capacitance of this capacitor can be determined and can be used to indicate the catheter size. Disclosed also is the process used to set up and identify the catheter gauge.

Abstract: A flow apparatus for the analysis of particles passing with a liquid substantially one at a time through an analysis region includes a backflow isolator and capture system to catch any liquid and particles dripping from the analysis region. The backflow isolator and capture system is activated by an unlocking support for the sample test tube carrying the supply of liquid and particles. The support is also an operator for a pump and a pressure vent valve whereby liquid, particles and aerosols cannot escape. A method for isolating and capturing backflow of a supply of particles to be analyzed includes steps of venting the air supply, moving a test tube support and activating a pump.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter comprises separate proximal IV tubes of substantially circular cross-section welded in fluid communication with each of the substantially eliptical-shaped lumens of the catheter. The weld, at the interface between the outer surface of each IV tube and the associated lumen sidewall, is continuous over the interface to provide for an integral fluid sealing connection between the catheter lumen and the IV tube.

Abstract: A medication infusion device comprises a retainer for holding a medication-containing receptacle of the type which is actuatable to expel the contents of medication therefrom. A sensor is included for sensing a characteristic related to the amount of medication within the receptacle. A timing device allows the selection of the period of time over which the contents of the receptacle are to be expelled. A control mechanism, associated with the sensor and the timing device, actuates the receptacle to expel its contents at a controlled rate over the selected period of time.

Abstract: A detector assembly for use with an analyzer instrument comprises a light source for providing a light beam for analyzing one or more substances in a sample. A detector is included for detecting light associated with the sample under analysis. An analysis station permits the light beam to enter the sample and shields the sample from extraneous light. The analysis station further permits light to pass from the sample to the light detector. A plurality of filters is selectively positionable in the light beam between the light source and the sample. These filters permit different wavelengths of light to pass therethrough so that selective light analysis of the sample may be performed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a glove configuration and method for making same of a thin flexible film. The glove and form having an ambidextrous shape useful for either the left or right hand use and a cuff configuration which resists rolldown. The configuration of the cuff includes a corrugated portion and a broadly fluted portion. The former giving increased strength and thickness and the latter providing a place to improve the ease with which the glove may be stripped from its dipping form.

Abstract: Disclosed is a piece of equipment, a method, and a product resulting from the attachment of a hub and a catheter. The transition between the catheter and hub are a smooth funnel-like flare of the distal end of the small diameter thin wall catheter into the open inside chamber of the catheter attachment hub. The hub is used to connect an administration set to the catheter. In the method, a probe is used which has a flared transition that is urged into the distal end of the small diameter catheter to flare same outwardly and against the inside proximal end of the catheter hub chamber. The probe is one source of dielectric welding energy and there is a support for completing this circuit. During the imposition of dielectric welding energy, the flared small diameter catheter end is melted, extruded, fused, and tapered in a molding operation into the inner proximal end wall of the catheter hub chamber.

Abstract: This disclosure is a hub which includes a resilient means designed to engage the shank of a needle, cannula or stylet and resist axial movement therebetween while holding same therein. The configuration of the hub allows the axial relationship between the needle, cannula or stylet and the hub to be set and maintained during further assembly operations. Disclosed also is a method for assembling the needle, cannula or stylet to the specifically configured hub.

Abstract: The delivery system and package for a self adhering polymer medical dressing includes a film carrier and a siliconized release paper and a film backing sheet sandwiched therebetween. The film backing sheet has two parts; a dressing and a bounding area heat sealed to the film carrier. The dressing area being defined by a cut line just inside the heat sealed area. The sandwich forms a contamination barrier package. The adhesive coating and siliconized release paper form a barrier on that side of the dressing and the film carrier and the heat seal form a barrier package. The adhesive is on the other side of the dressing. A part of the cut line is perforated to resist separation of the dressing during removal of the siliconized release paper.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of orienting a cylinder with an oblique end such that the slant of same faces a preferred direction. To this end, a special fixture is used which includes a central axial bore having a cylindrical surface which engages in bearing-like fashion with the oblique-ended cylinder. On opposite sides of the bore, are a magnet for imposing a magnetic field across the bore and across therefrom a dowel pin stop. The magnetic field acts to rotate the oblique-ended cylinder about the common axis of the bore and cylinder into a generally preferred position wherefrom the oblique-ended cylinder can come to its final resting position against the dowel pin stop.

Abstract: The use of oxidized cellulose as a medical lubricant is disclosed wherein oxidized cellulose is employed as a mold release agent or a donning powder in the manufacture of surgical gloves as well as in other applications; medical devices and, particularly, a surgical glove, are provided having finely divided oxidized cellulose powder on the surface in a lubricity imparting coverage.

Abstract: A probe with a shoulder is used to support a pre-flanged distal end of a catheter placed inside of an adapter. The probe has a minor diameter to engage coaxially the bore of the catheter and a major diameter to carry coaxially the adapter in axial alignment with the catheter. The pre-flanged distal end of the catheter is compressed by the shoulder into the adapter during a dielectric welding operation as the probe is urged axially against the flange of the catheter. A support associated with the probe resists axial movement of the adapter and receives dielectric energy from the probe.

Abstract: Physiologic pressure transducers convert an applied pressure (e.g., blood pressure) into an electric signal, which can be displayed by a monitor as a numerical value or continuous waveform. While reusable pressure transducers have been used for a number of years, innovations in solid-state technology have made disposable transducers feasible. In particular, disposal transducers which are impedance matched for use with monitors formally used for reusable transducers are disclosed. The pressure transducer is rugged due to the careful mounting of the transducer diaphragm and integral compensation circuitry. In addition, the geometric configuration of the flow path is uniform such that debubbling of the unit is easy.

Abstract: A flash chamber formed of two molded components being a cap which fits over a hollow hub and conjugates therewith to form a tortuous path through the hub and then between the outside of the hub and the inside of the cap.

Abstract: An adapter body for a catheter is described wherein the body is shaped to angle the catheter toward the blood vessel and maintain suturing about the body for holding same to the patient. In particular, a saddle is positioned across the top of the adapter body to locate a suture when same is used to tie down the adapter.