Abstract: An apparatus for splicing a heatable section of a tubular heater to a cold section, the heatable section includes an outer sheath, which has a heating element therein. The cold section includes an outer sheath which has a cold pin therein. The apparatus comprises an enclosure defining a chamber which further defines opposed openings in communication with the chamber. A welding tip extends into the chamber and is capable of melting the cold pin and welding the ends of the heatable and cold sections together.

Abstract: A fluid heat transfer system including a motor and a tank located in adjacent compartments. The motor includes a rotatable shaft extending into the tank having an opposed end connected to an impeller for circulating a heated working fluid through the system. A hollow tube surrounding the rotatable shaft extends from the motor into the tank and forms a leak proof seal between the tube and the tank so that the fluid will not leak outside of the tank. The fluid circulates through numerous tubes positioned within the tank having respective inside surfaces which are each provided with a heating unit therein for collectively heating fluid as the fluid passes between each respective inside surface and heating unit. The tubes have dimples formed therein for more efficiently heating the fluid.

Abstract: A fill spout for a drainage device is disclosed which permits the user to supply water directly to a water seal chamber of the drainage device for establishing a water seal therein. The fill spout comprises a funnel having lateral sides for facilitating the entry of the water into the drainage device, a depending lip extending from the fill spout for preventing any run off or spillage, and a tab having an arcuate-shaped rest which permits the user to open and close the fill spout. In use, the user pulls the tab which opens the fill spout and places a water-filled bottle against the rest. The user then pours a predetermined amount of water through the funnel and directly into the water seal chamber.

Abstract: A thoracentesis device having a hypersensitive dual spring indication mechanism for visually alerting the user of any contact to internal body organs by the blunt tip distal end of the device once the it as been inserted inside a patient's body. The thoracentesis device includes a handle and an outer needle fixedly attached thereto having a sharp distal end for penetrating a chest cavity wall and a conduit that is in communication with a cavity defined inside the handle. A dual spring-loaded inner needle is slidably disposed inside the conduit of the outer needle with the inner needle being operably is associated with a large spring that imparts a sufficient distal spring force to fully extend the blunt tip distal end of the inner needle beyond the sharp distal end of the outer needle and a small spring for imparting a smaller spring force thereto.

Abstract: A sampling port having a mechanical valve for a drainage apparatus is disclosed which permits a practitioner to directly access a collection chamber of the drainage apparatus using a needle-less syringe for withdrawing a sample of fluid therefrom. The sampling port comprises a port in direct communication with the collection chamber and a mechanical valve partially disposed inside the port. The mechanical valve comprises a generally tubular body containing a spring loaded valve that is normally closed to fluid flow communication and operable using a needle-less tip syringe to actuate the valve. In operation, a practitioner engages the needle-less tip syringe to the valve which places the valve in an open position and permits fluid flow into the syringe as the practitioner draws back on the plunger of the syringe.

Abstract: A disposable, molded probe cover for use with an electronic thermometer is disclosed. The probe cover comprises an elongated hollow body made of a plastic material which defines a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the body has a convex-shaped surface that defines a lubrication well adapted to hold a lubricant therein, while the proximal end forms an opening. The opening communicates with a chamber that extends the entire length of the body and is sized and shaped to receive a probe of the electronic thermometer. To vent air trapped in the chamber during insertion of the probe into the probe cover, the chamber is provided with an axial ridge defined along a portion of the chamber for allowing air trapped at the distal end of the chamber to escape the probe cover through the electronic thermometer. A plurality of detents are also provided along the chamber proximate the opening for securely engaging the probe and establishing a fluid tight seal between the probe cover and the thermometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a dual port arrangement for a water seal chamber of a drainage device for channeling and restricting fluid flow through the water seal during normal operation of the device when the patient is breathing normally, while preventing the breach of the water seal during reverse flow conditions when the patient takes a sudden and deep inhalation. The dual port arrangement comprises a narrow side port and a low profile tunnel port defining an elongated conduit interposed between and in communication with both arms of the water seal chamber. The side port has a thin slot configuration that restricts fluid flow communication through the side port, and the back tunnel port defines a low profile, elongated conduit with openings that channel fluid flow between both arms of the water seal chamber. The elongated configuration of the conduit prevents a steep water gradient from falling below the upper portion of the conduit opening during reverse flow conditions.

Abstract: A progressive filtration system for a chest drainage unit during continuous autotransfusion that allows the user to clear the fluid pathway of blood clots and trapped air that form after filtration in a flushing action initiated by the user. The filtration system comprises a gross filter for filtering incoming blood at the inlet portion of a collection chamber of a chest drainage unit and a fine filter assembly located at the bottom portion of the collection chamber for refiltering collected blood prior to reinfusion of that blood back to the patient. The filter assembly includes a valve cap at the top portion of the assembly that functions as a one way valve that permits reflux of later developing blood clots that might clog the tubing once the blood has already passed through the assembly. The valve cap is also adapted for sealing engagement with a drop tube that places the filter assembly in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the collection chamber located at the top portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A port and valve combination and related method of use for accessing the fluid flow within a medical fluid collection system. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of a spike port having a conventional two-way valve disposed therein for use in priming, sampling, aspirating and flushing fluids to and from a blood collection chamber of an autotransfusion system in the absence of a source of suction using a needleless syringe to access the system. The access port includes a Y-site connector having a distal port, proximal port and spike port. A two-way valve is partially disposed within the spike port with the proximal port being connected to and in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway within the system. A distal opening serves as a receptacle for receiving the luer tip of a syringe in order to implement the related method.

Abstract: The invention relates to 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 ventilator manifold provided with access ports and method thereof for accessing the interior chamber of the manifold and cleansing secretions from the inner wall of the manifold's interior chamber with a cleaning device without having to disconnect the patient from the respiratory support system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of a ventilator manifold while it is attached to a respiratory support system. A particular embodiment of the present invention relates to a cleaning device used in conjunction with the ventilator manifold to clean the interior chamber of the manifold of patient secretions that have accumulated during the use of the manifold. The cleaning device includes a dual lumen catheter which accesses one of a plurality of manifold ports by inserting the cleaning device through a flexible boot attached to one of the manifold ports. The flexible boot allows for omni-directional use of the cleaning device inside the manifold by medical personnel. The use of the flexible boot in combination with the cleaning device allows medical personnel to cleanse the interior of the manifold without concurrent loss of respiratory support to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid collection and disposal system which includes a reusable collection unit designed to operate in conjunction with a disposable manifold for collecting fluids aspirated from a patient during a surgical procedure, and to be cleaned by a servicing unit after use. The servicing unit removes the collected fluid from the collection unit and prepares it for reuse. The disposable manifold is removed from the collection unit prior to its attachment to the servicing unit, and a new disposable manifold is replaced on the collection unit after servicing.

Abstract: A ventilator manifold is disclosed which includes a port for attachment and detachment of an accessory device thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. A particular embodiment of an accessory device described herein includes a suctioning device for removal of fluids from a patient's lungs during respiratory support. The manifold includes an accessory access port which has a normally closed valve therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold. The normally closed valve is positioned in the port such that insertion of an accessory device adaptor therein forces the normally closed valve to an open position. Removal of the adaptor of the accessory device allows the normally closed valve to return to its closed position, thus allowing continued operation of the respiratory system even when no accessory device is present in the accessory device access port.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a reliable, contamination free, distal end adapter for a suction catheter. The adapter allows the patient to breathe directly therethrough when it is connected to the patient's endotracheal tube for use, and provides an enclosure for preventing exposure of medical personnel to contaminants when withdrawing the catheter from the patient and disconnecting the catheter adapter from the endotracheal tube for disposal.

Abstract: A sleeve which includes a tamper-evident indicator that is securely engagable to a catheter assembly and allows for clear visual indication of whether the connected tubes have been tampered with or the tubes have been disconnected and reconnected. The sleeve comprises a first and second cover portions having a hollow cylindrical shape including barb members attached to the interior surface of the cover portions. A tab connects the two cover portions and is severable from the catheter assembly upon pulling the tab relative to the cover portions, thereby releasing the sleeve. Other than by using the tab, a user cannot release the sleeve without an indication of tampering to the sleeve itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to materials for medical or veterinary use that possess considerably improved properties with regard to friction. The invention also relates to the production of such materials from existing materials that possess suitable bulk properties, but inappropriate frictional properties. This invention also relates to a hydrophilic coating material that provides improved frictional properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a fringe pattern having variable parameters. The apparatus includes a light source which directs light to a first beamsplitter which transmits a first portion of the light beam along a first light path and reflects a second portion of the light beam along a second light path. The apparatus is further configured to cause the first and second light paths to converge at a second beamsplitter. A half-wave retarder is provided along the first light path in order to rotate the plane of polarization of the light traveling along the first light path by approximately 90.degree. such that the light traveling along the first and second light paths creates a fringe pattern upon convergence at the second beamsplitter. The apparatus is further configured such that one or more of the contrast, temporal frequency, spatial frequency, and orientation of the fringe pattern can be selectively varied.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure seal for containers such as syringes or syringes with an attached needle or the like is disclosed. The seal includes a plurality of slits therein which inhibit removal of the seal from the container once the seal has been placed thereon. The invention includes a method of manufacturing the seal which includes deformation of a portion of the slitted area of the seal in order to strengthen the seal in the area of the slits so as to improve removeability of the seal from its release liner prior to attachment thereof to the container, without inadvertent or premature destruction of the seal.