Abstract: A needle guard for an additive-type syringe includes a sidewall which extends beyond the needle point. The sidewall is joined to the syringe housing by spin welding or sonic welding an annular flange that extends axially rearward from the needle guard to contact the front wall of the housing. The needle guard also includes an intermediate circumferential flange and a centering and guiding member that frictionally slides in the needle guard.

Abstract: A winged needle assembly includes a steel needle, a plastic hub molded to secure a portion of the needle, flexible wings attached to the hub for manual manipulation of the needle, and an interlocking pattern of grooves or ridges on the wing surfaces to prevent relative movement of the wings when flexed together.

Abstract: Medical tubing is extruded from a composition of a divalent metal ionomer, polyamide and polyurethane, preferably in the ranges of 60-80% of ionomer, 10.gtoreq.25% polyamide and 10-20% polyurethane. After extrusion the tubing may be sterilized with ethylene oxide or gamma irradiation. The tubing is substantially kink-resistant and the degree of stiffness and mechanical strength can be adjusted by varying the amount of polyamide and polyurethane so that the tubing can efficiently function as a catheter.

Abstract: An adapter and retainer for field assembly to the proximal end of a catheter in the form of a plastic clip having a length of flexible tubing mounted thereon into which the end of the catheter is inserted after which two jaws of the clip are locked together to sealingly compress the flexible tubing about the catheter, the catheter also being wrapped one or more times about reel formations provided on the clip and then snapped into retention grooves provided on the clip whereby to absorb any force applied to the catheter which would otherwise tend to separate the catheter from the clip.

Abstract: An improved motorized transfer mechanism for use in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis apparatus (CAPD) is provided for automatically transferring a piercing pin from the clamped port of a used container of used dialysis solution to the clamped port of a container of fresh dialysis solution. The transfer mechanism is characterized by a track member extending between opposed aligned port mountings, an upstanding guideway adjacent to each port mounting and a rack formation located midway between the opposite ends of the track member. The rack formation is rotatably engageable with a circular gear sector secured to the spike carrier disposed within the guideways of the track member. The linear movement between the opposed ports of the spike carrier is performed by a motor-driven drive screw.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for welding or thermally bonding parts of thermoplastic material by subjecting a die to high frequency electromagnetic radiation to effect heating thereof and heating of thermoplastic parts in contact with the heated die. The die is continuously cooled to permit rapid cooling thereof and of the parts in contact therewith upon deenergization of the source to reduce cycle time and facilitate automated production techniques using a single source and multiple die stations successively exposed to the source for heating and being rapidly cooled thereafter due to the continuous cooling thereof.

Abstract: An article for washing automated immunoassay apparatus probe is provided in the form of a plug member with first and second chambers. The first chamber is defined by a inner wall and a bottom surface which when positioned below a probe of a clinical analysis apparatus provides for recirculation of liquid dispensed from the probe back along the outer surface of the probe to remove residual sample from the probe surface prior to conducting subsequent tests with the probe. In the preferred embodiment of the plug, the second chamber is provided with a plurality of passages for drainage of fluid to a reagent waste container which, in the preferred embodiment, incorporates the plug member at the orifice thereof.

Abstract: Improvements in apparatus for performing an assay to determine the presence or amount of a substance in a test sample, which apparatus comprises means for dispensing one or more reagents from containment means therefor into a reaction vessel and means for dispensing the sample from a sample container into said vessel for reaction with the reagents during performance of the assay, are disclosed. The improvements reside in the apparatus further comprising containment means for the reagents integral and in combination with the sample container and the reaction vessel.

Abstract: A multiple dose reagent pack and corresponding carousel for an automated analyzer are disclosed. The reagent pack contains a plurality of vial-receiving wells which receive and hold a plurality of reagent-containing vials to form a unitary reagent pack. The carousel contains a plurality of radially spaced compartments which are adapted to receive and hold either a reagent pack or a sample container. A corresponding plurality of reaction container openings are provided on the carousel. Reagent packs for specific assays can be selectively interspersed with sample containers in the compartments to provide a wide variety of test combinations.

Abstract: A motor speed control circuit for closed loop control of an electric motor of a household electric appliance is disclosed herein. The motor speed control circuit includes a coil adapted to be placed in proximity with a fan connected to an electric motor and producing a time varying signal in response to rotation thereof. A comparator connected to the coil generates a rectangular wave having a frequency proportional to the frequency of the coil signal. Additional means are provided for converting the rectangular wave signal, a D.C. signal having an amplitude which corresponds to the frequency of the rectangular wave. The D.C. signal is compared to a reference signal at an amplifier to produce an error signal which is fed through an opto-isolator to a conduction angle controlled thyrister. The thyrister is connected to the electric motor and a source of electric power to control the speed of the electric motor.

Abstract: A travel iron having a handle which pivots sideways between an upright "use" position and a flat "storage" position wherein the handle is pivotally mounted on the main body portion of the iron at its rear end only and wherein cam ramp and pin means provide longitudinal forward and rearward movement of the handle during its pivotal movement whereby to stabilize both ends of the handle when the handle is in its upright "use" position. A pump actuator mounted in the main body portion of the iron is actuated by a plunger slidably mounted in the handle. A dual-voltage sole plate heating circuit has a pair of identical heating elements connected in series in one voltage position of a dual-voltage switch and in parallel in the other voltage position with the output wattage being the same in both voltage positions of the switch.

Abstract: A steam iron has a water storage tank, an evaporation chamber to provide steam for ironing, and a drip valve for regulating the flow of water from the tank into the evaporation chamber. A pressure chamber in the tank is connected to the evaporation chamber via a pressure equalization passage. The pressure chamber is also connected to receive water from the tank via a non-return valve and is connected to feed water to said evaporation chamber via said drip valve.

Abstract: An electric blanket having a terminal block for connecting the tortuous flexible heating element of the blanket to a detachable power cord with the terminal block being mounted by means of flexible tabs positioned on strain relief members, the tabs being sewn or stitched to the blanket shell with a portion of the terminal block extending through a slot in the blanket shell.

Abstract: A food preparation appliance including a housing, an electric motor supported in said housing and adapted to receive alternating current. A tachometer senses rotation of said electric motor and feeds a tachometer signal to a frequency to voltage converter. A conversion ratio between said tachometer input signal and an output signal of said frequency to voltage converter is alterable by actuating a timer which causes a speed of the electric motor to decrease. The output signal of the frequency to voltage converter is supplied to an error amplifier where it is compared with a setpoint signal to generate an error signal supplied to a triac which controls a flow of electric power through the electric motor.

Abstract: An electrically heated steam iron operable by a drip system includes a drip valve arranged to have a variable rate of flow of water therethrough, and a water tank the interior of which is vertically divided into two chambers and by a partition wall, the two chambers being in flow communication with each other via an opening. A vaporizing chamber is disposed below the drip valve. A vertically adjustable slide member is arranged to slide relative to the partition wall while being sealingly engaged therewith, and adjustment means comprising a valve rod is connected to the slide member. The valve rod passes through a top surface of the tank, wherein vertical adjustment of said slide member by means of the valve rod is effective to vary the height of the column of water above the drip valve, thereby adjusting the rate of flow of water.