Abstract: A counterbalanced loading device including a compensated main piston cylinder and piston rod operating through a load transfer assembly to apply a desired load to a pressure foot. The weight of the main piston and its associated load transfer assembly is counterbalanced by a separate counterforce piston, commonly driven with the main drive piston through a pneumatic circuit.

Abstract: A liquid infusion catheter assembly comprises a hub and a first hollow catheter connected at its proximal end, and being in fluid communication with, the hub. This catheter has at least one fluid outlet opening. A second hollow catheter, extending from, but being out of fluid communication with, the hub surrounds the first catheter with a space therebetween. This second catheter extends distally farther than the first catheter and has at least one hole through its surface where it surrounds the first catheter, and has a fluid outlet opening in the portion extending beyond the first catheter.

Abstract: An analog digital control device having both analog and digital memory with multiple, readily accessible, selectable access ports to allow the control device to be quickly programmed by unskilled personnel and thus render the device particularly useful for the laboratory environment. The device includes a multiplexer switch for receiving both digital and analog input and for generating an output to a comparator to run an external component. An accessing and switching circuit is repeatedly used to access each of the multiple channels of digital memory in sequence.

Abstract: A pressure monitoring system for use with an electrofluidic device for sensing pressure includes a pump for supplying fluid to the electrofluidic sensing device. An electrical switching circuit controls the supply of fluid to the sensing device and is responsive to the external pressure level applied to the sensing device; this circuit also cyclically causes the supplied pressure to vent when the pressure of supplied fluid inside the sensing device is substantially equal to the applied external pressure, and then start the fluid supply to the device over again. This system further includes a measuring element for detecting the pressure level of the supplied fluid, and a digital meter for displaying the analogous detected pressure level during supply of the fluid.

Abstract: An artificial intraocular lens assembly adapted for placement within the anterior or posterior chamber of the eye and for permanent attachment to the iris through natural ingrowth of living tissue, is disclosed. The lens assembly comprises a light refracting lens body and at least one lens support member which includes a portion having a surface contoured for intimate contact with the iris. A plurality of apertures are provided in the portion of the lens support member. After initial surgical affixation of the lens assembly within the eye, tissue of the iris grows into and through the apertures thereby anchoring the lens assembly within the eye.

Abstract: A constant meshed, infinitely variable gear ratio transmission using relatively low pressure, low volume hydraulic systems to control the transmission gear ratio. The transmission includes a gear box having an input and output shaft. The gear box houses two sets of planetary gears which couple the input and output shafts together. A pinion gear is fixed to each shaft. A set of planetary gears mesh with each pinion and a plurality of planetary gear shafts connect the corresponding planetary gears of each pinion together. A cage is rotatably supported in the housing. A first hydraulic system controls the rotation of the cage. A second and independent hydraulic system controls the rotation of the planetary gear shafts by selectably controlling the rotation of the cage and the rotation of the planetary gear shafts so that the gear ratio for the transmission may be intermediately selected. A clutch mechanism is used to selectably engage the control system for the cage.

Abstract: A large, generally rectangular tank with an open top is divided into an inlet chamber and a shower chamber by an adjustable gate. The floor of the inlet chamber is grate raised above the floor of the tank so that the fish may be dewatered. The fish then flap themselves along the grate under the gate and into the shower chamber where they are subjected to a shower of vaccination solution introduced through shower nozzles supported across the top of the shower chamber. The floor of the shower chamber is solid and not a grate so that a quantity of vaccination solution stays on the floor of the shower chamber so that one is assured that both sides of the fish will be exposed to the vaccine solution. The floor of the shower chamber is also raised above the floor of the tank but stops short of the tank end wall so that the fish fall off onto the tank floor and are then flushed through an outlet into a holding pool.

Abstract: A water conditioning system for maintaining and conditioning the water used in an ultrasound imaging system especially adapted to perform diagnosis of the human breast. The system includes a cabinet enclosing a main tank which contains an ultrasound transducer and associated focusing lens submerged in water. The main tank has associated with it a main reservoir. A second quantity of water which is adapted to receive the patient's breast is contained in a flexible bag having an open end supported adjacent the patient and having a closed end draped into engagement with the water in the pool and the water in the tank. The suspension pool also has a reservoir associated with it. The main tank and the suspension pool each have separate but interdependent fluid circulation circuits for conditioning the water in the tank and the suspension pool to provide a good transmission medium by filtering heating purifying and monitoring the water level of the water in the tank and in the suspension pool.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent materials through a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a plurality of dispensing tubes; collapsing device for collapsing, in compression zones, dispensing tubes when located in the tube zone; displacement device for displacing the collapsing device to advance the compression zones along compression paths to dispense fluent materials through such dispensing tubes; and adjustment device for adjusting the effective length of at least one of the compression paths effected by the collapsing device during displacement thereof. A dispensing kit comprising a dispensing device as described, and a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes for location in the tube zone.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent material through a resiliently compressible dispensing tube, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a dispensing tube, collapsing apparatus adapted to be rotatably driven by drive apparatus relatively to a tube located in the tube zone to collapse the tube in a compression zone and to advance the compression zone along a compression arc to dispense fluent material through the tube, and adjustment apparatus for adjusting the effective length of the compression arc, the adjustment apparatus comprising an adjustable cam member to co-operate with the collapsing apparatus and control the effective length of a compression arc during a revolution of the collapsing apparatus.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent materials through a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes, the device comprising a housing having a tube zone for receiving a plurality of dispensing tubes; collapsing device for collapsing, in compression zones, dispensing tubes when located in the tube zone; and displacement device for diplacing the collapsing device to advance the compression zones along compression paths to dispense fluent materials through such dispensing tubes, the compression paths being of differing effective lengths. A dispensing kit comprising a dispensing device as described, and a plurality of resiliently compressible dispensing tubes for location in the tube zone.

Abstract: A dispensing device for use in dispensing measured quantities of fluent material through a resiliently compressible dispensing tube, the device comprising a housing having a cartridge zone for receiving a cartridge having a dispensing tube associated therewith, collapsing structure adapted to be rotatably driven for collapsing a tube located in the cartridge zone in a compression zone, and drive structure for rotatably driving the collapsing structure to displace the compression zone along a compression arc to dispense fluent material through the tube. A dispensing kit comprising a dispensing device as described, a cartridge receivable in the cartridge zone, and a resiliently compressible dispensing tube associated with the cartridge, with the tube having its trailing end connected to a collapsible fluent material container, and having its leading end connected to a dispensing member.

Abstract: A syringe useful for taking samples of blood includes a barrel with a hollow needle at one end and a plunger positioned inside the barrel for regulating the amount of fluid inside the barrel. In order to control the volume inside the barrel which receives and contains the blood sample, a control element is associated with the plunger and the barrel to control the distance which the plunger can move in both inward and outward directions.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly comprises a catheter with an elongate hollow tube and a hub connected to the tube and having an interior cavity communicating with the lumen of the tube. A needle is slidably positioned in the lumen so that its point protrudes slightly beyond the distal end of the tube, whereas the other end of the needle extends through the hub and sealingly contacts the same so that the hub is effectively closed. A blocking device is contained in the cavity which is adapted to block the entrance of the lumen after the needle is withdrawn from the catheter tube to prevent ready re-insertion of an instrument into the lumen; however, flow of fluids into the lumen is not blocked. The hub includes an access provision to the cavity whereby fluids may be deposited into the cavity for delivery to a patient after the needle has been withdrawn from the catheter tube.

Abstract: A biopsy specimen collector for use with a vacuum source includes a closed receptacle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The outlet opening is adapted to be connected to the vacuum source. A removable cover provides access into the interior of the receptacle. A fluid channel tube inside the receptacle has one end connected to the outlet opening, with its other end being open and being positioned substantially at the geometric centroid of the receptacle to facilitate operation of the collector without regard of its orientation during use.

Abstract: A surgical retractor assembly includes a support post having a lower portion and an upper portion, with the lower portion having an adjustable clamp for attaching the post to a rail provided on a surgical operating table. This clamp is capable of attachment to the rail over a flexible surgical drape. A screw mechanism is associated with the clamp so that the clamp can be attached and adjusted by the operator in an area above the rail on the surgical table. An extension rod is adjustably connected to the post and is adapted to extend in a direction generally over a patient on the operating table. A rigid ring member is connected to the extension rod for positioning a plurality of retractor blades for use on a patient. At least one retractor blade is mounted on the ring member.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe assembly comprises a barrel with an axial bore, a hollow tip integral with the barrel having an internal surface defining a passageway communicating with the axial bore and also having a tapered external surface adapted to mate with the female tapered surface of a conventional needle hub, a needle hub having a bore therethrough removably positioned in and occupying substantially the entire volume of the passageway and a hollow needle secured within the bore of the hub in fluid communication with the axial bore of the barrel. The syringe assembly may be used with the unique hub positioned within the passageway to provide a substantially air-free syringe or the hub and needle may be removed from the tip to permit a conventional needle hub to be placed thereon.

Abstract: A catheter or like instrument having a variable flexural modulus for insertion into the body includes a length of flexible tubing having a normally relatively low flexural modulus. A first lumen inside the tubing provides a free flow path therethrough. Associated with the catheter tubing for controllably increasing its flexural modulus is a second lumen having a closed distal end and a proximal end adapted to be connected to a pressure source. An increase in pressure inside the second lumen serves to increase the flexural modulus of the catheter tubing to stiffen the same particularly during insertion of the tubing into the body. After insertion of the same, the pressure is controllable so that the catheter tubing is allowed to return to its normally low flexural modulus.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly comprises a catheter having an elongate hollow tube and a hub connected to said tube. The hub has an interior cavity communicating with the lumen of the tube and also includes an aperture communicating with the cavity. A needle is slidably positioned in the aperture and the lumen of the tube so that its pointed end protrudes slightly beyond the distal end of the catheter tube. An operable valve includes a closure portion located in the cavity and is adapted to close the interior entrance of the aperture under the influence of fluid flowing into the cavity from the lumen after the needle is withdrawn. The operable valve also includes an activating portion located outside the exterior entrance of the aperture and is adapted to be moved generally axially to thereby move the closure portion away from the aperture and open the same for fluid flow into the cavity.