Abstract: A needle point protection sheath comprises a protector tube having a bore for receiving a hollow needle plus a needle hub within the bore. The protector tube has closure cap at one end thereof and has a retention member at the other end to engage an end of the hub, to prevent the hub from passing out of the other tube end. The cap may carry a sleeve having a needle-pierceable wall at its inner end, or a mass of resilient material which is capable of being penetrated by the needle as the cap is closed, to seal the needle tip and thus prevent the spilling of blood residue when a blood collection needle is being enclosed for protection.

Abstract: The quantitative determination of various materials in highly scattering media such as living tissue may be determined in an external, photometric manner by the use of a plurality of light sources positioned at differing distances from a sensor. The light from said sources is amplitude modulated, and, in accordance with conventional frequency domain fluorometry or phosphorimetry techniques, the gain of the sensor is modulated at a frequency different from the frequency of the light modulation. Data may be acquired from each of the light sources at differing distances at a frequency which is the difference between the two frequencies described above. From these sets of data from each individual light source, curves may be constructed, and the slopes used to quantitatively determine the amount of certain materials present, for example glucose, oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in living tissue.

Abstract: A blood processing system (e.g. a dialysis system) having a blood processing unit (e.g. a hemodialyzer) and tubular arterial and venous blood flow sets (10, 14) may be primed by temporarily connecting together the ends of the sets and then passing priming solution in a first flow direction (44) that is retrograde to the normal flow of blood. This causes the priming solution to enter an in-line chamber (64) carried by one of the sets. At the same time, air is removed through a port (62). Preferably, the chamber includes a filter (65). In another step, priming solution is passed through the sets in a second flow direction (42), opposite the first flow direction, while continuing to remove air through the port. Preferably, the solution is passed in the first flow direction by gravity and in the second flow direction with a pump (26a). The solution can also be passed in both directions simultaneously.

Abstract: A tubular set is provided for the extracorporeal treatment of blood, for example hemodialysis. The set comprises a patient arterial line and a patient venous line, each line having a patient connector at one end thereof. Each patient line connects at its other end to a reversing flow valve. The valve also connects to respective first ends of a blood processing unit arterial line and a blood processing unit venous line. Each of the unit lines carry a connector at ends opposed to the first ends for connection respectively to arterial and venous ports of a blood processing device, typically a dialyzer. The reversing flow valve has a first position that respectively connects the patient and unit arterial lines with the patient and unit venous lines. The reversing flow valve has a second position that connects the patient arterial line with the unit venous line, and the unit arterial line with the patient venous line.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber-defining wall and a flow inlet/outlet tube at least substantially extending through the chamber and open at opposed tube ends to respectively define an inlet and an outlet of the bubble trap. The tube defines a flow inlet port and a flow outlet port within the chamber interior. A flow blocking partition closes the bore of the tube between the flow inlet and outlet ports. Additionally, the chamber defining wall carries a retaining-sealing member for removable, sealing connection with a tube connector of a fluid flow line. The retaining-sealing member is free of fluid flow connection with the interior of the chamber defined by the wall, and thus serves as a seal for connectors on tube ends of a set carrying the bubble trap. Also, the chamber defining wall has a bottom wall that defines a third port.

Abstract: An electrocautery probe for penetrating through tissue. The probe comprises a tissue-compatible, flexible sleeve; an exposed electrode carried at one end of the sleeve; a wire connected at one end to the electrode and extending through the sleeve; and an electrical connector attached to the other end of the wire. The connector is suitable for attachment to a source of electrocautery power. The wire is separate from the sleeve, to be removable by pulling from the sleeve when the electrode is cut away or otherwise removed from the sleeve. Thus, the probe can penetrate tissue by electrocautery action to form a tissue tunnel, and the electrode and wire can then be removed, leaving at least a portion of the sleeve in the tissue tunnel to serve as a drainage catheter.

Abstract: An extracorporeal, flow-through bubble trap for blood lines having improved capabilities at high flow rates and with smaller bubbles. The bubble trap comprises a chamber-defining wall, plus a blood inlet and a blood outlet, each extending through the wall to communicate with the interior of the chamber. The blood outlet connects with the chamber interior adjacent the bottom thereof. The chamber interior has a height that is less than 1.6 times the longest horizontal dimension of the chamber interior. As a result of this, blood flow in the bubble trap chamber is substantially horizontal.

Abstract: A squeeze clamp for flexible tubing comprises a strip of plastic which is bent back on itself so that the ends are adjacent to each other. The strip defines a pair of spaced apertures to permit a flexible tube to extend through and be carried by the clamp. First and second latches at the respective ends can hold the clamp in a closed position, or it can spring outwardly into an open position. The apertures extend laterally through a first side edge of the strip, with the apertures thus being each located next to a narrow strip portion connected to wider strip portions on either side of the narrow strip portion. At least one of the narrow strip portions extends laterally outwardly beyond the side edge of the rest of the plastic strip for strengthening of the narrow strip portion, to reduce problems of involuntary twisting or torsion as the clamp is closed.

Abstract: An injection site for passing a needle into an enclosed space surrounded by a wall, typically defined by a tubular section incorporated in a tubular set. An aperture in the wall communicates between the enclosed space and the exterior, having an elastic, needle-pierceable member such as a plug occluding the aperture. The plug is exposed to the exterior on one side and defines a route of needle access through the plug and aperture to the enclosed space. A first flange is positioned adjacent to the plug and extends transversely outwardly from the plug. The first flange carries a second flange, which extends longitudinally relative to the plug, and is spaced transversely outwardly from the plug to define a catch area for needles, which catch area surrounds the plug.

Abstract: According to the state of the art, either two separate sensor elements are generally used to determine the exhaust gas temperature and the air/fuel ratio, lambda, or the temperature and lambda readings are not taken simultaneously, at least at temperatures of less than 250.degree. C. In addition, sufficiently precise simultaneous measurement is only possible during stationary operation. The process according to the invention and the corresponding sensor arrangement now make it possible to obtain a precise temperature and lambda reading at a minimal degree of metrological complexity, especially under non-stationary conditions, in that a heated sensor, which exhibits a temperature-sensitive and oxygen-sensitive element on a carrier element, is used to measure the exhaust gas temperature, even at low temperatures with the heating system switched off, while a lambda reading is obtained simultaneously, with the latter being possible only at higher temperature ranges.

Abstract: A connector for securing surgical cable or wire to an implantable surgical rod or the like. The connector comprises a connector body having an open space for receiving the surgical rod or similar support device. The body carries a lock member for firmly affixing the connector and the rod together in a desired position along the rod. Typically, the lock member is a set screw. The connector also has a retention member carried on the connector in a rotatable manner. The retention member, typically in ring form, defines at least one bore extending there through for receiving the cable or wire, and retaining it in a desired position relative to the rod. Thus, tension can be placed upon broken bones or the like from a desired, controllable direction and with a desired magnitude of tension.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining parameters of a medium, preferably a highly scattering medium such as living tissue. At least two spaced light sources provide light through the tissue or other medium to at least two spaced detectors, with the spacing between the light sources and the detectors being constrained to certain dimensions. The combined data received by such detectors can provide data that is substantially independent of the intensity of the light sources, the sensitivity of the detectors, the coupling efficiency of light from the light sources into the medium, and the coupling efficiency of light from the medium to the detectors. The light from the two sources is of substantially identical wavelength.

Abstract: An arrangement for a magnetoresistive sensor chip has two Wheatstone brid to determine the sine and cosine of the angle formed between a chip edge and the direction of the magnetic field. All resistances of the bridges consist of a plurality of magnetoresistive laminated elements (2) with current connections made of highly conductive thin films with parallel edges. When the resistances of a bridge are directly electrically interconnected, these edges form angles (5) of 90.degree. each. The parallel edges of the corresponding resistances of the sine and cosine bridges are mutually offset by 45.degree.. The magnetoresistive laminated elements (2) are distributed on the chip surface to reduce angle measurement errors to a minimum. Also disclosed are arrangements that allow the sensor chips to be used for measuring angles and positions.

Abstract: The method is provided of collecting blood with a donor needle inserted into the vein, which comprises an improvement of: after drawing a desired amount of blood into the blood storage container connected to one end of flexible tubing, occluding flow through said flexible tubing at a point adjacent a flexible, transversely enlarged tubing portion positioned at a location on the tubing spaced from the ends. The flow occluding point is located between the enlarged tubing portion and the container, and the tubing portion is initially of lay-flat type, prior to passing blood through it. One then draws more blood through the needle to enter and fill the enlarged tubing portion. One then occludes flexible tubing between the enlarged tubing portion and the needle prior to withdrawing the needle from the vein of the blood donor.

Abstract: A method is provide for deoxygenating water that is at substantially ambient temperature and contains dissolved oxygen. A selected reducing agent is injected into a stream of the water, and the water that contains the organic reducing agent is then passed over a packed catalyst bed. This causes the reducing agent, with the catalyst at the ambient temperature, to reduce the oxygen in the liquid.

Abstract: A sheath for a probe comprises a flattened probe sheath having an open end and a closed end. The sheath also defines a pair of peripherally connected flat sides. Each flat side of the sheath defines a distal portion and a proximal portion connected together by a transverse seal area. The proximal portion is typically made of a material which is of greater penetration strength than the distal portion. The sheath is proportioned to fit into the human mouth with the teeth normally engaging the proximal portion. Thus, the sheath is capable of substantially preventing bite-through in human mouths when enclosing a glass thermometer or other probe, while the distal end is preferably made of a softer material than each proximal portion, for an improvement in comfort.

Abstract: A rack having rolling carts that roll together one on top of the other. The second cart may define front and rear wheels that roll on outwardly facing tracks of the rails, while the first cart defines at least rear wheels that roll on inwardly facing tracks of the rails. Front wheels of the first cart may roll on the outwardly facing tracks, to make room for skid support means carried between a forward portion of the rails.

Abstract: A universal connector is described, being capable of both connection with female luer connectors and penetration of resealable-diaphragm connection sites. The connector comprises a tubular member defining a first tubular section having a distal end capable of resealably penetrating a latex resealable-diaphragm injection site. Aperture means are provided adjacent the distal end of the tubular member for communication with the lumen of the tubular member with the exterior. The tubular member also defines a frustoconical male luer section positioned proximally of the first tubular section and proportioned to be sealable with female luer connectors. The male luer section has a minimum diameter that is greater than the maximum diameter of the first tubular section. Annular step means are provided separating the first tubular section and male luer section, and means are provided, spaced proximally of the frustoconical male luer section, for providing connection with a fluid conduit.

Abstract: A sheath for a probe comprises a flat probe sheath having an open end and a closed end with the sheath defining a pair of peripherally connected flat sides. By this invention, each flat side of the sheath defines a portion, positioned at least intermediate the sheath ends, which portion comprises a pair of joined inner and outer plastic layers. The inner plastic layer is made of a material readily heat sealable with itself and the material of the outer plastic layer. The outer plastic layer is made of a material of a strength and thickness capable of substantially preventing bite-through in human mouths.

Abstract: A medical fluid flow set comprises flexible flow tubing having a plastic "pillow" connected in-line with the flow tubing through opposed, generally parallel first and second longitudinal ports. By this invention, the plastic pillow comprises a single, blow-molded, integral piece with a third port communicating with the pillow at a point between the first and second ports. The third port tube extends laterally outwardly from the pillow and turns, typically by essentially a right angle to define an outer tube end having an axis essentially parallel to the first and second ports. A set branch line may be connected to the outer tube end. Such a pillow is manufactured by blow molding to provide an improved product over the prior art, at less cost.