Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which includes a mechanical connection between the strain relief thereof and the hub. The strain relief operates both to secure the catheter tube to the hub and to provide strain relief for the catheter tube. The strain relief connection is assisted in gripping the catheter tube by intentional overstressing of the catheter hub during manufacture thereof to expand the hub wall and generate residual hoop stresses therein which assist in securing the catheter tube within the hub.

Abstract: A gastroenteric feeding tube is provided which is ideally adapted for endoscopic placement through an endoscope having a working channel and a steerable tip. The feeding tube is provided with a longitudinal length sufficient to allow the endoscope to be removed from about the feeding tube without disturbing the distal placement of the feeding tube within the patient's intestines. After the feeding tube has been properly positioned within the patient and the endoscope has been removed from about the feeding tube, a connector is securely attached to the proximal end of the feeding tube to allow it to be connected to a feeding pump, or the like, to provide nourishment to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set includes a stop cock valve, and the pump includes a valve actuation unit into which the stop cock valve is positioned for operation of the system. The valve actuation unit includes a valve receiving mechanism which requires the valve to be closed in order to be inserted into or removed from the valve actuation unit, thereby preventing accidental free flow of fluid at all times. The fluid delivery set may also include an auxiliary fluid source to allow periodic flushing of the fluid delivery line, and the valve actuation unit can be programmed by the pump to automatically initiate periodic flushing cycles if desired.

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: A fluid delivery system is disclosed which includes a pump and a fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set includes a stop cock valve, and the pump includes a valve actuation unit into which the stop cock valve is positioned for operation of the system. The valve actuation unit includes a valve receiving mechanism which requires the valve to be closed in order to be inserted into or removed from the valve actuation unit, thereby preventing accidental free flow of fluid at all times. The fluid delivery set may also include an auxiliary fluid source to allow periodic flushing of the fluid delivery line, and the valve actuation unit can be programmed by the pump to automatically initiate periodic flushing cycles if desired.

Abstract: A syringe needle thimble cap and its method of use is shown such that the thimble cap has a porous plastic, hydrophilic core captured within a cylindrical cap member for use with an arterial blood gas syringe barrel and needle assembly. The syringe needle thimble cap has a generally thimble-shaped cap with a proximal opening. The porous plastic core material is positioned within the thimble cap distally to the proximal opening, and the core material is held in place by an inwardly extending ring to prevent its removal. An open or hollow space is created distally to the porous material which is otherwise bounded by the interior surfaces of the thimble cap.

Abstract: A reusable endoscopic surgical instrument includes a handle assembly attached to a slender shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes inner and outer shafts, with the inner shaft being rotatable by operation of the handle assembly to rotate a surgical tool operably connected to the distal end of a pushrod disposed within the inner shaft. The handle assembly includes first actuating mechanism for actuating the pushrod to operate the surgical tool and a second actuating mechanism for rotating the inner shaft. The outer shaft is axially slidable with respect to the inner shaft to cover a flush port system in the handle assembly for cleaning and improved sterilizability of the instrument.

Abstract: The control system is programmable by the user by inserting a preprogrammed key into the system console. The key changes the default values normally used by the control system to those values selected by a particular surgeon. The control console thus emulates the performance characteristics of a wide variety of different types of microsurgical control systems, leaving the surgeon free to perform the operation without having to adjust to a new or unfamiliar system. The display screen is self-illuminating and provides a plurality of control menus generated by data stored in computer memory circuits. By bank switching the memory circuits, the display can be caused to appear in a wide variety of different languages.

Abstract: A fluid collection and disposal system which includes a reusable collection unit designed to be cleaned by a servicing unit after use. The servicing unit performs an automatic servicing cycle to remove the collected fluid from the collection unit and prepare it for reuse.

Abstract: The invention relates to a respiratory support system (10) which includes a suction catheter device (41), a suction control valve (36), and a ventilator manifold (11). The ventilator (11) includes an access port (15) for attachment and detachment of the suction catheter device (41) thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. The access port (15) has a normally closed valve (16) therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold (11). The normally closed valve (16) is positioned in the port (15) such that placement of a specially designed connector (40) of the suctioning device (41) therein forces the normally closed valve (16) to an open position, The manifold (11) and valve (16) are adapted to allow cleaning of the catheter (54) therethrough without detachment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stop-cock valve useable in conjunction with a fluid delivery set for delivering fluids such as intravenous fluids or enteral fluids from one or more containers to a patient. The valve includes a shear-away interference member which holds the valve in a closed position prior to use in order to prevent accidental premature free flow of fluid therethrough. The valve also includes a venting passage for allowing access of sterilization gas into all fluid flow passages of the valve even when the valve stem is rotated to a closed position.

Abstract: A Holter-type recorder unit for use with an ambulatory ECG recording system is described. The invention features real-time beat differentiation, including ST analysis and paced beat analysis of two or three channel sampled electrocardiogram data. The invention also features real-time coding of beat morphology and summary information on cassette tape. Further, summary information for an entire analysis can be compiled and reverse recorded onto the cassette tape at the end of the analysis to allow downloading thereof into an ECG scanner while the cassette is being rewound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sputum trap for an aspiration a respiratory support system which includes a sleeved suction catheter device, a suction control valve, and a ventilator manifold. The sputum trap allows collection of sputum directly from a patient through a suction catheter without causing a loss of PEEP in the respiratory support system. The sleeved suction catheter device includes a sputum trap/suction control valve end connector having a valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until the sputum trap or suction control valve is attached thereto. The manifold includes a one-way check valve which is opened upon insertion of the manifold end connector of the sleeved suction catheter therein. The suction control valve includes an actuator which is linearly movable between a first position in which suction therethrough is prevented, to a second position in which the valve is open to suction therethrough.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and a light emitter and corresponding detector located on opposite sides of the drop chamber. The detector is saturated by light emitted from the light emitter to produce a saturated detector output signal. The detector circuit senses variations in the detector output signal caused by drops passing through the drop chamber between the emitter and detector that block light emitted by the emitter from reaching the detector. The detector circuit senses the slope of the variations in the detector output signal and produces a control signal when the slope exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which includes a mechanical connection between the strain relief thereof and the hub. The strain relief operates both to secure the catheter tube to the hub and to provide strain relief for the catheter tube. The strain relief connection is assisted in gripping the catheter tube by intentional overstressing of the catheter hub during manufacture thereof to expand the hub wall and generate residual hoop stresses therein which assist in securing the catheter tube within the hub.

Abstract: A suction control valve is disclosed which includes a primary suction device access and an ancillary suction device access. The valve includes an actuator which is movable between a first position in which the primary access is closed against suction pressure therethrough, to a second position in which the primary access is open to suction pressure therethrough, or alternatively, to a third position in which the primary access port remains closed to suction pressure therethrough and the actuator becomes locked against movement into the second position. When the actuator is in the first position, atmospheric air can pass through the valve and into the suction pressure source in such a manner that a "hissing" auditory signal is generated, indicative of the presence of suction pressure within the valve. When the actuator is in the second or third positions, the "hissing" is prevented.

Abstract: Thin-walled anesthesia needles are disclosed which include blunted pencil point tips and each contains a built in mechanism for directing the motion of a catheter through a side opening in the needle wall for positive location of a catheter in a patient for the delivery of required medications, or for directing the flow of directly injected medications perpendicularly to the axis of the needle.