Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for preventing electrically charged particles adjacent an ion generator from soiling a wall or other items adjacent the ion generator. An electrically conductive particle collector surrounds the outlet of the ion generator and is fastened to the ion generator. The electrically conductive particle collector carries an electrical line which is adapted to be plugged into the ground terminal of an electrical wall socket. A disposable sheet member, preferably formed of paper, covers the particle collector. Electrically charged particles adjacent the ion generator area are attracted to the particle collector and coat the disposable sheet member which can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: Centrifugal processing apparatus in which a processing chamber is rotatably mounted with respect to a stationary base. An umbilical cable segment is fixed at one end substantially along the axis of the processing chamber at one side thereof, with the other end of the cable segment being attached substantially on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the processing chamber. The cable segment comprises flexible tubing which defines a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels, with the cable segment having been stretched in the central portion thereof so that the central portion is narrower in cross-sectional dimensional area than the ends of the cable segment. In this manner, the channels remain large enough for effective connection of tubing to the walls defining the channels and the load of the umbilical tubing becomes substantially reduced.

Abstract: A sterile connection apparatus is provided for enabling the connection of a first tube to a transfer tube of a medical solution container. The apparatus includes a housing having a cover portion which is adapted for interfitting with a base portion to provide a substantially closed interior volume. The first tube and the transfer tube of the medical solution container are introduced within the interior volume and the housing carries means located therewithin and operable from the outside of the housing for enabling manipulation of one of the tubes. In this manner, the first tube may be disconnected from and/or connected to the transfer tube. Means are provided for sterilizing the tubes within the substantially closed interior volume.

Abstract: The input polarizer and the output polarizer of a spectrofluorometer are each mechanically identical except for the optical elements, and are constructed as modules which plug into a spectrofluorometer base. Each of the polarizer modules includes a polarizing filter that is rotatable and a self-contained motor drive for rotating the polarizing filter. Each of the motor drives comprises an electric motor mounted on the respective module, a pulley mounted on the respective module and rotatable with actuation of the electric motor, a loop coupling the pulley to the polarizing filter for rotation of the filter with rotation of the pulley, and means for enabling the filter to rotate exactly 90.degree. in opposite directions.

Abstract: An industrial dryer particularly suited for small parts has a tub to contain the parts and a helical ramp along the interior tub wall. Vibratory motion makes the small parts move along the ramp. The tub has a double wall, the inside space between the walls defining an air plenum. The interior wall of the tub is formed with exit spaces through which the hot air emerges and blows over the parts as they move along the ramp. The plenum is continuously supplied with hot air to replace the losses. A unique method of forming the ramp from stair-step segments and partitions forms special conduits which focus hot air streams upon the parts as they move along the ramp in staircase fashion.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed container is provided in which a cup-shaped overcap overlies an externally threaded dispensing outlet and is hermetically bonded to the bottle neck. An outer jacket ring is provided to jack the overcap off of the bottle neck when the jacking ring is rotated downwardly. The overcap carries a wiper seal which engages the dispensing outlet to prevent liquid flow out of the dispensing outlet until the overcap is removed. The container closure is tamper-proof in that the overcap cannot be threadedly engaged with the externally threaded dispensing outlet once the overcap has been jacked off the bottle neck.

Abstract: A spinal needle assembly in which means are provided for bridging the end cap of the obturator and the hub of the cannula to prevent relative axial movement between the obturator and cannula.

Abstract: A hemodialysis apparatus is provided in which two blood compartments are formed by two different types of membranes. One membrane is a relatively high flux membrane, with relatively high hydraulic permeability, and the other membrane is a relatively low flux hemodialysis membrane. The blood compartment associated with the high flux membrane will be separated from the blood compartment associated with the low flux membrane. In use, dialyzing solution flows through only a dialysate compartment adjacent to the low flux membrane to accomplish diffusion at low transmembrane pressures. No dialyzing fluid perfuses the compartment adjacent the high flux membrane, but high transmembrane pressures draw ultra-diffusate into this compartment for collection and measurement of fluid loss in the patient.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis system in which whole blood is filtered through a microporous membrane to provide a plasma filtrate. The system includes a filter cell assembly having a membrane support member, a treatment membrane spaced from the membrane support member with a plasma treatment agent sandwiched between the treatment membrane and the membrane support member, and a microporous membrane spaced from the treatment membrane to form a plasma chamber between the treatment membrane and the microporous membrane. Whole blood is introduced to the side of the microporous membrane opposite to the plasma chamber, plasma is filtered through the microporous membrane to the plasma chamber and the plasma filtrate contacts the treatment membrane which operates to provide a mass transfer between the treatment agent and the plasma filtrate. The treated plasma is withdrawn from the plasma chamber, is mixed with the plasma-poor whole blood and is returned to the patient.

Abstract: A golf shoe is provided with a hinged plate connected to the outer edge of the golfer's back shoe which tilts the shoe inwardly when worn by the golfer when the plate is angled with respect to the shoe's sole. A retainer means holds the plate flat against the shoe sole when the plate is not in use. A holding means is provided to hold the plate in the angled position when the shoe tilting is desired.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a pressure sensitive transducer in an extracorporeal blood system and for providing a sterile barrier while the apparatus transmits the blood pressure to the pressure sensitive transducer. The apparatus includes a pressure chamber having a lateral inlet and a lateral outlet, to enable convenient packaging, and having a membrane disposed transverse the chamber and surrounded by the chamber to segregate an inlet side of the chamber from the outlet side of the chamber. The membrane has a generally planar, circular center portion which lies in a plane between the outer peripheral portion of the membrane and the outlet side of the chamber. The membrane has an intermediate portion contiguous with and between the central portion and the outer peripheral portion, with the intermediate portion having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A multi-purpose intra-uterine probe for sounding the depth of the fundus and measuring the width of the uterus at two different insertion depths. The latter objective is accomplished by an extendable wing mechanism having two stable wing-spreads selectable by means of a ball-point pen-type push-button control mechanism, and indicating windows which are color-coded in relation to the rotating push-button of the control mechanism to illustrate the proper sequence of read-out locations. A window reads out the depth of the fundus.

Abstract: A support member for use in a coil dialyzer to support an elongated, tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane is disclosed herein. The member is embossed and has generally angularly-extending parallel ribs on both sides of the web. The ribs are arranged so that on each side there are high ribs and low ribs positioned between said high ribs.

Abstract: A connector system for use in a dialyzer is disclosed herein for connecting an external fluid conduit to a tubularly-shaped, semipermeable membrane. The system protects the membrane from forces imposed on the conduit. The system includes a jack member, which is secured within the dialyzer and has a passageway, which at one end is connected to the conduit and which at the other end is connected to a button-type connector which provides communication between the passageway and the semipermeable membrane. The button connector includes a cap and a barrel and has a passageway extending through the cap and barrel. An O-ring is provided for engaging both the jack member and the connector for cooperation in assuring fluid flow from the conduit to the semipermeable membrane.

Abstract: A check valve is provided comprising a cap having an inlet port and a body with an internal recess whose periphery is engaged with the cap and contains an outlet port. A rib extends across the body recess and is supported and urged against the cap by the rib substantially along the entire length of the rib. The diaphragm is engaged against the cap to close the valve, with the peripheral edges of the diaphragm being adapted to bend away from the cap to open the valve when a predetermined fluid pressure is exerted at the inlet port.

Abstract: The grinding machine essentially comprises a frame on which a grinding-wheel slide is capable of moving towards a workpiece carried by a sliding table designed in two separate parts or table components, one of which is adapted to carry a headstock while the other carries a tailstock. The two table components are provided with means for controlling their movements in opposite directions and the tailstock table component is subjected to the action of a restoring spring for urging it towards the headstock table component.

Abstract: An outerwear garment is provided which comprises a sleeveless vest having a kidney extension flap at its lower back portion. The kidney extension flap has an interior portion which defines a pouch. A jacket having sleeves is connected to the lower portion of the vest adjacent the pouch. The jacket may be inserted into the pouch when the vest is worn in a sleeveless mode without the jacket, or the jacket may be withdrawn from the pouch and the jacket's sleeves may be inserted through side openings defined by the vest.

Abstract: A sickle cell therapeutic treatment is provided by means of continuous flow red blood cell carbamylation. In a substantially continuous process, whole blood is removed from a patient and is directed to a red cell separator chamber of a seal-less type centrifuge. The whole blood is centrifuged and the red blood cells to be treated are removed from the red cell separation chamber and are directed to a reaction chamber. An anti-sickle agent, such as cyanate solution, is introduced into the reaction chamber and is mixed with the red blood cells to be treated. The mixed anti-sickle agent and red blood cells are transferred to a wash chamber in the centrifuge where they are washed, by centrifugation, and the washed, treated red blood cells are combined with the plasma that was separated in the red cell separation chamber and the combination is returned to the patient.

Abstract: A sterile connector system is provided for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in which a dialysate solution container having a transfer port is coupled to tubing extending from a patient's peritoneal cavity. The transfer port is connected to one end of a flexible housing and the patient's tubing is connected to the opposite end of the flexible housing. A sterilizing agent is introduced into the housing and in contact with the transfer port and the patient's tubing. The sterilized transfer port is thereafter connected to the sterilized patient's tubing within the housing.

Abstract: A peristaltic liquid pump in which a box-like housing encloses a rotatable head carrying a pair of rollers which engage a U-shaped portion of plastic tubing carrying liquid to be pumped. The housing has a light-transmissive cover member enabling the operator to view the tubing therein. A membrane is interposed between the rollers and the U-shaped portion of the plastic tubing, with the membrane having a relatively stiff surface for contacting the rollers and a relatively sticky surface for contacting the plastic tubing.