Abstract: The relative concentration of a material such as glucose in a turbid medium such as living tissue may determining the scattering coefficient of the light that has passed through the turbid medium; and comparing the scattering coefficient with a previous scattering coefficient determined with respect to the turbid medium.

Abstract: A balloon catheter defines a balloon having a cylindrical outer surface of a diameter essentially no greater than the diameter of the tubular shaft. Additionally, a method is disclosed in which one inserts a catheter into the arterial system of a patient, and increasingly pressurizes a balloon made of work-hardenable material to elastically expand the balloon to such a first pressure that sufficient work-hardening takes place in the expanding balloon to cause the diameter of the balloon to substantially cease its expansion in response to a pressure range increasing from the first pressure. One then terminates the increase of the pressure at that point to cause the catheter to assume a first, predetermined maximum diameter. Catheter balloons can each be expanded to two different, known, work-hardened diameters by this invention.

Abstract: A belt fastener assembly attachment apparatus attaches belt fastener assemblies to the end of a belt with rivets and with a non-manually powered rivet assembly driving tool. A guide template having a plurality of guide apertures is alignable with the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate. Each guide aperture receives and aligns the rivet assembly dispensing barrel of the non-manually powered rivet assembly drive tool to the anvil die apertures of an anvil die plate and rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener. Guide pins carried by the guide template and received within guide apertures of the anvil die plate maintain the guide template apertures in registration with the anvil die apertures of the anvil die plate and the rivet receiving apertures of the belt fastener.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for facilitating balloon catheter exchange in the vascular system of a patient. The apparatus and method concern means for holding a guidewire longitudinally fixed with respect to a guiding catheter while a balloon catheter is moved over the guidewire. Specifically, the guidewire is held longitudinally fixed with respect to the guiding catheter by way of magnetic coupling. A first magnetic element constitutes a portion of the guide wire or is attached to the guide wire to move with it. A second magnetic element is located proximate the balloon catheter but is not fixed to the balloon catheter. When the guidewire is moved within the guiding catheter to a location at which the first magnetic element reaches its point of closest approach to the second magnetic element, magnetic force holds the guidewire against movement relative to the guiding catheter even while a balloon catheter is being moved over the guidewire.

Abstract: A digital clock comprises an electronic timekeeping circuit, plus an electronic digital display connected to the time keeping circuit to display time as controlled by the circuit. An electronic control is provided to permit changing of individual numerals displayed in a plurality of locations by manually pointing at the individual numerals. The electronic control may comprise a transparent, touch-sensitive detector, positioned in front of the digital display to permit manual changing of the individual numerals.

Abstract: A hemodialyzer apparatus comprises a reusable dialyzer membrane as well as reusable blood flow path and dialysis flow path units. The apparatus automatically primes itself and makes dialysis solution from dry chemicals, concentrates, and fresh water which is provided to the apparatus. Also, after use, the apparatus automatically prepares cleaning and rinsing solution for the cleaning and rinsing of the dialyzer membrane as well as the dialyzate and blood flow path means, to provide a system which is so simplified in terms of automatic operation that it may be usable for daily dialysis at home.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a flexible, elongated member, an inflatable balloon carried on the elongated member to define an inflated chamber within the balloon, and an inflation conduit extending along the member and communicating with the inflation chamber. The inflatable balloon, in turn, defines a wall which comprises at least three bonded layers. A first pair of the layers comprises a flexible plastic material which is typically a condensation polymer. A second of the layers comprises a flexible polymer which is typically a vinylic polymer which is covalently bonded to the first layers and positioned between them.

Abstract: A dental floss retainer ring is provided, having a size permitting placement on the finger. The ring defines circumferential sidewalls to form an external, annular space between the walls for receiving a winding of dental floss about the ring. One of the walls defines at least one slot extending only incompletely across the ring to facilitate the securance of a portion of dental floss as the dental floss is wound about the ring. The process of dental flossing teeth is facilitated by the use of one or a pair of such dental floss retainer rings.

Abstract: A catheter sheath introducer comprising a tubular sheath having a proximal end and a distal end are provided. A hub is coupled to the proximal end of the tubular sheath and a coil spring is also provided. The coil spring is positioned about the proximal end of the tubular sheath, and the sheath and coil spring are coupled to the hub in such a way that the tubular sheath and coil spring extend within the hub and out from the hub whereby the strain produced when the tubular sheath and hub are moved relative to one another is relieved.

Abstract: A rotating pinball bridge and drop is provided which comprises a rotatable cylinder with a hole sufficiently sized to allow a pinball to pass through. The cylinder is rotated by a drive member so that a ball may either pass through or be dropped from the ramp.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the exchange of a catheter in the vascular system of a patient without displacing a guidewire which occupies the lumen of the catheter. The apparatus comprises a ferromagnetic rod which preferably defines a plurality of spaced, integral rings of ferromagnetic material distributed along the rod in substantially perpendicular relation to the axis thereof. The rod may be non-magnetized, or it may contain permanent magnets it desired. A connector may be provided for attaching the magnetic apparatus to a guidewire proximal end, or the device may be permanently attached to a guidewire end. A magnetic retainer which provides a magnetic field may be used to hold the ferromagnetic rod and the guidewire in a desired position as the catheter is either advanced or withdrawn while enclosing the ferromagnetic rod, so that the guidewire is retained while neither the guidewire nor the rod can be physically grasped.

Abstract: An intravascular catheter comprises a flexible tubular catheter body having a guidewire lumen. A pull cord extends through the catheter from a first position adjacent the proximal end of the lumen to an end position of the lumen remote from the proximal end, typically adjacent the distal end, where the pull cord is attached to the catheter body. The pull cord defines at least one loop extending about the guidewire lumen. The pull cord is longitudinally movable relative to the catheter body except where it is attached thereto. Thus, pulling the cord from the first position can cause the pull cord loop to straighten and trap a guidewire occupying the lumen, to suppress longitudinal motion of the guidewire.

Abstract: A catheter introducer comprises a tubular sheath having an axis, and a housing carried on one end of the sheath. The housing encloses a fluid-filled chamber and carries a pair of valves aligned along the axis, the valves being at opposed ends of the fluid-filled chamber and communicating therewith. The valves serve to substantially retain the fluid within the housing, while allowing a catheter to pass through the valves and through the tubular sheath. The fluid of the chamber is preferably a gel or high viscosity liquid. The valves and fluid-filled chamber prevent the backflow of blood both in the presence and the absence of a catheter or the like extending through the valves and chamber.

Abstract: A percentaging system for an amusement game is provided which comprises entering into memory a desired percentage of game awards and the data representing scores achieved by players for a predetermined number of games. The desired percentage is multiplied by the number of scores in memory and a new score to beat is determined from the stored score data based upon the product of these two numbers. The new replay level is then entered into memory.

Abstract: An elastomeric valve partition is conventionally mounted on a catheter comprising a tubular catheter body. The valve partition defines a central aperture extending inwardly from one of the faces, only partway through the valve partition. The partition also carries a plurality of radial slits extending from the other of the faces only partway through the valve partition and intersecting the central aperture. The central aperture is of a diameter to closely fit a guidewire extending through the valve partition, while the radial slits have a length that is at least double the radius of the central aperture. The slits preferably rotate circumferentially about 5 to 60 degrees as they extend through the valve partition from one face toward the other. A lubricity enhancing additive is present, selected from the group consisting of bismuth oxychloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, titanium dioxide, graphite, polyethylene wax, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A process for making cheese including the addition of calcium chloride to milk, heating the milk slowly to about 85.degree. C., holding the milk at 85.degree. C. for about 30 minutes, adding hot food-grade organic acid to the milk to reduce pH to about 4.4 to form a curd, removing the whey and cooling curd rapidly to about 8.degree. C. The process lends to making Queso Blanco (white cheese).

Abstract: A slotted guard for locking a needle in a shielded position as the needle is removed from a patient, and a guarded winged needle assembly including not only such a slotted, locking guard, but also a needle (with a winged hub attached thereto) slidably mounted within the guard. Preferably, the guard's slot has an angled portion so that when the hub and needle are fully retracted within the guard, the needle's tip will be oriented away from the slot. Also preferably, a piece of absorptive material is disposed in the guard to absorb any fluid dripping from the needle tip after the needle has been locked in its retracted position within the guard following an injection.

Abstract: An intravascular balloon catheter comprises a catheter body having a proximal end a distal end, and a balloon carried adjacent the distal end. The catheter body defines an inflation tube which extends along essentially the length of the body proximal to the balloon and which communicates with the interior of the balloon. The catheter body also defines a lumen having an open, distal end and extending at least most of the length of the body. A first tube, aligned with the lumen, extends through the balloon and is open at both ends. A portion of the catheter which defines the lumen is longitudinally slidable relative to the balloon and the first tube between an advanced position and a retracted position. In the advanced position the lumen and first tube are together to allow advancement of a guidewire through both the lumen and the first tube. In the retracted position, the lumen is spaced from the first tube, so that the first tube is open to receive blood flow therethrough.

Abstract: A catheter sheath introducer comprises: a tubular body portion having opposed ends; a catheter sheath tube which is optionally replaceably carried on one of the body portion ends; and a slit, elastomeric hemostasis valve partition which is optionally replaceably carried on the other of the body portion ends.

Abstract: An airbrush which comprises a front body through which air and paint are directed is provided. A head, having a tube known as a post, is removably attached to the front body. A paint tip and a regulator, removably attached to the head, are also provided. The regulator comprises a detachable holding ring and a regulating tip. The paint tip is secured to the head by the holding ring when the paint tip is placed within the post and the holding ring is attached to the head. The regulating tip can be detached from the airbrush while the paint tip remains secured by the holding ring. The head, paint tip and regulator, comprising a crown, are interchangeable with other crowns.