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: The method of purifying spent brine from the regeneration of ion exchange resin, for example resin in water softeners. The method comprises acidifying the spent brine to a pH of less than 3 with an acid other than sulfuric acid, which acid is preferably chosen from at least one acid which forms a calcium salt that is more water soluble than calcium sulfate. One passes the brine through a nanofiltration membrane to purify the brine by separating from it a waste stream which comprises the majority of the polyvalent ions present, so that the purified brine has most of its contaminating polyvalent ions removed.

Abstract: A catheter comprises a flexible, plastic catheter shaft which carries an embedded fibrous, tubular reinforcement member typically of the braided type. The catheter shaft defines a first section which comprises a first plastic material and a second section abutting the first section which comprises a second plastic material having different physical properties from the first plastic material. The tubular reinforcement member comprises integral fibers that extend between, and are embedded in, the plastic of the first and second sections of the catheter shaft. Thus, the two different sections of the catheter shaft can have different physical properties while being reliably and permanently secured together not only by any bond present between the plastic portions but also because of the integral fibers extending between the two portions. Such a catheter may be made by threading preformed plastic catheter sections about the fibrous tubular reinforcement member and fusing.

Abstract: Extruded catheters and other flexible plastic tubing may be manufactured with improved rotational and/or longitudinal stiffness, compared with catheters made of more conventional plastics. A tubing of liquid crystal polymer plastic-containing material may be extruded through a tube extrusion die while rotating the inner and outer die walls to provide circumferential shear to the extruded tube. Thus the liquid crystal polymer is oriented in a helical manner to provide improved properties, including greater rotational stiffness.

Abstract: A rotary handle for attachment to a proximal end of a catheter. The handle comprises a handle member, and a tubular grip member rotatably affixed in generally coaxial relation about a portion of the handle member. An apertured, elastomeric block is provided to permit connection to the proximal end of a catheter. The handle member and grip member are relatively rotatable, to provide corresponding rotation of a connected catheter, typically through a predetermined rotation range, while preventing further catheter rotation to prevent its over rotation while emplaced in a patient. Preferably, the catheter defines a proximal, rigid, tubular tip that passes through the elastomeric block. Also, the catheter may have a steering wire having a zig-zag proximal end positioned within the rigid, tubular tip under compression so that the zig-zag end is frictionally retained within the tubular tip to cause the steering wire to rotate the catheter.

Abstract: A two-piece, realignable golf tee comprises a lower, integrally molded plastic piece comprising a ground spike, a central flange, a relatively thin, flexible retainer shaft extending away from the ground spike in substantially parallel relation, and an enlargement adjacent the outer end of the retainer shaft. An upper, integrally molded plastic piece comprises a sleeve slidably positioned about the flexible retainer shaft. The sleeve defines a bore having a constricted portion adjacent a first sleeve end that faces the ground spike to engage the enlargement, to substantially limit movement of the sleeve away from the spike and out of engagement with the retainer shaft. The central flange is proportioned to serve as a seat for the first sleeve end, with the end of the sleeve opposed to the first end being proportioned to serve as a seat for a golf ball. The two, integrally molded plastic pieces may be assembled in snap-fit relation.

Abstract: A low salt level sensor comprising a float within a brine tank, apparatus for detecting whether the float has risen in response to the addition of a predetermined amount of water to the brine tank to a height such that an adequate supply of salt is present in said brine tank and apparatus for indicating if the float has not risen high enough. A method of detecting whether the salt level is low in the brine tank of a water treatment system is also described. According to this method, brine is removed from the brine tank and a predetermined amount of water is added. A determination is then made as to whether the brine level has reached a height such that an adequate supply of salt is present in the brine tank and an indication is provided if the brine level is below this height.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a flexible catheter shaft and at least a pair of inflatable balloons carried on the shaft. Each of the balloons communicate with a separate inflation lumen extending longitudinally within the shaft. One of the pair of balloons is carried on the shaft in a position relatively proximal to the other. Typically, the relatively proximal balloon carries a stent for implantation into a patient.

Abstract: A weathering testing system comprises a rack for carrying samples to be tested with the samples having inner-facing surfaces, and a lamp centrally positioned of the samples. Blower means are provided for directing a stream of air through the rack. By this invention, the rack may be relatively rotated with respect to the stream of air to provide added uniformity of blowing conditions to the samples. Also, the lamp may be positioned in an adjustable manner so that it can be placed parallel to the rack for optimum radiation. Also the fitting which holds the lamp may be modified so that the lamp may be installed in only a single rotational position, for increased consistency of light irradiation, which gives more uniform calibration. Likewise, an automatic technique for determining ignition and operating of the lamp is disclosed, where a current sensing system found in prior art units can be dispensed with.

Abstract: A portable antenna is provided for mounting on a motor vehicle's side window and enabling easy and rapid mounting and removal. The portable antenna includes a base member with a current-fed radiator carried by the base member and having a first portion for location on the inside of the side window, a second contiguous portion for overlying the side window and a third portion, contiguous with the second portion, for location outside of the side window with a distal end thereof extending upwardly when in use. A field-canceling conductor is carried by the base portion for location on the inside of the side window. A coaxial cable has its main conductor connected to a proximal end portion of the current-fed radiator and has a ground conductor connected to the field-canceling member. The current-fed radiator is dimensioned so that the second portion thereof is a relatively low impedance area.

Abstract: An improved security and communication system accurately and quickly locates the position of a signaling portable radio frequency transmitter. When a portable transmitter is activated, a first signal, including identification information, is emitted. The first signal is received by any of a number of radio frequency relays, the signal is manipulated and transmitted to a central processing station as a second signal. The central processing station can, by using the second signals received, either from one or a number of relay stations, determine which relay station is closest to the portable transmitter.

Abstract: The light output of a multi-lamp lightfastness testing chamber defining a sample testing area in the chamber may be performed by sequentially turning on and off each lamp by itself, while measuring from the sample testing area the irradiation provided by each lamp, while adjusting the intensity of irradiation for each lamp to a desired level. Thereafter, individual lamp sensors (56) sense the light intensity of each individual lamp. Typically by a feedback circuit, the power to each lamp is adjusted so that the sensed light intensity of each lamp is maintained within predetermined limits corresponding to the irradiation level measured from the sample testing area.

Abstract: A portable telephone comprises a telephone housing, a connection member having a longitudinal axis attached to said housing and communicating outwardly therefrom, an antenna carried on the connection member, and a pivot system associated with the connection member to permit the antenna to swivel in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the outer end of the connection member. Further, a clutch-type system is provided, having first and second bearing faces pressed against each other in sliding, rotary bearing relation for relative movement as the antenna swivels. Finally, a combination of the clutch-type system and the pivot system, allowing for an even greater degree of movement by the antenna, is provided, allowing three dimensional placement of the antenna for optimum reception and transmission of signals.

Abstract: A balloon catheter comprises a catheter shaft, and first and second balloons carried on the catheter shaft with the second balloon positioned to at least partly overlie and sealingly enclose the first balloon. A lumen is defined by the catheter shaft to communicate between a space located within the first balloon and a proximal end portion of the catheter shaft. The first and second balloons each define holes of a size to permit medication delivered through the lumen to pass outwardly through the perforations of both the first and second balloons. By such an arrangement, medication may be directly delivered over a wide area to tissue without tissue damage.

Abstract: Apparatus for cross-correlation frequency domain fluorometry and/or phosphorimetry in which means are provided for sequentially performing runs of the cross correlation frequency domain fluorometry and/or phosphorimetry at sequentially differing first and second frequencies. The intensities of signal responses of the runs are detected at the respective cross-correlation frequency in each run. The detection of the signal response is prolonged in each run until an integrated signal with a specified standard deviation has been acquired at each of the differing runs. Preferably the sequential runs are automatically executed by a program. Also, the waveforms sensed by deriving the resultant signal response in each run are folded. That is: corresponding segments of the waveforms are superimposed to obtain an average waveform value for each run having an increased signal to noise ratio over the individual waveform segments.

Abstract: A catheter is made by extrusion of flexible plastic to form a tubular basic catheter body with a central channel. A curved end part is formed in one end thereof, with the central channel lying in eccentric relation inwardly toward the inside of the curved part to define a relatively thin catheter wall inwardly of the curve and a relatively thicker catheter wall outwardly of the curve of the curved part. Side holes may be punched into the curved part, with the side holes being of larger size without buckling of the side holes as the curved part of the catheter is straightened out.

Abstract: A multiple lumen, intravenous catheter for hemodialysis or the like defines a distal end portion in which at least a pair of the catheter lumens each communicates with the exterior through aperture means. By this invention the aperture means of one of the lumens defines a first port at essentially the distal catheter end, and the aperture means of the other of the lumens defines a second port spaced proximally along the catheter from the distal end and first port. The second port is positioned to face radially inwardly to at least a slight degree to avoid engagement of the wall of the blood vessel that the catheter occupies. Additionally, the tip of the catheter distal of the second port is preferably of substantially helically shape, being sized to assist in keeping the second port away from the blood vessel wall. As another feature, the catheter may be angled in its as-manufactured, unstressed condition to avoid pressing by elastic memory against internal blood vessel walls.

Abstract: A medical instrument such as a catheter introducer comprises a housing. The housing includes a valve for receiving and sealing an elongated member which penetrates the valve. The valve comprises an elastomeric partition member.

Abstract: A balloon dilatation catheter comprises a flexible, tubular catheter shaft which carries a dilatation balloon adjacent the distal end. The catheter shaft defines an inflation lumen communicating with the balloon and a guidewire lumen extending at least most of the length of the catheter and extending through the catheter distal end. A longitudinal slit is defined in the catheter shaft between the guidewire lumen and the catheter exterior. This slit longitudinally extends along the majority of the catheter length from a position proximal of the balloon to a position that is at least adjacent the catheter proximal end.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve comprises a housing defining a passage therethrough adapted to receive an elongated member such as a catheter in hemostatically sealed condition. An elastic gasket valve is carried in the housing having slit means capable of permitting the elongated member to extend through the housing and the gasket member in hemostatically sealed condition. By this invention the gasket member defines a pair of opposed sides with a first slit extending inwardly of the gasket member from one of the opposed sides. A second slit extends inwardly of the gasket member from the other of the opposed sides. Both of the slits are of a shape defining a plurality of radii extending from a common origin. The first and second slits extend inwardly at a depth to engage but not to intersect each other, and the radii of the first slit each define an angle of at least 10.degree. to each of the radii of the second slit at points of engagement. By this, an improved hemostasis valve is provided.