Abstract: A hand-held nebulizer system is provided which nebulizes during the patient's inspiration cycle only. The system includes a universal sensor port adapter which is adapted to fluidly connect an airway device with a sensor port of the system's source of pressurized gas in such a manner as to permit the patient to inhale and exhale atmospheric air, while permitting the use of standard airway devices. A unique valve arrangement is also provided in the device for supplying the pressurized gas which permits the system to be extremely sensitive to small pressure differentials, thereby ensuring that the system detects the respiratory cycle phases of even the weakest patients.

Abstract: An endoscope including an elongated endoscope body sized and adapted for insertion into a passage, such as a passage of the body of a patient. Optical components are carried by the endoscope body to enable viewing of the passage distally of the distal end of the endoscope body within a field of view of the endoscope. An elongated, resilient member is mounted on and carried by the endoscope body such that the endoscope body and the resilient member are a unitary assembly which can be inserted as a unit into the passage. The resilient member extends beyond the distal end of the endoscope body and is capable of contacting material within or forming the passage and relatively displacing the distal end of the endoscope body and such material within the field of view of the endoscope to enhance viewing of the passage with the endoscope.

Abstract: A method of depositing reproductive material into the reproductive tract of a female comprising inserting an elongated transfer catheter into the reproductive tract of a female. The transfer catheter includes an elongated catheter body having an elongated passage extending through the catheter body and terminating in a distal opening at a distal end of the catheter body. The distal opening opens both axially and laterally of the catheter body. The method also includes introducing the reproductive biological material through the passage and the distal opening of the catheter body into the reproductive tract.

Abstract: A tree guard for young trees, seedlings, sapling and other plants such as vines which can be laid flat for storage and rolled into a cylinder for placing around a tree. The guard may include tapes for holding by means of a stake and light and air admission holes. The guard may be of easily decomposable material or may be reusable.

Abstract: A sensor cassette for use in measuring a compositional parameter of blood comprising a housing having a wall defining a passage which is adapted to receive blood. The wall is at least somewhat permeable to the compositional parameter. A support element, which is less permeable to the compositional parameter of blood than the housing, is carried by a region of the wall. A sensor is carried by the support element and provides a signal in response to the compositional parameter. The support element separates the sensor from at least a portion of such region of the wall so that the affect of the permeability of the housing to the compositional parameter on the signal from the sensor is reduced.

Abstract: New corneal implants and methods for producing such implants are disclosed. The present corneal implants comprise a lens body which is optically clear and is structured to be surgically attached in or on the cornea of a mammalian eye, the lens body including a core having an outer surface and made of a hydrogel composition containing water and a hydrophilic polymeric material, and a coating comprising a synthetic polymeric component located on the outer surface, covalently bonded to the hydrogel composition and having enhanced ability to support epithelial cell growth and/or adhesion relative to the hydrogel composition.

Abstract: New intraocular lenses (IOLs) and methods for producing IOLs are disclosed. The present methods include a combination of steps which increase the pull strength between the fixation member of the IOL and the optic of the IOL without requiring sophisticated high frequency corona discharge activation or plasma activation of the fixation member. The fixation members are doubly coated with primer components and silicone polymeric material precursor compositions before being secured to the optics. In addition, the optic members employed in the present invention can be formed, for example, molded, without recesses to accommodate the fixation members. Thus, such recesses can be formed and provided with a quantity of the above-noted precursor composition after the optic members are produced. The doubly coated fixation members are then placed in the recesses and secured to the optic members. The present methods are straight forward, easy to practice and are cost effective in producing high quality IOLs.

Abstract: A label applicator for applying a label to an article comprising a supporting structure, a label carrier adapted to receive and releasably retain a label and a carrier mount. The label carrier is mounted for rotation on the carrier mount. The carrier mount mounts the label carrier on the supporting structure for bodily movement between a label receiving position in which the label carrier can receive and releasably retain a label and a label applying position in which the label carrier can apply the label to the article.

Abstract: A syringe comprising a barrel having a longitudinal passage extending through the barrel and a plunger slidable in the passage of the barrel. The barrel has connector adjacent one end of the barrel for attaching a cannula to the barrel and a flange adjacent the other end of the barrel. An adapter having a passage extending through it is mounted on the barrel with the adapter engaging the flange of the barrel. The adapter extends radially beyond the flange to form finger pads.

Abstract: A new class of polysiloxanes is disclosed. Such polysiloxanes have the formula ##STR1## wherein each R and R.sup.4 is independently selected from alkyl radicals, substituted alkyl radicals, aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals; each R.sup.1 is independently selected from divalent radicals; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from aryl radicals and substituted aryl radicals; each R.sup.3 is independently selected from monovalent hydrocarbon radicals having a multiple bond and monovalent substituted hydrocarbon radicals having a multiple bond; n is an integer in the range of about 6 to about 500; and m is an integer in the range of 0 to about 500. Methods for making such polysiloxanes are also disclosed. In addition, high refractive index, that is having a refractive index of at least about 1.46, silicone compositions useful in the fabrication of lens bodies are disclosed.

Abstract: An emitter for use in irrigation comprising a housing and a flow restrictor in the housing. The housing has an inlet which can be connected to a source of irrigation liquid and an outlet. The flow restrictor reduces the pressure of the irrigation liquid to provide drip or trickle flow at the outlet. A spike flow inhibitor is provided in the housing for substantially preventing flush flow through the housing upon initiation of the flow of irrigation liquid through the housing. The flow restrictor is responsive to at least a predetermined reduction in pressure of the irrigation liquid at the inlet for causing flush flow through the flow restrictor.

Abstract: A binding block for elevating the binding on a snow ski in order to achieve increased turning leverage has a mid-region wherein maximum ski flexibility is permitted. In one embodiment, the binding block is comprised of two separate elements forming a gap between them in order to provide such maximum flexibility. The binding block is constructed from a lightweight, flexible yet compressible material so as to not inhibit the natural flexibility characteristics of the ski, while at the same time performing the desirable function of absorbing or dampening ski vibration. In another embodiment of the invention, the binding block is slidably mounted on the ski so as to move relative thereto in response to the flexing of the ski, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the ski and the "feel" thereof by the skier.

Abstract: Polymeric materials which are optically clear and resistant to discoloration are disclosed. In one embodiment, such compositions comprise optically clear, cross-linked polymers derived from a mixture comprising (A) a vinyl-containing polyorganosiloxane component, and (B) an organosilicon component including silicon-bonded hydride groups which react with vinyl groups included in (A) during the polymerization and (C) an effective platinum group metal-containing catalyst component, provided that the mole ratio of vinyl groups to silicon-bonded hydride groups in the mixture is greater than 1.2, preferably greater than about 4 or about 5, and is such that the polymers has a reduced discoloration susceptibility relative to a substantially identical polymer having a mole ratio of vinyl groups to silicon-bonded hydride groups in the precursor mixture equal to 1.2.

Abstract: A hydrogel composition is disclosed which comprises water and a copolymer. In one embodiment, the copolymer is formed by reacting about 85% to about 99% by weight of at least one member selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N,N-diethylacrylamide, N-methyl, N-ethylacrylamide and mixtures thereof; about 1% to about 15% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylates, alkyl methacrylates and mixtures thereof wherein the alkyl group contains 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and a minor, effective amount of at least one cross-linking agent. Such hydrogel compositions are effective as corneal inlays and onlays.

Abstract: Methods for incorporating hydrophilic constituents into silicone polymer materials are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises introducing a hydrophilic component into a cross-linked and/or solid silicone polymeric material, and subjecting the hydrophilic component to conditions effective to immobilize the hydrophilic component or a hydrophilic derivative thereof and form a silicone polymer material including an effective hydrophilic constituent.

Abstract: Tubing circuits systems for delivering humidified respiratory gas to a human or an animal are disclosed. The circuit systems include an inspiratory tubing segment and an expiratory tubing segment joined by a manifold assembly. The inspiratory tubing segment is coupled to a humidifier while the expiratory system is coupled to a conventional ventilator. A single heating element is positioned in both the inspiratory and expiratory tubing segment elements. Temperature sensing elements are located at or near the outlet of the inspiratory tubing segment and at or near the inlet of the inspiratory tubing segment. Preferably, portions of all of the single heating element, and the temperature sensors are held by a single connector. The system is very effective in use, safe and easy to use, and provides a convenient, straight forward and reliable system useful in monitoring and controlling the temperature of respiratory gases being delivered to a patient.

Abstract: New compositions useful as the optics of intraocular lenses, in particular injectable intraocular lenses, are disclosed. In one embodiment, such compositions comprise polymer mixtures derived from the polymerization, for example, cross-linking, of curable components in precursor mixtures. These precursor mixtures comprise curable component comprising: (A) an unsaturation functional (vinyl group-containing) polyorganosiloxane component, (B) an organosilicon component including silicon-bonded hydride groups which react with the unsaturation functional groups included in (A) during the polymerization, and (C) an effective amount of a platinum group metal-containing catalyst component; and a polymer component which is substantially non-functional. The viscosity of the polymer component is greater than the viscosity of the curable component.

Abstract: An everting catheter system which includes an elongated outer catheter having an outer catheter lumen and an opening, an elongated inner catheter movable in the outer catheter lumen and having the inner catheter lumen adapted to receive an elongated instrument and an everting element coupled to the outer catheter and the inner catheter. With movement of the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen, the everting element can be everted through the opening of the outer catheter. A controller is coupled to the inner catheter for moving the inner catheter in the outer catheter lumen and for moving the instrument in the inner catheter lumen.