Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a fluid into the heart and making temperature measurements within the pulmonary artery comprising an elongated flexible tube having a distal end portion, a temperature sensor mounted on the distal end portion, a peripheral wall, at least one lumen extending longitudinally within the tube and an injectate port opening in the peripheral wall proximally of the temperature sensor. The tube can be advanced through a vein, the right atrium and the right ventricle to place the distal end portion in the pulmonary artery and the injectate port in the right atrium facing generally toward the inferior vena cava. The temperature sensor is oriented on the distal end portion so as to materially reduce the likelihood that it will contact the wall of the pulmonary artery during use.

Abstract: An intraocular lens comprising an elongated optic and first and second glare-reducing sections extending along the elongated sides of the optic. The glare-reducing sections are joined to each other and to the optic by a joining section. The joining section is flexible so that the glare-reducing sections can be moved over the optic to reduce the overall dimensions of the intraocular lens for implantation. Fixation members fix the intraocular lens in the eye.

Abstract: A system for measuring first and second fluid pressures within a patient comprising a valve having first and second positions, first and second conduits for providing communication between a fluid source and the valve, a pressure transducer coupled to the first conduit upstream of the valve, and third and fourth conduits for providing communication between the valve and first and second fluid pressures, respectively. When the valve is in the first position, it couples the first conduit to the third conduit, and the second conduit to the fourth conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the first fluid pressure. When the valve is in the second position, it couples the first conduit to the fourth conduit and the second conduit to the third conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the second fluid pressure. In both positions of the valve, fluid flows through the transducer.

Abstract: A speed-loading device comprising a container having an interior chamber and a discharge opening leading from the chamber to the exterior of the container. The container has a storage section in the chamber for storing cartridges in side-by-side relationship and an orienting section in the chamber between the opening and the storage section. The container can be oriented so that the cartridges in the chamber can fall by gravity from the storage section through the orienting section and out through the discharge opening. A removable blocking member blocks the flow of cartridges out through the discharge opening. The orienting section rotates the cartridges as they fall through the orienting section toward the discharge opening so that the cartridges fall end first through the discharge opening.

Abstract: A double-acting vise comprising a supporting structure, a first set of jaws mounted on the supporting structure for movement toward and away from each other, and a second set of jaws mounted on the supporting structure for movement toward and away from each other. All of the jaws move relative to the supporting structure.

Abstract: A liquid-gas bubble separator comrising a container having an inlet for a fluid which includes liquid and gas bubbles, an outlet and upstream and downstream vents. A filter element is provided in the container between the inlet and the outlet. The filter element permits the passage of the liquid and inhibits the passage of the gas bubbles. The filter element is between the upstream and downstream vents so that gas bubbles which do not pass through the filter element can be vented through the upstream vent, and any gas bubbles downstream of the filter element can be vented through the downstream vent. A bypass passage is provided around the filter element. A portion of the filtered fluid is recirculated through the bypass passage to prevent forward flow through the bypass passage when the filter element is clean, and such recirculating flow is terminated when the filter is clogged to a predetermined degree to thereby open the bypass passage for forward flow.

Abstract: A filter material comprising hydrophobic filter media treated with a wetting agent which consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of polysobate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80. The wetting agent is applied by dissolving it in a solvent and spraying the resulting solution onto the filter media.

Abstract: A sprinkler includes a housing with an inlet port through which to supply a flow of liquid to the housing interior and a stem disposed at least partially within the interior of the housing for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. A piston disposed within the interior of the housing responds to the flow of liquid to move the stem from the retracted position to the extended position. The stem defines a passageway extending from a lower portion of the stem to an upper portion of the stem, and the lower portion of the stem defines an opening through which the flow of liquid can pass from the interior of the housing into the passageway. A valve element moveably mounted on the stem at least partially blocks the opening, and a shaft rotatably mounted on the housing extends to a position outside of the interior of the housing.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprising a frame which includes outer and inner bands and a plurality of wire-like members interlocked with the bands and forming the tip portions of commissure supports. The bands are covered with outer and inner jackets, and valve leaflets are attached to the frame and extend over a distal edge of the bands. The ends of the jackets form flexible, resilient fingers which extend between the distal edge and the valve leaflets to shield the valve leaflets from the distal edge.

Abstract: A pump comprising an elongated housing adapted to be positioned in a landfill gas well. The housing has a peripheral wall, an interior chamber and apertures in the peripheral wall leading from the exterior of the housing to the chamber so that liquid can flow from the well into the chamber. A pressure responsive valve member is mounted in the chamber on the peripheral wall and extends across the apertures. A discharge conduit extends from the chamber to a location above the housing. When the liquid level in the chamber rises to a predetermined upper level, gas under pressure is supplied to the chamber. The gas under pressure causes the pressure responsive valve member to close the apertures and it forces the liquid out of the chamber through the discharge conduit.

Abstract: A potable water filter comprising a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets, a tube in the housing having a peripheral wall, a passage extending through the tube, and an opening in the peripheral wall leading to the passage, a tubular pleated filter element surrounding the tube and a carbon filter element within the tube. Some of the water from the inlet flows through the tubular filter element and the carbon filter element to the second outlet. Another portion of the water from the inlet flows along the tubular filter element to flush the tubular filter element and then flows out the first outlet.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a base and a reel rotatably mounted on the base. An elongated flexible member which is to be dispensed is wound on the reel, and a housing is provided for the reel and the flexible member. Interlocking members on the reel and the housing hold the reel against rotation in any direction in the housing until the housing is removed from the base. The reel has first and second sets of radially extending fingers at the periphery of the reel, with the first set of fingers being inclined relative to the second set of fingers. The flexible member is wound on the reel between the first and second sets of fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a connector body, an optical fiber mounted on the connector body and a receptacle having a cavity for receiving the connector body. The connector body has a cam surface, and the receptacle cooperates with the cam surface when the receptacle and connector body are appropriately positioned to urge the connector body upwardly and farther into the cavity to place optical portions of the connector body and the receptacle into substantial engagement.

Abstract: An electrosurgical meniscal cutting device including an elongated probe adapted for insertion into an incision and first and second electrode supports carried by the probe. The electrode supports are movable relative to each other to vary the spacing between them. A variable length electrode extends between the electrode supports so that the length of the electrode can be varied by varying the spacing between the electrode supports. The spacing between the electrode support is controlled to control the length of the electrode.

Abstract: An intraocular lens for implantation within the eye comprising an optic having an optical axis, concave anterior and posterior faces and an interior gas-filled chamber. The chamber has concave forward and rear surfaces which extend transverse to the optical axis. A fixation member fixes the optic within the eye. The optic and fixation member are both constructed of a soft, deformable material.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a label strip or the like which includes an elongated web and a plurality of labels with the labels being on the web and being separated by a gap. The label strip is moved through a label sensing station, and light is directed toward the label strip at the label sensing station so that the light impinges sequentially on the labels and the web in the gaps. The light is directed against the label strip at an acute angle of incidence which is sufficiently small so that an optical signal is reflected from the web in the gap at the sensing station. The optical signal is detected to indicate the presence of the gap at the sensing station. A barrier cooperates with the labels to block light other than the optical signal from being conducted from the light source to the detector.

Abstract: An assembly comprising an intraocular lens and a lens case. The intraocular lens includes an optic and at least one fixation member attached to the optic, with the fixation member having a desired configuration. The lens case has an optic cavity for receiving the optic and a fixation member cavity for holding the fixation member in substantially the desired configuration.

Abstract: A ratio pump for delivering first and second liquid beverage components in a desired ratio comprising a motor and a pump driven by the motor. The first beverage component is pressurized and is used as the driving fluid for the motor. The second beverage component is pumped by the pump. The first beverage component is exhausted from the motor and delivered along with a second beverage component delivered by the pump. The motor, which may include a piston, requires a predetermined amount of the first beverage component in order to drive the pump to deliver a known volume of the second beverage component.