Abstract: Improved, adaptable tissue-type heart valves and methods for their manufacture are disclosed wherein a dimensionally stable, pre-aligned tissue leaflet subassembly is formed and its peripheral edge clamped between and attached to an upper shaped wireform and a lower support stent. A variety of adaptable structural interfaces including suture rings, flanges, and conduits may be attached to the support stent with or without an outlet conduit disposed about the wireform to provide a tissue-type heart valve adaptable for use in either a natural heart or in mechanical pumping devices. The methods include forming individual leaflets with a template and using the template to attach the leaflets together to form a tissue leaflet subassembly. The template and leaflets include a straight edge terminating in oppositely directed tabs, and a curvilinear cusp edge extending opposite the straight edge.

Abstract: Reduced allergenicity natural rubber latex articles having otherwise normal physical, mechanical, and chemical properties are produced by directly sequestering the antigenic components on one surface of the article followed by inducing the remaining antigenic components of the natural rubber latex to bloom onto and adjacent to the opposed surface of the article prior to treatment with a subsequent screening reagent to sequester the remaining antigenic compounds.

Abstract: Reduced allergenicity natural rubber latex articles having otherwise normal physical, mechanical, and chemical properties are produced by inducing the antigenic components of the natural rubber latex to bloom onto and adjacent to the tissue contacting surface of the article prior to treatment with a screening reagent to sequester the antigenic regions.

Abstract: A self-adjusting linkable carrier for sample tubes, cuvettes, cells and the like comprising a longitudinally symmetrical vertically oriented polygonal body having two pairs of orthogonally disposed opposed vertical faces and a horizontal bottom sliding surface is disclosed. The top surface of the body is provided with a central bore opening into a vertical cavity adapted to releasably receive and retain a wide variety of sample tube configurations in a stable vertical orientation. Machine readable indicia may be provided on the external surface and vertical slots are provided in each external face to provide access to the central vertical cavity. A releasably locking horizontally aligned dovetail feature is provided to link adjacent carriers into conveniently handled racks or magazines which may be assembled and disassembled by machine. Additional horizontally sliding indexing elements are provided to facilitate the stable storage and transport of the carrier.

Abstract: A chemical analyzer (10) includes a fluid dispensing system (46) with a carrier member (18) and fluid dispensing head (72). The carrier member (18) includes a docking fixture (52) and the fluid dispensing head includes a docking receptacle (54). By engagement of the docking fixture and receptacle the carrier member carries the fluid dispensing head to a position above a recess (34) into which fluid is precisely dispensed. The carrier member also returns the fluid dispensing head to a storage location (64) substantially separating the fluids to be dispensed from the environment of the analyzer. When the fluid dispensing head is in its storage location the carrier member may disengage to perform other functions in the analyzer.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a sealed fluent material container having a chamber with an opening provided with a manually operable primary closure mechanism and a secondary closure mechanism that may be operated either manually or automatically. Manual removal of the primary closure mechanism from the chamber opening allows the secondary closure mechanism to extend a laterally moveable tongue from a horizontal guide recess on the top of the container to a normally closed position covering the opening. An engagable tab on the secondary closure permits the retraction of the moveable tongue against the biasing means to expose the chamber opening. The container has particular utility for use in automated chemical dispensers, analyzers and related equipment for the analysis and testing of blood, physiological fluids and other biological samples.

Abstract: A high-speed burst digital time multiplexed data system has N parallel input data paths that are multiplexed onto a serial data path for transmission from a transmitter to a receiver. Serial transmission takes place in a short burst upon command at the transmitter. Data from the serial data path is demultiplexed back into N parallel data paths at the receiver. The entire process is accomplished asynchronously without the aid of a clock or framing signal. In the preferred embodiment, a train of N sampling pulses is generated by two tapped delay lines, one at the transmitter and one at the receiver. The length of each sequential sampling pulse is determined by the tap spacing of the delay line, and the duration of the entire burst process is equal to the total delay of the delay line. A new burst may be initiated at any time after the completion of the previous burst. Thus bursts may follow each other immediately or be arbitrarily spaced to occur whenever data transmission is required.

Abstract: A guidewire extension system is disclosed for connecting an extension wire to a guidewire having a tubular outer body, a guidewire retention element, an extension wire retention element, a guidewire and an extension wire. The guidewire retention element and the extension wire retention element are fixed within the outer body and are preferably helically wound wires which form a right-handed groove and a left-handed groove. The guidewire and the extension wire each have tapered ends and a reduced diameter extension core each having a helically wound wire formed to adhere to the extension core. The guidewire is connected to the extension wire by inserting the extension core of the guidewire into the outer tube and inserting the helically wound wire into the right-handed groove and by inserting the extension core of the extension wire into the outer tube and inserting the helically wound wire into the left-handed groove.

Abstract: A light transmitting catheter includes a tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The tube contains aqueous fluid an interior surface on the tube has an index of refraction less than the index of refraction of water. The proximal end is provided with an adapter for receiving light from a light source associated with the proximal end of the tube and with an adapter for accepting an aqueous fluid to be passed throughout a substantial length of the tube for transmitting light to the distal end of the tube.

Abstract: A blood oxygenator/heat exchanger system includes disposable and durable components, the latter being possible of permanent installation to further reduce costs, inconvenience and risks of use. The system may selectively include a blood pump of axial, centrifugal, or ventricular type, along with an integral venous reservoir. By combination, arrangement and cooperation of structural features blood pumping volume is decreased, advantageous blood flow paths are achieved, blood damage is reduced, and durable components are reusable for lowest costs. The oxygenator/heat exchanger nests upon a durable heat source base to be supported thereby, while redundant boundaries are provided between blood and heat transfer media.

Abstract: An integrated catheter stripper is mounted within a modified Y-connector that is used to seal a catheter on a guide wire. The connector is provided with a stripping port that opens into the central bore of the main body of the connector. A catheter slitter is mounted over the guide wire within the central bore of the main body for slitting the catheter as the catheter slides in the proximal direction along the guide wire within the main body. The split catheter is removed through the stripping port, which can be sealed during an angioplasty operation when the catheter is in use.In non-integrated embodiments of the invention the catheter stripper is separate from the Y-connector and has a main body, a blade mounted in the main body, and an arrangement for aligning the catheter with the blade and for permitting mounting and separation of the blade relative to the catheter only by substantially longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A catheter meter is described for determining spacial parameters such as linear distance in a vessel or other body cavity. The catheter meter includes a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end and a handle for holding the catheter. The catheter further includes a hollow tubular member defining a lumen extending distally of the handle to a catheter tip. A wall in the catheter defines a passageway communicating with the lumen for passing a cylindrical member such as a tube or cable having a length and a tip through the passageway and the lumen so that the tip of the cylindrical member can extend distally of the catheter tip. A measurement gauge at the proximal end of the catheter is provided for measuring the distance from the proximal end of the catheter to the tip of the cylindrical member when the tip has been passed through the catheter passageway and the lumen and beyond the catheter tip.

Abstract: An adjustable catheter contamination shield includes a distal fitting, a proximal fitting and a collapsible shield, disposed between said distal and proximal fittings, for enclosing an adjustable space therebetween and for preventing contact with a portion of the catheter disposed between the distal and proximal fittings. The shield is supported in a collapsed configuration and controlled expansion thereof is provided when the distal and proximal fittings are moved apart from one another, the controlled expansion enabling visual observation through an expanded portion of the collapsible shield when the distal and proximal fittings are moved apart from one another.