Abstract: A coupling system for conduit and pipe for carrying insulated electrical cable, more particularly, a conduit coupling assembly for connecting multiple lengths of conduit in coaxial relationship.

Abstract: An early suppression fast response pendent-type fire protection sprinkler is suitable for use in accordance with one or more of NFPA 13, NFPA 231 and NFPA 231C to protect single row rack storage, double row rack storage and multiple row rack storage, the sprinkler having a K-factor of about 25 and flowing pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch. Preferably, the sprinkler has a body defining an orifice and an outlet for delivering a flow of fluid from a source, and a deflector mounted with a first surface opposed to flow of fluid from the outlet. The deflector defines at least one pair of generally opposed reentrant slots extending from the first surface through the deflector, the reentrant slots extending from slot openings at an outer peripheral edge of the deflector inwardly from the peripheral edge toward a deflector axis.

Abstract: Laser projection system suitable for commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for simultaneously raster scanning multiple lines on screen. Emitting ends of optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more scan lines apart. Use of optical fibers enables scanning of small, high resolution spots on screen, and permits convenient packaging and replacement, upgrading or modification of system components. Simultaneous raster scanning of multiple lines enables higher resolution, brightness, and frame rates with available economical components. Fiber-based beam coupling may be used to greatly enhance the flexibility of the system.

Abstract: A laser projection system preferably for use in commercial motion picture theaters and other large screen venues, including home theater, uses optical fibers to project modulated laser beams for raster scanning on the screen. The emitting ends of the optical fibers are arranged in an array such that red, green and blue spots are simultaneously scanned onto the screen in multiple lines spaced one or more than one scan line apart. The use of optical fibers for laser beam projection eliminates the need to use complex optics, and enables the scanning of small, high resolution spots on the screen. The use of optical fiber also permits convenient packaging and permits replacement, upgrading or modification of the system components. The scanning of multiple lines simultaneously is accomplished by reordering the video signal with a microprocessor controller component to write lines in a sequence after repeated vertical sweeps to form a complete picture.

Abstract: A blood collection device including a sealed area with a soluvated, non-aqueous anticoagulant composition positioned therein. The preferred anticoagulant composition comprises heparin, polyethylene glycol and optionally, deionized water and one or more salts.

Abstract: A curved surgical needle and a method for producing the same from a solid sheet of material rather than from coiled wire including the steps of drilling a bore in one edge of the material, grinding an edge opposite the drilled edge to form a sharpened point, curving the material and cutting the material at a point of equal distance between each drilled bored to provide a surgical needle. A suture is then attached to the surgical needle, optionally lubricated, sterilized, and packaged by suitable means known in the art.

Abstract: A progressive filtration system for a chest drainage unit during continuous autotransfusion that allows the user to clear the fluid pathway of blood clots and trapped air that form after filtration in a flushing action initiated by the user. The filtration system comprises a gross filter for filtering incoming blood at the inlet portion of a collection chamber of a chest drainage unit and a fine filter assembly located at the bottom portion of the collection chamber for refiltering collected blood prior to reinfusion of that blood back to the patient. The filter assembly includes a valve cap at the top portion of the assembly that functions as a one way valve that permits reflux of later developing blood clots that might clog the tubing once the blood has already passed through the assembly. The valve cap is also adapted for sealing engagement with a drop tube that places the filter assembly in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the collection chamber located at the top portion of the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying residual lens epithelial cells. The apparatus includes a probe configured for insertion into the eye between the iris and the lens capsule. The probe is further configured to deliver energy therefrom to residual lens epithelial cells within the lens capsule in order to destroy them. The distal end of the probe is configured to allow a surgeon using the probe to reach all areas within the lens capsule to ensure that no epithelial cells remain alive after use of the probe.

Abstract: A tapered single or multi-lumen catheter having an elongated cylindrical tube for injection and removal of fluid is provided with generally constant or gradually increasing diameter internal lumen or lumens which are connected to a tip portion which may be a conical tapered tip that smoothly merges with the cylindrical surface of the tube so that insertion trauma and the possibility of kinking are minimized. The catheter body is generally formed of proximal and distal portions wherein the proximal portion preferably includes a portion which increases in external diameter in the proximal direction to provide a strain relief for the intersection of the catheter body and the hub member of the catheter.

Abstract: A catheter is disclosed which includes a mechanical connection between the strain relief thereof and the hub. The strain relief operates both to secure the catheter tube to the hub and to provide strain relief for the catheter tube. The strain relief connection is assisted in gripping the catheter tube by intentional overstressing of the catheter hub during manufacture thereof to expand the hub wall and generate residual hoop stresses therein which assist in securing the catheter tube within the hub.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining a catheter tip in a fixed position within a blood flow and preventing it from contacting a blood vessel wall. The apparatus includes a tip retainer at the distal end of the catheter that stabilizes the tip of the catheter relative to the blood vessel. The catheter tip is retained within the blood vessel spaced from the wall to ensure that it does not contact the wall of the blood vessel. This reduces damage to the blood vessel caused by chronic movement and contact between the catheter tip and the wall of the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the tip retainer includes a prong that penetrates the wall of the blood vessel, thus preventing the catheter tip from moving longitudinally within the blood vessel. In alternative embodiments, the tip retainer contacts the wall but does not penetrate the wall.

Abstract: A linear phase high pass filter is disclosed using a slew rate limiter and a linear phase low pass filter in parallel with a delay for removing baseline wander from an ECG signal. The linear phase low pass filter is preferably a digital Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filter. The slew rate limiter preferably includes a clipper and a unit delay. An input ECG signal is simultaneously presented to a slew rate limiter and IIR low pass filter combination and an electronic delay. Thereafter, the outputs from the slew rate limiter and IIR low pass filter combination and the delay are passed to a summer where the output from the slew rate limiter and the low pass filter is subtracted from the output of the delay to produce the output ECG signal representation. The combination of the output from the slew rate limiter and the low pass filter being subtracted from a delayed input signal produces a high pass filter. The resulting high pass filter has a relatively high -3 dB cutoff frequency of about 0.

Abstract: A current sensing module for use with a variable speed AC motor control drive system for use with devices such as treadmills and including a module to sense the current of pulse width modulated signals provided to an AC motor wherein the current sensing module includes a fast sense circuit to sense excessive current conditions in the pulse width modulated signals and a slow sense circuit to sense average current values in excess of desired values over a predetermined period of time to protect the AC motor from damage caused by the increased frictional resistance to the rotation of the walk belt on the treadmill deck as the walk belt and treadmill deck wear out.

Abstract: A port and valve combination and related method of use for accessing the fluid flow within a medical fluid collection system. More specifically, the invention relates to the use of a spike port having a conventional two-way valve disposed therein for use in priming, sampling, aspirating and flushing fluids to and from a blood collection chamber of an autotransfusion system in the absence of a source of suction using a needleless syringe to access the system. The access port includes a Y-site connector having a distal port, proximal port and spike port. A two-way valve is partially disposed within the spike port with the proximal port being connected to and in fluid communication with the interior fluid pathway within the system. A distal opening serves as a receptacle for receiving the luer tip of a syringe in order to implement the related method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction catheter device usable with a respiratory support system which includes a catheter enveloped in a sleeve having a proximal end connector for connection to a suction source through a suction control device such as a suction control valve, and a distal end connector for attachment to a manifold of the respiratory support system. The proximal end connector includes a normally closed valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until a suction control device is attached thereto. The proximal end connector may also be adapted for use on a dual lumen catheter and thereby include a fluid injection passage having a one-way check valve therein. The distal end connector of the suction catheter device includes a magnifying window through which a portion of the catheter within the connector can be viewed.

Abstract: A fluid collection and disposal system which includes a reusable collection unit designed to be cleaned by a servicing unit after use. The servicing unit performs an automatic servicing cycle to remove the collected fluid from the collection unit and prepare it for reuse.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure seal for containers such as syringes or syringes with an attached needle. The seal includes a plurality of slits therein which inhibit removal of the seal from the container once the seal has been placed on the container. The method includes deformation of a portion of the slitted area of the seal in order to strengthen the seal in the area of the slits so as to improve removeability of the seal from its release liner prior to attachment thereof to the container, without inadvertent or premature destruction of the seal.

Abstract: The invention is a method of identifying whether a particular fluid collection cassette is designated to have a particular use, such as posterior surgery or anterior surgery. A reflux bulb attached to a fluid collection cassette has a material disposed on or in said reflux bulb in a predetermined location. When the reflux bulb is disposed on the fluid collection cassette, and the fluid collection cassette inserted into a housing, a sensor attached to the housing senses the existence, or non-existence of the material and sends a signal conveying the information to a main controller.