Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A guide wire feeding device for operation by a single hand of a physician is disclosed. The device includes an elastic locking ring which allows the guide wire to be fixed in relative position with the feeding device if desired.

Abstract: A tamper-evident closure seal for containers such as syringes or syringes with an attached needle or the like is disclosed. The seal includes a plurality of slits therein which inhibit removal of the seal from the container once the seal has been placed thereon. The invention includes a method of manufacturing the seal which 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: An elongate catheter having one or more lumens therein and at least one lumen in flow communication with a side opening in the sidewall of the catheter wherein the side opening includes at least a first side which is oriented diagonally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the catheter and the first side intersects the septum of the catheter to form a side opening wherein the size of the area of the opening is maximized.

Abstract: A high speed deceleration device and method is disclosed that operates on a D.C. speed-change motor used to change the transmission configurations on the transmission of a treadmill powered by a constant speed drive motor. In ordinary use, normal transmission acceleration and deceleration rates are used to speed up or slow down the treadmill belt. A deceleration control signal causes a high voltage to be provided to the D.C. speed-change motor. The high voltage causes the D.C. speed-change motor to rapidly change the transmission configurations on the treadmill which causes a rapid deceleration of the treadmill belt. The deceleration control signal is produced in response to a user direction or in response to the condition of the treadmill. Once the belt has been slowed below a threshold speed, the machine shuts itself off.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A medical electrode and skin preparation device is adapted to be secured to the skin of a patient and is designed to prepare the skin by abrasion or penetration of the epidermal layer of the skin in contact with the conductive means of the electrode after the electrode is secured in place on the skin. The electrode includes a penetrating device associated with a conductor capable of transmitting biopotential events for recording, with the conductor being retained by an adhesive member which secures the electrode to the skin of the patient. The penetration device in contact with the skin is movable relative to the skin of the patient and a holder by an applicator gun to abrade or penetrate the epidermal layer of skin after the electrode is placed on the skin. Uniform skin preparation is achieved by a flexible screen member and an electrolyte gel reservoir on the electrode and an applicator gun which minimizes motion artifacts arising from skin potential variations.

Abstract: A process and method for preventing a separated material from interfering with the portion of a fluid to be sampled for use in a serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes a member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a combination thereof to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different from the specific gravity of the lighter phase. The process may also include a member which physically separates the separated material from the fluid to be sampled to allow the user to obtain an uncontaminated fluid sample.

Abstract: An elongated catheter formed with multiple lumens from coextruded or other materials such that the inner surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter may include a higher durometer than the outer surface of the extension members or body portion of the catheter to reduce septum deflection during normal use, and the likelihood of tearing or sticking of the extension members is reduced and the catheter includes a pair of generally cylindrical lumens and the catheter preferably includes a third lumen which is substantially smaller than the first two lumens and the cross sectional area of the lumens of the catheter are maximized with the septums of the catheter being oriented to maximize the flow of fluids through the catheter.

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: The invention relates to a respiratory support system (10) which includes a suction catheter device (41), a suction control valve (36), and a ventilator manifold (11). The ventilator (11) includes an access port (15) for attachment and detachment of the suction catheter device (41) thereto without interruption of continuous respiratory support of the patient. The access port (15) has a normally closed valve (16) therein which remains closed regardless of the pressure changes within the manifold (11). The normally closed valve (16) is positioned in the port (15) such that placement of a specially designed connector (40) of the suctioning device (41) therein forces the normally closed valve (16) to an open position, The manifold (11) and valve (16) are adapted to allow cleaning of the catheter (54) therethrough without detachment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stop-cock valve useable in conjunction with a fluid delivery set for delivering fluids such as intravenous fluids or enteral fluids from one or more containers to a patient. The valve includes a shear-away interference member which holds the valve in a closed position prior to use in order to prevent accidental premature free flow of fluid therethrough. The valve also includes a venting passage for allowing access of sterilization gas into all fluid flow passages of the valve even when the valve stem is rotated to a closed position.

Abstract: A resilient treadmill deck having a plurality of rigid and elastomeric spacers interconnecting the deck of treadmill with a pair of side members that form the frame of the treadmill to dampen the noise and vibration caused by the operation of the treadmill as well as to dampen the noise created by the user of the treadmill while providing a resilient surface for the user of the treadmill.

Abstract: A medical device is coated with a solution of TDMAC heparin and then allowed to air dry. Thereafter, the coated medical device is exposed to gamma ray radiation. The gamma radiation strengthens the bond of the TDMAC to the material of the medical device. In a variation of this method, TDMAC heparin coated and gamma ray irradiated medical device is heated for an extended period of time. This heating has been found to further strengthen the bond of the TDMAC heparin to the medical device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sputum trap for an aspiration a respiratory support system which includes a sleeved suction catheter device, a suction control valve, and a ventilator manifold. The sputum trap allows collection of sputum directly from a patient through a suction catheter without causing a loss of PEEP in the respiratory support system. The sleeved suction catheter device includes a sputum trap/suction control valve end connector having a valve therein which prevents air flow through the catheter until the sputum trap or suction control valve is attached thereto. The manifold includes a one-way check valve which is opened upon insertion of the manifold end connector of the sleeved suction catheter therein. The suction control valve includes an actuator which is linearly movable between a first position in which suction therethrough is prevented, to a second position in which the valve is open to suction therethrough.

Abstract: A Holter-type recorder unit for use with an ambulatory ECG recording system is described. The invention features real-time beat differentiation, including ST analysis and paced beat analysis of two or three channel sampled electrocardiogram data. The invention also features real-time coding of beat morphology and summary information on cassette tape. Further, summary information for an entire analysis can be compiled and reverse recorded onto the cassette tape at the end of the analysis to allow downloading thereof into an ECG scanner while the cassette is being rewound.

Abstract: A suction catheter is disclosed having a tubular, bellowed flexible proximal or patient contacting end creating a rigidity to not permit bending and twisting during the catheter's insertion and operation, a flexibility to prevent injuring a patient's trachea or bronchial tube and having a good suction efficiency. A lumen leads to openings in the catheter made at the bellowed proximal end that fluidly connects the lumen with the exterior of the catheter.

Abstract: A drop detector circuit and method are provided for a drop detector of the type including a drop chamber and a light emitter and corresponding detector located on opposite sides of the drop chamber. The detector is saturated by light emitted from the light emitter to produce a saturated detector output signal. The detector circuit senses variations in the detector output signal caused by drops passing through the drop chamber between the emitter and detector that block light emitted by the emitter from reaching the detector. The detector circuit senses the slope of the variations in the detector output signal and produces a control signal when the slope exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A device for sealing incisions in the body of a patient wherein the device includes a bioabsorbable sealing member having an elongate shaft member and an elastomeric and flexible balloon member. The device may also include a preformed or injectable collagenous material associated therewith to hemostatically seal the incision in the body of the patient. The shaft member may include one or more lumens extending therethrough in flow communication with one or more balloon members thereon to provide a relatively simple device which effectively seals an incision in the body of a patient.

Abstract: A safety dental syringe of the type adapted to receive a medication cartridge therein but having a protective needle shield thereon which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the needle shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is attached to the distal end of the dental syringe to selectively engage a key on the needle shield as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The needle shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the dental syringe to lock the needle shield in the locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the needle shield to retain the needle shield in the locked and extended position.