Abstract: A bubble free, self-priming IV set for use in the administration of liquids includes a coupling assembly for attaching the delivery system to a source of liquid and includes a coupling membrane for controlling the flow of liquid and air through the coupling assembly. The system also includes a drip chamber for receiving liquid through the coupling assembly, the drip chamber having a membrane for preventing air from leaving the drip chamber. A self leveling port is disposed within a wall of the drip chamber, the port being permeable to air, but impermeable to liquid. Finally, a patient conduit is in fluid communication with the drip chamber and further comprises a flow control plug disposed at the distal end of the conduit. The flow control plug is permeable to air but impermeable to liquid. Use of this system allows a clinician to attach a source of fluid to a patient without significant intervention, while the system self primes.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Abstract: A catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system is disclosed herein. The invention includes a generally hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is affixed to the distal end of the needle hub and is aligned to extend through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. The needle extends through a catheter hub and catheter affixed to the catheter hub. A spring is disposed in the barrel lumen to cooperate with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch actuator is releasably engaged with the catheter hub.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing defining proximal and distal ends and including a reseal member disposed therein. The reseal member has an elastically openable and closable aperture formed therein, and normally resides within the housing in a closed position wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to an open position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration. The removal of the distally directed pressure from the reseal member will cause it to resiliently return to the closed position wherein the aperture assumes the closed configuration.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming a feature on a needle. In particular, a hollow, metal cannula has a first end, a second end and a substantially constant outer diameter extending over at least a portion of its length. An annular metal sleeve is provided that has a proximal shoulder and a distal shoulder. The length of the annular sleeve is less than the length of the constant diameter portion of the cannula. The sleeve has an inner diameter approximately equal to or less than the outer diameter of the constant diameter portion of the cannula. Two edges extend axially along the length of the sleeve, from the proximal shoulder to the distal shoulder, thereby defining a slit. The sleeve is positioned on the cannula at the constant outer diameter portion in an interference fit. An additional mechanical junction may be provided to secure the sleeve to the cannula.

Abstract: A combination cantilever push tab and finger rest is associated with the needle shield and extends distally from the distal end of the needle shield. The cantilever push tab and finger rest includes a cantilever portion that extends distally from the needle shield, preferably from an exterior surface of the needle shield, and an upstanding tab portion at the distal end of the cantilever portion. This configuration causes the upstanding tab to extend over the proximal portion of the catheter adapter and allows a clinician to insert a catheter using virtually any clinically acceptable technique for inserting a catheter into a patient.

Abstract: An applicator having a substantially hollow body for accommodating an ampoule of solution. The hollow body comprises an open proximal end for receiving the ampoule and an open distal end having a flange to accept an applicator pad for applying the solution. A back plug having a lever mechanism is inserted into the open proximal end of the applicator to activate the applicator and seal the applicator after activation. Advancement of the back plug lever mechanism into the hollow body pivots the body of the ampoule to break the neck, activatiug the applicator. The back plug seals the proximal end after activation of the applicator.

Abstract: A needleless luer access connector is disclosed having a septum disposed in a housing. The septum has a proximal portion with a cross section, a medial portion with a cross section smaller than the cross section of the proximal portion, and a distal portion. A longitudinal slit extends through the septum from the proximal portion to the distal portion. The septum and housing are designed so that septum will not be rotated or removed from the housing when the connector is accessed by a male luer taper. In addition, the septum and housing are designed to bias the slit at the distal portion closed and so a male luer connector does not have to extend completely through the distal portion to open the slit at the distal portion. Finally, the septum and housing are designed to minimize the amount of dead space in the connector when accessed with a male luer taper.

Abstract: A solution of the present invention useful for flushing an intravascular catheter includes a pharmacologically acceptable solium salt, a pharmacologically acceptable calcium salt, a pharmacologically acceptable potassium salt and about one milligram per milliliter polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride in an aqueous admixture. Additionally, the solution of the invention may also contain a pharmacologically acceptable salt of lactic acid.

Abstract: A method and system for responding to security system inoperability due to damage of a telecommunications line interconnecting the security system to its central monitoring service system requires origination of a wireless telephone call. A wireless unit is interconnected to the security system and originates an emergency call upon detection of telecommunications line abnormalities. Upon establishing a call connection between the wireless unit and the central monitoring service system, the wireless unit relays dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals which identify the security system affected by the breach so that appropriate authorities may be dispatched. In alternative embodiments, the wireless unit is programmed to place calls to other designated telephone numbers.

Abstract: The system of the invention passes wireless caller location information through the common channel signaling network (CCSN) to the PSAP such that the PSAP can provide enhanced emergency services. The caller location information such as the latitude and longitude of the wireless device or the cell and cell sector from which a call is made is encoded in the ISUP (ISDN User Part) of the call set up message over the CCSN. The public switched network routes the call based on the called party number (CDPN) parameter to the appropriate selective router and the selective router routes the call to the appropriate PSAP based on the caller location. The caller location information is transmitted over an ISDN interface to the PSAP. The PSAP can then access additional caller information based on the CDPN parameter to provide enhanced emergency services. Thus, the system of the invention allows enhanced 9-1-1 service to be provided in wireless systems while utilizing existing wireless infrastructure and protocols.

Abstract: An arrangement for routing the possibility of switching telephone users to another preferred carrier without the intent of the telephone user. When a record has been made in a data base indicating a change of preferred carrier, the telephone user is provided with an announcement indicating the change when the user makes a toll call. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the user simply is informed and if the user wants to undo the change the user contacts the local carrier. In accordance with another embodiment the user is provided with a validation code and must enter the validation code in order to effect the change of carriers. In accordance with another embodiment the user is provided with a number of options including the keying of a request to effect the change of carrier, or cancel the change of carrier. Advantageously, users are informed of a change of carrier before they make any calls using the new carrier and before they receive any telephone bills identifying the change.

Abstract: A method for efficiently acquiring and releasing a shared locking mechanism in a multiprocessor environment comprises updating variables associated with the locking mechanism and variables associated with processors seeking to acquire the lock. If the lock is currently occupied, a processor waits in accordance with information initialized in a spin variable associated with the processor. Upon releasing the lock, a relinquishing processor determines whether there are other processors waiting to acquire the lock. If other processors are waiting to acquire the lock, the relinquishing processor alters a successor variable associated with the waiting processor in the waiting processor's local shared memory so that the lock mechanism can be passed on and a first-in and first-out behavior of a waiting queue can be maintained.

Abstract: A method and system for providing redundancy for security systems served by the public switched telephone network (PSTN) includes a cable modem interconnected to a security system controller. Upon detection of inoperability of a telecommunications line serving the system via the PSTN, the cable modem extends an alert message to a security monitoring service via a packet data network. Advantageously, the cable modem can also send video images and audio from the secured premises to the security monitoring system due to the bandwidth capabilities of the packet data network.

Abstract: A method for prohibiting the continual routing of signaling messages among independent signaling networks requires including signature data in a called party identification field of each signaling message. Subsequent receipt of a signaling message in which the signature data in the called party identification field is recognized as being indigenous to the signaling network results in discarding the signaling message.

Abstract: A method for automatically billing multiple calling card accounts during a single call by an operator services system (OSS) is disclosed. Multiple calling card account numbers received in the OSS are validated and a maximum call duration is determined. Prior to balance depletion of all calling card accounts initially provided by the caller, the caller is notified of forthcoming balance depletion and subsequently given the option to bill the same call to other calling card accounts. While the caller is making alternate billing arrangements, network resources are held. After a predetermined amount of time, if no other billing arrangements have been made, the call is disconnected and the network resources are released.

Abstract: A portable thermal testing system includes a portable thermal chamber box for attaching to a stationary object. A tested device is inserted through an aperture in the portable thermal chamber box and sealed from the external environment via sliding doors. Temperature-controlled air is circulated through the portable thermal chamber box and a baffle provides equal distribution of the air over the tested device. An aperture is provided for attaching a test probe to the device under test.

Abstract: An intelligent mobile terminal includes a reconnection processor for reestablishing calls affected by a loss of synchronization of signals between the mobile terminal and a serving base station. In the preferred embodiment, the serving base station establishes a reconnection channel for issuing messages relating to new air traffic channels. The reconnection processor causes a mobile terminal to tune to the reconnection channel in the event of loss of synchronization. Information received over the reconnection channel is used by the mobile terminal to reestablish calls affected by loss of synchronization.

Abstract: A method for implementing all blocking controls in a telecommunications system supporting ported directory numbers comprises initializing each switch with a call blocking control. In the preferred embodiment, ported directory numbers are identified, and a number portability data base is accessed to aid in determining whether the call blocking control applies to the ported directory number. If the ported directory number is not subject to the implemented call blocking control, the ported directory number is exempted.

Abstract: A needle and a cover with a needle having an elongate shank and a tip with a sharpened point. The cover is coaxially associated with the elongate shank for movement therealong toward the tip and includes a part for extending beyond the sharpened point when the cover is positioned near the tip. A lock associated with the needle and cover cooperates with and holds the cover to prevent axial movement relative to the needle tip after positioning the cover near the tip. A retaining member on the adapter and on the cover releasably attach the cover to the adapter while on the elongate shank of the needle allowing the needle and cover to be disengaged from the catheter and adapter after placement.