Abstract: A liquid sample needle assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing with a sample receiving chamber having translucent or transparent walls for determining whether access to the sample source in question has been obtained. The invention utilizes a highly absorbent material in a form which allows venting of gases displaced from the housing chamber by the liquid sample being obtained, which material expands upon contact with the liquid sample to provide a liquid impervious barrier. The absorbent material is in a separate sleeve-like form of a compacted tablet sleeve for rapid and easy insertion between the two hub parts forming the assembly housing. The improvement in this invention includes the use of an integral tapered post for seating the tablet to maintain it precisely concentric in the housing and on the post for causing each increment of the tablet to respond equally to an introduced sample.

Abstract: Soft, non-blocking, thermoplastic polyurethanes are prepared by reacting a long chain polyester or polyether diol, a short chain diol, a diisocyanate and a silicone diol of the formula: ##STR1## wherein x has a value of about 1 to 30, y has a value of about 1 to 200, R is an alkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a haloalkyl group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group, or a phenylalkyl group, and V and W are divalent linking groups. A unique feature of the invention is that the polymers exhibit, less blocking, are less susceptible to hydrolysis and are highly transparent. These polyurethanes are particularly useful in fabricating medical tubing.

Abstract: A closure is provided comprised of a thin flexible material for use on a needle disposal container so that a contaminated blood collection needle may be removed from its holder and deposited in the container without the user touching the needle or the needle hub. The device includes an elongated tapered opening to accommodate varying diameters of needle hubs. A feature of the invention includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated slots extending from each side of the opening which enhances the flexibility of the edges of the opening, which, in turn increases the wedging or wrench-grip action for unscrewing a needle from a collection assembly and at the same time allows ready transfer to a disposal container. The cap of the invention is configured to be utilized with a large variety of collection containers of varying sizes and shapes.

Abstract: An improved abrasion and cut resistant surface is provided for work gloves, work shoes and like wearing apparel. The surface of the invention provides a porous surface particularly useful in work environments where it is necessary for a workman to use gloves, but which gloves are breathable and have moisture absorbing properties. The surface of the invention is a foam surface laminated to a substrate. The foam, prior to lamination, may be foamed with varying amounts of air depending upon the degree of abrasion resistance required. The foaming may be by mechanical or chemical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing silicon diaphragm pressure transducers, and to pressure transducers so produced, which will operate in high temperature applications above 150.degree. C. by properly insulating the strain gauges from the diaphragm. This is achieved by utilizing two properly oriented silicon wafers which are joined together by a two-step diffusion technique, which includes the diffusion bonding of one boron doped wafer surface into the other wafer surface previously oxide coated, at greatly reduced pressures and temperatures than heretofore used. This simultaneous diffusion takes place because of prior contouring or the forming of relief channels into one of the bonded surfaces, and because only one joined surface is oxide coated, thus reducing process times substantially. That is, there is a continuous diffusion of boron into the boron oxide coated surface resulting in a boron rich layer of great uniformity.

Abstract: An improved multi-purpose blood diluent is provided which is isotonic, with a neutral pH for avoiding cell volume change. The diluent of the invention provides balance between the effects on cell volume of a preservative for the solution, and the effects of a surfactant. The diluent of the invention is particularly useful as a carrier for blood samples in instruments which automatically provide medical diagnostic determinations of blood samples. The diluent herein includes conventional sodium and potassium chlorides as electrolytes, pH buffers, such as monobasic and dibasic phosphate, and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid to control and chelate the divalent cations. The balanced preservative-surfactant combination may include, for example, 2-phenoxyethanol with certain ethylene oxide-polypropylene glycol condensation products.

Abstract: This invention relates to a modular electronic unit which provides a combined switching and display function for controlling equipment of all kinds. The unit may be used alone to control equipment as desired, or several such units may be combined to control several pieces of equipment with a single master unit, including a microcontroller which controls the master unit, plus several slave units. The unit of the invention uses a microcontroller in combination with a non-volatile random access memory to provide fully programmable switching codes and display messages. The unit of the invention may be included in new equipment or as a retrofit for existing equipment.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the controlled simultaneous dispensing of several fine powders into microcontainers which containers are used subsequently for clinical determinations. The method includes sifting the fine powders individually to render the individual particles of each powder to be the same size, and then combining them for the subsequent dispensing procedures. The method contemplates, in addition, the reduction of the individual particles of some powders to provide the equal size requirements, before combining with one or more other powders for the subsequent controlled dispensing procedures.

Abstract: A manometer is provided for metering samples of fluid flowing in devices wherein particle concentration in the fluid is being counted or measured. Such devices include particle counters for determining blood cell concentration in body fluid. The device includes low permeable stretchable diaphragms in the device connections for containing the mercury therein, and a slide valve in the vent connection to restrict the movement of the mercury during storage or shipment. The arrangement herein includes, also, a one-way valve downstream of the "stop" point to stop flow substantially immediately upon the cessation of the measurement interval to reduce unwanted airflow to the counting aperture. A start and stop arrangement in the mercury flow path for causing the leading edge of the mercury meniscus at the axis thereof to engage the electrode contacts includes simple wire tips extending into the mercury flow path to the axis thereof for engaging the axis of the mercury meniscus.