Abstract: A universal fitting for a receptacle into which an inoculum may be introduced or withdrawn for subsequent examination includes a body portion with a needle for introducing the inoculum into a receptacle or for withdrawing the inoculum from the receptacle. An annular skirt extends from the body portion for positioning over a liquid entry portion of the receptacle. The skirt has an internal surface and a plurality of ribs thereon projecting radially inwardly. These ribs are adapted to engage the entry portion of the receptacle for substantially centering the fitting on and securely gripping the fitting to the receptacle during introduction or withdrawal of the inoculum.

Abstract: A universal fitting for a receptacle into which an inoculum may be introduced or withdrawn for subsequent examination includes a body portion with a needle for introducing the inoculum into a receptacle or for withdrawing the inoculum from the receptacle. An annular skirt extends from the body portion for positioning over a liquid entry portion of the receptacle. The skirt has an internal surface and a plurality of ribs thereon projecting radially inwardly. These ribs are adapted to engage the entry portion of the receptacle for substantially centering the fitting on and securely gripping the fitting to the receptacle during introduction or withdrawal of the inoculum.

Abstract: A biosensor device for detecting electrolytes in liquid samples includes a capillary tube having a lumen extending therethrough. This lumen receives and retains liquid to be sampled for electrolytes. A tube holder is engaged at one end of the tube. This tube holder includes a bore therethrough in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube. A biosensor is positioned within the lumen of the tube. The biosensor is capable of generating an electrical signal responsive to the presence of one or more electrolytes in the liquid sample. Electrical contact elements are associated with the biosensor for measuring the electrical signal for the detection of electrolytes in the sample.

Abstract: A medical device includes a barrel with proximal and distal ends. A needle extends from the distal end of the barrel and terminates in a point. A shield is coaxially and rotationally mounted on the barrel. This shield is axially movable between a retracted position in which the needle point is exposed and an extended position in which the needle point is covered. The device includes locking elements associated with the barrel and the shield. These locking elements are responsive to a combined rotational and axially distal movement of the shield, when the shield is at an extended and unlocked position, for locking the shield on the barrel at the extended position. These locking elements prevent subsequent rotational and axial movement of the shield on the barrel.

Abstract: A syringe pump comprises a housing and a retainer mounted thereon for receiving a syringe. The syringe to be received is of the type including a barrel for holding liquid medication and a plunger movably positioned in the barrel for expelling the liquid medication therefrom. A driver is movably mounted on the housing for engagement with the plunger and for pushing the plunger into the barrel to thereby force the liquid medication out of the barrel. A control mechanism within the housing regulates the movement of the driver against the plunger. This thereby regulates delivery of the liquid medication from the barrel. Depressible actuation buttons or switches are mounted on the housing for manual access by a user. These switches are associated with the control mechanism to permit the user to select one or more functions under which the control mechanism is to operate. The actuation switches include an electrically conductive material positioned to contact the control mechanism when depressed by the user.

Abstract: An intravascular prosthesis comprises a lining rolled upon itself around an axis so that it is introducible into a vascular lumen. An inflatable channel is included for unrolling the lining when the prosthesis is positioned within the lumen so that the lining may engage the vascular wall to provide support therefor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the measurement of fluid flow through a conduit comprises determining, from one or more measuring elements, a first value related to the velocity of fluid flowing through the conduit. A second value, related to the temperature of fluid ambient to the conduit, is also determined. The method further includes establishing a third value related to the physical configuration of the measuring means. The first, second and third values are then used to calculate a power dissipation factor of the measuring means to be used in calculating a velocity indication which substantially eliminates errors due to changes in ambient temperature and caused by velocity cooling within the conduit.

Abstract: An air bubble sensor device comprises a sensor block and a recess in the block for receiving a hollow tube through which liquid flows. The tube has an interior surface and an exterior surface. A light source is arranged in the block to direct light at the tube when placed in the recess. This arrangement permits light rays to strike the interior surface at an angle with respect to the normal of the interior surface. A light detector is arranged in the block to receive a light reflected at the interior surface when an air bubble is present in the tube. The light detector is positioned to receive substantially no light refracted at the interior surface when liquid is present in the tube. A mechanism is provided for taking the light received by the detector to produce a signal for indicating the presence of an air bubble in the tube. A method for detecting the presence of an air bubble in liquid is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: The method involves displaying at least three different parameters of particle-related data in multiple two-parameter data fields on a screen for viewing by a user. A position variable cursor is applied to any two-parameter data field and a region of data events is created within the data field by the cursor. Data events in the created region are linked and corresponding data events, defined by all other parameter data fields displayed on the screen, are then located. This method includes visually differentiating the data events in the other data fields which correspond to the data events in the created region of the first data field. This differentiation permits the user to identify these same data events on all of the two-parameter data fields to thereby facilitate visual exploratory data analysis.

Abstract: A medication infusion device comprises a retainer for holding a medication-containing receptacle of the type which is actuatable to expel the contents of medication therefrom. A sensor is included for sensing a characteristic related to the amount of medication within the receptacle. A timing device allows the selection of the period of time over which the contents of the receptacle are to be expelled. A control mechanism, associated with the sensor and the timing device, actuates the receptacle to expel its contents at a controlled rate over the selected period of time.

Abstract: A housing for a particle flow-through apparatus comprises a body member having a passageway therethrough including a region through which substantially one particle at a time may pass in a normal direction of flow. An operative plunger is positioned in the passageway so that the plunger is depressible into the passageway. Depression of the plunger creates increased pressure in the passageway for dislodging clogged particles or debris from the region in a direction reverse to the normal direction of particle flow.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a flexible tube having a liquid-receiving lumen therethrough. The tube has a proximal end for receiving liquid into the lumen and has a closed, but penetrable, distal end. The catheter assembly also comprises an adapter which includes a body operatively, but preferably removably, positioned on the distal end of the tube. A hollow cannula is mounted in and supported by an air purging element, so that the cannula extends through a passageway in the body and through the distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the lumen. The cannula provides a path to the outside environment for purging air from the lumen as liquid is introduced into the lumen. The distal end is sealable to retain liquid within the lumen after the air purging member is removed from the tube.

Abstract: A method for determining one or more characteristics of particles using multiple fluorescence analysis comprises directing an incident light beam at the particles under analysis. The particles include at least three fluorescent markers each having different emission spectra. The incident light beam causes the excitation of the markers by light at a single wavelength whereby different wavelengths of fluorescence are emitted from the particles. Different fluorescence emissions associated with the particles under analysis are simultaneously detected. This method further includes associating the detected fluorescence with one or more characteristics of the particles. An apparatus is also part of the present invention for carrying out the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the surface of a formed plastic article comprises creating an ionized field and causing air to flow through the field. A formed plastic article is moved through the field and the airflow so that the ionized field circumscribes the peripheral surface of the article to cause the molecular structure of the surface of the article to be modified. Articles made in accordance with the above method also fall within the purview of the invention.

Abstract: A method of distinguishing multiple subpopulations of cells from a single sample of cells of a variety of types comprises labeling particles with two or more marking agents. These particles are marked in a plurality of different pre-selected ratios of the agents ranging between zero percent and one hundred percent of each agent. Each such agent has distinguishing, quantifiable marking characteristics. The differently labeled particles are mixed with cells suspected of having specific receptors for the differently labeled particles. Each cell is analyzed to determine the ratio of any two identifiable marking characteristics associated with each cell so that is can be classified in a subpopulation category if its ratio of marking characteristics is related to one of the pre-selected ratios of marking agents.An apparatus for carrying out the above-described method is also within the purview of the present invention.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a flexible tube having a liquid-receiving lumen therethrough. The tube has a proximal end for receiving liquid into the lumen and has a closed, but penetrable, distal end. The catheter assembly also comprises an air purging member including a body operatively, but preferably removably, positioned on the distal end of the tube. A hollow cannula extends through the distal end of the tube in fluid communication with the lumen. The cannula provides a path to the outside environment for purging air from the lumen as liquid is introduced into the lumen. The distal end is sealable to retain liquid within the lumen after the air purging member is removed from the tube.

Abstract: A dual laser excitation apparatus comprises a first laser for providing a first beam of light with a plurality of energy lines. A filter or wavelength disperser is included for dividing the first beam of light into two portions. One of these portions of the light beam is spectrally separated and at least one separated line is directed to a first area of illumination. A second laser is positioned to receive the other portion of the divided light beam and is adapted to be energized thereby. The second laser produces a second beam of light directed to a second area of illumination. Such a dual laser excitation apparatus is well suited for flow cytometry purposes.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an instrument for using that instrument to obtain at least one light-related signal from particles under analysis comprises directing an incident beam of light at calibration particles having one or more known characteristics related to the particles expected to be analyzed. Both a light signal and a noise signal from the calibration particles are detected. A measurement is made of the ratio of the detected light signal to the detected noise signal, and that measurement is reported. The measured ratio is then compared to a predetermined ratio which represents a threshold for minimum instrument performance. This method further includes adjusting, if the predetermined ratio has not been attained, the operation of the instrument, while the calibration particles are within the incident beam of light, until the measured ratio reaches the predetermined ratio whereby the instrument is calibrated for subsequently obtaining the light signal from particles to be analyzed.

Abstract: An intravascular prosthesis comprises a lining rolled upon itself around an axis so that it is introducible into a vascular lumen. An inflatable channel is included for unrolling the lining when the prosthesis is positioned within the lumen so that the lining may engage the vascular wall to provide support therefor. An occlusion member is provided for occluding the vascular lumen, when the lining is unrolled, by preventing blood from passing through the prosthesis.

Abstract: A mercury arc lamp comprises a glass envelope including a center portion. A cathode and an anode are sealed within the envelope. The internal ends of the cathode and the anode lie in close proximity to each other within the center portion of the envelope. Electrically conductive positive and negative contacts are connected to the anode and the cathode, respectively. The interior of the envelope contains mercury and cadmium to be vaporized during operation of the lamp. A pair of reflective coatings is around the envelope. Each coating is located near an internal end of the cathode and the anode, respectively, with a space between the coatings so that the arc between the cathode and the anode is adapted to emit radiation through the space. A flow cytometry apparatus which uses a mercury arc lamp such as described above, is also within the purview of the present invention.