Abstract: A pouring spout for a container, particularly for decantation by pouring, of a liquid phase from the container and formed with a fluid passageway having a screen angularly disposed therein for the removal of solids from the liquid being poured from the container. A vent is provided in the pouring spout to facilitate pressure equalization to minimize or eliminate ebullition.

Abstract: A flow cytometry apparatus for determining characteristics of cells or the like flowing in a liquid stream includes a nozzle for generating a liquid flow path for moving cells therethrough substantially one at a time. A light source, such as a laser, provides a beam of illumination. At least one prism is interposed in the path of the incident beam of illumination for expanding the beam in at least one direction and for directing the expanded beam toward the cells in the flow path. A lens is provided to focus the expanded beam on the moving cells. An appropriate sensor detects light with respect to each moving cell for associating that detected light with a characteristic of such cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles comprises a nozzle or the like for forming discrete droplets of particles from a flowing liquid stream containing those particles. A detector is provided for detecting particles in the stream. A charging electrode, responsive to the detector, charges some droplets of selective interest with a positive electrical charge and some with a negative electrical charge. Electrical deflecting plates deflect charged droplets of selective interest. Droplets of selective interest, charged with opposite polarities, are collected in a collection well inside which the electrical charge is substantially neutralized. A method for sorting particles, such as cells or the like, substantially in accordance with the above-described apparatus is another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting particles comprises a nozzle or the like for producing a stream of particles, such as cells, in a liquid flow. The particles are analyzed as they are flowing to detect different parameters thereof. A hollow inner tube and a concentrically arranged hollow outer tube are located downstream of the analyzing area. Gas bubbles are generated in the inner tube to prevent particles from flowing therein and to deflect particles into the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. Gas bubble generation is coordinated with the particle analysis to selectively deflect particles having the different parameters into the annular space, whereby the deflected particles are sorted for collection. A method of sorting particles, such as cells, substantially in accordance with the above-described apparatus is another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: A suction canister assembly comprises a receptacle having an open end. A one-piece, integrally formed enclosed liquid collection container is removably positioned and supported in the receptacle. A port is available for providing suction to the interior of the container, and an opening in the container is available for drawing liquid into the container under suction conditions.A liquid collection container for a suction canister assembly comprises a one-piece sealed, integrally formed flexible bag. The bag has a top portion relatively more rigid than a side portion and has an opening through the top portion and an opening through the side portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing particles, adapted to operate continuously even in the absence of particles contained in a sample medium, includes a sensing region and a particle analyzer associated therewith. A fluid flow path, preferably air flow, causes a sample medium with particles therein to flow through the sensing region. Another fluid flow path ensheathes the sample medium with a flowing sheath fluid for hydrodynamically focusing the particles as they pass through the sensing region. The sheath fluid is adapted to flow at a first flow rate compatible with the flow rate of flowing particles. When the apparatus is operating in the absence of a sample medium, the sheath fluid is controlled to flow at a second flow rate, slower than the first flow rate, for collection thereof.

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 it 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 flow cytometry apparatus comprises a nozzle for flowing particles in a stream of fluid. A source of light, such as from a laser, is adapted to direct a beam of light at the flowing particles. A beam focusing lens is positioned in the optical path of the light beam to provide an elliptical beam spot at the focal stream to thereby elongate the focal spot of the beam. One or more parameters of the particles in the stream related to light from the beam striking the particles is detected in the flow cytometry apparatus.

Abstract: A device for securing a catheter or like instrument to a patient comprises a first portion having an adhesive surface for securing that portion to the skin of a patient. A second portion is hingedly connected to the first portion and is adapted to fold thereover. The second portion has an adhesive surface to provide securement to the first portion when folded thereover. A slot and a hole are preferably associated with the first and second portions, respectively, for operably positioning the second portion around a catheter, which has been previously connected to the patient, so that the catheter extends through the plane formed by the second portion. This arrangement thereby facilitates the securement of the catheter in place on the patient.A method of securing a previously connected catheter or like instrument to a patient includes securing a device substantially as described above to a patient.

Abstract: A liquid removal device comprises an absorbent support member and a plurality of tapered liquid absorbent elements. These absorbent elements project from the support member and are adapted to be placed in a liquid-containing vessel for removal of liquid therefrom.

Abstract: Hemodialysis ultrafiltration apparatus comprises a dialyzer. A closed circuit is provided for supplying fresh dialysate to and for removing spent dialysate from the dialyzer. Blood is supplied to and removed from the dialyzer. The closed circuit for supplying fresh dialysate and removing spent dialysate is apportioned into below mean dialyzer blood pressure and above atmospheric pressure sections, with the dialyzer being positioned in the below mean dialyzer blood pressure section. A mechanism is provided for controlling the pressure of fresh dialysate introduced into the below mean dialyzer blood pressure section to substantially match the pressure on the dialysate side of the dialyzer. A mechanism is provided for controlling the above atmospheric pressure portion of the spent dialysate circuit.

Abstract: A suction canister assembly comprises an enclosed receptacle having a first opening for providing suction to the receptacle and a second opening for drawing fluids, including liquids and gases, into the receptacle during suction. A unitary shut-off valve/filter element is associated with the interior side of the first opening. This element is oriented within the receptacle so as to be contacted by liquid in the receptacle which rises therein. The element is porous and is adapted to filter particulate matter from gas passing therethrough. In addition, the valve/filter element is capable of developing sufficiently high surface tension under liquid contact to serve as a barrier against liquid passage therethrough at pressure differentials across the element when vacuum is applied on one side of the element. As a result, the element is adapted to terminate suction through the suction opening when liquid rises in the receptacle to completely cover the element.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter device comprises a hollow cannula adapted for attachment to a fluid source. An inflatable balloon is detachably connected to an end of the cannula in fluid communication therewith. A closure is adapted to seal the balloon internally after it is inflated with fluid from the source responsive to withdrawing movement of the cannula from the balloon in the proximal direction.Use of the balloon catheter device substantially as described above to occlude a vessel is also contemplated by the present invention.

Abstract: A combined syringe and hub assembly in which the syringe comprises a hollow barrel and a slidable plunger therein. The hub comprises a body with an open cavity and a cannula in fluid communication therewith. A mating detent mechanism is provided on the syringe and the hub for connecting same in a snap-fit relationship. This detent mechanism also provides for the connection of the hub to the syringe in a tight fit relationship for an essentially non-separable functional union of the syringe and hub components. A shield is preferably removably connected to the hub and serves to protect the cannula prior to use of the syringe.

Abstract: A hub device for use in transferring liquids therethrough in opposite directions includes a housing having an internal chamber and two openings communicating with the chamber. A filter is in the chamber and is adapted to filter particulate matter from liquids. A dual-element valve allows liquid flowing through the chamber from one of the openings toward the other to pass through the filter in one direction of flow, but not the other.

Abstract: A suction canister system for serial collection of fluids comprises a plurality of canisters for collecting fluids. The canisters are in fluid communication with each other so that a vacuum may be applied to the interior of the canisters simultaneously in a parallel-path connection. The fluid connection of the canisters allows fluid to be introduced into the canisters serially.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a container-closure assembly with detent means for positive positioning of the closure with respect to the container at a preselect intermediate position between full closure-container cooperation and non-cooperative relationship.A neck (16) of a container (10) is provided with external threads (22) including a detent positioning assembly (24) comprised of a pair of outwardly extending projections (26a and 26b) formed on a plane perpendicular to the axis of the container. The closure or cap (30) thereof is formed with internal threads (38) for engaging the external threads (22) of the container (10) and a detent positioning assembly comprised of inwardly extending projections (40) below the internal threads (38) thereof.

Abstract: A suction canister system for serial collection of fluids comprises a plurality of canisters. Vacuum is provided to the interior of the canisters each of which includes a valve for terminating the vacuum in the canister responsive to the level of fluid therein. The fluid is allowed to travel to a serially arranged canister when the valve on one canister is closed.A fluid flow adapter suitable for use in a fluid collection container includes a first open tube with second and third open tubes attached thereto. The second and third tubes are in direct fluid communication with the first tube but they are not in direct fluid communication with each other. This arrangement allows the second and third tubes to serve as fluid inlet and fluid outlet openings for the collection container.

Abstract: A microsyringe includes an elongated hollow tube having no piston, plunger or the like positioned in its lumen. A needle cannula is at one end of the tube in fluid communication with the lumen. A connector hub is at the other end of the tube for attachment to a device for providing a fluid movement force into the lumen.