Abstract: A flexible surgical stapler assembly includes a staple firing head assembly and a handle actuator assembly connected to the staple firing head assembly through a flexible spine. The staple firing head assembly includes an anvil assembly defining an anvil surface which provides an array of staple forming depressions. A staple housing on the staple firing head assembly carries an array of staples to be formed. A staple pusher means on the staple firing head assembly is provided for exerting a force on the staples in the staple housing to eject the staples from the housing and form the staples against the anvil surface. The handle actuator assembly includes a housing which defines an inner cavity. A cable carrier is provided within the cavity and is freely slidable within the cavity. A length of flexible cable is connected at one of its ends to the cable carrier and at its other end to the anvil assembly of the staple firing head assembly.

Abstract: An implantable demand medication delivery assembly for delivering measured aliquots of liquid medication. The assembly includes a reservoir which stores the liquid medication to be delivered. The assembly also includes a pump which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The pump includes a housing having an inlet port in fluid communication with the reservoir and an outlet port. Connected to the outlet port is a delivery catheter for delivering the liquid medication to a site within the patient wherein the assembly is implanted. The pump also includes a fluid passage which extends between the inlet and outlet port. A chamber is provided along the fluid passage for containing a preselected volume of liquid medication to be delivered. A resilient deformable wall on the pump extends over the chamber. A one-way valve is provided in the fluid passage between the inlet port and chamber for permitting fluid flow toward the chamber.

Abstract: An improved system for actuating wheel engaging ring brakes for a hospital stretcher, bed, or the like. The brake includes an elongated rotational member extending longitudinally along the stretcher to actuate pivot arms adjacent one front wheel and one rear wheel to prevent the wheels from rolling. A separate elongated rotational member extends the length of the stretcher and actuates a bullet pin latch to lock a nonbraked wheel against swivel action. Thus, a single nurse can easily push and manipulate the stretcher about a hospital even when loaded with a patient.

Abstract: Fluorogenic substrates for proteolytic enzymes having the formula: ##STR1## or acid salts thereof wherein: R.sub.1 is hydrogen-L, hydrogen-D, benzoyl, benzenesulfonyl, glutaryl, pyroglutamyl, carbobenzoxy, D-serine, or carbobenzoxy-serine;R.sub.2 is hydrogen, phenyl, a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl having 1 to 4 carbons, or propionic acid;R.sub.3 is hydrogen, straight or branched or cyclic alkyl having 1 to 4 carbons, 4-aminobutane, or 3-guanidylpropane;R.sub.4 is methyl, 4-aminobutane, or 3-guanidylpropane;R.sub.5 is a fluorogenic moiety, severable from said compound by a proteolytic enzyme and having different fluorescent property when severed from said compound than when forming part of said compound.The enzymes, when reacting with the substrate, remove the fluorogenic group R.sub.5 producing an increase in its fluorescence. The increase of the fluorescence is an indication of the activity of the enzyme present. Specific enzymes thusly detectable include plasmin, thrombin, the factors X.sub.a, XI.sub.

Abstract: A low ionic strength suspending medium for immunologic reactions which includes a salt solution, a buffer, gelatin, albumin, and an organic solute to control osmolality.

Abstract: A method of detecting antibodies to native deoxyribonucleic acid (n-DNA), anti-nuclear antibodies, antibodies to non-histone containing protein, rheumatoid factors, antibodies to thyroglobulin, and an immunofluorescent assay for such detection is described.

Abstract: A method of detecting antibodies to native deoxyribonucleic acid (n-DNA), anti-nuclear antibodies, antibodies to non-histone containing protein, rheumatoid factors, antibodies to thyroglobulin, and an immunofluorescent assay for such detection is described.

Abstract: A set of four cell suspensions containing erythrocytes monospecifically sensitized with IgG, IgM, C3, and C4. The suspensions provide control cells to determine the purity and strength of the antibodies to these immunoglobins or complement components contained in antisera used for clinical testing. Strict control of the pH, temperature, and EDTA concentration of a solution to which blood is added allows for the elective production of C3- or C4-sensitized cells. Selecting a serum with IgG or IgM antibodies and inactivating undesired proteins permits the production IgG- or IgM-sensitized cells. The resultant cells have agglutination reaction strengths of about 2-4+. Erythrocytes from humans or other animals may undergo the monospecific sensitization. Other human proteins, such as IgA or C5, and plasma proteins from other animals may similarly be attached monospecifically to red blood cells.

Abstract: A method of detecting antibodies to native deoxyribonucleic acid (n-DNA), anti-nuclear antibodies, antibodies to non-histone containing protein, rheumatoid factors, antibodies to thyroglobulin, and an immunofluorescent assay for such detection is described.

Abstract: Analysis of proteinases is accomplished using conventional amino acid containing aromatic amine substrates. Aromatic amines such as 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamine (4M2NA), 2-naphthylamine, aminoisophthalic acid dimethyl ester, p-nitroaniline, 4-methoxy-1-aminofluorene and coumarin derivatives resulting from enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate couples with aromatic aldehydes such as 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde (5-NSA), benzaldehyde and p-nitrobenzaldehyde to produce Schiff-base complexes which are water insoluble. Certain Schiff-base complexes produce a shift from blue to orange-red (visible) fluorescence. Such complexes are useful in the assay of enzymes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for producing maltooligosaccharide glycosides in substantially pure form which includes the steps of incubating a glucosyl donor and a glucosyl acceptor in the presence of a glucanotransferase enzyme under transglycosylating conditions and separating the maltooligosaccharide glycoside from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A reagent for detection of aldehydes in biological specimens. The reagent is a modified Schiff reagent which is stable at room temperature for a substantial period of time. The reagent comprises potassium metabisulfite, pararosanilin acetate and hydrochloric acid. The potassium metabisulfite and pararosanilin acetate are included in the reagent in equal amounts. The sulfur dioxide source is potassium metabisulfite. The pH of the reagent ranges from about 1.2 to about 2.7.

Abstract: A snap-on retention ring by which a hospital pharmacist can easily attach an additive cap over a sealed closure of a medical liquid container after the pharmacist has added supplemental medication to the container. The retention ring can be of a bright color as a reminder to a nurse that additive drugs have been applied to the container and special instructions should be read carefully.

Abstract: Compounds having a cation which is tetrathiafulvalene of 2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-diylidene-bis-1,3-dithiole or both, and an anion which is 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane or 11,11,12,12-tetracyano-2,6-naphthaquinonedimethane or both, are described. The above compounds are characterized by anions and cations which are both odd-electron species.