Abstract: An assembly for identifying the results of a specimen analysis wherein such specimen analysis occurs in an array of discrete cells. The assembly includes a housing having top, bottom, end walls, and sidewalls. An array receiving recess is provided on the top wall for receiving and holding in a fixed position the array of the discrete cells. An ultrasonic signal producing stylus is provided for selectively producing an ultrasonic signal adjacent a cell in the array in which the results of the analysis are to be identified. A first ultrasonic signal transducer is provided on the top wall for converting the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic signal generator to a first electrical signal. A second ultrasonic signal transducer is provided on the top wall for converting the ultrasonic signal from the ultrasonic signal generator to a second electrical signal.

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: A body support pad for inhibiting the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The body support pad includes a generally planar but flexible base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of pillars are arrayed across the lower surface and extend outwardly therefrom. The pillars can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pillars in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes a plurality of pods extending outwardly from the upper surface of the base member. The pods can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pods in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes ventilation apertures for permitting free flow of air in and around the pad.

Abstract: A method for the production of antimicrobial catheters includes the steps of comminuting an antimicrobial metal compound to a particle size of up to about 30 microns in diameter. The comminuted antimicrobial metal compound is suspended in a suspending agent which can be cured to form a catheter or which can be formed to provide a coating on a previously formed catheter. The suspending agent is coated to either form the catheter or to form a coating on a catheter. Upon curing of the suspending agent, an outer surface is formed on the catheter, which outer surface includes the antimicrobial metal compound, thereby imparting antimicrobial activity to the catheter.

Abstract: A vented syringe adapter assembly which includes a housing having a sidewall, bottom wall, and top wall, which walls combine to define a chamber within the housing. A dual lumen tubular conduit extends through the top wall, chamber and bottom wall with one end extending from the top wall and defining a syringe connector port and the opposite end extending from the bottom wall and defining a piercing tip. A first lumen extends through the tubular conduit from the syringe port to the piercing tip. A second lumen extends from the piercing tip to the inner chamber. An opening is provided on at least one of the walls of the housing and the opening is covered by a filter for allowing the passage of gases but preventing the flow of liquids through the opening.

Abstract: An open, wraparound, sleeved garment and method of its manufacture from an integral single piece garment blank of flexible material. The open, wraparound, sleeved garment includes the single piece of flexible material seamed to itself along two separate seams, each of which extends from an end of a sleeve to a point along each opened edge of the garment.

Abstract: A nebulizer for converting liquid into aerosol which includes a housing having a sidewall defining a liquid reservoir and an outlet opening through which aerosol passes. A gas nozzle having a gas orifice is included in the nebulizer, which gas nozzle has a gas inlet for introducing gas to the nozzle. A liquid inlet is provided on the nebulizer which is spaced from the gas nozzle for introducing liquid to the gas nozzle as gas flows through the gas orifice. A liquid passage in communication with the reservoir and the liquid inlet is provided, which liquid passage extends along and spaced from the sidewall of the housing which defines the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: A medication infusion system which includes an infusion line for introducing medication to a peripheral vein of a patient. The infusion system includes a pump for delivering the medication and a pressure transducer within the infusion line for converting sensed fluid pressure waves to electrical signals. An amplifier is provided within the system for increasing the strength of the electrical signal. A gain control amplifier is electrically connected within the system for maintaining the electrical signal at a predetermined amplitude regardless of input variations. A tracking filter is provided within the system to provide an electrical signal representative of the patient's respiration rate over a preselected full clinical respiration rate range. A microprocessor is provided within the system for deriving from the electrical signal a control signal for controlling the operation of the pump.

Abstract: An adjustable stop for gripping a rod at selected locations intermittent the length of the rod, including a base member with a pair of longitudinally spaced openings for receiving a rod having a longitudinal axis. A clamp member is provided with an opening located between the base member openings for receiving the same rod. A cam surface is provided on the clamp member for engaging the base member to misalign the clamp member opening between the two base member openings for gripping the rod with the three openings as the clamp member is rotated about the rod's longitudinal axis when the rod extends through the adjustable stop.

Abstract: An implantable metered dose drug delivery system is disclosed which comprises implantable components including an injection site, reservoir, metering valve and delivery catheter, all of which are interconnected through suitable tubing. The metering valve has a domed body constructed of a resilient elastomeric material with a fluid-flow passageway extending therethrough and opening into a chamber within the domed body. A valve is positioned within an outlet leading from the chamber, which valve is opened by exerting an external pressure on the domed body to first collapse and occlude the fluid-flow passageway and then open the valve to permit medication within the chamber to flow through the outlet. Upon release of the external pressure, the fluid-flow passageway opens and reduced pressure in the chamber draws additional fluid through the passageway to fill the chamber.

Abstract: A self-sealing subcutaneous injection site for implantation in the body includes a housing having a bottom wall and a generally resilient dome-shaped wall which defines an interior chamber within the housing. The interior chamber has a durometer and shape for providing compressive forces within the dome-shaped wall for sealing punctures extending through the dome-shaped wall upon fluid pressurization of the interior chamber. A conduit extends through the dome-shaped wall into the interior chamber to provide a fluid-flow passageway to the chamber.

Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly is disclosed for directly monitoring pressure in a fluid which flows through the assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a chamber therewithin and having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid-flow communication with the chamber. An electrically insulated body element is sealed within the chamber dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a fluid-tight seal such that any fluid present in the first chamber cannot enter the second chamber. A pressure transducer sensor is secured in the insulated body and exposed to the first chamber such that the sensor can determine the pressure in a fluid in the first chamber and convert the pressure into electric impulses. The sensor is separated from the fluid in the first chamber by an insulating medium across which fluid pressure can be determined.

Abstract: A manifold assembly is provided for monitoring hemodynamic pressures. The manifold assembly comprises a base having first, second and third flush valves mounted thereon. A first three port stopcock is also mounted on the base having one of its ports in fluid flow communication with the first flush valve. One of the ports is in fluid flow communication with an arterial catheter and one of the ports is in fluid flow communication with a pressure monitoring means for determining arterial pressure. A first T-connector is fastened to the second flush valve. A second T-connector is fastened to the third flush valve. A second three port stopcock is mounted on the base with one of its ports in fluid flow communication with the second flush valve through the first T-connector. One of the ports of the second three port stopcock is in fluid flow communication with the third flush valve through the second T-connector.

Abstract: A thermodilution injectate assembly which includes a length of flexible tubing for introducing fluid from a solution container to the assembly. An insulated container which holds a heat exchange medium and into which is positioned a substantially flat plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes an inlet port and an outlet port and a fluid-flow path therebetween, which path provides a heat exchange relationship between fluid flowing through the path and the heat exchange medium. A dual directional valve is connected to the outlet port of the heat exchanger and to the solution container. A three-ported stopcock is in fluid-flow communication with the dual directional valve. A syringe is connected to a port on the three-ported stopcock and a length of flexible tubing is connected to a port on the three-ported stopcock for delivering the cooled fluid to a patient for monitoring the cardiac output.

Abstract: An external ventricular drainage assembly includes a ventricular drainage catheter which can be placed in the ventricles of a patient's brain and which is connected to a suture tab for securing the catheter to the patient and for preventing relative movement between the catheter and patient. A valve is connected to the catheter for selectively opening and closing the external ventricular drainage assembly to fluid flow. An adapter is connected to the valve for providing access to the fluid flow path within the assembly. A one-way valve is connected to the adapter. A first length of flexible tubing is connected to the one-way valve and is joined through a connector to a second length of flexible tubing. A collection reservoir is connected to the second length of flexible tubing and includes an entry and outlet port. A drip chamber is positioned between the second length of flexible tubing and the collection reservoir.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring catheter which has an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a wall portion defining a drainage lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wall portion can also define a longitudinally extending inflation lumen which extends therethrough. The drainage lumen opens at the proximal end of the shaft through a drainage eyelet. An elastic, inflatable sleeve portion can be bonded to and extend annularly around a portion of the proximal end of the shaft. The elastic, inflatable sleeve portion is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen so that it can be inflated for retaining the catheter in a patient's body. A temperature thermistor is imbedded in the wall of the shaft at the proximal end of the shaft. A bifilar electric wire coil, helically wound, is imbedded in the wall of the shaft and connected at one end to the temperature thermistor.