Abstract: A deadender cap that is designed to be screwed into a standard medical Luer male thread connection to dead end that connection. The deadender cap is a one-piece molded construction having an internal tapered projection that fits within the open passages of the male Luer connection a predetermined distance when the deadender cap is tightened into position, thus liquid within the open passage is forced outwardly and then as the deadender cap is tightened and no air bubbles are formed.

Abstract: A filter having a microporous hydrophilic membrane is utilized in a thermodilution set up wherein the filter is positioned downstream from the injectate reservoir, the syringe and most of the fittings through which bacteria or other harmful materials could enter the bolus of injectate. The filter thus traps bacteria and particulates and prevents the material that may have inadvertently entered the injectate stream from being introduced into the patient. The filter is relatively inexpensive and is commerically available having a pore size of about 0.2 um while allowing typical thermodilution injectate flows of about 150 cc/min.

Abstract: A combination of bottle, collar and cap where the bottle collar has a keying lug that interfits with a cap slot and which keying is necessary to screw the cap onto the bottle.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer 1 of the by-pass type includes a vaporizing chamber 12 containing an anesthetic agent which at normal atmospheric pressure has a boiling point of approximately 25.degree. C. The vaporizing chamber 12 is surrounded by thermal insulation 18 to prevent uncontrolled boiling of the anesthetic agent.

Abstract: A gas analysis cell positioned within an optical resonant cavity in a gas analysis system is disclosed wherein the cell includes a flow of buffer gas which forms a "dam", thereby protecting the optical elements in the analysis system. The analysis cell includes an inlet for introducing a gas sample into the analysis chamber of the cell. Two buffer gas inlet ports, one on each end of the cell, are provided to introduce a flow of buffer gas which is directed past optical elements in the system adjacent the ends of the cell. Two output ports are located at the ends of the analysis chamber to remove the buffer gas and gas sample mixture. The flow of buffer gas acts to confine the gas sample within the analysis chamber and reduce adverse effects which occur when the gas sample comes in contact with the optical elements of the system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring response of a chemical composition to light, as by frequency domain, phase angle, or modulation fluorometry and/or phosphorimetry. Pulsed light having a known fundamental frequency is applied to the composition thereby eliciting response light varying at the fundamental frequency and at harmonics thereof. The response light signal may be sampled according to a wave-skipping sampling scheme, and the sampled response signal may be transformed into a frequency domain representation, as by a digital fast Fourier transform technique. A reference signal derived from the excitation light may be similarly processed and the results used as a basis for comparison to derive properties of the chemical composition such as phase and modulation response of the composition to the fundamental and harmonic frequencies. The invention provides rapid monitoring and determination of luminescence characteristics.

Abstract: An anesthetic vaporizer 1 for use particularly with anesthetic agents having a low boiling point comprises an inlet 2 for carrier gas an an outlet 4 for carrier gas and gaseous anesthetic agents. A first passage 6 extends between the inlet 2 and the outlet 4. A flow restrictor 8 is located within the passage 6. A second passage 10 extends between the first passage 6 at a location upstream of the flow restrictor 8 and a regulator 14. The regulator 14 controls the pressure of gaseous anesthetic agent when flowing through a third passage 26 extending from a vaporizing chamber 12 containing anesthetic agent to the first passage 6 at a location downstream of the flow restrictor 8. A flow control valve 28 is located in the third passage 26.

Abstract: A gas analysis cell positioned within an optical resonant cavity in a gas analysis system is disclosed wherein the cell includes a flow of buffer gas which forms a "dam", thereby protecting the optical elements in the analysis system. The analysis cell includes an inlet for introducing a gas sample into the analysis chamber of the cell. Two buffer gas inlet ports, one on each end of the cell, are provided to introduce a flow of buffer gas which is directed past optical elements in the system adjacent the ends of the cell. Two output ports are located at the ends of the analysis chamber to remove the buffer gas and gas sample mixture. The flow of buffer gas acts to confirm the gas sample within the analysis chamber and reduce adverse effects which occur when the gas sample comes in contact with the optical elements of the system.

Abstract: A handhole latch is disclosed for use with an infant incubator and which is damped by one or more elastomeric O-rings to reduce noise and vibration that could startle the infant. The O-rings are positioned between a moving piston latch and a housing such that the O-rings are sandwiched between the moving piston latch and the housing as the piston latch snaps, by spring bias, into its position holding the handhole door closed.

Abstract: A fiber optic probe incorporating a luminescent composition is used to monitor conditions within a living subject. Response light from the fiber optic is detected and a frequency domain representation of the response light is derived. Characteristics of the frequency domain representation are used to derive values for luminescence lifetimes or similar decay parameters and these values in turn are translated into values of the conditions to be sensed.

Abstract: A guidewire straightener that is adapted to fit on the end of a protective tube containing a guidewire used for introducing a catheter into a patient's bloodvessel. The guidewire straightener has a flexible end that flexes inwardly to grasp the guidewire when the guidewire is inserted into the end of the protective tube. The guidewire is thus prevented from migrating with respect to the protective tube during packaging, shipping and handling.

Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a condition such as a chemical concentration includes two luminescent materials having differing absorption bands and differing sensitivities to the condition to be monitored. Light in the two absorption bands is applied in alternating sequence so as to elicit emissions from the two luminescent materials in alternating sequence. These emissions are compared to one another and the relationship between them, such as the ratio of their intensities, indicates the condition. The luminescent materials may be porphyrins or derivatives thereof.

Abstract: A bubble detection system for use in a fluid delivery line leading to a patient for automatic delivery of a fluid. The system monitors a parameter indicative of compressibility of the fluid being delivered and compares that monitored parameter with a known value of the same parameter using a relatively incompressible fluid. If the fluid being delivered is more compressible by a predetermined amount, the system recognizes the existence of a bubble and stops the further movement of fluid toward the patient and reduces the pressure in the fluid delivery line upstream of the bubble to prevent the bubble from progressing further toward the patient. The parameter may include pressure in the fluid delivery line, force required to deliver the fluid or motor current in the event an electric motor is used in delivering the fluid.

Abstract: A rotation-sensing device for providing output signals that correspond to rotary hand movement made about the device by an operator is disclosed. The device comprises a cover member including an outer surface having a generally cylindrical, longitudinally elongate, non-rotatable protusion carried thereon. The protrusion projects outwardly from the outer surface and is provided with an outer periphery thereon. The device further includes a plurality of generally longitudinally elongate, circumferentially spaced, sensing means which are positioned adjacent the outer periphery of the protrusion and are responsive to the rotary hand movement of the operator for providing output signals corresponding to such movement. In addition, the device includes means coupled to the sensing means for leading the signals generated in the sensing means away from the switch device.

Abstract: A water separator is disclosed and which is specially suited for withdrawing dry gas from liquid/gas from a patient's exhalation for analysis thereof. The separator utilizes a conduit constructed of a gas permeable material, preferably expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, surrounded by a cylindrical, annular chamber. As the liquid/gas flows through the conduit at a predetermined flow, a negative pressure differential is created between the annular chamber and the conduit to draw the dry gas through the gas permeable material. The conduit is subject to radial expansion upon the patient's exhalation and the annular chamber has a predetermined minimum diameter that is sufficient to allow the conduit to expand without contact between the conduit and an inner surface forming the chamber. The minimum diameter also minimizes the volume of the annular chamber to resist the formation of dead air spaces in the annular chamber.

Abstract: A fiber-optic probe for measuring the partial pressure of CO.sub.2 in a medium includes a single optical fiber having a distal end; a mirror; a hydrolyzed dye/gel polymer, the dye being in contact with a bicarbonate solution; a solution permeable membrane covering the fiber distal end, hydrogel and mirror; and a gas-permeable membrane covering the solution permeable membrane.

Abstract: Heat is removed from the blood flow by heat exchange rather than cold-liquid injection; resulting temperature changes are monitored. Flow rate is found from monitored temperature and known parameters related to the amount of heat removed. Preferably heat is removed by pumping cold liquid into a sealed balloon or sheath along a catheter, which is in the blood stream. The balloon acts as a heat exchanger; its design optimizes that function. Temperature can be monitored by a thermistor or other sensor closer to the tip of the same catheter. Alternatively it appears possible to use blood-temperature measurements taken just outside the balloon, or even within the balloon, if the system is calibrated to account for the relation between the blood flow rate and the heat lost from balloon to blood.

Abstract: The concentration of multiple polyatomic gases are determined almost simultaneously by Raman scattering. The gas sample is placed in a sampling cell located in the resonance cavity of a laser and a polarized laser beam having sufficient intensity to produce detectable signals of Raman scattered light is passed through the cell. The scattered light is captured and redirected by means of a reflection mirror located parallel to the axis of the laser beam adjacent to and outside of the cell. Signals of both inelastic Raman scattered light and elastic laser scattered light are collected by a collection lens means opposite the reflection mirror and outside the gas cell. The collection lens is also parallel to the axis of the laser beam.