Abstract: A tilt mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the angle of rest of an infant contained within an infant incubator. The tilt mechanism comprises at least one bent rod that underlies the bed on which the infant is positioned. By rotating the bent rod, an offset shaped portion of the rod elevates one end of the infant bed. The rotation is effected by a handle located outside the incubator and which has a plurality of positions, each of which position is locked in place by a spring biased plunger that enters certain grooves formed in the interior surface of the handle. A push button pushes against the spring bias to move the plunger out of engagement with the grooves in the handle so that the handle can be rotated to another selected position.

Abstract: An inflatable cuff is disclosed for encircling a patient's finger and which includes a light source and a light detector constructed in a way to detect the movement, or lack of movement, of arterial passages within the finger. The cuff is comprised of an inflatable bladder that contacts the patient finger; having a tubing provided for inflation and deflation of the bladder. Surrounding the external surface of the bladder from the finger is a metalized backing that covers and shields the inflatable bladder. A flexible circuit is affixed to the metalized backing and to which is attached the light source and light detector and which further includes wiring from the light detector and light source to a connector at its distal end for connection to further circuiting. Further, surrounding the flexible circuit is a electrical and light shielding and label that covers the flexible circuit and which provides shielding as well as a means of affixing the inflatable cuff to the patients finger.

Abstract: A method and means is disclosed for carrying out the calibration of a gas monitor. The calibration is effected by providing a calibration gas containing a precise amount of the constituent that is measured by the gas monitor. That calibration gas is introduced into the gas monitor and passes therethrough in a closed system such that leakage of calibration gas to the surrounding environment at the inlet to the gas monitor and from the outlet of the monitor is prevented. The calibration gas is further stalled in the gas sensor chamber of the gas monitor for the operator to make necessary adjustments to the gas monitor at no flow conditions of the calibration gas.

Abstract: A humidifying module 4 is releasably attachable to a heater unit 2 to form an apparatus for delivering humidified gas to a patient and includes a substantially flat wick 6 which absorbs water without any substantial change in its surface area. The wick is contained within a chamber defined by a substantially flat back plate 10 and a front plate 12 including an inlet 20 for gas to be humidified and an outlet 22 for humidified gas.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for mixing first and second gases includes first and second valves 2, 3 each having a stem 14 the axial movement of which controls the flow of the gases through their respective valves. Each valve stem has one end engaging a control surface 16 of a thrust plate 18 mounted for axial and pivotal movement on a shaft 20. Means including a plunger 26 is provided for pivoting the thrust 18 so that one valve stem is moved axially relative to the other thereby increasing the rate of flow of one gas through its respective valve while concomitantly decreasing the rate of flow of the other gas through its respective valve to vary the relative proportion of the gases without varying the total flow rate. Total flow adjuster 34 bears on the plunger 26 for moving the thrust plate 18 axially towards and away from the valve stems 14 thereby to vary the total rate of flow of the gases without varying the relative proportions of each gas flowing through its respective valve.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a flexible microcircuit of a size usable in vivo in the arterial or venous tract of a human. The method comprises forming, by various photoresist techniques, conductive runs on a polyimide base of about 1-2 mils thickness. Each end of a flexible microcircuit has minute holes formed therein for connection to an electronic chip and to hard wiring. The method produces holes in the conductive runs for the electronic chip connection of about 0.002 inches in diameter and holes about 0.016 inches in diameter at the end for wiring.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for controlling the flow of a sample of blood gases along a capillaric streamway from a probe towards an analyzing apparatus includes a body 12 having an inlet 36 for control fluid and a reciprocable valve head 20 movable from a first position in which inlet 36 is isolated from a second inlet 30 for carrier gas and blood gases towards a second position in which inlets 36, 30 are in communication. The arrangement is such, that in the first position of the valve head 20 the carrier gas and blood gases can flow from inlet 30 towards an outlet 32. However, in the second position the pressure of the control fluid prevents the flow of the carrier gas and blood gases through the inlet 30.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for bonding a minute semiconductor device to the freestanding end of a flexible microcircuit. The method generally comprises a series of steps including initially bonding the semiconductor device to a substrate for handling during the further progression of steps. An extremely minute conductive ball is bonded to one or more conductive surfaces of the semiconductor device and an upwardly depending pigtail is formed atop each of the conductive balls. The flexible microcircuit, having holes in predetermined locations and in numbers corresponding to the upwardly depending pigtails, is positioned atop those pigtails such that a portion of each pigtail protrudes through the flexible microcircuit. Another minute conductive ball is thereafter applied to each of those portions of pigtails protruding through the flexible microcircuit, thus sandwiching the microcircuit between the conductive balls.

Abstract: A composite flexible delivery hose 1 for use with a medical humidifier comprises an inner tubular member 2 around which is spirally wound a heater cable 4. The heater cable 4 includes an outer body 6 of electrically insulating material in which is embedded an electrical resistance heater wire 8, a wire 10 interconnecting temperature sensors arranged one at each end of the hose and a thermoplastic support wire 12.

Abstract: A vaporizer includes means 11 which may be an electronically controlled solenoid valve to divert repeatedly a carrier gas into either a first path which goes directly from the inlet 3 to the outlet 5 of the vaporizer or a second path which enters a vaporizing chamber 13 to entrain volatile liquid vapor before re-joining the first path.

Abstract: A humidifier includes a chamber 14 having an inlet 30 and an outlet 6. The chamber 14 is releasably attached to a heater unit including a heater 22 and a heat sensor 24. When the chamber 14 and the heater unit are assembled together the heater 22 is in thermal contact with a heat transfer surface of the chamber 14 at or adjacent the inlet port 30 while the temperature sensor 24 is in thermal contact with the heat transfer surface at or adjacent the outlet port 6.

Abstract: A switching mechanism and valve using the same wherein a two remote valve or switch positions are provided. The switching mechanism includes a valve operator having of outwardly extending port closures that move above a central pivot point. As the valve operator shifts between its two remote positions, each port closure closes or opens respectively a port associated with such port closure. A flat bearing surface is formed as part of the valve operator and is in a plane generally perpendicular to a line bisecting the angle between the two port closures. A roller, biased against that flat bearing surface is on a pivot arm also moveable about its remote pivotable end. The biased roller normally holds the valve or switch in one of its remote positions.

Abstract: A flowmeter of the type having a float 3 freely movable along the bore of a tapered tube 2 includes a source 8 of electromagnetic energy and a sensor 28 for detecting said energy when emitted by the source 8 axially along the tube 2. The arrangement is such that, for a given flowrate of fluid through tube 2, the float 3 will take up a corresponding position in the bore of the tube 2 thereby determining the amount of energy reaching the sensor 28 from the source 8.

Abstract: An infant care center that includes a standing, vertical frame and has an infant bed that is suspended outwardly from the vertical frame. The infant bed is adapted to retain the infant and is readily adjustable to a plurality of positions devised for the infant. The bed itself is tiltable about an axis to the various positions and a unique tilt mechanism allows the degree of tilt to be easily selected and then locked into position by attending personnel. The tilt mechanism includes a double acting piston assembly that secures the frame to a point on the infant bed remote from the axis about which the bed is tiltable. The double acting piston assembly includes a piston operable within a cylinder and which divides the cylinder into two variable chambers. Each chamber has a part to introduce and remove hydraulic fluid therefrom and a closed circuit joins the parts so that fluid normally can move from one chamber to the other or the piston travels within the cylinder to move the tilt position of the infant bed.

Abstract: A filter for removing particulate matter from a fluid stream, particularly from gas flowing through a pressure regulating valve. The preferred embodiment is a regular geometric pattern, such as a toroid, formed from a length of yarn. Preferably the yarn comprises continuous filaments of glass which are twisted together. When placed in a fluid line, such a filter has a large capacity for trapping and retaining small particles which disperse throughout the filter.

Abstract: An anaesthetic vaporizer of the by-pass type in which the concentration of anaesthetic vapor in the gas leaving the vaporizer is controlled by a valve arrangement which is capable of varying the resistance to gas flow of a second or by-pass stream which effectively alters the proportion in which the carrier gas is divided between said second by-pass stream and a first stream which passes through a vaporizing chamber. The valve arrangement includes a valve body 32 rotatable within a valve housing 30 having three spaced inlet holes 33, 35, 37 and an outlet hole 40 for the second gas stream. Rotary movement of the valve body 32 variously covers or uncovers the inlet holes 33, 35 and 37 to vary the resistance to the flow of the second stream from the inlet holes to the outlet hole 40 of the housing 30.

Abstract: A monitor system for an oximeter that sequentially tests the operative conditions of light emitting devices of the oximeter, the light detector of the oximeter, and the reference voltage of the oximeter. Data processing means is responsive to the determined test values for indicating the occurrence of the test values outside of predetermined ranges corresponding to the respective test value.

Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed for preparing 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol from 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, preferably 2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane. In the process, 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, a carboxylic acid salt and an hydroxylated compound such as water are continuously provided to a reaction mixture in a reactor. The 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane, the carboxylic acid salt and the hydroxylated compound are reacted therein at a reaction pressure at or above the autogenously developed pressure and at a reaction temperature of from about 223.degree. C. to about the critical temperature of the hydroxylated compound. At least a portion of the reaction product mixture is continuously withdrawn from the reactor and unreacted 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is separated therefrom. The separated unreacted 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane is recycled as part of the 2-halo-1,1,1-trifluoroethane provided to the reaction mixture. The 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol is recovered from the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: Compounds are disclosed of the formula ##STR1## optically active isomeric forms thereof, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof, in which formula: R is defined in the disclosure.

Abstract: A needle valve having improved accuracy and wear characteristics is disclosed in which the valve stem is subjected to a constant force to prevent backlash throughout its entire movement with respect to the valve seat. In addition, the needle contained within the valve stem has a tapered end which moves within the cylindrical bore in a valve seat to control fluid passing through the valve and such needle is affixed to the valve stem only at its other end remote from its tapered end. The needle thus floats for a substantial portion of its length and its tapered end is relatively flexible and free of movement. The needle is, however, angled with respect to its valve seat such that the needle physically makes contact with the internal surface of the valve seat and maintains that contact throughout its lateral movement within the valve seat.