Abstract: A fluid sample receptacle provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple samples of a fluid specimen. An upper or isolated sample chamber and a lower or primary sample chamber provide redundant test samples. A cover or lid with a downwardly extending column includes a stopper with a removable plug attached to automatically seal the lower sample chamber when the cover is sealed across the top of the upper chamber. This feature guarantees that the sample chambers are sealed or isolated simultaneously and that the test samples are therefore identical when taken. Tamper evident seals prove that either sample has not been contaminated. A preferred embodiment provides a bellows assembly to accommodate variations in ambient pressure and to provide a positive means of expelling a precise quantity of fluid from the receptacle for testing.

Abstract: Patient blood in an extracorporeal flow circuit (such as a cardiopulmonary bypass machine) is contacted with one or more nitric oxide feeds at least one of which is upstream of the circuit pump, to provide a concentration of nitric oxide in the blood effective to inhibit activation of blood platelets and reduce whole body inflammation of the patient as a result of a procedure using the extracorporeal circulation.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating blood vessels in a mammal, particularly humans, especially coronary blood vessels, for vascular thrombosis and angioplasty restenosis, thereby to decrease incidence of vessel rethrombosis, unstable angina and myocardial infarction, by administering a conager of an endothelium-derived bioactive agent, especially a nitrovasodilator, including one or more of nitric oxide or a nitric oxide donor agent, such as sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin, to an extravascular treatment site at a therapeutically effective dosage rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating blood vessels in a mammal, particularly humans, especially coronary blood vessels, for vascular thrombosis and angioplasty restenosis, thereby to decrease incidence of vessel rethrombosis, unstable angina and myocardial infarction, by administering a conager of an endothelium-derived bioactive agent, especially a nitrovasodilator, including one or more of nitric oxide or a nitric oxide donor agent, such as sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin, to an extravascular treatment site at a therapeutically effective dosage rate.

Abstract: A liquid vessel provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple specimens of a liquid. Two containers are connected side-by-side by a retainer which accepts an optional detachable funnel assembly that directs liquid into each container. The retainer includes both a flexible serpentine connector loosely connecting collar portions of the retainer fitted to each container and a rigid portion fixing the spacing of the containers. Each container includes a sidewall flexure, and when the funnel is removed, each is closed by a closure that includes another sidewall flexure, a nozzle facing away from and basally open to the floor of the container, and a stiff basal projection extending to the floor of the container. Coupling members on the floor underside of the containers enable coupling of the floors of the two containers after the rigid portion of the retainer is severed. Pushing the closure of one of the containers reduces intra-chamber pressure in that container.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a sample of liquid from a sealed thermoplastic container which includes both a volumetrically flexible chamber holding the liquid and also a plurality of spaced axially vertical nozzles on the container underside, the nozzles having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber. The container is first manipulated to increase the volume of the chamber, rotated from a right side up position to an upside down position, and after the two preceding operations an axial opening is non-invasively created in the nozzle while the container is upside down without decreasing the volume of the chamber. The container is then rotated from the upside down position to a right side up position without decreasing the volume of the chamber, manipulated to decrease the volume of the chamber and expel a sample of the liquid from the chamber through the nozzle opening, then rotated to an upside down position and the opening in the nozzle is closed by melting and clamping it closed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of controlling a surface safety valve and a subsurface safety valve in a producing hydrocarbons well, comprising: providing a self contained control circuitry including a reservoir for a hydraulic fluid; sensing a drop below a pre-established level of pressure in a flowline distal to the surface safety valve and a drop below a pre-established level of pressure in a portion of a hydraulic circuit fluidly connected to a subsurface safety valve proximal to the subsurface safety valve, and responsive to sensing a drop of the pressure in either the flowline or the circuitry proximal to the subsurface valve: first draining fluid to the reservoir from a portion of the circuitry means hydraulically maintaining the surface safety valve open, then after a first time delay sufficient for closure of the surface safety valve, secondly draining fluid to the reservoir from a portion of the circuitry means hydraulically maintaining the subsurface safety valve open, and then after a second time delay suff

Abstract: A method of obtaining aliquots or samples from a liquid specimen collection container and an apparatus which automateally perforths those methods involves transferring a sample of liquid from a sealed non-deformingly expandable container containing gas and the liquid without contaminating the liquid remaining inside the container, and comprises (a) non-deformingly volumetrically expanding the sealed container sufficiently to reduce pressure therein below ambient pressure outside the container, (b) applying heat selectively to a locus on said enlarged container to non-invasively create a hole having a diameter effective to equilibrate the pressure inside the container with said ambient pressure without loss of liquid from the container, and (c) non-deformingly volumetrically reducing the container to expel liquid from the container through the hole.

Abstract: A liquid vessel provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple specimens of a liquid. Two containers are connected side-by-side by a retainer which accepts a detachable funnel assembly that directs liquid into each container. The retainer includes both a flexible serpentine connector loosely connecting collar portions of the retainer fitted to each container and a rigid portion fixing the spacing of the containers. Each container includes an bellows-like sidewall flexure, and when the funnel is removed, each is closed by a closure that includes another bellows-like sidewall flexure, a nozzle facing away from and basally open to the floor of the container, and a stiff basal projection extending to the floor of the container. Coupling members on the floor underside of the containers enable coupling of the floors of the two containers after the rigid portion of the retainer is severed.

Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid additive composition comprising a water soluble polyoxyalkylene compound selected from polyoxyalkylene glycols, monoalkylethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols, and mixtures thereof, which have a cloud point in the range from about 60.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F., in combination with a water dispersible particulate asphalt having an ASTM D-36 softening point of at least 290.degree. F., an ASTM D-5 penetration depth not exceeding about 10 mm, and a particulate size not exceeding more than about 10 percent retained on a 40 mesh U.S. screen.

Abstract: A method is provided for the prevention of balling of formation cuttings upon the surface of drilling equipment and for lubrication of said equipment used in conjunction with subterranean well operations. An aqueous system is prepared to which is added a composition of a water insoluble polyglycol having a molecular weight of from between about 1,200 and about 10,000, an emulsifying surfactant having a hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of about 4 or more, and a hydrotrope. An additive for use in the method also is disclosed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board loader and unloader in which a printed circuit board carrier is horizontally translationally moved in a straight line along a first axis and a pick and place head unit is horizontally translationally moved above the carrier in a straight horizontal line along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A device stager holds a tube containing integrated circuit devices fed to it by a tube transporter. In a straight path from the opening of the tube facing the carrier is a slideway operatively connected with the tube holder. The slideway has gating and device fixing vacuum ports. The device stager is pivotable to (i) a pivot down position to slide devices from the tube onto the slideway and vacuum arrest and gate them, (ii) a pivot level position in which the devices are picked up from over the forward ports on the slideway, and (iii) a pivot up position which devices slide from the forward portion of the slideway into a tube in the tube holder of the device stager.

Abstract: A filtration device includes in a pressure vessel a driven rotary shaft having a longitudinal bore. Fluid suspension to be processed to recover the fluid is expelled from distributing conduit, situated either in the shaft or in the vessel, the outlets of which open to the cavity of the pressure vessel at central processing zones proximate the shaft adjacent the radially inward portions of annular filtration discs secured to the shaft. The filtration discs are laminates in which an inner conducting support layer is enclosed by an outer filtration layer. The layers are porous, the pores are in fluidic communication, and the pores of the inner layer are larger than the pores in the outer layer. Fluid collecting in the outer layer of a spinning filter disc flows from the inner layer through collecting passageways to the longitudinal bore in the shaft, and is removed from the vessel through a conduit fluidly communicating with longitudinal bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic allergy testing system. The system includes an electrode capable of testing up to eight different allergies and an associated electronic unit. The electrode includes apparatus to transcutaneously deliver an allergen to the patient without puncturing the patient's skin. The electrode also includes a temperature sensor for sensing the skin temperature in the area surrounding the delivery of the allergen. Electronic apparatus is provided for processing the sensed temperature and storing data related thereto for subsequent print out to an output device. The allergy testing system is controlled so that periodic temperature readings are made at thrity second intervals over approximately a fifteen minute testing span. The data can be printed out in a graphic format to allow the physician to easily and quickly make more accurate diagnosis.

Abstract: A filtration device includes in a pressure vessel a driven rotary shaft having a longitudinal bore into which fluid suspension to be processed to recover the fluid is pumped. The suspension is expelled into a processing zone in the vessel from distributing passages fluidly communicating the bore to the cavity of the pressure vessel. The processing zone is adjacent filtration discs affixed to the rotating shaft. The filtration plates are laminates in which an inner conducting support layer is enclosed by an outer filtration layer, the layers being porous, the pores being in fluidic communication, and the pores of the inner layer being larger than the pores in the outer layer. Fluid collecting in the outer layer of a spinning filter disc flows from the inner layer through collecting passageways to a second longitudinal bore in the shaft, and is removed from the vessel through a conduit fluidly communicating with such second longitudinal bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for performing a plurality of allergy tests on a patient undergoing tests. The allergy electrode consists of a plurality of individual testing electrodes and a single common electrode. Each of the testing electrodes includes allergen delivery apparatus and a temperature sensor. The allergen is contained in a removable allergen impregnated pad. If a dry allergen is used, it may be hydrolized with a drop of distilled water prior to application. A small electric charge charges a charge plate on one side of the allergen pad and a common ring on the electrodes is grounded in circuit with the charging plate, thereby causing electric field to transfer the allergen through the pores of the skin. The area surrounding the allergen delivery area is sensed for temperature by a thin film temperature sensor and a rigid temperature conducted base.

Abstract: A carrier for transport of a skateboard which leaves use of the hands free, includes a flexible resiliently deformable pad body with front and back faces configured to cover substantially the upper back of the bearer. The lateral sides of the pad body have pairs of attachment members to which cinching straps removably attach across the back face to cinchingly loop around the axle support brackets of a skateboard vertically oriented and positioned with its topside against the back face of the pad body and its wheels extending outwardly. The lateral edges of the pad body at the attachment member and the attachment members are drawn tightly against the lateral margins to restrain lateral movement of the skateboard, verticle movement of which is restrained by the loops about the axle support brackets. A plurality of lateral attachment member pairs permits vertical adjustment of the board on the pad body and supplementarily provides for attachment of skateboarding accessory articles.

Abstract: Described herein is a controlled circulation incubator device having a plurality of plate receiving trays held by a tray bracket. Heated air is circulated by a blower and heater assembly around the trays held by the tray bracket and the temperature of the flowing heated air is sensed by a thermister included in a temperature controller circuit. The termister is coupled in a circuit so that its resistance determines the amount of heating provided by the heater portion of the blower and heater assembly. Each of the trays have a front lid and a back lip and the plurality of trays are offset from one another within the confines of the incubator device. The angle of the back lip and the amount of offset are selected so that each of the back lips are positioned in a generally planar surface. This causes the front lip, which extend at a slight angle from the receiving trays, to extend into the circulating air stream and air is forced between adjacent trays to heat the contents held by the trays.

Abstract: Instantaneous speeds of revolution for a beam pumping unit prime mover rotor, determined for all or a predetermined part of the pumping unit reciprocation cycle, are applied to compute one or more parameters of pumping unit performance, which are compared to predetermined values for such parameters to detect the existance of cause (such as pump-off, mechanical malfunction, electrical operating inefficiency or pumping unit imbalance) for correction of pumping unit operation, which is done if indicated by the comparison.

Abstract: In particle counting apparatus such as a hematology parameter measurement apparatus for performing multiple measurements on one blood sample, first and second impedance transducers, each including inner and outer electrodes, are provided for selective hydraulic connection to a probe head including one set of pressure ports and a further inner electrode. The first and second transducers are respectively immersed in first and second dilutions of the sample. Measurements on each dilution are made in a conventional manner. The inner electrodes are connected in parallel as are the outer electrodes so that small liquid passageways may be provided between the transducers and the probe head while maintaining a low impedance in the liquid path. Means are provided for selecting the sequence of operations and are provided to increase the throughput of samples for which multiple measurements are made.