Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for variably controlling the ratio of blood to cardioplegia solution to be administered to a patient. A presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention comprises a multilumen tubing member having a blood supply lumen and three cardioplegia supply lumens, each having approximately the same tubing wall thickness, but having different inside diameters so that causing flow through different combinations of the cardioplegia lumens will result in different ratios of blood to cardioplegia. The four tubes comprising the multilumen tubing member are advantageously connected by web members, thereby facilitating use with a roller pump and minimizing the tangle of tubes.

Abstract: Gas is supplied to a gas flow modulator having a tubular member with a gas flow passage extending through the tubular member. A slide member in the gas flow passage is axially slidable longitudinally along the passage. Springs within the tubular member in opposite directions on the slide member so as to resiliently bias the slide member towards a predetermined position in the gas flow passage. A flow constrictor means is fixedly positioned within the gas flow passage for constricting gas flow along the gas flow passage, the slide member and the flow constrictor means being shaped to cease the flow of gas along the gas flow passage upon displacement of the slide member in a first direction from the predetermined position by means of an electromagnetic induction coil extending around the exterior of the tubular member and in cooperation with a magnetic material forming at least part of the slide member or secured thereto.

Abstract: A protective case for fishing hooks and lures wherein the protective case is mounted to a fishing rod. The protective case has an outer housing and an inner housing capable of rotation therebetween to open and occlude access ports through which a fishing lure may be inserted. An opening formed in the end of both outer housing member 12 and inner housing member 32 provides for continuous engagement with a fishing line. An aperture cap provides a bottom for the enclosure, which may be removed to clean debris that has accumulated therein. The protective case may be attached to a fishing rod through any of a variety of methods including a V-shaped clamping member, hook and pile straps or a spring clamp.

Abstract: The invention comprises a handpiece for use in a surgical procedure which involves directing a surgical agent to a target area of a person's body which procedure produces an unwanted smoke plume. The handpiece includes both a probe for directing a surgical agent, such as a CO.sub.2 laser beam, and a smoke eliminator for removing with suction the smoke created by the surgical procedure. The probe has no functional components for creating the laser beam, and is thus economical enough to be disposable after one use. The smoke eliminator includes a nozzle and/or an offset suction port so configured as to create a votrex flow in the smoke in the target area upstream in the fluid flow pathway of smoke through the hand piece from the distal tip of the hand piece.

Abstract: A system and method for color image reproduction prepared from random fixed size dot placement. In one embodiment, a color image is digitized using a scanner or other input device to prepare a red, green, blue (RGB) data file which is input to a central processing unit (CPU). The RGB data file is converted to corresponding standard process color files of cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). The CMYK color files are then digitally processed by the CPU using an error diffusion method to generate data files containing representations for each of the CMYK process colors wherein the representations correspond to random fixed size dot representations containing information corresponding to color density and placement for each pixel of the color image. Color separation prints can then be output which can than be aligned and used to print a composite color image reproduction.

Abstract: A sheath and obturator is provided for facilitating the insertion of certain medical devices into a patient's vascular system, a vein, or venous system and in particular an in vivo extrapulmonary blood gas exchange device having a bundle comprised of a plurality of elongated gas permeable tubes being potted at each end and enclosed within a respective air tight proximal and distal chamber. The sheath is hollow and substantially tubular with a tapered receiving portion and a nontapered, curved entry portion. The obturator has a tip at the distal end of the obturator and a trip at the proximal end with an elongate member therebetween. The sheath is configured to receive the obturator in sliding engagement such that when the obturator is fully inserted within the sheath, the tip closes the opening at the entry end of the sheath and protrudes slightly therefrom. The obturator has a vent which provides a passage from space exterior to the sheath into the hollow interior of the sheath.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the dose-to-effect transmucosal administration of medicaments are disclosed. The present invention relates to such apparatus and methods which are useful in administering medicaments in a dose-to-effect manner such that sufficient drug is administered to produce precisely a desired effect. The invention also relates to an apparatus capable of placement directly on the patient's buccal mucosa having the capability of adjusting the drug surface area in direct contact with the mucosal tissue thereby enabling the proper amount of therapeutic agent or drug to be administered while accounting for individual needs and susceptibilities of the drug.Through the use of selected permeation enhancers, the present invention enables lipophilic and nonlipophilic medicaments, which are not suitable for oral administration, to be rapidly administered noninvasively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to multi-shaft apparatus and methods for forming soilcrete columns and walls and grids in situ in soil whereby adjacent boreholes are drilled so as to reach bedrock at substantially the same time. Each shaft is equipped with a penetrating auger blade at its lower end. Overlapping auger blades, vertically offset from the penetrating auger blades, are attached to alternate shafts. The columns may overlap or be approximately tangential to each other. Columns may be positioned in a row so as to form a wall, or may be positioned in a grid so as to fixate a region of contaminated soil.

Abstract: Methods for reducing NO.sub.x emissions from stationary combustion systems having variable flue gas temperatures and variable CO levels in the combustion effluents are disclosed. The present invention represents an improvement in the Thermal DeNO.sub.x process. Use of a condensed phase precursor of gaseous ammonia which causes a delay between initial mixing and reacting with the flue gas substantially reduces or eliminates the adverse effects of variable CO levels, and to a certain extent variable flue gas temperatures. Use of a condensed phase precursor of gaseous ammonia in combination with a second reducing agent dramatically increases the useful temperature range of the Thermal DeNO.sub.x process.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the application and removal of gloves. The apparatus comprises a vacuum system wherein a vacuum pump evacuates air from a vacuum chamber, such that a glove positioned over an opening into the vacuum chamber is inflated. The glove is positioned over the opening by a stiffening ring attached to the wrist portion of the glove which has a diameter larger than the diameter of the opening. The apparatus includes a device for controlling the vacuum pump operation speed such that the amount of vacuum pressure used and the amount of glove inflation obtained may be adjusted to both higher and lower settings. Thus, the apparatus is particularly adapted for use in various geographical locations and elevations. The device is also ambidextrous in its use such that right and left hands can be gloved by the same device. One handed application is facilitated by an electrical foot switch operating the vacuum pump.

Abstract: A utility bag which is generally rectangular in shape and size to fit into an athletic locker or under the seat of an airplane. .[.The.]. .Iadd.A preferred embodiment of the .Iaddend.