Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the temperature of a fluid flowing within a body comprising an elongated tube sized to be received within a vein or an artery and having a peripheral wall, at least one lumen extending longitudinally within the tube and an opening in the peripheral wall which extends from the lumen to the exterior of the tube. A thermistor is mounted in the lumen adjacent the opening by a thermistor mounting body. The thermistor mounting body cooperates with the tube to at least partially define a cavity at the opening which opens radially outwardly. The thermistor is partially in the mounting body and projects radially outwardly of the mounting body into the cavity so that the portion of the thermistor which projects into the cavity is in good heat transfer relationship to the fluid flowing within the body. The thermistor has a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis is generally transverse to the direction of the flowing fluid.

Abstract: A calibration reference apparatus comprising an elongated peripheral tubular wall open at one end and an end wall closing the other end of the tubular wall. The tubular wall and the end wall are integrally molded. The end wall defines a curved cavity opening toward the open end of the tubular wall. The calibration reference apparatus is adapted to receive a light guide through the tubular wall and in the cavity. A stop limits the extent to which the light guide can be advanced into the cavity whereby an end face of the light guide is spaced from a region of the surface to define a gap. The end wall and the gap are adapted to return a known ratio of the light directed into the gap from the end face of the light guide.

Abstract: Cyclic total parenteral nutrition is safely administered by tapering the infusion rate over a substantial period of time at the beginning and end of the infusion cycle. An infusion pump is disclosed which automatically calculates and performs a cycle profile having an appropriate steady-state rate and appropriate tapers in accordance with pre-established criteria when total volume and total infusion time per cycle are entered. The pump has a sleep mode for energy conservation without loss of memory when predetermined periods of inactivity occur.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of implantable biological tissue wherein elastomeric copolymers are incorporated into the tissue in an amount sufficient to increase the durability of the tissue as well as to reduce calcification of the tissue upon implantation. Mitigaton of calcification is retained when the tissue is subjected to flexing, stretching, or similar motion.

Abstract: A flexible tip catheter for electrically stimulating the heart comprising an elongated body having an elongated passage therein and an elongated conductor partially in the passage. The elongated conductor has a distal end portion outside of the passage which is flexible and resilient along its length. The distal end portion includes a flexible resilient electrode exposed at the outer periphery of the catheter so that current can be passed along the conductor to the electrode to electrically stimulate the heart. The distal end portion is more flexible at distal locations than at proximal locations along its length. The flexibility of the distal end portion and of the electrode greatly reduces the risk of penetration of the heart wall.

Abstract: A plurality of infusion pump modules are detachably connected to a portable central management unit. The modules can be programmed by the central management unit, and their operating information displayed by the central management unit, when they are connected to it; yet the modules, once programmed, can operate independently when detached from the central mangagement unit, and they can display limited operational information on their own.

Abstract: An apparatus for injecting a fluid into the heart and making temperature measurements within the pulmonary artery comprising an elongated flexible tube having a distal end portion, a temperature sensor mounted on the distal end portion, a peripheral wall, at least one lumen extending longitudinally within the tube and an injectate port opening in the peripheral wall proximally of the temperature sensor. The tube can be advanced through a vein, the right atrium and the right ventricle to place the distal end portion in the pulmonary artery and the injectate port in the right atrium facing generally toward the inferior vena cava. The temperature sensor is oriented on the distal end portion so as to materially reduce the likelihood that it will contact the wall of the pulmonary artery during use.

Abstract: The hematocrit of a volume of blood can be determined in real time without volume or flow rate limitations by sensing the diffusion of infrared light by the bloodstream. For this purpose, an infrared light beam is directed at a transparent cuvette through which the blood is conveyed, and a photodetector is mounted beside the cuvette at an angle such that the intersection of the light beam and of the principal sensitivity lobe of the detector is wholly spaced from the multiple scatter zone adjacent to the light source. The hematocrit signal produced by the photodetector can be corrected for the effect of oxygen saturation by providing an oxygen saturation signal, multiplying the hematocrit signal by a function of the oxygen saturation signal and using a look-up table to derive a linear true hematocrit signal. Means are also provided to compensate the detected hematocrit signal for the effects of temperature, drive current, and aging.

Abstract: A liquid-gas bubble separator comrising a container having an inlet for a fluid which includes liquid and gas bubbles, an outlet and upstream and downstream vents. A filter element is provided in the container between the inlet and the outlet. The filter element permits the passage of the liquid and inhibits the passage of the gas bubbles. The filter element is between the upstream and downstream vents so that gas bubbles which do not pass through the filter element can be vented through the upstream vent, and any gas bubbles downstream of the filter element can be vented through the downstream vent. A bypass passage is provided around the filter element. A portion of the filtered fluid is recirculated through the bypass passage to prevent forward flow through the bypass passage when the filter element is clean, and such recirculating flow is terminated when the filter is clogged to a predetermined degree to thereby open the bypass passage for forward flow.

Abstract: A filter material comprising hydrophobic filter media treated with a wetting agent which consists essentially of a material selected from the group consisting of polysobate 20, polysorbate 40, polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80. The wetting agent is applied by dissolving it in a solvent and spraying the resulting solution onto the filter media.

Abstract: A liquid meter assembly for collecting, metering and monitoring liquid is disclosed. The assembly comprises a container for collecting the liquid, an electrically powered strain gauge suspension device for supporting the container and for determining the weight of the liquid collected in the container and a handle on the container for interconnecting with the strain gauge suspension device. A length of tubing is attached to the container and adapted for interconnecting with the source of the liquid. A tubing support system is included on the strain gauge suspension device for fixedly supporting the tubing to substantially inhibit influence on weight determination due to any movement thereon. A power supply is included in the assembly for supplying power to the strain gauge suspension device.

Abstract: A dispenser comprising a base and a reel rotatably mounted on the base. An elongated flexible member which is to be dispensed is wound on the reel, and a housing is provided for the reel and the flexible member. Interlocking members on the reel and the housing hold the reel against rotation in any direction in the housing until the housing is removed from the base. The reel has first and second sets of radially extending fingers at the periphery of the reel, with the first set of fingers being inclined relative to the second set of fingers. The flexible member is wound on the reel between the first and second sets of fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a connector body, an optical fiber mounted on the connector body and a receptacle having a cavity for receiving the connector body. The connector body has a cam surface, and the receptacle cooperates with the cam surface when the receptacle and connector body are appropriately positioned to urge the connector body upwardly and farther into the cavity to place optical portions of the connector body and the receptacle into substantial engagement.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip device capable of being mounted to a surgical applicator and applied to a blood vessel so as to prevent blood flow. The clip device includes a pair of semi-rigid legs having free ends and opposed ends connected to a bridge. The legs are movable from an open mode in the applicator to a closed mode pinching the blood vessel. A plurality of first grooves are formed in parallel on one of the legs in a slanted direction relative to longitudinal dimension of the legs. A plurality of second grooves are formed in parallel on the other leg in a slanted direction relative the dimension of the legs approximately perpendicular to the second grooves so that the crimped vein remains stationary. A locking tab formed at the end of one of the legs is adapted to slide into a recess at the inner side of the opposed leg to prevent cross movement of the legs.

Abstract: A reference liquid-containing calibration cell for the calibration of a sensor for measuring a gaseous or non-gaseous constituent parameter of a fluid includes a chamber containing the reference liquid. The chamber is sealed to prevent loss of the reference liquid, and provides for communication between the sensor and a reference constituent present in the reference liquid. The chamber is provided with a gas-inleting port that is sealed by a first semi-permeable membrane. The first semi-permeable membrane is permeable to gaseous fluid constituents but impermeable to the reference liquid and to non-gaseous reference constituents present in the reference liquid. The chamber is further provided with a gas vent.

Abstract: A medical electrode intended for short term use has a disposable electrode pad provided with a socket and a reusable electrode conductor which is attached to a lead wire and which has a ridged body adapted to enter and be retained by the socket. The pad includes a pair of spaced foam sheets with patient-contacting adhesive layers on their lower surfaces. An electrolyte gel matrix, preferably formed from conductive adhesive urethane hydrogel, is located between the foam sheets. The socket is formed in a relatively stiff socket plate that overlies the gel matrix and the foam sheets. The socket includes a bore located over the gel matrix shaped to receive the electrode conductor, which is slightly larger than the bore, and may optionally include outwardly extending slits projecting from the bore. A method of manufacturing a strip of the electrode pads on a release liner on a continuous basis is disclosed.

Abstract: A medical electrode particularly suited for use as an EEG electrode comprises initially separated electrode conductor and electrolyte carrier components which are united prior to use of the electrode. The electrolyte carrier component comprises a disposable adhesive patch adhered to a disposable sponge member soaked with an electrolyte. The electrode conductor component comprises a reusable conductor ring having an affixed lead wire terminating with a plug-in device for effecting attachment to a monitoring instrument. Prior to use the electrolyte carrier components are stored in one or more evaporation resistant tray devices.