Abstract: A frame for spreading relatively large adhesive backed bandages into a generally flat configuration for applying to a patient. Such bandages might be for a wound dressing, burn dressing, surgical incise drape, etc. The frame is attached to the bandage when the bandage is being stuck to the patient, but the frame is removed so as not to interfere with subsequent movement of the patient's anatomy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating serum from other blood components in a centrifuge tube. The separator comprises a cylindrical, laterally-expandable filter element composed of a multiplicity of generally longitudinally-oriented fibers, 10 to 40 millimicrons in diameter, formed of a biologically inert polymeric material having a specific gravity within the range of about 1.10 to 1.50 and bonded to adjacent fibers only at spaced-apart junctures. The filter element has a diameter within the range of 9 to 15 millimeters, a length from 75 to 125 percent of its diameter, and a bulk density of about 0.20 to 0.60 grams per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a blood sample from a flexible tube by pinching the tube with a clamp and stripping the blood from the tube by moving the clamp along the tube while the clamp is in a clamped position.

Abstract: A humidifier for humidifying gas with a liquid has a cavity defined by top, bottom, and side walls. An interior wall is attached to the side wall and defines a first and second cavity within the enclosed cavity. At least a first opening adjacent the bottom wall and at least a second opening adjacent the top wall extend through the interior wall to provide fluid flow communication between the first and second cavities. An enclosed conduit for the introduction of a gas to be humidified is secured to the side wall. The enclosed conduit has a closed end and an opening adjacent the closed end, which opening extends through the side wall of the humidifier adjacent the bottom wall and opens into the first cavity. The opening through the side wall provides for the formation of bubbles of a gas which are introduced into the humidifier through the enclosed conduit. An opening is provided through the top wall of the humidifier for exhausting the humidified gas from the humidifier.

Abstract: An anesthesia system with a filter located between a Y-connector and a mask or endotracheal tube for connecting with a patient. The filter operates two ways in that it filters during both inhalation and exhalation of the patient. The filter has a very low pressure drop and is small and compact, with a body having an internal volume of 50 cc or less to prevent the patient from rebreathing large volumes of unfiltered exhaled gas.

Abstract: A stretcher for patient support which has a roll of disposable sheeting beneath an end portion of the stretcher. Individual sheets are manually separated from the roll at transverse weakened sections in the sheeting material that are longitudinally separated by a distance greater than the length of a mattress pad plus twice its thickness. In one embodiment, a roll of disposable sheeting is encased within a housing that has a pivotally mounted openable section.

Abstract: A compact low-resistance muffler for reducing sound levels generated by the pulsatile flow of fluids as, for example, at the intake of a compressor or the exhaust port of an internal combustion piston engine. The muffler or suppressor comprises a pair of adjacent branch passages having a common inlet trunk and a common outlet trunk, one of the branch passages containing a flow-restricting orifice and the other of such branch passages being free of any such restriction.

Abstract: An improved method for attaching a hydrophobic vent directly to a urinary drainage container without requiring special supplemental donut-shaped sandwich structures for retaining the filter. The substantially improved fusion bond is obtained by a special seal structure formed by a die having two protruding fusion ribs separated by a relief groove. The seal structure formed by such a die permits direct sealing of a silicone treated hydrophobic vent to a thermoplastic bag wall with a firm viable seal.

Abstract: An administration set with a check valve above a side port where the side port is used for the introduction of a secondary liquid, and this check valve is extremely sensitive to minute pressure changes in the combined administration set. The valve includes a very light disk supported on a series of upstanding prongs that hold a sealing surface of the disk to within 0.002 to 0.030 inch of a valve seat when in open position. The highly sensitive valve is easy to manufacture, easy to prime, and resists malfunctioning due to sticking shut or open. The valve also permits high flow rates (up to 500 ml/hr. or more) commonly used in medical administration sets.

Abstract: A disposable or resuable "crawl resistant" flexible mattress formed of panels sealed together to define alternately inflatable passages between the panels for sequentially altering supporting structure for a long term bed patient to reduce decubitus ulcers, bed sores, etc. The mattress has vent holes in its top for ventilating the patient with inflation gas and a crawl resistant layer bonded to a bottom of the mattress to prevent the mattress from "crawling" relative to the bed and patient during use. In one form of the mattress, crawling is reduced by a separation between the inflation passages so individual sections of the mattress can more readily conform to a patient's body contour.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having an improved water/air spray system including a pair of substantially parallel tubes, one for water and the other for chip air, extending through the handle of the handpiece and terminating in a nozzle chamber having a discharge orifice. The tubes are generally cylindrical but are partially deformed at their distal ends, such deformation constituting a flattening of adjacent wall portions of the respective tubes. Such adjacent wall portions are disposed in contiguous relation and are cut away for a limited distance at the discharge end of the tube assembly to define the unitary nozzle chamber. The wall of the chamber is provided with a water-deflecting surface aligned with the water passage and sloping inwardly and distally toward the orifice to deflect water from the water passage into the path of air discharged from the chip air passage immediately prior to the discharge of said water/air spray from the nozzle chamber.

Abstract: A handle for axial and rotational manipulation of a puncture spike for entering the closure of a medical liquid container or the like. The handle has a pair of opposed concave gripping surfaces that flair outwardly to provide a greater angle between the gripping surfaces adjacent their forward ends than adjacent their rearward ends. This handle construction improves the ease of manipulation during longitudinal puncture, as well as rotationally twisting the spike. Lateral protrusions on the handle at the forward ends of the gripping surfaces provide additional leverage when rotating the spike.

Abstract: A catheter having at least two separate lumens, one containing a gas required in connection with the operation of a pressure responsive element adjacent the catheter's distal end and the other for conveying liquid to and from a port spaced proximally from the pressure responsive element. The two lumens are separated by a longitudinal septum and combine to perform a third function--that of enclosing an electrical conductor which extends through that portion of the gas-containing lumen proximal to the port and through that portion of the liquid-conveying lumen beyond the port. The conductor switches from one lumen to the other through a sealed aperture in the septum. A method of forming such a catheter is also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilumen catheter having passages for the flow of gas, the enclosure of electrical leads, and the transmission of fluids for injection and sampling. The gas transmitting lumen also carries the electrical leads which extend to an electrical element disposed within a passage-providing plug located at a point spaced from the catheter's distal end. The plug blocks the entry of fluids into the catheter without at the same time interfering with the flow of gas therethrough. In one embodiment, the passage-providing plug is at least partially pre-formed and is fitted into the space otherwise occupied by sections of a pair of adjacent lumens, thereby allowing a relatively large electrical element to be mounted within such space; in a second embodiment the element is mounted in a passage-providing plug disposed within a single lumen; and in a third embodiment the element is embedded in a passage-providing plug which is formed in place. Methods for making such catheters are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dental handpiece having an improved water/air spray system including a pair of substantially parallel tubes, one for water and the other for chip air, extending through the handle of the handpiece and terminating in a nozzle chamber of oval cross section. The tubes are generally cylindrical but are partially deformed at their distal ends, such deformation constituting a flattening of adjacent wall portions of the respective tubes. Such adjacent wall portions are disposed in contiguous relation and are cut away for a limited distance at the discharge end of the tube assembly to define the unitary nozzle chamber. The chamber has an oval discharge orifice for directing an elliptical spray pattern towards the tip of the dental bur. At the opposite end of the handpiece, the handle is equipped with a plug terminating in an external end face. Tubular extensions project from that end face for conveying air to the drive air and chip air passages.

Abstract: A catheter having at least two separate lumens, one for conveying liquids to and from a port spaced substantially from the distal end of the catheter and the other for enclosing an electrical conductor which extends to a point distal to the port. The two lumens are separated by a longitudinal septum and combine to perform a third function--that of containing a gas required in connection with the operation of a pressure responsive element adjacent the catheter's distal end. The septum is provided with an aperture through which the gas chamber or pathway switches from one lumen to the other. A sealant plug located in the lumen for liquid flow prevents contact between such liquid and both the electrical conductor and the gas within the pathway. Methods for forming such a catheter are also disclosed.