Abstract: A tubing occlusion clip comprising a first wall portion, first and second arms joined to spaced regions of the first wall portion and a closing wall portion joined to the first arm and extendible to the second arm such that the arms cooperate with the wall portions to form a closed loop. The wall portions have openings, and a tube is coupled to the first wall portion and extends across the closed loop and through the opening of the closing wall portion. First and second clamping members are carried by the first and second arms, respectively, and they are adapted to have the tube extend therebetween. The arms are relatively movable toward each other to a clamping position in which the tube is clamped between the clamping members and relatively movable away from each other to a releasing position. Interlocking members are provided on the closing wall portion and the second arm for positively locking the closed loop against opening when the arms are in the releasing position.

Abstract: A tower assembly for supporting a plurality of specimen trays for use in an automated analyzing system. Each specimen tray comprises a container tray for holding a plurality of specimens and a cover member having pad portions. The tower assembly comprises a generally rectangular frame having a plurality of shelves removably supported therein to provide a spaced apart parallel and overlapping array with the spaces between the shelves being adapted to receive the specimen trays. The tower assembly includes a system for capturing the cover member so that only the container tray is moved to a work station for inoculation or analysis while a cover member is retained in the tower.

Abstract: Stress cracking of polycarbonate parts during prolonged storage while assembled with plasticized polyvinyl tubing is greatly reduced by using tubing in which tri-2-ethylhexyl trimellitate is the predominant or sole primary plasticizer.

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 includes a gas-inleting port sealed by a first semi-permeable membrane which is permeable to a gaseous fluid constituent but impermeable to the reference liquid and non-gaseous reference constituents present in the reference liquid, the chamber further including a gas vent.

Abstract: Described is a hypodermic syringe which includes provision for a rigid sheath cover or sleeve which encompasses the rubber needle cover and provides protection in the operating mode as well as other advantages. The rubber needle cover is placed over the needle and provides a sterile barrier for the needle after the syringe unit is sterilized.The sheath cover can be made of plastic and includes a plurality of teeth spaced about the opening of the cover. At least some of the teeth have a small lip projecting inwardly from the end of the teeth toward the center of the opening. When the rigid sleeve is inserted over the rubber needle cover, the lips slip over the cover to grip it so that when the sleeve is removed, the rubber cover is retained within the sleeve and the two are removed together. After the medicament is administered, the needle cover and sheath are replaced.

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: An intraocular lens, including an optic having an optic body with a posterior surface and first and second circumferentially spaced spacing tabs at the periphery of the optic body. Each of the spacing tabs extends radially outwardly from the periphery of the optic body and axially of the optic body in the same axial direction. A haptic is mounted on the optic and projects generally radially outwardly of the periphery of the optic. With this construction, the intraocular lens can be implanted in the eye, with the spacing tabs in contact with the wall of the capsular bag to space the posterior surface of the optic from the wall of the capsular bag.

Abstract: A disposable device for making an incision in the skin of a human or animal by a retracting blade member that selfretracts after the incision is completed for bleeding time determinations, is disclosed. The device comprises a housing, a hammer mechanism pivotably positioned within the housing and including a cam surface, and a selfretracting shuttle supported within the housing and including a cam follower surface, the shuttle operative to travel in a vertical direction by (i) the movement of the cam surface along the cam follower surface and (ii) the force exerted on the shuttle by a first spring extending from the shuttle. Secured on the shuttle is a cutting surface {(blade(s)} operative to move out of the housing to make the incision and then selfretract into the housing.

Abstract: Prostheses useful for articulating cartilage replacement, and which are attached to host bone without the use of cements, are derived from bone. Allogenic or xenogenic bone segments are machined into the desired shape and differentially demineralized. The completely demineralized portion has a spongy texture similar to natural cartilage, while the non-demineralized portion is a matrix into which adjacent host bone grows, thus anchoring the prosthesis. The prostheses are tanned which renders the material non-antigenic, biocompatible, and stable.

Abstract: A removable cover for converting a programmable infusion pump into a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. The cover can be placed onto an infusion pump and electrically connected thereto when open. The cover includes an internal switch which allows selection of normal or PCA pump operation. A second internal switch automatically disables the keyboard of the pump when the cover is closed. The cover is lockable, and when it is closed and locked, the internal switches are inaccessible, the cover cannot be removed from the pump, and the electrical connection to the pump cannot be disconnected. When closed, the cover also defines an inaccessible compartment for the storage of medication. An external push button is provided to allow the patient to trigger analgesia doses at safe intervals when the pump is in the PCA mode.

Abstract: A DC power supply capable of providing a number of output voltages, including a balanced positive and negative voltage supply for integrated circuit applications, includes a transformer having primary and secondary windings. A diode bridge rectifier circuit is connected across the secondary winding end terminals for providing a DC output voltage of one polarity with respect to ground. Another DC output voltage of opposite polarity is developed by AC coupling a voltage multiplier circuit between one of the secondary winding terminals and ground. DC regulator circuits are included for regulation of the DC output voltages under load conditions.

Abstract: Sterilized cellulosic material which resists discoloration when exposed to undue post-sterilization heating (e.g., 100.degree. F. to 150.degree. F.) is provided by stabilizing the water content by weight of the pre-sterilized cellulosic material to not less than 6.5% by weight--preferably, at least about 8% by weight--with the water content being maintained at less than about 12% by weight, preferably less than about 10%, so that the cellulosic material remains dry to the touch.

Abstract: The temperature of a liquid bath in the tank of a clinical analyzer is precisely regulated to a known reaction temperature, for example, 37.0 degrees C., notwithstanding the transport of cuvettes through the tank by a conveyor for photometric analysis, by providing an electric heater assembly externally of the tank in a circulation loop through which the both liquid is circulated from a tank liquid outlet to a tank liquid inlet. The temperature of the liquid is measured by a first temperature sensor located downstream of the heater assembly but upstream of the tank inlet and a second temperature sensor located in the tank remote from the tank inlet. The deviation of the measured liquid inlet temperature from a preset liquid inlet temperature and the deviation of the measured tank temperature from the desired constant tank temperature are used to obtain a heating element drive signal for controlling the energization of the heater assembly to maintain the bath temperature constant.

Abstract: Novel compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkyl carboxymethyl, aryl carboxymethyl, aryl, or aralkyl; A is a direct bond, lower alkylene, or lower alkenylene; x is 1 or 2, provided that when x is greater than 1, different occurrences of the ##STR2## group may be the same or different; Ar is heterocyclic, unsubstituted aromatic or aromatic substituted with lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, acetamido, amino, nitro, lower alkylamino, hydroxy, lower hydroxyalkyl or cyano; W is alkylene containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; and B is --NR.sub.2 COR.sub.3, --NR.sub.2 CONR.sub.3 R.sub.4, --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 R.sub.3, --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, or --NR.sub.2 COOR.sub.5, wherein R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 may be the same or different and may be hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyaryl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, or aralkyl, except that R.sub.3 and R.

Abstract: There as disclosed a disposable shoe cover and method of continuously manufacturing the shoe covers from two source rolls of flat, flexible material, producing no scrap.

Abstract: An ultrasonic horn assembly, particularly suitable for dissolving reagent tablets in a liquid solution in a cuvette which is moved along a path next to the front end face of the horn, includes a generally cylindrical converter fixed to a rear end face of the horn body substantially medial of the length of the rear end face. A pair of elongate resonating members are each fixed at one end to a different side end region of the rear end face on the horn body, and extend perpendicularly from the rear end face. The resonating members cause acoustic waves to propagate from the front end face of the horn body at substantially uniform amplitude along the length of the front end face, so that objects such as cuvettes moving parallel to the front end face are continuously subjected to uniform acoustic waves to insure a thorough dissolving or mixing operation.

Abstract: A body support pad for inhibiting the occurrence of decubitus ulcers. The body support pad includes a generally planar but flexible base member having an upper surface and a lower surface. A plurality of pillars are arrayed across the lower surface and extend outwardly therefrom. The pillars can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pillars in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes a plurality of pods extending outwardly from the upper surface of the base member. The pods can be arranged in discrete arrays wherein the pods in each array can have specific pressure dispersing characteristics. The body support pad also includes ventilation apertures for permitting free flow of air in and around the pad.

Abstract: A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of cardiac disorders in a mammal, comprising administering to such mammal a short-acting .beta.-blocking compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is an ester-containing group; R may be lower alkyl, aralkyl or an ester-containing group; R.sub.1 may be lower alkyl; and Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Novel compounds possessing short acting .beta.-adrenergic blocking activity are also disclosed.

Abstract: Calibration testing of a blood pressure transducer can be performed in immediate proximity to the body of the patient by including in either the transducer housing or the housing of a connector located adjacent thereto, a pair of membrane switches on opposite sides of the housing. The switches are connected in series with each other and with a shunting resistor which, when connected across one input and one output port of the transducer's circuit, will produce a predetermined pressure reading. The switches are so arranged as to require simultaneous actuation from two sides of the housing to prevent accidental actuation of the testing circuit by the patient.