Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly is disclosed for directly monitoring pressure in a fluid which flows through the assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a chamber therewithin and having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid-flow communication with the chamber. An electrically insulated body element is sealed within the chamber dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a fluid-tight seal such that any fluid present in the first chamber cannot enter the second chamber. A pressure transducer sensor is secured in the insulated body and exposed to the first chamber such that the sensor can determine the pressure in a fluid in the first chamber and convert the pressure into electric impulses. The sensor is separated from the fluid in the first chamber by an insulating medium across which fluid pressure can be determined.

Abstract: A transducer assembly comprising a transducer housing, a retainer mounted on the housing for generally axial movement relative to the housing and a collar for relatively moving the retainer and the housing along the path between a locking position and a releasing position. The transducer assembly also includes a dome which is coupled to the housing by cooperating lugs and retaining flanges on the dome and the retainer, respectively.

Abstract: A heat source includes a cartridge which contains a first chemical having properties for maintaining a liquid state below its particular melting point. A second chemical, which can be introduced through a valve into the cartridge, triggers the crystallization of the first chemical; this crystallization occurs at the substantially constant temperatures of the particular melting point. The first chemical can be recycled by heating the cartridge above its melting point and subsequently cooling the first chemical below its melting point while maintaining its liquid state. A particularly desirable melting point for the first chemical is provided by a eutectic compound which may include sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate and sodium acetate trihydrate. The heat source is particularly adapted to be disposed in a transportable apparatus for heating a baby even during transport.

Abstract: An insulated food serving tray or lid therefore which includes a pair of preformed thermoplastic panels bonded together about a peripheral seam to permanently encase an insulator within a chamber between the panels. At the peripheral seam area, a first panel has an outwardly extending ledge area with a retaining lip. The second panel has a peripheral tongue area that fits inside the lip of the first panel. The panels are joined between the lip and tongue by a bonding material to provide a peripheral seam that is protected from fracture when the tray or lid is laterally banged at the peripheral seam area during handling. A method of forming the tray or lid is disclosed which includes forming the tray or lid with a gap between the insulation and panels at the time of assembly.

Abstract: A multipolar electrosurgical device is described for use in neurosurgery or through the channel of an endoscope or other precision surgery procedures. The device is formed with an insulative probe body, which, in the described embodiment, is sized to pass through a channel of an endoscope to enable the electrocoagulation of blood vessels such as may be needed in the treatment of a gastrointestinal ulcer. The probe body is provided with electrically separate conductors which are formed of a plurality of electrodes distributed over the peripheral surface of the probe body. The electrically separate conductors are so sized in width W and spaced from each other by a distance S as to establish a ratio of W:S which enables effective bipolar treatment of tissue independent of probe body orientation relative to the tissue and without sticking of the probe body to coagulated material.

Abstract: Described are compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is heteroaryl and R.sub.1 is hydrogen or loweralkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.The compounds exhibit cardiotonic activity.

Abstract: An inspection instrument is fabricated with segments of limited controllable flexure disposed between an objective segment and a control head. The segments are provided with interior frame members to maintain a generally rigid configuration, the variation in flexure providing a stair-climbing-like capability which is advantageous for clearing obstructions in the area being examined. Articulation in two dimensions is provided within each of the segments. Control lines thread through the instrument to contact frame members at distal ends of each of the segments to effect independent pivoting among the segments. The proximal ends of the control lines connect with manipulative members in the control head for manual control of the articulation.

Abstract: A heat-radiating cover for food dishes includes an outer shell joined at its periphery to the periphery of an inner shell having a shape complentary to and fitting within the outer shell and, mounted atop the outer shell and in the space between the outer and inner shells, a heat sink for absorbing radiating heat through the inner shell to the space beneath it, with the balance of the space between the inner and outer shells filled with insulation.

Abstract: An instrument for ophthalmic laser surgery is disclosed, in which lasers are mounted for conjoint movement with a slit lamp on an X-Y table. The laser beams are directed into the patient's eye by a beam-directing assembly which pivots together with the slit lamp's microscope about a common axis, and which receives the laser beams along that common axis. The resulting structure greatly improves the ease of use of the laser arrangement and keeps the laser beams in alignment with the microscope at all times.

Abstract: A manifold assembly is provided for monitoring hemodynamic pressures. The manifold assembly comprises a base having first, second and third flush valves mounted thereon. A first three port stopcock is also mounted on the base having one of its ports in fluid flow communication with the first flush valve. One of the ports is in fluid flow communication with an arterial catheter and one of the ports is in fluid flow communication with a pressure monitoring means for determining arterial pressure. A first T-connector is fastened to the second flush valve. A second T-connector is fastened to the third flush valve. A second three port stopcock is mounted on the base with one of its ports in fluid flow communication with the second flush valve through the first T-connector. One of the ports of the second three port stopcock is in fluid flow communication with the third flush valve through the second T-connector.

Abstract: A thermodilution injectate assembly which includes a length of flexible tubing for introducing fluid from a solution container to the assembly. An insulated container which holds a heat exchange medium and into which is positioned a substantially flat plate heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes an inlet port and an outlet port and a fluid-flow path therebetween, which path provides a heat exchange relationship between fluid flowing through the path and the heat exchange medium. A dual directional valve is connected to the outlet port of the heat exchanger and to the solution container. A three-ported stopcock is in fluid-flow communication with the dual directional valve. A syringe is connected to a port on the three-ported stopcock and a length of flexible tubing is connected to a port on the three-ported stopcock for delivering the cooled fluid to a patient for monitoring the cardiac output.

Abstract: Novel compounds are disclosed having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is lower alkyl, lower cycloalkyl, lower haloalkyl, lower alkylcarboxymethyl, arylcarboxymethyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, aryl having from 6 to about 10 carbon atoms, or aralkyl; R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, aralkyl, or --WB; where 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, where 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.sub.5 are not hydrogen when B is --NR.sub.2 SO.sub.2 R.sub.3 or --NR.sub.2 COOR.sub.5, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.

Abstract: A hollow dish with a discrete, meltable core such as a wax core includes top and bottom members welded to one another at their periphery, and a meltable, preferably wax core confined within an oxygen-free, water-free cavity between the top and bottom members. A method for making a hollow dish with such a core includes liquifying a meltable substance such as wax in an oxygen-free, water-free, inert atmosphere; cooling and solidifying the meltable substance to form a meltable core; placing the meltable wax core in the cavity inside a hollow dish; removing all oxygen and water from the core-containing cavity inside the hollow dish; and sealing the hollow dish to preclude escape of the wax core from the cavity and to preclude oxygen and water from entering the cavity.

Abstract: Latent heat storage and supply system and method in which a body of crystallizable phase change material and a separate body of a special crystallization nucleator for the phase change material are associated for heating as a unit to melt the phase change material, for cooling to bring the molten phase change material to supercooled condition in which heat is stored as latent heat of crystallization and thereafter for transferring a controlled portion of the nucleator into the body of phase change material to induce crystallization and release of latent heat of crystallization. The special nucleator includes a component which, after the heating and cooling steps, will contain crystals for nucleating the phase change material and which has a solubility in the phase change material such that the controlled portion added to the body of phase change material will dissolve in that body during the heating step.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve including a frame having a plurality of commissure supports, a plurality of resilient supports, and a plurality of valve leaflets. The valve leaflets are attached to the resilient supports, and the resilient supports lie radially outwardly of the commissure supports, respectively. When in use, the valve is subjected to forces which are used to clamp the valve leaflets between the resilient supports and the commissure supports to augment whatever other leaflet attachment techniques may be used.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of glaucoma or lowering intraocular pressure in a mammal, involving topically administering to the eye of such mammal a selectively metabolized beta-blocking compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R may be lower alkyl, lower hydroxyalkyl, lower alkynyl, aralkyl, or an ester-containing group and Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Because of a relatively long duration of action of such compounds in ocular fluids and a relatively short duration of action in the systemic circulation, such compounds are useful for the treatment of excessive intraocular pressure without substantial systemic effects.

Abstract: An external ventricular drainage assembly includes a ventricular drainage catheter which can be placed in the ventricles of a patient's brain and which is connected to a suture tab for securing the catheter to the patient and for preventing relative movement between the catheter and patient. A valve is connected to the catheter for selectively opening and closing the external ventricular drainage assembly to fluid flow. An adapter is connected to the valve for providing access to the fluid flow path within the assembly. A one-way valve is connected to the adapter. A first length of flexible tubing is connected to the one-way valve and is joined through a connector to a second length of flexible tubing. A collection reservoir is connected to the second length of flexible tubing and includes an entry and outlet port. A drip chamber is positioned between the second length of flexible tubing and the collection reservoir.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring catheter which has an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a wall portion defining a drainage lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wall portion can also define a longitudinally extending inflation lumen which extends therethrough. The drainage lumen opens at the proximal end of the shaft through a drainage eyelet. An elastic, inflatable sleeve portion can be bonded to and extend annularly around a portion of the proximal end of the shaft. The elastic, inflatable sleeve portion is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen so that it can be inflated for retaining the catheter in a patient's body. A temperature thermistor is imbedded in the wall of the shaft at the proximal end of the shaft. A bifilar electric wire coil, helically wound, is imbedded in the wall of the shaft and connected at one end to the temperature thermistor.