Abstract: A blunt cannula (10) includes a distal portion (12) and a proximal portion (14). The distal portion (14) has a non-uniform taper defined by a plurality, such as four, differently tapered segments (22, 24, 26, 28). The proximal portion (12) may additionally or alternatively have a non-circular, such as oval, cross-section. At least the major diameter (DMAJ) of the proximal portion (12) my taper toward the distal portion (14).

Abstract: Each leg of a U tube blanket is configured to have at least one row of holes extending substantially along the length thereof. The size of the holes is incrementally increased from the proximal portion that is closest to the air inlet cross section of the blanket where heated air is input to the blanket for inflating the same to the distal portion of the legs of the blanket. For an embodiment of the inventive blanket, the plurality of vent holes along each leg of the blanket are grouped into a number of sections, for illustration purposes three, with the vent holes in each section having the same dimension. With the size of the holes being incrementally larger along the leg away from the heat source, a greater amount of warm air is output at the distal portion of the blanket to compensate for the distance the warm air needs to travel before it is vented from the blanket.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided in which a needle cannula thereof has one or more markers to provide a visual and/or tactile indication to a user that the needle cannula has been withdrawn from a position in which the sharp tip thereof is exposed beyond the catheter tube to a position wherein a part of the cannula needle shaft and the tip are within a proximal portion of the catheter tube so as to impede fluid leakage through the tube, but removed from a distal portion of the tube to free it to flex.

Abstract: The invention concerns a novel method adapted to experimental conditions, for determining the function defining the actual detecting sensitivity of a solid-state detector of nuclear traces and which represents the detecting performances for each type of nucleus emitting energy alpha particles Ei, located in each position inside a sample to be analyzed, and hence precision dosimetry of the radioactive nuclei in a sample using nuclear trace solid-state detectors. The method provides an improvement of the quality of sample analyses, a significant reduction of analysis costs and an important widening of the scope of application of this type of detectors. Thus, the method will bring about the development of a new generation of detectors having a better price-quality ratio which can be found in the field of radioactive nuclei analyses in different types of samples.

Abstract: A needle tip protector (10, 10?) including a pair of apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) with spring arms (22, 24) urging the apertured members (28, 30 or 28?, 30?) out of alignment to create a barrier to a needle tip (16). A needle gripping U-shaped clip (81) may also provide a needle tip protector (80).

Abstract: A needle guard (1) based upon a canting plate (6) becomes lockingly engaged with the needle (2) shaft both upon retraction of the needle tip within the guard (1), and upon any attempt to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the guard (1). The plate (6) is positioned to rotate into locking engagement with the shaft of the needle (2) both when an attempt is made to further withdraw the needle from the needle guard (1) and when an attempt is made to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the needle guard (1).

Abstract: An intravenous catheter introducer assembly having a safety feature to prevent accidental needle sticks. The introducer assembly includes a needle assembly having a groove disposed on its outer surface. The introducer includes a protector made of a hollow member having an open distal end and an inwardly disposed resilient flange or a clip disposed thereon. The protector is coaxially slidably disposed around the needle with the flange abutting the outer surface of the needle and adapted to engage the groove when a catheter assembly is removed from the needle.

Abstract: A safety device to be used with a vial, or capsule, has a collar dimensioned to slidably fit about the body of the vial. Extending from the collar is a neck member that has connected to its other end a housing pivotable to a position along the longitudinal axis of the vial. A latch member having a lip is integrated to the neck member and extends out from the neck member in a direction towards the center of the collar. Neck member is fabricated to have an elastic characteristic so that if it is not biased by any external force, it will return to its original position. As the collar of the safety device is moved along the body of the vial, neck member is biased away from the vial as the latch member maintains contact along the outer surface of the vial, and then the outer surface of the hub formed at the top end of the vial.

Abstract: An improved humidifier which may be used with a nasal cannula for high-flow respiratory gas therapy wherein a sterilized liquid is drawn from a sterilized liquid container by a high-flow driving gas passing adjacent to an aspirator tube orifice through which the sterilized liquid is drawn into contact with the driving gas for fracturing the liquid into a mist which is warmed and delivered to the patient or user, and the driving gas is also passed adjacent a condensate return orifice which draws any condensate formed in the humidified respiratory gas delivery system away from the cannula and back into the system for re-use.