Abstract: A specimen collecting device is disclosed. The device has an elongated foam member that is circumscribed by a hollow tubular member along a portion of its longitudinal axis. The hollow tubular member has a cross sectional area less than the uncompressed cross sectional area of the foam member so that the foam member is compressed along the circumscribed portion.

Abstract: A specimen collecting and testing device has a housing containing a test membrane. An elongated handle having a foam member is slidably received in the housing. Once the foam member obtains a specimen, the specimen is expelled from the foam member and delivered to a fluid chamber positioned along the test membrane. The device is then positioned horizontally and specimen that collects in the fluid chamber passes through an aperture in the fluid chamber and onto the test membrane located beneath the aperture. The test membrane may then be observed for optical changes in the case of an instant-type test, or removed for further processing. The device is particularly useful for collecting samples of urine or oral fluid for use in drug testing, pregnancy testing and the like; for testing of specimen for any of a variety of analytes such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc.; and, for collecting samples of DNA for PCR testing.

Abstract: A diagnostic test strip for determining the presence of a specified analyte in a fluid sample is described. The test strip has a test membrane sandwiched between two layers of a plastic sheath. The upper layer of the sheath has a sample well into which a liquid sample is placed. The test membrane has a sample receiving zone typically containing a buffer and a fatty acid sarcosinate. Adjacent to the sample receiving zone is a reagent zone containing reagent chemicals including gold colloid particles coated with antibodies to the specified analyte. In fluid connection with the reagent zone is a test zone containing immobilized molecules of the specified analyte. Preferably, in fluid connection with the test zone is a control zone containing an indicator that changes color when wetted by the sample and a liquid sink zone to absorb excess liquid in the sample.

Abstract: A fastening device has a support layer, an adhesive layer on one side of the support layer, and a removable liner on the adhesive layer opposite to the support layer, the support layer having an opening therethrough. The device facilitates securing of a catheter or like assembly to a patient. A preferred catheter assembly includes the fastening device, a needle, a cannula and a hub attached to the cannula.

Abstract: A specimen collecting and testing device has a housing containing a test membrane. An elongated handle having a foam member is slidably received in the housing. Once the foam member obtains a specimen, the housing is moved with respect to the handle and the foam member is moved inside the housing and slid past the test membrane. In so doing, specimen is delivered to the test membrane. The test membrane may then be observed for optical changes in the case of an instant-type test, or removed for further processing. The device is particularly useful for collecting samples of urine or oral fluid for use in drug testing, pregnancy testing and the like; for testing of specimen for any of a variety of analytes such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, etc.; and, for collecting samples of DNA for PCR testing.

Abstract: A pressure wound dressing has a flexible support layer, a pressure exerting support member attached to and extending from one side of the flexible support layer and, preferably, a layer of pliant absorbent material attached to the pressure exerting support member. The flexible support layer has an adhesive layer on the side from which the support member extends. Preferably, a removable liner is positioned on the adhesive layer opposite to the support layer. The pressure exerting support member preferably is formed from a sheet of material to provide two surfaces oriented at an angle with respect to each other.

Abstract: A treatment delivery system which uses a flexible plastic outer container and a smaller, readily burstable, thin film plastic inner container fixedly positioned in the outer container. The inner container contains a treatment solution and a dry foam appliance is loosely placed within the inner container. When the inner container is burst by applying pressure to the outer container at a position which corresponds to the position of the inner container therein, the treatment solution comes into contact with the foam appliance so as to be absorbed by, and to wet the appliance. The wetted foam appliance can then be removed from the outer container for use.

Abstract: An eye protective device having a frame member and a shield member attached to the frame member, the shield member having end portions which have tapered configurations. A pliant foam plastic member has a groove therein, the end portions of the groove having undercut tapered configurations which generally correspond to the tapered configurations of the end portions of the shield member. The tapered end portions of the groove engage the tapered end portions of the shield member so that the foam plastic member is held in place snugly against a wearer's face just above the eyes of the wearer during use so as to prevent perspiration or other debris from falling into the wearer's eyes.

Abstract: A bathroom scale which uses an electronic circuit for providing a digital output voltage in response to the placing of a weight thereon, the electronic circuit having operational amplifier circuits which use both a positive power supply and a negative power supply, the latter assuring that the op-amps always return to a stabilized ground reference point to assure repeatability of weight measurement. The unit includes means for permitting the digital output voltage to reach a steady state value during a selected time period after a weight is placed on the scale and for preventing such steady state value from changing after such selected time period. The gain of the op-amp circuitry is adjustable to permit scale calibration to be performed.