Abstract: An anhydrous solid water-soluble composition and method for direct controlled administration of beneficial agents to a flowing medical fluid. The beneficial agents are geometrically dispersed in a solid matrix and isolated from one and other to allow administration of mutually reactive agents.

Abstract: A body fluid drainage device that includes a wedge-shaped reservoir evacuator which has a first sidewall and a second sidewall integrally formed and joined along a coextending common edge. A third collapsible bellows-shaped sidewall extends between the nonjoined edges and is sealed to the nonjoined edges of the first sidewall and second sidewall to enclose and form a fluid tight reservoir between the first, second and third sidewalls. An inlet port and outlet port are provided in fluid communication with the reservoir. A one-way valve is provided in the inlet port for permitting fluid flow into the reservoir but preventing fluid flow out of the inlet port. A spring element is provided for storing energy to force the first sidewall away from the second sidewall following compression of the first sidewall towards the second sidewall such that as the first sidewall moves away from the second sidewall a partial vacuum is created within the reservoir for drawing fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: A guide system for improving the orientation of a web of film as it passes around a fill tube structure in a form, fill, seal packaging machine is provided. The guide system comprises at least two members removably coupled to the fill tube structure, and so constructed and arranged that they increase the cross-sectional perimeter of the fill tube structure when they are secured thereto. The members cooperating with the fill tube structure to stretch the web of film as it passes around the fill tube structure. An improved apparatus for attaching fitments to a web of film and method is also provided.

Abstract: A multiple fluid delivery system usable for the delivery of intravenous fluids to a patient from a plurality of fluid sources includes flexible tubing members for coupling the sources to a fluid junction member. The fluid junction member, wherein little or no interfluid mixing occurs, is coupled by an output conduit to a controllable pump. Output from the pump, via a further fluid flow conduit, can be coupled to the patient's catheter. The system can multiplex a plurality of different fluids. Spaced apart sequences of fluid quanta are injected into the output conduit from the fluid flow junction. The fluids are either mixed, or not, in the output conduit as desired. Operator interaction and control of the system can occur either through a display screen or by means of a bar code sensor. Hard copy records can be provided of fluid flow delivery schedules or other related information.

Abstract: A catheter sized and adapted to be passed through a tortuous path into a desired location in a human medical patient's body is disclosed. This catheter includes a deflection system, such as a bellows located at or near the distal end of the catheter. The distal end portion of the catheter can be controllably deflected, relative to the remainder of the catheter, by activating, e.g., pressurizing, the deflection system. This controlled deflection allows one to easily maneuver the catheter through the tortuous path.

Abstract: A method of radio frequency sealing attaches a seal member to a cylindrical, hollow, access port of a container. The method uses two sets of spaced apart die elements to generate an axial electric field along a region where the port and seal member overlap. An external peripheral ring is formed about an exterior surface of the port. The method can be used with containers having a sealed periphery as well as those previously filled with a fluid.

Abstract: A catheter includes a catheter tube extending to a distal end portion that terminates at a terminal end of the catheter tube, the distal end portion including a tapered portion extending between the terminal end and a transition region on the distal end portion set back slightly from the terminal end. The tapered portion has a cross sectional area that decreases toward the terminal end to define a frustoconically-shaped outer surface extending from the transition region to the terminal end on which a soft tip member is mounted. The tip member has a size and shape adapted to be placed over the tapered portion coaxially, and a composition softer than that of the distal end portion that is suitable for bonding to the frustoconically-shaped outer surface.

Abstract: A limb stimulator is engaged with a lower portion of a patient's limb for facilitating sustained venous blood flow therefrom toward a phlebotomy needle when the stimulator is activated. The stimulator may be an inflatable squeeze bulb adapted to engage a human hand and to be squeezed thereby when inflated. The stimulator may also, or alternatively, include a pressurizable member substantially surrounding a lower portion of the limb and adapted to apply external pressure thereto when periodically pressurized so as to periodically (e.g., in approximate synchronism with natural pulsitile blood movements in the limb) express venous blood upwardly through the limb to the needle. Inflation of the hand-held squeeze bulb serves as a tactile stimulus to the patient to assist in venous blood movements towards the needle by muscle and tendon flexure in the lower part of the limb and may also be periodically activated (e.g., in approximate synchronism with natural pulsatile blood movements in the limb).

Abstract: A material is formed into hollow fiber form, and the surface characteristics of the interior bore is selectively modified in a predetermined fashion by a reactive lumen fluid. Nucleophilic materials, such as regenerated cellulose, can be formed into hollow fibers and simultaneously modified to improve their biocompatibility in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: An air knife is positioned to direct a stream or blast of air across the tip of a sample probe as it is withdrawn from a cuvette containing a reagent, diluent, and patient sample solution. After the probe is flushed with diluent, the air knife drives any droplets of diluent fluid off the probe tip into the cuvette and thereby prevents contamination or dilution of the sample material in the sample containers.

Abstract: A structure comprising: an elongated, flexible inner element and a substantially water insoluble, biocompatible sheath disposed over the inner element, the structure having a substantially uniform cross-section, being substantially solid, and sized and shaped for insertion into the body of a medical patient, the inner element having a reduced tendency to creep relative to the sheath, and the sheath having increased softness relative to the inner element.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall and a longitudinal axis. The outer tube has a plurality of openings arranged generally longitudinally along the outer tube. Each of the openings has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of such openings. An inner cutting member is rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has at least one cutting edge cooperable with the first and second cutting edges of the openings of the outer tube for cutting material from within the patient with a shearing action.

Abstract: An assembly for inhibiting microbial growth in collected body fluid includes a reservoir for collecting the fluid, and a tablet in the reservoir, which tablet dissolves in the collected fluid to produce hydrogen peroxide in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the collected fluid. The tablet is partially coated with an insoluble coating which leaves a portion of the tablet uncoated to provide a constant surface area exposed to the collected body fluid, which surface area is of a size to provide sufficient hydrogen peroxide for inhibition of microbial growth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining right heart ejection fraction by injecting a cold indicator into the right ventricle or locations in the heart upstream thereof during an injection period and allowing the indicator to be diluted with blood and flow to the pulmonary artery whereby the temperature of the fluid in the pulmonary artery falls and then rises, measuring the temperature of the fluid in the pulmonary artery at least during the time that the temperature in the pulmonary artery is rising, measuring a prebolus temperature of the blood in the pulmonary artery prior to the time that the cold indicator reaches the pulmonary artery, establishing a post bolus baseline temperature which is lower than said prebolus baseline temperature, comparing at least some of the measured temperatures during the time that the temperatures of the fluid in the pulmonary artery are rising to the post bolus baseline temperature to establish temperature differentials, and using at least some of the temperature differential

Abstract: A positive gauge blood pressure signal is transmitted to a gas column from a pulsatile blood flow stream hydrostatically higher than the pressure transducer. Particularly, a first conduit having a predetermined internal diameter smaller than a second conduit is connected at one end to the blood flow stream. The first conduit extends to a turnaround below the pressure transducer and is connected to the second conduit. The opposite end of the second conduit connects with the pressure transducer. The small internal diameter of the first conduit maintains the meniscus of the blood intact notwithstanding the pulsatile blood stream.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising an outer tube having a peripheral wall, an end wall and an opening in the peripheral wall and the end wall. The outer tube has first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of the opening, and the cutting edges intersect at an angle of at least about 90 degrees to define a corner. An inner cutting member is rotatable within the outer tube. The inner cutting member has a cutting edge cooperable with both the first and second cutting edges of the outer tube for cutting material with a shearing action that progresses along both of the first and second cutting edges toward the corner.

Abstract: A surgical cutting instrument comprising:an outer tube sized for insertion through an opening in a patient, the outer tube having a distal end wall, a peripheral wall and a longitudinal axis, the outer tube having a first and second opening, the first opening being located at least primarily in the distal end wall and the second opening being located at least primarily in the peripheral wall, each of the openings having first and second cutting edges defining portions of the periphery of such openings; andan inner cutting member rotatable within the outer tube, the inner cutting member having at least one cutting edge cooperable with the first and second cutting edges of the openings of the outer tube for cutting material from within the patient with a shearing action that progresses along the first and second cutting edges as the inner cutting member rotates.

Abstract: A coupler device for coupling an endoscope to a camera head includes a housing that defines an enclosed light path extending along an optical axis between first and second end portions of the housing together with mounting components for attaching the first end portion of the housing to an endoscope and the second end portion of the housing to a camera head so that the light path extends toward the camera head. A single lens mounted within the housing intermediate the first and second end portions magnifies an image from the endoscope in order to provide a magnified image to the camera head, the lens being a single refracting optical element for magnifying the image from the endoscope that is the sole refracting optical element for magnifying the image. A quick-release arrangement in one embodiment enables attachment of the endoscope by advancing the endoscope axially without a having to rotate it while a focusing ring enables fine focusing adjustments.