Abstract: A method of removing body fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a container including a bottom wall having therein a drain, (b) providing a drainage device for automatically opening the drain and draining the contents of the container, (c) collecting body fluids in the container, (d) placing the container on the drainage device, and (e) operating the drainage device so that the drainage device opens the drain and drains the contents of the container.

Abstract: An air filtering apparatus including motor selectively connected to a power source, a fan driven by the motor and creating an air flow, a replaceable filter element selectively positioned in the air flow path, and an electronic control. The electronic control includes a clogged filter element detector and an indicator and a missing filter element detector. The current drawn by the fan motor is sensed by a current transformer and compared to a predetermined threshold by a comparator in each detector. If the current drawn by the fan motor is less than the clogged filter element predetermined threshold, the clogged filter element detector operates an indicator. If the current drawn by the fan motor is greater than the missing filter element predetermined threshold, the missing filter element detector operates a controller to disconnect the fan motor from the power source.

Abstract: A medical suction system comprising a medical suction canister used in draining bodily fluid from a patient, and a cleaning station for automatically draining and cleaning the suction canister and for automatically providing a visible indication that the canister has been cleaned.

Abstract: A method of extruding a homogeneous plastic rod substantially free of shrink voids, the method having the steps of: extruding a rod central portion of plastic material having a glass transition point and a Vicat softening point below the glass transition point, the rod central portion having a center core and an outer skin; cooling the rod central portion while maintaining the outer skin above the Vicat softening point until the center core is cooled to approximately the Vicat softening point; using an extruder to extrude around the rod central portion a sheath of the same plastic material, the sheath having an outer skin and inner and outer portions, such that the rod central portion acts as a heat sink for the inner portion of the sheath, and such that, at the extruder, the plastic material forming the outer skin of the rod central portion is melted upon contact with the plastic material forming the sheath and the plastic material of the rod central portion and the plastic material of the sheath form the ho

Abstract: A method of removing body fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a container including a bottom wall having therein a drain, (b) providing a drainage device for automatically opening the drain and draining the contents of the container, (c) collecting body fluids in the container, (d) placing the container on the drainage device, and (e) operating the drainage device so that the drainage device opens the drain and drains the contents of the container.

Abstract: A suction canister including a patient port, a vacuum port, a chamber, and a protrusion including a thin portion which defines a passageway, the passageway extending into the chamber such that the protrusion can be broken to provide communication between the passageway and the chamber to enable draining of fluid from the suction canister.

Abstract: A chair assembly including a frame defining a channel and a deflectable wall, a retainer receivable by the channel and engageable with the deflectable wall, and a web of fabric located in said channel and engageable with the retainer.