Abstract: A filter (32) is provided for a medical sterilization container (10) having a port (18,22,24) allowing fluid communication between the interior of container (10) and the surrounding environment. A peripheral frame (44) is adapted to cooperate with the port (18,22,24). A plurality of cross-members (54) span an aperture (48) formed by a frame (44). A filter medium (58) is disposed across the aperture (48) so as to be interposed between the interior of the container and the cross-members (54).

Abstract: The invention provides water soluble wound dressing materials comprising from 5% to 50% of an alginate ester of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 polyhydric alcohol; from 50% to 95% of a humectant consisting of one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 monohydric or polyhydric alcohols; and from 0% to 30% of water, the percentages being calculated by weight based on the weight of the material when anhydrous. The preferred alginate ester is propylene glycol alginate (PGA). The materials dissolve in water at temperatures below 40.degree. C. The materials are normally produced in the form of soft, conformable, wound-friendly films. The materials may also comprise medicaments or antiseptics.

Abstract: A method and device for enhancing the vapor sterilization of the lumen of medical instruments and like articles under reduced pressure. A vessel containing a small amount of a vaporizable liquid antimicrobial solution is attached to the lumen. The antimicrobial vaporizes and flows directly into the lumen of the article as the pressure is reduced for the sterilization cycle. Preferred embodiments illustrate a sealed chamber containing the antimicrobial and an opener for opening the chamber with the device already attached to the article. Preferably, the opener comprises a hollow spike. A ring between the opener and chamber must be removed prior to opening the chamber and removal of the ring destroys the ring so that it can not be replaced.

Abstract: A surface sensor device (1) with an electromagnetic radiation emitter (3) and a radiation detector (2) disposed on opposite sides of an instrument outlet (6), which instrument outlet (6) is required to be placed in close proximity to a surface (30). The surface sensor (1) also having a member (8) disposed in the path of the emitted radiation and the radiation reflected from the surface (30). The member (8) allows a portion of the emitted radiation to pass within it from the emitter (3) to the detector (2) while providing a path for a further portion of the radiation to pass through the member (8) towards the surface (30) for scattering and reflection by which means light is returned to the member (8) back towards the detector (2).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for determining characteristics of peripheral arterial volume and compliance. A blood pressure cuff is inflated and deflated around a limb of the body and pressure measurements are taken. The volume of air removed from the cuff is determined in a quantifiable manner, such as by expelling air through an orifice of known characteristics or by means of a volume of known characteristics. The detected pressures and volume of air removed are used to compute oscillation volume, which in turn is used to display arterial capacity and compliance as a function of transmural pressure and time. Arterial capacity may be displayed in terms of arterial radius, arterial cross-sectional area, or arterial volume. Also, systolic and pulse pressures are determined using only these determined values.

Abstract: Wound healing compositions comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of a gel forming polysaccharide such as carboxymethyl cellulose and from 15 to 50% by weight of hexylene glycol. Such compositions are strongly antimicrobial, but show low toxicity to fibroblasts.

Abstract: A product suitable for absorbing wound exudate comprising a series of interconnected square or rectangular perforated bags made of a substance of maximum thickness 1 mm e.g. film, which is substantially non-adherent to a wound, wherein alginic acid or a salt thereof such as calcium alginate is housed in the bags, preferably in the form of small spheres. The film preferably comprises ethylene/methyl acrylate copolymer. Alternatively, the product comprises a string along which beads of alginic acid or alginate are threaded.

Abstract: Medical instruments incorporating solid lubricants are shown to survive an oxidizing sterilization process if they employ solid lubricants free from disulfide and diselenide compounds such as molybdenum disulfide and the instrument is kept free from such compounds. PTFE, powdered graphite and boron nitride are preferred solid lubricants. Of particular importance are flexible endoscope employing solid lubricants on fiber optic bundles encased in elastomeric coverings.

Abstract: A flashless catheter beveling process in which a beveling catheter mold has an internal cavity which defines the external beveled shape of the catheter and also has a circular hole centrally located therein. In the beveling mold, one end of a distal endmost interior bevel terminates at the surface of the beveling mold, with the distal endmost bevel and the surface forming an angle at the edge of the circular hole. A cylindrical support pin is inserted into a hollow extruded unbeveled catheter tube. The beveling mold is heated and positioned relative to and around the extruded catheter tube with the cylindrical support pin positioned in the circular hole of the mold. This arrangement melts the extruded catheter tube to allow it to flow within and assume the shape defined by the internal cavity of the beveling mold, and the molten catheter material flashes through a narrow annular gap defined between the cylindrical support pin and the circular hole.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device incorporating a simple lever and clip structure which will safely lock a catheter hub of a catheter assembly to a normally disposable cannula housing and guard structure and which, in a simple mode, enables separation of the catheter hub from the cannula assembly or structure upon retraction and protective guarding of the used cannula. Specifically, an aspect resides in providing the lever release clip for a safety catheter which upon unlocking and releasing of the catheter hub concurrently pushes the catheter hub off a nose guard of the cannula assembly, while enabling a physician or clinical personnel to release the catheter by employing only one hand. A further embodiment is adapted to enable separation between the catheter hub of a flexible catheter and the needle or cannula arrangement of a catheter insertion device by simply manipulating a lever arranged on a cannula structure or nose guard thereof by simply pushing against a push-tab element.

Abstract: A method for selecting fundamental clock frequencies in order to achieve electromagnetic compatibility in electronic products which employ a plurality of clocks. The method require first selecting an ideal frequency for each clock in the product. Then, and until the goal of avoiding coinciding harmonics is complete, the method includes the steps of computing all harmonics of all clock frequencies chosen, determining a minimum difference tolerable in the chosen frequencies and their harmonics for sufficient minimization of electromagnetic interference, and determining if the harmonics of the chosen frequencies coincide impermissibly within the frequency range. If there exists coincidence of harmonics within the predetermined minimum range, then the fundamental frequency of at least one of the clocks corresponding to an interfering harmonic must be adjusted to eliminate the interference.

Abstract: A method of measuring blood pressure where a plurality of oscillometric data values are measured from a subject at a plurality pressure levels, a function curve having the shape of an oscillometric envelope is selected and computational model fit to the data, using the Gauss-Marquardt method of model fitting. Once the curve is model fit, blood pressure is measured using the oscillometric method. Included in the step of model fitting is the step of computing the parameter of the function curve that minimizes the error between the function curve and the data values at the respective pressure levels thereby approximating the oscillometric envelope based upon data values.

Abstract: The invention provides wound dressing and/or implant materials comprising a matrix structure of sponge, at least one substructure and at least one pharmacologically active agent, wherein both the matrix structure and the substructure are formed from bioabsorbable biopolymer materials. The substructure may, for example, comprise biopolymer films, flakes, fibres or microspheres embedded in the matrix structure of sponge. The pharmacologically active agent may comprise antiseptics, antibiotics, analgesics. One or more such active agents may be incorporated separately into the matrix and/or the substructure so as to achieve controlled or phasic release of the active agents into the wound.

Abstract: Heteromorphic sponges are described which have matrix structures with oriented substructures added to facilitate cellular invasion. A sponge may be used as a wound implant by cutting it to the shape of a wound bed and placing therein. The matrix structure provides conduits which assist invasion of the sponge by cells which degrade the sponge and lay down new tissue to replace it. The incorporation of active agents in the matrix and/or substructures enhances wound healing.

Abstract: The invention provides aqueous gel compositions for use as wound dressings and comprising from 2% to 10% w/v of alginate and from 25% to 40% w/v of polyhydric alcohol, said compositions being substantially sterile. The alginate is preferably sodium alginate and/or potassium alginate. the polyhydric alcohol is preferably propylene glycol or hexylene glycol. Also provided is a process of making such gel compositions comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous gel having the above composition and sterilizing the aqueous gel. Preferably, the aqueous gel is sterilized by heating.

Abstract: The disclosed invention provides a telescoping tip protector for reducing the risk of needle sticks in used catheter introducers. The pair of telescoping members are adapted such that they telescope from a housing which is gripped by the user with one of the telescoping members locking in a position extending from the housing and the second member locks in a position extending from the first member. The second member carries thereon a tip protecting portion which surrounds the cannula tip and prevents the inadvertent jabbing, piercing or sticking of the needle into a person after the use of the introducer and engagement of the protector.

Abstract: Wound healing compositions comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of a gel forming polysaccharide such as carboxymethyl cellulose and from 15 to 50% by weight of hexylene glycol. Such compositions are strongly antimicrobial, but show low toxicity to fibroblasts.

Abstract: An improved self-capping disposable needle assembly for use in combination with a skin puncture apparatus is provided. More specifically, an improved self-capping disposable needle assembly for use with a catheter which assembly contains a pleated sleeve made from any natural or synthetic fiber material is provided. The fiber materials employed as the pleated sleeve optionally may be treated with a suitable agent that provides the fiber material with a hydrophobic coating and prevents fluids such as blood from seeping therefrom.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter insertion device which incorporates a controlled motion lock including telescopingly arranged slide members for a safety catheter constituting a needle tip protector mechanism which provides fail-safe protection for clinical personnel against the possibility of accidental punctures by a used IV cannula needle through catheter needle tip protecting structure which provides an audible signal that the protecting structure is fully deployed.

Abstract: A safety cover which securably and reliably locks the tip of a cannula in an interior chamber within the safety cover. The cover comprises an elongate body having the interior chamber and an axial through hole which extends along the entire length of the body, through the interior chamber and through which the cannula is slidably received. Displacing elements are positioned within the interior chamber, each of which includes a hole for receiving said cannula therethrough, and which displaces upon retraction of the tip of said cannula, thereby preventing subsequent advancement of said cannula tip. In a first embodiment the displacing elements are annular rings. In a second embodiment, the elements are rigid balls having through holes. In a third embodiment, the displacing elements are a pair of conical elements, one of which is spring biased, each of which includes an offset hole.