Abstract: A whole blood sample needleless sample site includes a flow diverter between the ports and below the seal member to divert fluid away from the normal flow path between the ports and up towards the underside of the seal member to thereby flush same.

Abstract: A modular interconnecting component support unit has a rigid plate (14) with a planar face (16) and a rib (24) and a slot (38) extending parallel the plate face but from opposite sides or edges (22, 34) of the plate so that two such units may be slid together while their faces are in planar relationship. Locking arms (46) adjacent the ends (40) of the slots (38) are provided to releasably grip a rib (24) of one unit received in the slot (38) of a second unit. A medical device, such as a reusable portion of a medical pressure transducer (20), may be permanently affixed to the plate face (16).

Abstract: An electronically monitored angioplasty system is provided with a verifier circuit to verify the operation of conversion circuitry for converting an electrical pressure signal from a pressure transducer to a displayed numerical value on a digital read-out. The verifier circuit is selectively activated to offset the displayed numerical value by a predetermined amount and upon deactivation the displayed numerical value returns to the pressure sensed by the pressure transducer in the balloon. In one embodiment, a reference signal to the conversion circuitry is selectively offset by a signal corresponding to the predetermined amount and in another embodiment the electrical pressure signal itself is selectively offset by a reference signal corresponding to the predetermined amount.

Abstract: Balloon catheter pressure monitor modules are provided with parallel connectors for daisy-chaining interchangeable modules such that pressure may be locally and remotely displayed and further for providing local and remote control of the processing circuity of the modules.

Abstract: A sample site for obtaining a whole blood sample includes flow directors in the ports. The flow directors may include ramp surfaces. Blood flowing into the sample site is diverted by the flow directors to mix with and flush out all of the saline otherwise present in the sample site to allow for a whole blood sample to be taken.

Abstract: A sample site having a needleless connector access port including a flush mounted valve assembly which is readily accessible for wiping clean with a disinfectant. A male Luer connector may be operatively connected into the access port by a split Luer arrangement of female Luer connector portions adjacent the access port aperture. The split Luer arrangement does not generally obstruct wiping access to the access port and may include moveable connector portions to provide completely unobstructed wiping access thereto.

Abstract: A fast flush catheter valve is disclosed having a valve body with a longitudinal bore therethrough for the flow of fluids through the valve. A tube is mounted substantially transverse to the longitudinal bore to substantially block the longitudinal bore. An actuating member is mounted through the exterior of the valve body so that one end of the actuating member is proximate the tube and the second end extends beyond the exterior of the valve body. A resilient biasing flange connects the second end of the actuating member to the exterior of the valve body. A capillary is mounted through the tube to provide a drip rate flow. Depressing the second end of the actuating member deforms the tube to produce a flush rate around the tube and releasing the second end causes the resilient flange to return the actuating member to a position where the tube can elastically return to the longitudinal bore blocking position. The valve is constructed from a few components and is simply and inexpensively constructed.

Abstract: A source of saline solution under pressure is connected through tubing to a catheter inserted in a patient's blood vessel. A waste collection bag is connected to the tubing through a stopcock which permits the selective connecting of the catheter to the waste collection bag or the bag of saline solution. The sampling site is in the tubing between the catheter and the stopcock. Normally, saline solution flows into the patient's blood vessel. When a sample is to be taken, the stopcock is shifted so that the pressure of the patient's blood forces blood into the tubing, driving saline into the waste collection bag. When blood has reached the sampling site, blood is extracted with a hypodermic syringe.

Abstract: In a blood gas sensing probe, a cylindrical sleeve contains an optical fiber. The end of the optical fiber is withdrawn into the sleeve thereby creating a receptacle at the end of the sleeve. A sensitive dye, HOPSA for example, is encapsulated in a gel and deposited in the receptacle to form the probe. In making the probe, the end of the optical fiber is in the same plane as the end of the sleeve in which it is placed. The dye and gel contact the combined ends of optical fiber and sleeve. The fiber is withdrawn into the sleeve thereby creating a vacuum which is filled by the dye and gel.

Abstract: A blood chemical sensor has a blood gas sensitive dye contained in a hydrogel matrix, the combination of dye and gel being mounted on the end of an optical fiber. The hydrogel is freeze-dried to facilitate packaging and handling.

Abstract: In a blood gas sensing probe, a cylindrical sleeve contains an optical fiber. The end of the optical fiber is withdrawn into the sleeve thereby creating a receptacle at the end of the sleeve. A sensitive dye, HOPSA for example, is encapsulated in a gel and deposited in the receptacle to form the probe. In making the probe, the end of the optical fiber is in the same plane as the end of the sleeve in which it is placed. The dye and gel contact the combined ends of optical fiber and sleeve. The fiber is withdrawn into the sleeve thereby creating a vacuum which is filled by the dye and gel.

Abstract: A source of saline solution under pressure is connected through tubing to a catheter inserted in a patient's blood vessel. A waste collection bag is connected to the tubing through a stopcock which permits the selective connecting of the catheter to the waste collection bag or the bag of saline solution. The sampling site is in the tubing between the catheter and the stopcock. Normally, saline solution flows into the patient's blood vessel. When a sample is to be taken, the stopcock is shifted so that the pressure of the patient's blood forces blood into the tubing, driving saline into the waste collection bag. When blood has reached the sampling site, blood is extracted with a hypodermic syringe.

Abstract: In blood pressure monitoring apparatus, apparatus for withdrawing blood from a tube connected to a patient's blood vessel. A stopcock is connected to the tube. A T-connector is connected to one port of the stopcock. A storage syringe is connected to one branch of the T-connector and a latex self-sealing cap covers the other port to provide an IV site suitable for penetration with a syringe needle to withdraw a blood sample through the IV site. The storage syringe brings blood to the T-connector so that it can be withdrawn through the IV site.

Abstract: An infusion pump has a housing for receipt of a syringe, a motor to drive the plunger of the syringe to expel a medicant within the syringe, a computer for controlling the motor and a place to mount the syringe. A bar code reader is mounted adjacent the syringe and the syringe has a pharmacist-applied bar code that programs the computer with the data for the dispensing of the medicant.

Abstract: A transducer has a thick perimeter and an integral diaphragm extending across said perimeter, all formed of a thermoplastic resin. A thick mass is molded at the center of the diaphragm. Resistive elements formed of a conductive polymer are printed and baked on the diaphragm to form a Wheatstone bridge. The transducer is used as an accelerometer or load cell.

Abstract: In a blood pressure monitoring system, a transducer which is a conductive rubber tube having conductive terminals at each end,and circumferentially spaced conductors connected to said semi-conductive band,whereby fluid under varying pressure will cause said insulative tube to expand and contract, thereby causing said semi-conductive band to expand and contract, thereby varying the resistance of the semi-conductive band.

Abstract: A reusable pressure transducer for use with a detachable dome. The pressure transducer includes a body having a recess with an opening covered by a flexible diaphragm. The body has a hole opposite the flexible diaphragm and a sensor placed over the hole. A dielectric gel fills the recess to transmit to the sensor variations in pressure imparted to the diaphragm.

Abstract: A connector has a main passage through which a dilatation catheter passes. Combined Tuohy-Borst valve and membrane seals are provided in the main passage to seal the catheter and main passage against flow-by.

Abstract: An interference edge filter is mounted on the end of an optical fiber to provide a sensor for pressure or temperature. The filter is formed such that the transition slope of the filter curve will move to the left or right depending upon the changes in the parameter being monitored. The shift in the position of the slope of the edge filter curve is detected by passing the reflected light through an interference bandpass filter having an edge slope intersecting the transition slope and measuring the intensity of the light passing the bandpass filter.

Abstract: Blood gases and the like are monitored by a single probe having multiple dye wells and dyes immobilized in the wells, the dyes being exposed to the blood gases. Optical fibers and waveguides connected to the dye wells permit light to be directed from a light source to be dyes and the light due to absorption or the spontaneous emission of the dye returned to a light detector. The intensity, phase shift or other mechanism of the returned radiation is a measure of the partial pressure of a respective blood gas.