Abstract: According to the present invention, a device for measuring an object to be measured in a sample which comprises a support, sample addition site (S) and a detection site (Q), said sample addition site and said detection site being on the support, said support allowing the object to be measured to move by the capillary flow of a developing liquid, said detection site having a piezoelectric vibrator sandwiched between two electrodes, said piezoelectric vibrator having a trapper A, (c1) immobilized thereon, or an analogue of the object to be measured (c1?) immobilized thereon, and said support further comprising a binder retaining site(BR) where a binder (b1) is retained therein so that it is movable by the capillary flow of the developing liquid. Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for quantitatively determining an object to be measured in a sample using the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides an agglutination immunoassay, wherein the agglutination of insoluble carrier particles such as latex are stabilized and uniformized to give good reproducibility, and a reagent therefor. In the agglutination immunoassay which comprises allowing an antigenic substance in a sample to bind to insoluble carrier particles carrying substantially neither antigens nor antibodies thereon, and allowing an antibody or an antibody complex which reacts specifically to the antigenic substance to bind to the antigenic substance to give a selective agglutination of the insoluble carrier particles, a homopolymer prepared by polymerization of a monomer such as 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine having a phosphorylcholine group and a vinyl group, or a copolymer prepared by polymerization of a monomer having a phosphorylcholine group and a vinyl group, with a monomer having a vinyl group such as n-butyl methacrylate is used.

Abstract: A bodily fluid space entry detection system includes electrical contacts in non-conducting relationship and associated with a needle cannula. Entry of the distal, sharp tip of the cannula into a bodily fluid space such as a blood vessel or epidural space allows bodily fluid such as blood or spinal fluid to make a conduction path between the contacts which, in turn, causes an alert source to be energized to indicate entry into the bodily fluid space. The alert source could be an LED and/or a buzzer.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus for operating at an air pressure is disclosed for use with a respiratory therapy breathing apparatus that provides a breathable gas supply to patients requiring higher concentrations of liquid vapor and gas pressure. The humidifier apparatus includes a feed liquid supply bag in fluid communication with a humidifier cartridge via a conduit. The conduit enables air to flow therethrough to equalize air pressure between the humidifier cartridge and the feed liquid supply bag in response to liquid being supplied to the humidifier cartridge.

Abstract: A humidifier apparatus for operating at an air pressure is disclosed for use with a respiratory therapy breathing apparatus that provides a breathable gas supply to patients requiring higher concentrations of liquid vapor and gas pressure. The humidifier apparatus includes a feed liquid supply bag in fluid communication with a humidifier cartridge via a conduit. The conduit enables air to flow therethrough to equalize air pressure between the humidifier cartridge and the feed liquid supply bag in response to liquid being supplied to the humidifier cartridge.

Abstract: A method for quantitatively determining cholesterol in high-density lipoprotein in a sample, which comprises: reacting a sample with i) cholesterol esterase and cholesterol oxidase or ii) cholesterol esterase, an oxidized coenzyme and cholesterol dehydrogenase in an aqueous medium comprising i) nonionic surfactant, polyanion and albumin or ii) a combination of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene alkylamine or polyoxyethylene alkenylamine and a surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyethylene polycyclic phenyl ether sulfate and an anionic bile acid derivative, and measuring the formed hydrogen peroxide or a reduced coenzyme; and a reagent used therefor.

Abstract: A reservoir (10, 26, 80, 126, 226, 380) includes a rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382), a flexible membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) sealingly secured to the rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382) to define a variable volume chamber (18, 38, 138, 238, 338), and inlet (40, 140, 240, 340) and exit (42, 142, 242, 342) ports in fluid communication with the chamber (18, 38, 138, 238, 338). A drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) engages the membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) to position it adjacent the rigid wall (12, 28, 82, 128, 228, 382) to define a minimum volume position. The drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) may be moved so that the membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) flexes out of the minimum volume position to an expanded volume position. The membrane (14, 34, 134, 234, 334) may be coupled to the drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350) or be uncoupled from the drive surface (24, 50, 150, 250, 350).

Abstract: A diagnostic method comprises selecting 24 biologically active points (BAPs), measuring the skin resistance at the points, plotting the average resistance for the points as an isoelectric line and defining a normal corridor. A stimulation is applied to each of the points and thereafter the skin resistance is once again measured. The results of the two sets of measurements are compared and diagnostic conclusions are reached from their comparison.

Abstract: A needle guard (1) based upon a canting plate (6) becomes lockingly engaged with the needle (2) shaft both upon retraction of the needle tip within the guard (1), and upon any attempt to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the guard (1). The plate (6) is positioned to rotate into locking engagement with the shaft of the needle (2) both when an attempt is made to further withdraw the needle from the needle guard (1) and when an attempt is made to cause the needle tip to reemerge from the needle guard (1).

Abstract: A reagent for determination of hydrogen peroxide which comprises (A) a compound represented by the following general formula (I): R1—NH—R2 ??(I) (wherein R1 represents a carbamoyl group or the like, and R2 represents an arylamino group, a heteroarylamino group, or a substituent represented by the following general formula (II): [wherein R3 to R6 represent X—Y—Ra {Ra represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or the like, X represents a single bond, O or the like, and Y represents a single bond, (C?O) or the like}, a cyano group, a halogen atom or the like]>; (B) a compound represented by the general formula (III): [wherein R9 represents a group which can be eliminated by oxidative coupling color-developing reaction with the compound represented by the formula (I), and R7, R8, and R10 to R13 have the same meaning as that of R3], or the like; and (C) a peroxidative substance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer in which at least one finger tab is formed at one end of a tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conveniently quantitating TGs contained in various lipoproteins. A method for quantitating trigyceride (TG) in a particular lipoprotein which comprises eliminating free glycerol from a sample containing free glycerol and TG in the particular lipoprotein, then allowing the resulting sample to react with lipoprotein lipase and an enzyme system which generates hydrogen peroxide from free glycerol, and quantitating the generated hydrogen peroxide, is provided.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for forming a one-piece introducer in which at least one finger tab is formed at one end of a tube. The apparatus is formed from a molton polymer fed into the cavity of a mold. The cavity of the mold has a portion that forms a tube and a portion that forms a tab.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for conveniently quantitating TGs contained in various lipoproteins. A method for quantitating trigyceride (TG) in a particular lipoprotein which comprises eliminating free glycerol from a sample containing free glycerol and TG in the particular lipoprotein, then allowing the resulting sample to react with lipoprotein lipase and an enzyme system which generates hydrogen peroxide from free glycerol, and quantitating the generated hydrogen peroxide, is provided.

Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) reduces cost by directly connecting a check valve (210) to and between the reservoir inlet port (220) and the mating luer connector (204) of a disposable set (200). A contrast dispensing system (10) includes as part of the reservoir (212) an integrally molded cap (280) having the inlet port (200) and a lateral pipe (300) to confine contrast media (14) therein and disperse it at separate locations (334, 336) within the chamber (260) of reservoir (212). The reservoir (212) may have a vent port (284) with a flip cap (294) for selectively opening or closing same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the quantitative determination of cholesterol in low density lipoproteins and a reagent kit for use therein. The present invention also provides a method for continuous fractional determination of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins and cholesterol in low density lipoproteins and a reagent kit for use therein, as well as a method for continuous fractional determination of cholesterol in high density lipoproteins and total cholesterol and a reagent kit for use therein.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for manufacturing an integral one-piece catheter having a tube and a hub. A mold having a mold cavity into which molten polymer is fed to form the hub and tube, and into which gas is injected into an inlet of the mold.

Abstract: A contrast dispensing system (10) including a mating pair of luer connectors (112, 202) to couple a reusable set (100) and a disposable set (200), a mating pair of luer connectors (204, 218) to couple the disposable set (200) to a manifold (16), a pair of luer connectors (230, 232) to couple a control syringe (18) to the manifold (16), and/or a pair of luer connectors (234, 236) to couple the manifold (16) to a patient catheter (238), wherein one or both of the connectors of a pair of coupled connectors (112, 202; 204, 218; 230, 232; 234, 236) is comprised of low surface energy plastic material, such as high density polyethelene, to reduce or eliminate sticking together from expelled (312) contrast media (14).