Abstract: A mathematical model, the membranes and devices based upon that model to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from biological cells, and a method to observe the biological cells and obtain the data to implement the models. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from biological cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to cell-type and species, regarding the osmotic tolerance of the cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular cells' plasma membrane.

Abstract: A perforated unitary multi-laminar tissue graft construct and method for preparing such construct is described. The method comprises overlapping strips of submucosa tissue with other strips of submucosal tissue, compressing at least the overlapped portions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets, and perforating the resulting unitary tissue graft construct. The perforated tissue graft compositions have enhanced mechanical and remodeling properties relative to non-perforated submucosal tissue grafts.

Abstract: Multi-laminar tissue graft constructs, pseudoisotropic graft constructs and a method of preparing such constructs are described. Multi-laminar tissue graft constructs are prepared by fusing partially overlapped strips of submucosa tissue into a unitary graft construct by compressing the tissue under dehydrating conditions. Pseudoisotropic tissue graft constructs are prepared by overlapping a first strip of submucosa tissue with at least two strips of submucosa tissue orientated so that the longitudinal axis of each strip formts an angle of about 180.degree./N with the longitudinal axes of at least two other strips of submucosal tissue.

Abstract: A unitary heterolaminar tissue graft construct is prepared by fusing partially overlapped strips or sheets of submucosa tissue. The submucosa components are fused by compressing at least the overlapped positions of said strips between two surfaces under conditions that allow or promote dehydration of the compressed submucosa sheets. Three dimensional graft constructs can be prepared by using complementary non-planar compressive surfaces.

Abstract: An improved ventilator apparatus and method includes a ventilator having an inspiration side for delivery of air to a patient and an expiration side for receiving air from the patient, the expiration side including an air flow path through the ventilator for monitoring of the expired air, a first conduit connecting the inspiration side of the ventilator to the patient, a second conduit communicating expiration air from the patient to an air cooler, and a third conduit coupling the outlet of the air cooler to the air flow path on the expiration side of the ventilator, the air cooler operating to cool the expired air to a temperature sufficiently low as to eliminate moisture condensation as the expired air passes through the flow path on the expiration side of the ventilator. The expired air is preferably cooled to about or below the temperature within the expiration side flow path.

Abstract: A cell culture growth substrate comprising submucosal tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate and a method for culturing eukaryotic cells are described. Submucosal tissue used in accordance with the present invention supports the proliferation and differentiation of eukaryotic cells when said cells are contacted with submucosal tissue under conditions conducive to cell proliferation.

Abstract: A method for surgical repair of a diseased or damaged bladder is described. Diseased or damaged bladder tissue is surgically replaced with submucosal tissue of a warm blooded vertebrate to promote regrowth of endogenous urinary bladder tissue.

Abstract: A method for repairing damaged or diseased bone is described. The method comprises the step of implanting into the damaged or diseased region a bone graft composition in powder form, the composition comprising the tunica submucosa delaminated from the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa of a segment of vertebrate intestine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for placement of a gastric line in the digestive tract of a patient. A guide element is either formed integrally with the end of a gastric line or it is formed separately to be fixed on the end segment of a gastric line to reduce the flexibility of the gastric line segment and facilitate the positioning of the gastric line in a patient's digestive tract. The guide element is provided with means for slideably engaging a previously positioned transepiglottal guide line so that the guide element when engaged with the guide line, can be pushed down the guide line to position the gastric line in an esophageal or post-esophageal position. An optional mouthpiece is provided to receive and guide the gastric tube toward the middle of the posterior oral pharynx during insertion and to protect the gastric line from the biting surfaces of the teeth and maintain its position in the mouth after insertion.

Abstract: A mathematical model to optimize protocols for the addition or removal of cryoprotectant to or from sperm cells. This disclosure describes the use of four equations to predict optimal protocols to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from sperm cells. The equations particularly require experimentally found data, specific to a species of sperm, regarding the osmotic tolerance of sperm cells, where osmotic tolerance refers to the sperm cells ability to shrink or swell to various changes in osmolality without injury. The equations further require the cryoprotectant permeability coefficient and the water permeability coefficient of the particular sperm cells' plasma membrane. Also disclosed are two particularly preferred methods to add or remove cryoprotectant to or from sperm. These preferred methods are Fixed-Volume-Step addition/removal of cryoprotectant or Fixed-Molarity-Step addition/removal of cryoprotectant.

Abstract: Surgical repair of diseased or damaged endogenous connective tissue can be accomplished using a tissue graft formed from a delaminated segment of intestinal tissue. The tissue graft comprises the intestinal tunica submucosa delaminated from both the tunica muscularis and at least the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa. The graft can be conditioned by stretching and formed as a multilayer composition for high tensile strength and resistance to tearing at its points of attachment to existing physiological structures.

Abstract: A fluidized, injectable tissue graft composition is described. The composition comprises comminuted intestinal submucosa or protease-digested intestinal submucosa. Methods for the preparation and use of injectable tissue graft compositions are described. In preferred embodiments the tissue graft material is prepared from the intestinal submucosa comprising the tunica submucosa, the muscularis mucosa and the stratum compactum of a segment of intestinal tissue of a warm-blooded vertebrate. Effective amounts of the fluidized graft compositions can be injected to promote repair tissue defects by inducing formation of endogenous tissues.

Abstract: Surgical repair of diseased or damaged endogenous connective tissue can be accomplished using a tissue graft formed from a delaminated segment of intestinal tissue. The tissue graft comprises the intestinal tunica submucosa, and basilar mucosa tissue delaminated from the tunica muscularis and the luminal portion of the tunica mucosa. The graft can be conditioned by stretching and formed as a multilayer composition for high tensile strength and resistance to tearing at its points of attachment to existing physiological structures.

Abstract: A multi-purpose gown comprising a front and a back defining a body portion having arm openings and a neck opening. The front portion is dividable into a plurality of segments by various openings releasably closable by a plurality of fasteners. A strap extends in the front of the gown from the top to the bottom of the gown. The strap includes fasteners for attachment to fasteners arranged on the front portions of the gown. Alternatively, the gown may embody a front having overlapping panels that cover the abdomen, wherein each panel has an upper segment adapted to cover a breast, side, and front shoulder region of the wearer. The upper segments are releasably joined to the back by fasteners at the shoulder edges of the gown. When either one of these segments is in its open position, portions of the patient's chest, front shoulder and side torso regions are exposed, while minimizing body exposure and maintaining structural stability of the gown.

Abstract: A device is provided for facilitating oral administration of unit dosages of liquid formulations, particularly to pediatric and geriatric patients. Sealed cartridges containing unit doses of liquid nutrients or medications can be locked into the device and at the same time, breached so that the contained-liquid formulation can flow from the cartridge into a hollow nipple for facile oral consumption. The liquid formulation-contained sealed cartridge includes a container having a side wall collapsible responsive to withdrawal of liquid from the hollow nipple.

Abstract: A percutaneous catheter with encapsulating receptacle comprises a first catheter having a proximal and distal end, several struts attached to the distal end of the first catheter and extending distally therefrom in a cup-shaped form, a second, inner catheter received within the first, and a pocket-shaped sheath received between the several struts and opening in the distal direction, the sheath having a proximal portion secured to the distal end of the second, inner catheter, and a distal portion secured to the distal ends of the several struts, whereby rotation of the first catheter, relative the second catheter, twists and closes the distal end of the sheath. A third, outer catheter is also disclosed within which the first and second catheters, and associated struts and sheath, are receivable. Also disclosed is a method for positioning the catheter adjacent an object, or receiving the object within the sheath and enclosing the sheath about the object to facilitate treatment of the object.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of shock is disclosed which includes the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of fenoprofen, which may be administered either as a pretreatment or subsequent to the onset of the shock condition. The fenoprofen is preferably administered intravenously.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of shock is disclosed which includes the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of benoxaprofen, which may be administered either as a pretreatment or subsequent to the onset of the shock condition. The benoxaprofen is preferably administered intravenously.

Abstract: An apparatus for holding and monitoring an intravenous infusion container. A pulley wheel is rotatably mounted to a base and wrappingly receives a line which is connected to the intravenous infusion container for the suspended mounting thereof. The axle of the pulley wheel extends through a discshaped base having a plurality of markings thereon. A pointer is fixed and mounted to the axle adjacent to the base. The intravenous infusion container when full causes the axle to rotate so as to position the pointer adjacent to a marking. A spring returns the wheel and pulley wheel to an original position as liquid drains from the container.