Abstract: A subcutaneous infusion set for the subdermal infusion of fluids which includes a housing having an internal chamber within which a uniquely configured infusion cannula is dynamically mounted. The cannula, which is generally spiral shaped, has a body portion that is disposed within the internal chamber and a pierceable portion which extends angularly outwardly from the base of the apparatus. With this construction, when the device is interconnected with a patient, normal movement by the patient will permit the cannula to move dynamically within the internal chamber while the base of the device which is removably affixed to the patient 's skin remains completely stationary.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes an elastic distendable membrane, chamber having a fluid outlet. Disposed within the fluid chamber is a thin fluid permeable member which precisely controls the rate of fluid flow through the fluid outlet. The apparatus also includes a highly novel fluid flow indicator that provides a readily discernible visible indication of fluid flow through the apparatus. Additionally, the apparatus includes a fill assembly comprising a prefilled vial that can be used to fill the fluid reservoir of the device with a selected medicinal fluid.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus for continuous basal infusion, together with controlled bolus infusion of injectable medicaments, which embodies a stored energy source such as distendable elastomeric membrane which cooperates with a base and a conformable ullage to define a fluid reservoir and one which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably filling the fluid reservoir. The novel fill assembly of the invention enables the fluid reservoir of the fluid delivery portion of the apparatus to be aseptically filled in the field with a wide variety of selected medicinal fluids.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus which embodies a stored energy source such as distendable elastomeric membrane which cooperates with a base and a conformable ullage to define a fluid reservoir and one which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably filling the fluid reservoir. The novel fill assembly of the invention enables the fluid reservoir of the fluid delivery portion of the apparatus to be aseptically filled in the field with a wide variety of selected medicinal fluids.

Abstract: A syringe type apparatus which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably injecting medicinal fluids into a patient. The filling assembly includes a prefilled vial which is partially received within a novel adapter assembly that functions to operably couple the prefilled vial with the syringe assembly of the apparatus. The body of the prefilled vial is surrounded by a protective covering until immediately prior to mating the assembly with the syringe assembly.

Abstract: A process for improving moisture analyzers or hygrometers that use optical absorption techniques to measure water vapor. Water vapor in the optical path outside the sample region is treated to exchange the hydrogen atoms for deuterium, so that the adsorbed water vapor is converted to heavy water, D.sub.2 O, and isotopically mixed HDO, thus reducing or eliminating the interference in any optical absorption apparatus for measuring water vapor, provided the spectral resolution is sufficient to resolve normal water absorptions from heavy water absorptions.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a novel, conformable ullage made of yieldable materials which uniquely conform to the shape of the elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely a rigid ullage construction. Additionally, in one form of the invention, the apparatus includes a novel fill assembly for controllably filling the reservoirs of the device in the field.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a novel, conformable ullage made of yieldable materials which uniquely conforms to the shape of the elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely a rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: An injectable medicament dispenser for use in controllably dispensing fluid medicaments such as insulin, antibiotics, oncolytics and the like from a prefilled container at a uniform rate. The dispenser includes a unique stored energy source in the form of a compressively deformable, polymeric elastomeric member that provides the force necessary to controllably discharge the medicament from the prefilled container which is housed within the body of the device. After having been deformed, the polymeric, elastomeric member will return to its starting configuration in a highly predictable manner.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus which includes a fluid delivery assembly and a unique fill assembly that can be used to controllably fill the fluid reservoir of the fluid delivery assembly in the field. The fill assembly includes a fluid containing vial assembly mounted within a unique adapter assembly which functions to conveniently mate the vial assembly with several different types of fluid delivery assemblies of the character that embody self-contained stored energy means.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a novel conformable ullage made of yieldable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the geometry of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely a rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: A fluid container assembly which can be aseptically filled in the field with selected fluids and one which is specially designed for sterile coupling and use with fluid dispensing and delivery devices of the character that embody stored energy sources such as compressible cellular masses and distendible elastomeric membranes that form, in conjunction with a cooperating base, fluid chambers for containing the fluid to be dispensed.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which in cooperation with the base of the apparatus defines one or more fluid reservoirs each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes a novel, conformable ullage made of formable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distend configuration and in so doing can move between a central chamber and a toroidal chamber formed in the cover of the apparatus. This arrangement will satisfy even the most stringent medicament delivery tolerance requirements and will elegantly overcome the limitations of materials selection encountered in devices embodying solely rigid ullage construction.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for modifying metabolism in a vertebrate animal which entails the administration of pantethine or cysteamine at a predetermined time daily. The method is useful in the treatment of hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia.

Abstract: A process for the long term modification and regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism--generally to reduce obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia or hyperglycemia, or both (these being the hallmarks of noninsulin dependent, or Type II diabetes)--by administration to a vertebrate, animal or human, of a dopamine agonist and a prolactin stimulator. The dopamine agonist and prolactin stimulator are administered in daily dosages, respectively, at a time of day dependent on the normal circadian rhythm of fat and lean members of a similar species. Decreases in body fat deposits result by treatment of an obese species on a daily timed sequence based on circadian rhythms of the peak prolactin, or peak prolactin and peak glucocorticosteroid, blood level established for lean insulin sensitive members of a similar species.

Abstract: An elastomeric bladder stored energy type infusion apparatus which includes a unique fill assembly for use in controllably filling the fluid reservoir of the dispenser portion of the apparatus. The filling assembly includes a prefilled vial which is partially received within a novel adapter assembly that functions to operably couple the prefilled vial with the fluid dispenser subassembly of the apparatus. The body of the prefilled vial is surrounded by a protective covering until immediately prior to mating the assembly with the fluid delivery device.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing medicinal agents into an ambulatory patient at specific rates over extended periods of time. The apparatus is of a compact, low profile, laminate construction and includes either an elastic distendable membrane, or a thin barrier member which, in cooperation with a thin planar base defines a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet. The apparatus includes an internal stored energy source which functions to controllably expel the medicinal agents from the apparatus. The stored energy source may comprise either a distendable elastomeric membrane of an expandable sponge like cellular mass.

Abstract: An apparatus for accurately infusing fluids into a patient at specific rates over an extended period of time. The apparatus is of a low profile, laminate or layered construction having a stored energy source in the form of a distendable membrane, which, in cooperation with the base of the apparatus, defines one or more fluid reservoirs, each having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The apparatus further includes, a high novel, conformable ullage made of yieldable materials. The conformable ullage uniquely conforms to the shape of elastomeric membrane as the membrane returns to its less distended configuration. Additionally, the infusion cannula of the apparatus is connected to the base in a novel manner which permits expeditious subdermal delivery to the patient via a cannula which extends generally perpendicularly relative to the base.

Abstract: A process for the long term modification and regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism--generally to reduce obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia or hyperglycemia, or both (these being the hallmarks of non-insulin dependent, or Type II diabetes)--by administration to a vertebrate, animal or human, or a prolactin stimulating compound.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for changing lubricant types in closed cooling systems such as refrigeration, air-conditioning machinery, and the like. The present invention is also applicable to heat pumps. The method of the present invention may be used on such systems that comprise one or more compressors, one or more evaporators, and one or more condensers. The method of the present invention allows the original compressor lubricant to be drained and replaced with a new lubricant; typically a lubricant of a different type than the original lubricant. Through use of the method of the present invention, all accessible points in the system (i.e., the compressor, the high side oil separator, if so equipped, and the accumulator, if so equipped, etc.) may be drained of the original lubricant and recharged with a new lubricant. After this is done, the original lubricant may still remain in the evaporator, condenser, and/or associated fluid lines.