Abstract: The present invention a catheter obturator including a stopper having a bore formed therethrough, a tube of resilient material connected at one end with the stopper to communicate with the bore in the stopper, the opposite end of the tube being closed, and manipulating means including a rigid rod adapted to be inserted into the tube, whereby when the rigid rod is moved forwardly in the tube, the latter can be elongated to facilitate the insertion of the tube into a catheter while when the rigid rod is removed out of the tube, the latter tends to return to its original form to fully close the internal bore of the catheter.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for use with a chest drainage unit is disclosed which includes a collapsible blood collection bag assembly having slotted stiffener members and a holder for holding the stiffener members bowed outwardly and the bag expanded for collecting blood. The bag assembly is removable from the holder for infusing the collected blood into the patient. An inlet and a gas outlet are at the top of the bag, and a filter is arranged to filter blood from the inlet to a blood collection portion of the bag, but air from the inlet can flow to the gas outlet without flowing through the filter.

Abstract: A cannula for insertion into a body incision is provided with a tip having an opening in the sidewall and a pair of recesses in the outer surface of the tip forming a longitudinally extending ridge on one side on the tip for facilitating the insertion of the tip into the incision and dilating the incision.

Abstract: A bone marrow biopsy device is provided that includes a cannula member and a stylet member each having arcuate handles having a length greater than the width thereof, a luer lock connector, and a handle locking arrangement. The cannula member handle has a recess which receives a collar on the stylet member handle. A radial pin and an axially extending luer lock connector are disposed in the recess. The collar has a slot which receives the pin for locking the stylet and cannula members together.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter assembly for placement in a blood vessel which comprises a catheter body having an opening at the distal tip thereof and provided with a luer-connector at proximal portion and a flexible guide wire inserted into said catheter body and bendingly formed to be J-shaped at the distal tip thereof.

Abstract: A nasal cannula harness is provided which includes a pair of sheet members in facing relation and holding the distal end portions of a pair of narine tubes in position for insertion into the nares of a patient. The nasal cannula harness may be made by folding a molded sheet member and securing the sections of the folded member together with the distal portions of the narine tubes between the sections and with portions extending outwardly for insertion into the nares of a patient.

Abstract: A sheath-type external catheter is provided having upper and lower portions defined by the gauge of the material used to construct the sheath; and a tubular ring applicator. The applicator surrounds the inner surface of the upper portion of the sheath which is everted over the lower portion of the sheath. In constructing the novel catheter/applicator combination, the inner surface of the upper sheath portion is everted over the outside surface of the lower sheath portion. With the catheter in this position, the ring applicator is placed about the lower portion of the sheath so that the inner surface of the ring contacts the inner surface of the upper sheath portion. The everted portion of the sheath is generally longer than the length of the ring member, with a portion of the everted upper sheath extending below the ring.

Abstract: A disposable incontinence pad to be worn by a female. The pad is an essentially two part design including a moisture multi-layered absorbent pad encase in a moisture resistant hydrophobic layer which prevents leakage of urine to the skin of the wearer. The pad has an essentially ovoid opening on the side facing the wearer. Securely attached to the opening into the pad is an essentially ovoid, resilient contoured rim portion which surrounds and conforms itself to the vulvar region of the wearer. The rim portion is contoured so as to direct urine flow into the absorbent pad with minimal splash-back while at the same time preventing urine from contacting the user.

Abstract: A drainage device for draining fluids from the pleural cavity into a collection chamber, the device including a housing having a collection chamber therein and apparatus for supporting a liquid seal chamber in the chamber above the collection chamber. The liquid seal chamber includes a connection to a drainage device in a patient and apparatus enabling visible monitoring of the condition in the liquid seal chamber including at the location where fluids and gases from the patient enter the liquid seal chamber. The device has a novel overflow arrangement for materials to move from the liquid seal chamber into the collection chamber and it has a novel baffle assembly located in the liquid seal chamber to separate the liquid seal chamber into distinct chamber portions.

Abstract: A bottle for an enteral delivery system is provided with vertical sidewalls which taper inwardly near the base portion. The tapered portions of the sidewalls have outwardly extending tabs for engaging recesses on a corresponding base support. The tabs do not extend outwardly further than the vertical sidewalls.

Abstract: This invention provides an improvement in a method of surgically treating an esophageal varix utilizing an endoscope wherein air under pressure is directed to expand a patient's esophagus and wherein the varix is located, punctured and injected with a sclerosing material. The subject improvement involves directing a dual-lumen balloon tube through the patient's esophagus, the dual-lumen balloon tube including a primary suction lumen and a secondary inflation lumen. After the vatix is located, punctured and injected with sclerosing material, the balloon tube is partially withdrawn to position the balloon adjacent the varix and fluid under pressure is directed through the secondary lumen to inflate the balloon to thereby compress the varix to assist in stemming the flow of blood therefrom. Suction is then applied to the primary lumen to relieve pressure in the patient's stomach.

Abstract: A medical underwater seal, chest drainage apparatus is provided which includes a catheter having a main lumen and an auxiliary lumen for insertion into a chest cavity to be drained of body fluid. The main lumen is connected to a drainage collection device and the auxiliary lumen is adapted to be connected to a variable setting venting valve so that an adjustable flow rate of air from the atmosphere can flow into the auxiliary lumen for venting the cavity.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a temperature sensitive element and a programmable microcomputer coupled to receive temperature data from the element. After processing the data in accordance with a control program, a predicted temperature is provided on a display. The program includes instructions causing a microcomputer to store temperature data at selected intervals during a fixed duration sampling period. A computation algorithm is then selected from a high ambient temperature algorithm, a normal ambient temperature algorithm, and a low ambient temperature algorithm, and the body temperature computed using one of the selected algorithms. The thermometer also displays operator error if the temperature sensing element senses a decrease in temperature during the fixed duration sampling period.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining test results from microbiological test trays and strips includes an inspection station at which test trays may be inspected to determine the results of microbiological tests, a video camera disposed to form images of the test trays at the inspection station, and an image processor for receiving the images from the video camera and processing them to determine test results. Only predetermined areas of interest in the image made by the camera are electronically analyzed. Each well of a given tray is assigned a positive or negative partial result based upon the electronic analysis of the area or areas of interest within that well.

Abstract: An incubation chamber for incubating a number of microbiological test trays such as susceptibility trays and identification trays holds a number of tray carriers in a pair of stacks. An elevator is provided to move any given carrier to a position at which it can be removed from the incubation chamber and moved to an inspection station at which the trays thereon may be inspected to determine the results of the microbiological tests. The image of the test tray at the inspection station is processed to determine test results.

Abstract: Enteral feeding devices for supplying liquid nourishment to a human patent. Each device having longitudinally extending projections and recesses adapted to mate or nest together so that a plurality of such containers can be placed in side-by-side or stacked relationship for efficient space-saving storage or shipment. The devices can be filled with liquid nourishment from either end. The container has a substantially flat end surface so that the container can be placed standing in an upside down position and a cap closing a spout will assist in positioning the container. There is a handle having a first position whereby the container can be placed on a hook adjacent the patient. The handle has a second out-of-the-way position permitting the container to be placed in the upside down position.

Abstract: A blood collection device is provided with a phase partitioning device which includes a standpipe connected to a reservoir filled with a sealant material having a specific gravity intermediate the specific gravities of separated light and heavy phases of blood. Components of the heavy phase of blood enter the reservoir during phase separation and centrifugation to force sealant upwardly in the standpipe and out into the tube above the line of separation.

Abstract: The present invention is a lubricant coating composed of hydrophylic polymer and surfactant for intubation devices such as nasogastric tubes. The coating is strong and attains sufficient lubricity upon contact with water in less than about 5 minutes and preferably less than about 5 to 10 seconds to be used in intubation procedures.