Abstract: A device for automatically administering predetermined amounts of medication from a syringe through a conduit to a patient is described. This device includes an automatic flushing mechanism which flushes the medication from the conduit after the completion of the medication dosage using a flush syringe containing a flush solution. A force derived from a spring is used to expel the medication and the flush solution from their respective syringes. Thus, the patient is insured a full dosage of prescribed medication without the need of continuous attention by hospital staff.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining test results from microbiological test trays and strips includes an inspection station of 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 essentially leak proof urine collection device to be worn by a female which can be easily and comfortably positioned. The device is basically a receptacle, essentially semi-ovoid in shape, having an ovoid-shaped opening defined by a rim portion to which is attached an encapsulated deformable polymer gel ring which, when in use, substantially conforms itself to the contours of the vulvar tissue contacted by the gel, thus forming an essentially leak proof seal.

Abstract: The angiographic catheter includes a long generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of the first material and a second material that is more flexible then the first material and a tip portion of the second material. The long body portion has a first exit opening having a stream trajectory directed toward the exit stream trajectory from the tip member exit for stream breakup and mixing at. A reaction exit is directed in the opposite direction of the first exit opening.The generally long body portion with a curved end portion with a first end curve of generally circular shape about a center that is connected to the end of the long body with a compound curve connected to the end of the first end curve and having a member positioned generally parallel to the long body portion with the distance between parallel members generally less than to the radii of the generally circular shape.

Abstract: An intercavity catheter having a distal end portion with serrations on the inner wall thereof.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for a chest drainage unit is provided that includes a collapsible blood collection and reinfusion bag assembly that includes a collapsible bag with pliable walls and stiffener members, and a holder which receives the assembly. The holder maintains compressive forces on the sides of the stiffener members so they bow outwardly and, in turn, maintain the bag assembly in an expanded conditions for collecting blood while suction is applied to the bag during drainage operations. The collapsible bag assembly can be removed from the holder for reinfusion of the collected blood.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly is provided which includes a silicone rubber catheter for insertion into the left ventricle of the heart. A stylet of malleable metal covered by a plastic cover is inserted into the catheter to permit the catheter and stylet to be manually shaped into a desired form before insertion into the patient. The stylet is removable from the catheter after the catheter is in the patient.

Abstract: A transfer bag apparatus is disclosed which is adapted to be used in the autologous transfusion of blood to a patient by collecting the blood from a primary blood reservoir (e.g., the collection chamber of a drainage device for the chest cavity of the patient or a cardiotomy reservoir). The transfer bag comprises a flexible bag, having means on one part of the bag to be placed in fluid-tight communication with an infusion set to transfuse the patient with blood, and spike means on another part of the bag adapted to be placed in fluid-tight communication with the interior of the primary blood reservoir to transfer blood to the interior of the blood bag.

Abstract: A pair of medical tube connectors are interconnected in fluid tight relation. A tamper-evident indicator of breakable material, such as paper, has a pair of strips respectively encircling said connectors, and at least one breakable strip having a width substantially less than the circumference of the tube connectors extending between the strips to provide an indication if the connectors have been separated.

Abstract: A fail-safe circuit is disclosed for use with an intermittently operated d.c. motor connected by means of a circuit breaker to a power supply, wherein a control circuit provides control pulses intermittently to the motor. The fail-safe circuit includes a capacitor which is charged when the drive pulses are being applied to said motor, and is discharged when the drive pulses are not being applied to said motor. A reference voltage is generated and compared with the voltage stored on said capacitor. When the voltage on the capacitor exceeds the reference voltage, the circuit breaker is caused to interrupt the power supply to the motor.

Abstract: A suction tube is adapted to receive an enteral feeding catheter through its lumen and has a longitudinally splittable wall to allow the suction tube to be removed from a patient while leaving the feeding catheter in place. In a modified embodiment, the suction tube has a second longitudinally extending lumen in the wall thereof which may be used for air bleed, sample aspiration and delivery of medication.

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: 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: A valve retainer for securely attaching a valve to a flexible tube of a medical device comprising a tubular body having tabs extending from one end of the retainer that are deflectable inwardly of the retainer to positions extending adjacent the inner surface of the retainer and the outer portion of the tube so that the tabs prevent withdrawal of the valve from the flexible tube.

Abstract: A fine tip hand-held medical suction device is provided having a vent orifice in the sidewall of the tip remote from the suction orifice of the tip and the hand holding portion of the device to regulate the negative pressure at the suction orifice. A fluid flow restriction orifice in the flow passage is disposed close to the vent orifice.

Abstract: Containers such as syringes can be coated on their interior surface with biologicals such as heparin by atomizing the biological inside the container and reducing the pressure within the container for a period of time sufficient to allow the atomized biological to "auto-freeze" dry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a catheter for nasogastric intubation comprising a plastic sheath tube and a fixing means of said tube at nose, said tube having a longitudinal tear-off line over the full length thereof and having elasticity and rigidity slightly larger than those of said catheter, said catheter being inserted entirely in said plastic sheath tube slidably.