Abstract: A stopper for a blood collection tube adapted to receive whole blood for centrifugal separation into its relatively light and heavy phases. The stopper is provided with a coating which prevents red blood cells from adhering to it so as to avoid red cell contamination of the lighter phase after phase separation. The stopper is coated with a cationic binding agent, such as tridodecylmethylammonium chloride, and then with an anionic anticoagulant such as dextran sulfate. A lubricant, such as silicone oil, is applied to the coated stopper to facilitate insertion of the stopper into the tube.

Abstract: A catheter introducer device using a silicone rubber catheter with a stylet therein permitting introduction by manual threading of catheters which would otherwise be too flexible for individual insertion. The stylet is held at its proximal end by a hub which, with a seating ferrule, abuts a proximal end of the catheter. The hub may be pushed to wedge the catheter in an introducer cannula and is then withdrawn carrying the stylet with it, leaving the catheter in place and ready for use.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided with a stopper adapted to be pierced by a needle cannula for introducing a sample of blood into the collection tube, and a valve disposed within the tube which allows blood to flow from the proximal end of the needle into the blood collection chamber of the tube but prevents the reflux of blood from the collection chamber to the patient.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided with a blood phase partitioning device disposed in the upper portion or adjacent the low density blood phase end of the tube. The device carries blood phase barrier gel-like material which flows through a restricted orifice in the device to meter or reduce the flow rate of the material into the blood during centrifugation to suitably delay the formation of the complete phase barrier until complete blood phase separation has taken place.

Abstract: A method of making fabric-lined elastomeric articles of wear is disclosed which includes forming an elastomeric article on a form or mold, applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to the article while on the form, drying the adhesive, applying a lubricant over the adhesive, positioning a preformed liner over the lubricated adhesive, removing the lubricant, and removing the lined article from the form and turning it inside-out.

Abstract: An apparatus (10,50) is provided for physically retaining a reagent (17) in a blood collection tube (11) separate from a blood sample until the tube (11) is centrifuged. The apparatus includes a cup-shaped flexible barrier (10,50) placed over the reagent (17) disposed in the bottom of the tube (11). The barrier (10,50) seals with the inner wall of the tube (11) and prevents the reagent (17) from entering the tube's upper evacuated chamber (12,55) into which the blood sample is drawn. The seal maintains the barrier (10,50) in position until the tube (11) is centrifuged whereupon the barrier (10,50) moves to the bottom of the tube (11) causing the reagent (17) to flow past the barrier (10,50) to mix with the blood sample.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for simultaneously extruding two lengths of plastic tubing wherein each of said lengths includes alternate axial sections of materials having different characteristics (e.g., a harder material and a softer material). The apparatus includes two extruders which feed plastic extrudate to a dual die head having first and second dies for forming tubular lengths. Valves are operatively associated with each extruder for selectively feeding plastic extrudate from each extruder to either of the dies. The valves are intermittently operated so that during one cycle extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the first die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the second die, and during alternate cycles extrudate from the first extruder is fed to the second die and extrudate from the second extruder is fed to the first die. A cooling tank receives the tubular length from the dies for setting the plastic material.

Abstract: Colorimetric urea determination method and reagent in which urea in a liquid sample reacts with o-phthalaldehyde and chromotropic acid or one of its salts to produce an intensely colored reaction product whose concentration is linearly related to the concentration of urea in the sample and which follows Beer's law over a wide range of urea concentrations.

Abstract: A pipettor for threaded attachment to a liquid containing jar provides for dispensing a controllable volume of liquid with a high degree of precision upon manually operating a plunger. The liquid volume dispensed in a single plunger operation is adjusted by rotation of the plunger knob. Both a linear coarse scale and a circular fine adjustment scale are provided for accurately setting the volume to be dispensed. Positive detent stops are provided for accurate volume settings. Improved air purging and plunger locking mechanisms are also provided.

Abstract: A medical tube connecting device which includes a tube connector and a security connection member for connecting a medical tube, such as a tracheal tube, to a slip-fit coupling adapter of gas supply equipment. The connector has slip-fit couplers for connection with the adapter and the tube, and a flange with a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending inwardly from its outer periphery. The security member is an elastic strap having opposed end enlargements. The strap, in use, extends around a portion of the coupling adapter and the ends of the strap are received in the flange slots with the enlargements maintaining the strap in place.

Abstract: An evacuated blood sample collection tube is provided with a stopper carrying a one-way valve for preventing blood drawn into the tube from flowing back to the patient, and for preventing blood trapped in the valve after a sample has been taken, from flowing to the sample during centrifugal blood phase separation. The valve includes an elastomeric valve member and a ring member which moves in response to centrifugal forces to a position in which it applies pressure on the valve member to maintain the valve closed during centrifugation.

Abstract: Nitrilotris (methylene) triphosphonic acid and 1,3,6-napthalenetrisulfonic acid are used to stabilize solutions containing diazotized sulfanilic acid.

Abstract: A fluid collection device is provided which includes a container for receiving a liquid, such as blood, that is centrifugally separable into relatively light and heavy phases, and a phase partitioning device in the container. The partitioning device includes a thixotropic gel-like material adjacent one end of the container having a specific gravity between the specific gravities of the light and heavy phases, and a piston member having an outlet in communication with the sealant so that during centrifugation of the device, centrifugal forces cause the piston to pressurize the sealant and force the sealant through the outlet toward the interface of the phases with sealant forming a partition between the separated phases.

Abstract: An aqueous reagent system for the quantitative determination of protein is disclosed. The system contains Coomassie Brilliant Blue G-250 dye, a monobasic strong acid having a pK.sub.a of less than 3 (e.g. HCl), a polybasic phosphonic acid (e.g. NTP), a water soluble, non-ionic surfactant characterized as being a block copolymer containing terminal polyethylene oxide segments separated by a polypropylene oxide segment. Preferably the system also contains a small amount of an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol.

Abstract: A cholesterol standard solution containing a predetermined amount of cholesterol, alcohol, and a long chain alkyl substituted betaine.

Abstract: A sheath (24) is provided for a syringe (10) having a barrel (18) with a needle assembly (22) projecting axially from the distal end thereof. The needle assembly (22) has a hub (28) with radially projecting ears (62) for threading into a collar (42) on the barrel (18). At least one axially extending, radially projecting rib (60) is carried by the hub (28). The sheath (24) has at least one camming flute (66) comprised of a flat circumferentially facing abutting surface (72) on one side and an axially and circumferentially facing cam surface (74) on the other side thereof. The sheath (24) frictionally grips the needle hub (28) with one rib (60) juxtaposed with respect to the camming flute (66). Rotation of the sheath (24) in one direction will engage the flat surface (72) with the rib (60) to rotate the needle assembly (22) with the sheath (24) for unthreading the needle assembly from the collar (42) on the barrel (18).

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly (10) includes a tracheostomy tube (11) and a neck collar (14), which limits movement of the tracheostomy tube (11), but allows adjustment of the height of the tracheostomy tube (11). The collar (14) has a deformable sleeve (29) that is oversized relative to a portion of the tracheostomy tube (11) which extends therethrough. In an undeflected condition, portions (46,46) of the sleeve (29) engage the tracheostomy tube portions (43) to fix its height. When the sleeve (29) is deflected by compressing the sleeve (29) together at selected points, the engaging sleeve portions (46,46) will be deflected away from the tracheostomy tube portions (43) to permit axial movement thereof.

Abstract: A disposable Luer lock syringe is provided with an integral Luer tapered needle connector and an integral, internally threaded, Luer lock retaining collar surrounding the connector and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinal grooves. The grooved collar is circumferentially continuous and has sufficient rigidity for obtaining a desired fluid-tight connection with the hub of a needle assembly, while the grooves provide the collar with sufficient flexibility to permit the fracturing of the connector after the syringe is used so as to prevent reuse of the syringe.

Abstract: A blood collection device used in taking a small sample from a patient for test purposes is provided with a capillary tube and vented tube holder disposed in the upper end of a blood collection container. Integral radial extensions allow the container to be centrifuged in a centrifuge normally used for containers of larger diameter. An integral flexible strap connects a stopper to one of the radial extensions so that the stopper remains with the container.

Abstract: Stable aqueous solutions useful as standards in the determination of uric acid are disclosed. The solutions have a pH of about 6-7 and contain a buffer and a known concentration of uric acid present in solution as a salt of the pH-controlling buffer component. They do not contain any strong base such as lithium carbonate. The standards can be used in connection with either enzymatic or non-enzymatic procedures.