Abstract: An aesthesiometer consisting of an elongated length-calibrated support bar with a handle at one end. The bar has a longitudinal groove communicating with a hole near the other end of the bar. A steel wire is fastened to the handle and lies in the groove, the wire having a right-angled bend forming a depending skin probe arm which extends through the hole. An adjustable wire-retaining block is slidably engaged on the support bar and has a flange depending into the groove and holding down the wire, thus regulating the length of the flexible portion of the wire and thus controlling the effective stiffness of the flexible portion. The upward deflection of the right-angled bend is read quantitatively on an arcuate concentric series of scale lines on a scale card attached to the free end of the support bar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for monitoring, analyzing and quantitating in real time the concentrations of metabolites in serum by analyzing the dialysate solutions which are being equilibrated with the blood via a hemodialyzer. Thus, access to certain metabolically important species is provided without the necessity of blood sampling. The apparatus includes at least one ion-selective electrode coupled with the dialysate effluent stream, and the electrode EMF is converted to dialysate concentrations based on precalibration. The dialysate concentrations, in turn, are related to serum levels by factors governing mass transfer through the dialyzer.

Abstract: A polyurethane heart valve has a semirigid frame composed of a base ring and three struts, and an elastomeric membrane integral and unitary with the frame, the contours of which make up three leaflets of the valve. The leading edges of the leaflets which form the commissure line are reinforced with a narrow elastomer band. The leaflets are further reinforced by radiating lines projected from the frame into the leaflet and which simulate collagen formation in natural leaflets. In addition, the transition between the frame and the leaflets is tapered.

Abstract: A flow-through coil planet centrifuge having a hollow-walled, vertical-axis rotating bowl with a helically-coiled long separation column spirally contained in the hollow wall of the bowl. A stationary, vertical-axis drive motor is located in axial alignment with the bowl. The bowl is rotatably coaxially supported in a cage-like frame. The bowl is rotated by the motor via the frame by a system of belts and gearing which compensates for the rotation of the bowl and column relative to the motor and frame to avoid the twisting of the flow tubes of the column. The outer portion of the frame is provided with a vertical support tube for the flow tubes to prevent excessive strain on the tubes during high speed revolution of the frame.

Abstract: Polycarbonate membranes useful for hemodialysis are fabricated from polyether-polycarbonate block copolymers by a water gelation process. The process comprises casting onto a substrate surface a layer of a multicomponent casting solution comprising the copolymer dissolved in a water-miscible organic solvent together with a cosolvent which acts as a swelling agent for the copolymer, drying the layer to partially evaporate the solvents therefrom, immersing the partially dried layer in water to form a gelled membrane, and stripping the gelled membrane from the substrate surface. The membrane has improved strength and improved permeability to solutes in the "middle molecule" range while maintaing clinically acceptable ultrafiltration rates and clearance of low molecular weight solutes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a random phase diffuser which is inserted between a transducer and an insonification subject in accoustical imaging. The diffuser is comprised of an array of lossless elements which cause sound emitted by the transducer to be passed through and emitted with a phase value of 0.degree. or 180.degree.. Additionally disclosed is the combination of a random phase diffuser with a wedge coupling feature for increasing insonification efficiency.

Abstract: A continuous extraction system wherein two immiscible solvents move in opposite directions through a rotating helical column. Elution of a desired phase takes place by use of a separation device at the head end which selects either the heavier or the lighter phase. This may consist of a suitably weighted suspended outlet tube in a rotating cylindrical outlet chamber or may consist of a shunt and settling chamber located outside the rotating part; the heavier phase may be removed from the bottom and the lighter phase may be removed from the top.

Abstract: Tricyclic aromatic compounds of the formula ##STR1## including those wherein: (A) R.sub.1 is H, R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy, and R.sub.3 is methyl;(b) R.sub.1 is acetyl, R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy, and R.sub.3 is methyl;(c) R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are methyl and R.sub.2 is carbomethoxy;(d) R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are hydrogen; and(e) R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are methyl and R.sub.2 is hydrogenAre intermediates for the total synthesis of steroids.

Abstract: A diaphragm-actuated slide valve where spring force is utilized to urge the moving slide valve element against the stationary valve element. To obtain a good seal at the valving ports with a minimum of spring force, the moving slide valve element is made to present a convex contact face to the stationary valve element at the port region of the moving valve element. At the same time, a clamping connection of the fluid tube to the moving slide valve element is obtained. The moving slide valve element is in the form of an apertured, initially flat block. The fluid tube passes through an aperture in an initially curved spring clamp plate provided with clamping serrations in the tube-receiving aperture, the tube engaging in a counterbore in the valve block at its port. Clamping screws engage through opposite parts of the clamp plate and threadedly engage the valve block at opposite spaced locations relative to the tube.

Abstract: A system and technique for determining the total radiated ultrasonic power output from a diagnostic ultrasound device having an output transducer includes a water chamber having a parabolic reflector. The transducer is mounted on the chamber at a location so that acoustic power from the transducer is focussed by the parabolic reflector to a first thermistor chip mounted in the chamber on a sound-absorbing rubber plate. The rise in temperature of the thermistor chip due to sound absorption changes its resistance. The thermistor chip is connected in one leg of a Wheatstone bridge. A reference thermistor chip is mounted on the rubber plate away from the ultrasonic beam and is connected in an opposite leg of the bridge. Starting from a null setting of the bridge, the output of the bridge after a suitable "response time" is in accordance with the acoustic energy delivered by the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the flow parameter of blood flowing in an organ includes a laser and associated optics which effect the illumination of tissues. The laser light, scattered by the tissues, emerges with a spectrum broadened by Doppler effect due to motion of red blood cells in the micro-circulation vessels. The light from the tissues is fed to a photomultiplier tube or photodiode via a pinhole mask and interference filter. The photomultiplier tube or photodiode, as a result of beating of various components of the light it receives, produces as its output signals a homodyne or heterodyne spectrum or both. These output signals are fed, via a low pass filter, to a differentiator, which differentiates the output signals from the multiplier tube or photodiode, which are passed by the filter, with respect to time. The output of the differentiator is fed to a root-mean-square (RMS) detector. The low pass filter passes, for example, signals having a frequency up to about 20 KHz.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning system for echocardiography or the like, the system including a pivoted transducer in a manually-held housing containing a reversible low-inertia servo motor drivingly connected to the transducer via reduction gearing for oscillating the transducer, and a photoelectric system for generating sine and cosine voltages representing the real time positions of the transducer. An electronic position control circuit controls the motor, and thus controls the position of the transducer, by feedback signals derived from the difference between the sine function generated in the photoelectric system and a triangular wave generated in the control circuit. This difference is used to determine the magnitude and polarity of the voltage applied to the servo motor. This makes it possible to program the sector position of the transducer as a function of time. The photoelectric system may consist of a slotted disc mounted on the motor shaft between light sources and arrays of photocells.

Abstract: A cable handling mechanism for an X-ray tomographic scanner having a rotor assembly for making a scan of about two revolutions and then rewinding to an initial position includes two axially displaced drums. One drum is attached to the rotor housing and rotates with it; the other is fixed to the stationary structure. A pulley carrier between the two drums is rotatable about the same axis and carries large and small idler pulleys. At one extreme end position one or more individual cables inside a loose-fitting flexible tube are wound around the rotating drum for two turns, around the large idler pulley and in the opposite direction around the fixed drum for a single turn, and a control cable is attached to the rotating drum wound in a direction opposite to that of the flexible tube but for only one turn, around the small idler pulley and in the opposite direction on the fixed drum for two turns to which the other end of the control cable is attached.

Abstract: An electrically controlled magnetic fluid actuated device, which can be used in controlling fluid flow and which has particular utility in controlling this flow from a pressurized reservoir implanted in the body such as might be used for an artificial pancreas, sphincter for bladder control or other orthotic devices in the body of a human, has no freely moving parts and consists of a flow passageway having a portion the cross-section of which may be varied to control and to stop the flow of fluid, such as medicine, from a reservoir in the body to the point where this fluid is needed. A magnetic fluid which surrounds or contacts this portion of the passageway can, according to the presence or lack of a magnetic flux in its vicinity, occlude the passageway or allow it to open so as to control the fluid flow in the flow member.

Abstract: A chin activated switch for use in adjusting the movement of a binocular microscope along three orthogonal axes allows the operator to utilize his hands and feet to control other devices. This chin switch contains a plurality of microswitches which are activated by specific movements of the chin. A chin plate upon which the operator's chin rests is connected to a pivot rod and rocker assembly the movement of which actuates the microswitches. These microswitches in turn control motors which move the microscope in the desired directions.

Abstract: A system for combining at least one analog signal, such as EKG signal, and an image signal, such as video signal representing a fluoroscopic view of a patient's heart or the like. The system includes a summing amplifier, which provides an input to a TV monitor and/or video recorder. The first input to the summing amplifier is provided from a TV camera arranged to view a physiological activity. A second input to the summing amplifier is provided from an encoder which receives one analog signal representing physiological data. The encoder includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter which receives the analog signal and feeds it to a random access memory (RAM). The A/D converter and the RAM are controlled by sync signals derived from a master camera control unit, which also provides sync signals to the TV camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the determination of blood cell osmotic fragility, wherein a solution of salt, such as sodium chloride, with an osmotic gradient decreasing with time is passed through a coiled capillary tube, positioned with its axis vertical so that the flow through the turns of the tube is substantially horizontal, and the flow follows Poiseuille's parabolic flow pattern. The blood sample is inserted in the coiled tube and, because of the flow pattern, the salt solution travels through the capillary tube much faster than the erythrocytes, so that the erythrocytes are exposed to gradually decreasing osmolarity for hemolysis. Optical monitoring is carried out as the hemoglobin is rapidly removed from the flowing stream. Optical density is recorded against time, employing a 547 nm monitoring beam, thus providing a hemolysis curve.

Abstract: Electrophoretic fractional elution apparatus has a column with a rotating seal joint at which a thin jet of eluting buffer is directed across the lumen of the electrophoretic column in a direction perpendicular to that of electrophoretic migration. Either the content of the column is rotated with respect to the stationary jet, or the jet is rotated with respect to the column. The system may employ electrophoresis either in free solution or in packed columns.

Abstract: A method and test of detecting occult blood in a stool or other physiologic fluid sample which offers novelty in that the reaction is carried out in the organic phase selected from the group consisting of methylene dichloride, petroleum ether, and dioxane in an aqueous/organic bi-phase system wherein the sample of occult blood is added to the aqueous phase, the bi-phase system is mixed by emulsification and a standard color-forming reaction involving organically soluble hemoglobin (heme), peroxide, and dye is carried out in the organic phase. Optionally, a filter paper porous only to organic solvents may be introduced to initially separate the aqueous and organic phases and further a device for mixing and separating immiscible liquids having two chambers telescopable into one another may be utilized. The reaction involving hemoglobin is carried out in acetic acid to produce heme which is later solubilized by the organic solvent.

Abstract: An apparatus for capping and uncapping containers includes a framework for storing screw-on caps in a number of stacked columns. A guide for aligning containers, such as bottles or vials held in a standard holder, consists of two members movable with respect to one another and defining a number of openings of adjustable size into which the containers are to project so as to become aligned with the stacked caps. An endless, cogged belt is operatively positioned within grooves formed on longitudinal surfaces of the members, portions of the cogged belt projecting into the openings defined by the members into which the containers are to project. This cogged belt in operation contacts the exterior surface of screw-on caps and turns them with respect to the threaded necks of the containers on to which they are to be placed or from which they are to be removed. The two members can be moved apart relative to one another in order to allow the necks of the containers and the caps to be positioned within the openings.