Abstract: A highly selective, sensitive, fast detection system and method are disclosed for detecting vapors of specific compounds in air. Vapors emanating from compounds such as explosives, or stripped from surfaces using heat and suction from a hand-held sample gun, are collected on surfaces coated with gas chromatograph (GC) material which trap explosives vapors but repel nitric oxide, then are desorbed and concentrated in one or more cold spot concentrators. A high speed gas chromatrograph (GC) separates the vapors, after which specific vapors are decomposed in two pyrolyzers arranged in parallel and the resulting nitric oxide is detected. A low temperature pyrolyzer with silver produces NO from nitramines or nitrite esters; a high temperature pyrolyzer decomposes all explosives vapors to permit detection of the remaining explosives. Also disclosed is a series arrangement of pyrolyzers and gas chromatographs and an NO detector to time-shift detection of certain vapors and facilitate very fast GC analyses.

Abstract: (C) A highly selective, sensitive, fast detection system and method are disclosed for detecting vapors of specific compounds in air. Vapors emanating from compounds such as explosives, or stripped from surfaces using heat and suction from a hand-held sample gun, are collected on surfaces coated with gas chromatograph (GC) material which trap explosives vapors but repel nitric oxide, then are desorbed and concentrated in one or more cold spot concentrators. A high speed gas chromatograph (GC) separates the vapors, ater which specific vapors are decomposed in two pyrolyzers arranged in parallel and the resulting nitric oxide is detected. A low temperature pyrolyzer with silver produces NO from nitramines or nitrite esters; a high temperature pyrolyzer decomposes all explosives vapors to permit detection of the remaining explosives. Also disclosed is a series arrangement of pyrolyzers and gas chromatographs and an NO detector to time-shift detection of certain vapors and facilitate very fast GC analyses.

Abstract: An improved catheter and catheter system for long term implantation in a patient through a percutaneous access device are provided. The improved catheter has a loop in an external lead portion of the catheter which reduces bending, kinking, and cracking of the catheter and which reduces stress on the catheter and on the percutaneous access device as well. The system employs multiple catheters, each catheter having a loop to reduce stress. Each of the catheters of the system may have a single lumen or multiple lumens. A method of relieving stress at an external lead portion of a single or multi-lumen catheter is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands facing a vertical end wall. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through a vertical array of shaped funnels in the end wall and through ducts connected to a collection manifold for subsequent analysis. Infrared heaters in the end wall heat the clothing and skin of the person during sampling, and many small nozzles extending through the end wall direct low volume, high momentum pulsed jets of puffs of air at the person to dislodge vapors, expel air from beneath clothing, and disrupt stagnant boundary layers of air near the person.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable, hand-held vapor sampling probe for collecting vapors of compounds such as cocaine, heroin, and explosives prior to their desorption and analysis in a vapor detector. Rechargable batteries power a lamp in the front face of the probe for heating target portions of a sampling surface, a puffer assembly for directing air jets at the target, and a motor for drawing air samples through a collector coil on whose surfaces vapors are trapped. A flexible U-shaped shroud on the front face partially encloses the lamp and collector and helps to regulate air flow over the target and to protect the probe from damage. Upon contact with a surface, the shroud may activate a switch which, together with a second switch on the probe handle and a lamp pyrometer, regulates heating of the target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a percutaneous access device (PAD) for long-term skin penetration and use as an access port in the body of a patient. The buttonlike device includes a flat skirt for subdermal anchoring of the PAD and a neck through which a tube may extend for transmission of materials to or from the body. A two-stage porous bed covering the skirt and at least a portion of the neck promotes formation of a tight, infection-free barrier between the percutaneous access device and adjacent tissues, stabilizing the device for long-term use. The first stage of the bed retards downgrowth of epidermal cells for a time sufficient for mature collagen to form in the second stage, thereby permitting the tight dermal/biomaterial interface or barrier to form at a location near the junction of the two stages.

Abstract: Disclosed is a walk-in inspection apparatus for active production of air samples containing vapors of explosives, drugs, or other substances carried by a person. The apparatus includes a U-shaped booth with an open end through which a person walks past walls which may contain a metal detector, then stands in front of a mesh screen facing a vertical end wall containing a vertical array of shaped funnels. Light-transmissive wall sections near the end wall help encourage entry of the person into the booth, and the light colored mesh screen draws attention of a person in the booth away from the darker funnels. In the collection of an air sample a blower outside the booth sucks a large volume of air around the person and horizontally through the funnels in the end wall and through ducts into a collection manifold for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved peritoneal access system for providing repeated, long term access through the peritoneum, as for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. The system includes a catheter tube extending through an implantable percutaneous access device (PAD) formed of a cylindrical neck and a buttonlike annular skirt. A portion of the catheter tube external to the PAD has a bellows integrally formed therein permitting the tube to be bent and moved without restricting fluid flow or stressing the PAD. The internal portion of the catheter tube has a sharp right angle below the PAD to tunnel the tube in a subcutaneous plane to the peritoneal penetration site and a position-adjustable collar for anchoring/sealing the cathether tube near the upper surface of the peritoneum.

Abstract: A perfume patch comprising a fragrance-emitting member having a fragrance dispersed within an ultra-thin polyurethane membrane. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to adhere the member to a surface. The polyurethane is formed from a diisocyanate, a macroglycol, and an acrylyl chain terminator to which a photoinitiator and a fragrance oil are added prior to curing. A barrier layer may be applied by an adhesive or other suitable means to prevent migration of the fragrance oil to the adhesive so that no residue of adhesive remains on the surface. The perfume patch preferably includes a support for the fragrance-emitting member for ease in application and handling.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the presence of predetermined compounds in a sample. The system comprises a sample injection means, a chromatographic column, a conversion means and one or more specific gas detectors. The conversion means transforms the column effluent to combustion products in the gas phase, after which those combustion products are transferred to the specific gas detectors. In one embodiment for detecting nitrogen compounds, the conversion means includes an oxygen-rich flame, a means to control the flame to have a temperature in the range 600.degree.-1700.degree. C., means to inject the column effluent into the flame, and an input port for transferring the flame effluent to a specific nitrogen detector.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting the presence of predetermined compounds in a sample. The system comprises a sample injection means, a chromatographic column, a conversion means and one or more specific gas detectors. The conversion means transforms the column effluent to combustion products in the gas phase, after which those combustion products are transferred to the specific gas detectors. In one embodiment for detecting nitrogen compounds, the conversion means includes an oxygen-rich flame, a means to control the flame to have a temperature in the range 600.degree.-1700.degree. C., means to inject the column effluent into the flame, and an output port for transferring the flame effluent to a specific nitrogen detector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting hydrazine, monomethylhydrazine (MMH), and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) in a gaseous sample. The hydrazine compound detector includes a sample converter wherein vapors of an aldehyde such as acetaldehyde or a ketone such as acetone are mixed with a sample in gaseous form, and the mixture is allowed to react to form azine and hydrazone derivatives of the aldehyde or ketone. The derivatives may be transported long distances and then analyzed, as by heating in the presence of an oxidant in a pyrolyzer containing a nickel surface to produce nitric oxide (NO), followed by measurement of the NO in a NO detector such as a chemiluminescent analyzer.

Abstract: A layer or member particularly useful as part of a medical patch such as an anisotropic wound dressing, a transdermal skin patch or an incise medical drape and the processes for forming such a member. The member is comprised of a crosslinked thermoset aliphatic polyurethane elastomer. The elastomer is the reaction product of (1) isophorone diisocyanate, (2) a macroglycol and (3) a chain terminator having both hydroxyl and vinyl functional groups. Polycarbonate glycols or polyetherglycols having a molecular weight of 500-2500 Daltons are preferred macroglycols and isophorone diamine is a preferred chain terminator. In one embodiment, a member or polyurethane layer for use as a wound dressing or an incise medical drape is produced by applying a film-forming solution or dispersion as a thin film to a supporting release paper and treating the film to drive off the liquids and to activate a crosslinker.

Abstract: An anisotropic wound dressing comprised of a knitted reinforcing fabric which is sandwiched between a crosslinked aliphatic polyurethane. The wound dressing is fabricated by dipping the fabric into a polyurethane-forming coating solution to form a thin film which coates the fibres of the fabric and fills the interstices with a film or layer. The film which coats the fabric is cured by ultraviolet radiation and one side of the film is coated with pressure sensitive adhesive to form a wound dressing. In the most preferred embodiments, the knitted reinforcing fabric is an anisotropic fabric formed with a basic stitch construction to create equally spaced and sized hexagonal interstices. Because of the fabric reinforcement, the resulting oxygen permeable product can be made thin, and yet be anisotropic and strong. The resulting product does not wrinkle easily and holds its shape so it is also easily applied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a percutaneous access device (PAD) with a connector lock which facilitates replacement and removal of tubes transmitting materials to or from the body of a patient without the need for surgery and with minimal interference with an implanted PAD. The lock may include a screw ring and elastomeric seal attachable to the neck of the device through which a tube extends, and the neck has recesses in its outer surface to permit it to be tightly restrained during tightening or loosening of the lock. A flat skirt or flange provides subdermal anchoring of the buttonlike percutaneous access device, and a two-stage porous bed covering portions of the neck and skirt promotes formation of a tight dermal/biomaterial barrier near the junction of the two stages of the porous bed.

Abstract: A drug releasing system in the form of a medical patch comprised of a drug dispensing polyurethane member as a matrix for a therapeutically effective amount of drug dispersed therein. The polyurethane of the drug dispensing or releasing member is a polyurethane acrylic copolymer which is the reaction product of an oligomer of a diisocyanate, a glycol with a molecular weight between the range of 500-5,000 molecular weight units and an acrylyl chain terminator having a molecular weight between the range of 40-200 molecular weight units cured by actinic radiation. In its preferred embodiment, the foregoing drug releasing or dispensing member is incorporated into a medical patch or drug release system comprised of successive layers of an ultrathin polyurethane substrate, pressure sensitive adhesive, the above-described drug releasing member and optionally a second layer of adhesive.

Abstract: The disclosed wound dressings have a drug dispersed throughout a polyurethane matrix that is the reaction product of: (A) An isocyante terminated prepolymer formed by reaction of isophorone diisocyanate and a macroglycol and (B) a monomer containing hydroxyl and vinyl groups. The reaction product is a vinyl terminated polyurethane oligomer which is liquid at room temperature and which may be readily admixed with a pharmacoactive substance and a photosensitizer, formed into a film and cured by exposure to UV light without release of heat.In the most preferred embodiments the foregoing oligomer is codissolved in an organic solvent with a polyurethane polymer which is the reaction product of:dicyclohexyl methane diisocyanate;a polytetramethylene ether polyol having a molecular weight in the range of 1000-3000 daltons; and1,4-butane diol.That solution is then admixed with the pharmacoactive agent, formed into a film and cured.

Abstract: The disclosed wound dressings have a drug dispersed throughout a polyurethane matrix that is the reaction product of: (A) An isocyante terminated prepolymer formed by reaction of isophorone diisocyanate and a marcoglycol and (B) a monomer containing hydroxyl and vinyl groups. The reaction product is a vinyl terminated polyurethane oligomer which is liquid at room temperature and which may be readily admixed with a pharmacoactive substance and a photosensitizer, formed into a film and cured by exposure to UV light without release of heat.In the most preferred embodiments the foregoing oligomer is codissolved in an organic solvent with a polyurethane polymer which is the reaction product of:dicyclohexyl methane diisocyanate;a polytetramethylene ether polyol having a molecular weight in the range of 1000-3000 daltons; and1,4-butane diol.That solution is then admixed with the pharmacoactive agent, formed into a film and cured.