Abstract: A package for a device having a sharp cutting edge, such as a bone saw, includes a tray having a bottom surface, a top surface and side walls. The side walls are connected between the bottom surface and the top surface. The top surface includes an upwardly facing central recessed portion for engaging a device such as a bone saw. The tray defines a downwardly facing recessed area adjacent the central portion. A protective strip of cushioning material is disposed within the downwardly facing recessed area and extends above and below the central portion. The protective strip prevents the device from engaging the side walls and is formed of a plastic sponge material which is soft, resilient and tear-resistant. A cover secured to the bottom surface of the tray retains the protective strip in operative position.

Abstract: A disposable endoscope kit 10 has a speculum member 22 and a disposable light source 24. The light source includes a battery 48 and a light bulb 46 mounted within a housing 44. The housing 44 is a clip mounted onto the tubular wall 36 of speculum member 22 in proximity to the proximal viewing end 28. The housing 44 is mounted substantially within the speculum member 22 between the proximal viewing end 28 and the distal insertable end 26. The light source 24 has a switch 50 which is activated when the light source 24 is mounted to the speculum 22 to direct light toward end 26.

Abstract: A multi-segmented endoscope (20) includes at least two sections (22), (24) which are detachably coupled together to provide endoscopes of varying lengths and openings for use during different stages of the birth process. The end (26) of the smaller section (22) is angled complementarily with respect to the fetus to insure a good seal to prevent contamination of blood samples taken from the infant.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring the electrochemical activity of a liquid, for example, the hydrogen ion activity or pH value of blood. A disposable cartridge includes spaced indicating and reference electrodes which develop electrical properties as a function of the electrochemical activity. The cartridge carries a capsule containing an electrolyte solution. A machine for measuring the electrochemical activity includes a socket in a pivoting door for receiving the cartridge. When the door is pivoted into a closed position, the capsule is automatically crushed thereby covering the electrodes with the solution. The breaking of the capsule triggers an electronic measurement of the resultant electrical properties that develop between the two electrodes. This calibration factor is stored and used to compute the electrochemical characteristics of the sample when it is introduced into the cartridge to cover the indicating electrode.

Abstract: A multi-segmented endoscope (20) includes at least two sections (22), (24) which are detachably coupled together to provide endoscopes of varying lengths and openings for use during different stages of the birth process. The end (26) of the smaller section (22) is angled complementarily with respect to the fetus to insure a good seal to prevent contamination of blood samples taken from the infant.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for measuring the electrochemical activity of a liquid, for example, the hydrogen ion activity or pH value of blood. A disposable cartridge includes spaced indicating and reference electrodes which develop electrical properties as a function of the electrochemical activity. The cartridge carries a capsule containing an electrolyte solution. A machine for measuring the electrochemical activity includes a socket in a pivoting door for receiving the cartridge. When the door is pivoted into a closed position, the capsule is automatically crushed thereby covering the electrodes with the solution. The breaking of the capsule triggers an electronic measurement of the resultant electrical properties that develop between the two electrodes. This calibration factor is stored and used to compute the electrochemical characteristics of the sample when it is introduced into the cartridge to cover the indicating electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a chemical characteristic of a liquid such as its hydrogen ion activity or pH value. A disposable cassette having a reference and indicating electrode therein utilizes the same solution to first calibrate the device and then as an electrolytic bridge from the liquid sample to the reference electrode. The solution has the properties of a buffered pH and also provides a stable electrochemical environment around the reference electrode. In one embodiment, a volume of a liquid sample is placed into a capillary tube and the open end of the tube is then placed over the indicating electrode immersed in the solution. The electrical potential between the indicating electrode and the spaced reference electrode in the electrolyte solution provides a measurement of the pH value of the liquid when compared to the calibration potential previously measured without the liquid sample contacting the indicating electrode.

Abstract: A system for recording the magnitude of a time-varying electrical signal on a chart and for computing the integrals of various segments of the signal, includes operator actuated controls for providing the computer with the integration boundaries on the curve. As the signal is recorded on the chart, the value of its magnitude or its integral is also entered into a memory. To select a boundary the controls are actuated as a point on the recorded curve passes under a cursor. The computer is provided with the manually entered boundary signals and the related magnitude or integral signal at the same instant. To maintain synchronism between the stored signals provided to the computer and the boundary signals, the rate of motion of the chart is detected and used to control the rate of provision of the stored signals' values from the memory to the computer. This allows use of a low cost, variable speed chart drive.

Abstract: A viewer for observing and measuring the diameter of diffusion rings occurring on immuno-diffusion plates employs a magnifying lens for observing the plate and a baffled back lighting system for illuminating the plate so that light diffused by the plate is visible through the lens against a dark field. A beam splitter supported between the lens and the plate superimposes an image of a pair of illuminated filaments on the image of the plate seen through the lens. Manual mechanism allows the spacing of the filaments to be adjusted by the observer to bring them to the diameter of a diffusion ring. A digital display connected to the adjustment system provides a read-out of the filament spacing and thus the diameter of the immuno-diffusion ring.