Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrically monitored mechanical pipette which includes a microswitch in its volume delivery adjustment mechanism which operates to signal the electrical volume monitoring system of the pipette when a fluid volume delivery setting adjustment is being made. In this manner, the pipette operates in a low power mode during normal operation to display the present fluid volume delivery setting, but moves to a high power consumption mode when changes are being made to the fluid volume delivery setting. The microswitch allows the high power consumption elements in the electronic volume monitoring system, such as a Hall-effect transducer assembly, to be inactive and receive no power input until it is needed during adjustment of the fluid volume delivery setting.

Abstract: A deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a block or graft copolymer. The copolymer comprises a plurality of first linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof, and a plurality of second linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages. The plurality of first linkages comprises at least about 50 up to about 90 mole percent of the copolymer. In an alternative Claim, the deformable surgical repair device is manufactured from a blend of a first and a second absorbable polymer. The first absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of glycolic acid ester and lactic acid ester linkages, and mixtures thereof. The second absorbable polymer comprises a plurality of linkages selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dioxan-2-one; 1,4-dioxan-2-one and .epsilon.-caprolactone linkages.

Abstract: A dyed braided suture is formed by dry blending a colorant and a thermoplastic resin; extruding the blend by melt spinning to form filaments; drawing the filaments, braiding the drawn filaments and converting the braided filaments to a suture.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved air-flow sensitive float valve interposed between the collection chamber and one arm of the water seal chamber for allowing the patient to draw as much vacuum pressure as is required during deep inspiration. The float valve also functions to provide for an automatic controlled release of excess negative pressure in the collection chamber during either continuous autotransfusion or when there is a low air flow rate condition present. By tailoring a specific amount of water to a given size chamber, the water column inside the water seal chamber is allowed to momentarily engage the floating mechanism before the water seal chamber is emptied of water and a column of air is subsequently forced through the water column towards the momentarily sealed valve. Once the air column reaches the valve, the water supporting the valve is displaced and the valve is released until the air column is replaced by another rising water column.

Abstract: A curved surgical needle and a method for producing the same from a solid sheet of material rather than from coiled wire including the steps of drilling a bore in one edge of the material, grinding an edge opposite the drilled edge to form a sharpened point, curving the material and cutting the material at a point of equal distance between each drilled bored to provide a surgical needle. A suture is then attached to the surgical needle, optionally lubricated, sterilized, and packaged by suitable means known in the art.

Abstract: A progressive filtration system for a chest drainage unit during continuous autotransfusion that allows the user to clear the fluid pathway of blood clots and trapped air that form after filtration in a flushing action initiated by the user. The filtration system comprises a gross filter for filtering incoming blood at the inlet portion of a collection chamber of a chest drainage unit and a fine filter assembly located at the bottom portion of the collection chamber for refiltering collected blood prior to reinfusion of that blood back to the patient. The filter assembly includes a valve cap at the top portion of the assembly that functions as a one way valve that permits reflux of later developing blood clots that might clog the tubing once the blood has already passed through the assembly. The valve cap is also adapted for sealing engagement with a drop tube that places the filter assembly in fluid flow communication with an outlet of the collection chamber located at the top portion of the chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronically monitored mechanical pipette which includes a transducer assembly for monitoring the rotational movement of a volume delivery adjustment mechanism of the pipette. The transducer assembly preferably includes at least two Hall-effect transducers spaced 90 rotational degrees apart from each other and sense the magnetic field of an annular magnet attached to the delivery adjustment mechanism. The Hall-effect sensors produce sinusoidal signals which are 90.degree. out of phase from each other when the magnet rotates relative thereto. The two out of phase sinusoidal signals are processed by an electronics assembly of the pipette to determine the absolute position of the volume delivery adjustment mechanism and compute a fluid volume delivery setting of the pipette.

Abstract: A catheter introducer which allows a dilator member and a sheath member to be engaged with and disengaged from each other promptly and smoothly. The catheter introducer includes a sheath member consisting of a sheath portion and a sheath hub and a dilator member consisting of a dilator portion and a dilator hub and a locking mechanism operatively connecting the sheath member and dilator member during the insertion of the catheter introducer into the body of the patient. The dilator hub includes one or more flange members associated therewith and the flange member is rotatable with respect to the sheath hub to selectively engage the sheath hub in a first position and disengage the sheath hub in a second position.

Abstract: A footstand for stabilizing a body of a medical device against being overturned. The body may especially be a chest drainage unit (CDU) designed and configured to receive and collect fluids from a medical patient. The invention comprises at least one stand coupled to the body and adapted for deployment to a position for stabilizing the body against upset. The CDU body is a generally upstanding rectangular box having a pair of depending feet, one foot on each side of the body.

Abstract: A probe tip in combination with a seal assembly that prevents debris and other contaminants from entering the probe tip. In the preferred embodiment, the seal comprises a tube with a filter holder assembly attached at the distal end of the holder. The filter holder assembly includes an infrared filter seated inside a screw-on member that is attached to a holder member with a sealing member located directly behind the infrared filter. During manufacturing, a predetermined force is applied to the proximal end of the tube which drives the distal end of the tube and filter holder assembly against the probe tip opening, thereby forming a watertight seal thereto. In alternative embodiments, the seal assembly may be comprised of a collar and gasket combination instead of a filter holder assembly.

Abstract: A breathable, comfortable, elastic pressure sensitive, permanent tacky, adhesive bandaging material is disclosed. The material includes a fabric formed of stretch and non-stretch filling and warp yarns which are coated with a release agent, a stiffening agent, and an adhesive material. Both the agents and adhesive material are applied to the backside of the fabric, with a small amount of the release agent being absorbed through the fabric to the face surface thereof. The adhesive material may include a solvent which tends to plasticize the stiffening agent to a small degree when applied thereto. The resulting bandaging material exhibits characteristics of good tearability along with a relatively soft face surface and an improved hand. The material is manufactured by applying the agents and adhesive to the fabric when the fabric is in a relaxed state. When subsequently stretched, the adhesive is pulled into a random, nonuniform and discontinuous layer.

Abstract: A tapered single or multi-lumen catheter having an elongated cylindrical tube for injection and removal of fluid is provided with generally constant or gradually increasing diameter internal lumen or lumens which are connected to a tip portion which may be a conical tapered tip that smoothly merges with the cylindrical surface of the tube so that insertion trauma and the possibility of kinking are minimized. The catheter body is generally formed of proximal and distal portions wherein the proximal portion preferably includes a portion which increases in external diameter in the proximal direction to provide a strain relief for the intersection of the catheter body and the hub member of the catheter.