Abstract: A tube clamp particularly for adjusting liquid flow through tubes such as I.V. tubes has a channel-shaped holder along which the tube is passed and a rotary eccentric mounted in fixed position between opposite side walls of the holder for applying adjustable pressure on the tube dependent on the rotary position of the eccentric. A ratchet wheel with a spring detent is attached to the eccentric for rotating the eccentric and positively retaining it in a selected position of rotation.

Abstract: A rotatable rigid material valve operator is provided having a threaded shank threadedly engaged within a threaded blind bore formed in a valve member constructed of thermo plastic elastomer having an 80-90 "SHORE" scale durometer hardness and snugly slidingly disposed within a valve body bore against rotation relative thereto, the threaded shank being rotatable relative to the valve body against axial displacement relative thereto such that rotation of the threaded shank translates into axial shifting of the valve member within the valve body bore.

Abstract: A sterile intravenous flow valve includes in-line valve mechanism which is maintained sterile in all of its positions. The valve also includes an adjustment member and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the adjustment member in place to thereby assure accurate flow rate settings. Sterility is achieved by providing a sealed chamber formed by a snap-fit engagement between the adjustment member and the main body member of the valve.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly includes a valve located in the catheter hub and made of needle-penetrable self-sealing material such as rubber. The valve is biased to a closed position wherein it surrounds an inlet end of a hollow elongated insert disposed in the hub. The insert is in flow communication with a catheter tube and serves as an outer sleeve for an insertion needle which is inserted through a puncture in the valve to pass through the insert and catheter tube. Upon removal of the needle the valve puncture self-seals. The valve is larger than the flow passage opening of a standard Luer tapered male fitting which, when inserted into the hub, axially translates the valve along the insert until the insert projects through the valve puncture and into the Luer male fitting flow passage. The positional bias for the valve is provided by a helical spring disposed about the insert by extending an integral part of the valve as an axially compressible resilient sleeve surrounding the insert.

Abstract: A surgical scrub apparatus includes a liquid-containing rupturable cylindrical cartridge which is slidable within a tubular handle having two (2) hollow interior spikes projecting longitudinally from one end. The cartridge can be inserted sufficiently far to cause rupture of the cartridge by both spikes. Liquid from the ruptured cartridge flows through the hollow spikes to an applicator sponge having two (2) wide area applicator surfaces. The hollow spikes are oriented such that one is always disposed higher than the other when the applicator surfaces of the sponge are disposed substantially horizontally. The upper spike can be disposed at a position wherein the liquid pressure applied thereto is less than ambient such that the upper spike serves as a vent passage which admits air into the cartridge. The lower spike thereby serves primarily as an outflow for liquid from the cartridge and air replaces the egressing liquid through the upper spike.

Abstract: A surgical scrub apparatus includes a liquid-containing rupturable cylindrical cartridge which is slidable within a tubular handle having at least one and preferably two hollow interior spikes projecting longitudinally from one end. The cartridge can be inserted sufficiently far to cause rupture of the cartridge by both spikes. Liquid from the ruptured cartridge flows from within the handle, preferably through the spikes, to an applicator sponge having two wide area applicator surfaces. The spikes include exterior projections which are received in respective recesses or flow passages in the applicator to facilitate distribution of liquid through the applicator to the application surfaces. The recesses are contoured as desired to aid in liquid distribution. The interior of the spikes may be coated with a non-wetting agent such as silicone to facilitate flow through the hollow spikes.

Abstract: A forestream sample of a urine void is isolated from a subsequently collected midstream specimen by means of a valve controlled by material which swells to many times its original volume when exposed to urine. The material is disposed in a forestream receiving chamber having a normally open inlet aperture toward which void urine is directed by a funnel, or the like. Upon contact between the liquid and the material in the chamber, the material absorbs the liquid and swells to many times its original volume while forcefully urging a movable member against the aperture to block further entry of liquid into the chamber. Subsequently received liquid is redirected into a midstream specimen collection container. The void stream is initially received by a funnel having a discharge spout which terminates below the level of an overflow opening from which the subsequently received void portion is redirected into the midstream specimen container.

Abstract: Sterile urine specimen collection is achieved by collecting the initial or forestream portion of a void in a chamber and then directing the midstream overflow into a specimen container in which the chamber is partially disposed. Overflow from the specimen container is drained to ambient or to an overflow container. This specimen container is selectively disengageable from the apparatus and can be sealed with a sterile cap which is secured to the apparatus in a sterile manner before it is deployed on the specimen container. Collection of the forestream and terminal portions of the void eliminates dripping from the unit when the specimen container is removed. When the terminal portion is drained to ambient, the drain tube is provided with a drip prevention structure. Void urine is received in a funnel having an oval entrance and a discharge spout which projects into the forestream chamber to a level above overflow holes defined in the chamber.

Abstract: An intravenous flow control valve includes in-line valving mechanism wherein flow through the valve at low flow settings increases slowly with displacement of a valve controller disc. The disc, which is free to rotate with respect to an axis but is longitudinally fixed, includes a threaded stem which engages a threaded bore and a sluice gate member. The gate member is permitted to move only longitudinally in a valve control chamber in response to disc rotation and includes a control passage defined therethrough which tapers in the direction of gate member motion so as to graduate the cross-sectional area of the passage exposed to flow as the disc rotates. A locking arrangement permits the disc to be positionally locked to avoid inadvertent change of the valve setting. The disc and stem provide an hermetic seal for the valve control chamber to avoid contamination of the intravenous fluid being controlled.

Abstract: System and means for irreversibly recording the incidence of a predetermined temperature comprising a cholesteric liquid crystal system and an activator material capable of interacting with the liquid crystal system to induce a unique irreversible change in the optical properties thereof sustantially at the predetermined temperature. The system preferably includes means for separating the liquid crystal system and activator at temperatures below the activation temperature of the activator.

Abstract: The surface of the intravenous liquid in a container is maintained at substantially constant height above the patient by suspending the container from an elastic member which stretches along an axis other than the suspension axis for the container. In this manner, the total vertical length of the intravenous unit, including the container, the elastic member and the support hook, is minimized. In a particular embodiment the elastic member is a spring oriented substantially horizontal and combined with a pulley and idler roller to redirect the suspension cord for the intravenous liquid container. In another embodiment the spring is disposed vertically along an axis parallel to the suspension axis. An alarm circuit includes one or more micro switches which are actuated by the moveable spring-attached pulley to provide an audible or visible alarm indication when the suspension spring retracts to a specified position, thereby indicating that the intravenous container is approaching an empty condition.

Abstract: A patch of temperature-sensitive liquid crystal material adheres to a patient's skin to serve as an indicator of infiltration during intravenous (or intraarterial, intra-lymphatic vessel, etc.) insertion procedures. The material is selected so as to have a constant color over a temperature range which spans the normal skin temperature range. The patch is placed immediately downstream of the insertion point and preferably has a straight forward edge to permit rapid color change over a broad section of the patch in response to infiltration. The patch may include a downstream extension, remote from the likely infiltration region, which experiences infiltration-responsive color change considerably later than the forward edge, thereby providing a color contrast to facilitate visual detection.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer, of the type wherein an object is raised in a tube by a patient inhaling through the tube, is improved by automatically maintaining the tube vertically-oriented in spite of tilting of the frame from which the tube is supported.

Abstract: An improved liquid dispensing device having particular utility as a surgical scrub and/or swab unit is characterized by a cartridge which is slidable in a rigid handle and rupturably by a spike when slid within the handle to a predetermined degree. Fluid from the ruptured cartridge flows from within the handle to within a sponge through apertures which permit free flow of the dispensed fluid. The handle may be provided with longitudinally-extending slots to facilitate compression of the handle and the cartridge disposed therein. A check valve may be included in the hollow spike passage to prevent back flow of liquid from the sponge and dispensing chamber into the cartridge.

Abstract: A disposable stabilizing fitting for a catheter tube includes a laminar base member having an adhesive coated underside and a tube-retaining cradle. A snap-over cover engages the catheter tube in the cradle. Specifically, gripping members in the cradle are non-aligned with one or more gripping members in the cover such that the gripping members engage the catheter tube by bending the tube slightly without restricting flow. In one preferred embodiment, the cradle is subdivided into two longitudinal sections having respective covers which hinge in opposite directions and are latchable in a plurality of positions corresponding to various catheter tube diameters.

Abstract: A fitting for inserting a needle or catheter into a blood vessel and for positionally stabilizing the inserted needle or catheter in situ includes separate needle holder and stabilizer elements. A retainer member is secured at its proximal end to the holder and extends in spaced relation along the holder to a distal end. The stabilizer has a bi-wing shape with a slot contoured to receive the retainer member in longitudinally slidable relation at a location below a holder supporting region on the top surface of the stabilizer. The wings can be flexed upward and toward one another to positively grip the holder for insertion of the needle or catheter. When unflexed, the stabilizer slot constrains the retainer element which in turn holds the stabilizer in the space between the retainer and the holder. Removal of the needle is achieved by withdrawing the retainer longitudinally from the stabilizer slot.

Abstract: An incentive spirometer is provided with a mechanism for inhibiting the incentive in response to high flow rate bursts of inhalation so as to promote proper long inhalation efforts by a patient. In one embodiment, the spirometer includes a transparent column located in the inhalation flow path and in which an object is disposed and caused to rise in the column in response to inhalation efforts by the patient. The incentive-inhibiting mechanism may comprise a valve in the rising object which opens in response to excessive flow rate to permit flow through the object and thereby preclude the object from rising. Alternatively, the incentive-inhibiting object may be disposed to admit air into the flow path downstream of the object in response to high flow rate inhalation bursts to thereby reduce the flow rate acting on the object. A variety of embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A patch of temperature-sensitive liquid crystal material adheres to a patient's skin to serve as an indicator of infiltration during intravenous (or intraarterial, intra-lymphatic vessel, etc.) insertion procedures. The material is selected so as to have a constant color over a temperature range which spans the normal skin temperature range. The patch is placed immediately downstream of the insertion point and preferably has a straight forward edge to permit rapid color change over a broad section of the patch in response to infiltration. The patch may include a downstream extension, remote from the likely infiltration region, which experiences infiltration-responsive color change considerably later than the forward edge, thereby providing a color contrast to facilitate visual detection.

Abstract: A moisture-retentive covering for ointment, such as nitroglycerin, applied for percutaneous absorption includes a flexible frame member having first and second surfaces with adhesive material thereon. A sheet of moisture-impervious material is secured to the first surface of the frame member and entirely covers the first surface and the area prescribed within the frame. A removable backing is secured to the second surface. A tab extends from the sheet of moisture-impervious material to permit the covering to be gripped while the removable backing is peeled away.

Abstract: An intravenous flow control valve includes an in-line valving mechanism as opposed to a tube clamp. The mechanism includes an adjustment member and a locking mechanism for selectively locking the adjustment member in place and thereby assure accurate flow rate settings.