Abstract: An infant incubator in which the controls and displays are provided in a module which is in proximity to but spaced from and above the hood of the incubator at generally the eye-level of a standing adult.

Abstract: A physiological pressure transducer assembly mounted on a transvenously-insertable guide wire is disclosed. The multiple coils of the guide wire define an elongated tubular passage within which fiber optic leads are contained for the transmission of light signals to a pressure transducer. A window or aperture is cut along a restricted portion of the length of the guide wire coil to provide a pressure-sensing aperture over which an elastic, pressure-sensitive membrane is positioned. The coils of the guide wire adjacent to the sensing aperture are joined together for increased rigidity along the length of the pressure transducer assembly, as by soldering or brazing. A separate, cylindrical housing, preferably of molded plastic, is wholly contained within the reinforced length of the guide wire. The proximal end portions of fiber optic sending and receiving leads or paths are received and contained within the housing in a predetermined arrangement and geometry defining a light-transmitting gap.

Abstract: Female stress urinary incontinence is corrected by implanting a correcting device which supports the urethrovesical junction from the abdominal fascia. A trocar/cannula assembly is inserted upwardly through the vaginal wall immediately adjacent or proximate the urethrovesical junction, through the space of Retzius, and through the abdominal fascia. The trocar is then removed from the cannula after which the correcting device is loaded into the cannula and pushed upwardly through it and to an implanted position using a push rod. Thereafter the push rod and cannula are removed to complete the procedure.

Abstract: A harness assembly for disposable respirators and more particularly to a respirator harness assembly having an open light-weight elastic loop with a single point connector which enables the respirator to be easily and quickly applied, and provides for temporary "storage" of the respirator during periods of non-use is disclosed.

Abstract: A canine diaper is set forth and is comprised of three sheets of material. The outer sheet is a thin flexible waterproof sheet, the next sheet is an absorbent pad of multi-plyed construction, and the inner sheet is porous, and the diaper is shaped with a central tail hole in a strip which extends from the tail above and below the body terminating in four tabs which reach adjacent the ribs for fastening by adhesive strips.

Abstract: A ventilation cap for a flashback chamber is formed of a hollow elongate cylindrical body of polymeric material and includes a proximal opening which is blocked by a venting material such as a hydrophobic filter, and a distal opening which is sized to allow an extension of the flashback chamber to be inserted therein for airtight connection therewith. The elongate body of the ventilation cap has a tear strip formed therein by a pair of generally parallel score lines. The cap is affixed to the flashback chamber so as to allow air to pass from the flashback chamber through the vent as blood fills the flashback chamber, while preventing blood from passing through the vent. When it is desired to attach other apparatus to the extension of the flashback chamber, the tear strip, which may have a pull tab integrally formed therewith, is torn away from the elongate body to destroy the airtight seal between the flashback extension and the cap.

Abstract: An electro-acupuncture system comprises a transmitter for emitting high frequency magnetic energy pulses and a receiver, sealed within an implantable "thumb-tack" shaped device, for receiving and converting such pulses into stimulating pulses of current. The device comprises a head having an exposed ring-electrode (anode) secured therein and a needle-like electrode (cathode) having a proximal end secured in the head and a distal end adapted to pierce body tissue. The latter electrode comprises a metallic tube secured in the head and a metallic wire inserted through the tube to position and fix an exposed tip of the wire at a preselected location and depth in the body tissue, in accordance with method steps taught herein.

Abstract: A surgical gauze for use in combination with a trocar for laparoscopic surgery comprises a unitary body of surgical gauze of a size to fit through a trocar for use in surgical procedures, an elongated flexible radio-opaque tether of about 24 inches in length connected at one end to the body of gauze, and an anchoring device of a size too large for passage through a trocar connected to the other end of the tether.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for detecting the presence and direction of air flow through a passageway having a first opening and a second opening for air to flow therethrough in either a first direction or a second direction. The device comprises a piezoelectric sensor located within the passageway. A flow director is provided within the passageway for directing air flow through the passageway for impingement upon the sensor. The sensor generates a first electrical signal when air flows through the passageway in the first direction and a second electrical signal when air flows through the passageway in the second direction. A discriminator is electrically connected to the sensor for receiving the first and second electrical signals and for discriminating between the two signals to identify the direction of air flow through the passageway.

Abstract: A radiographically opaque spinal marker needle having a lower portion consisting of a small bore hollow needle and an upper portion having a larger outside diameter. An intermediate penetration restriction member fixed to and surrounding the marker needle at a point proximate the junction of the upper portion and the lower portion limits the depth of penetration of the hollow needle into the patient or tissue, provides stability, and forms a large observable mass on an X-ray. In an alternative embodiment the larger upper bore portion is in the form of a syringe and includes a prefilled ampule of dye within the syringe for injection into the patient by a plunger assembly. The upper portion may be separable from the lower portion at a point above the pentration restriction member.

Abstract: A reusable multiple layered waterproof diaper garment (11) features an outer layer (25) of garment cloth and is so made and assembled that when fitted to the child and wet by that child's excrement, moisture disposed onto the inner or first layer (55) will not travel through the middle or second layer (35) by way of stitch lines or material layer to expose the outer or third layer (25) to wetness. The middle or second layer (35) is made of waterproof, non-wicking launderable, machine dryable material which is breathable and of such a quality that, when seamed to itself along a separate line of its own surface or when seamed to a surface of a separate piece of similar material, is capable of being seam sealed and rendered liquid impermeable along the seam seal line (36). The first layer (55) is a launderable, machine dryable hypoallerginic cloth and may include multiple layers of such cloth and may include a core (47) of launderable, machine-dryable absorbent material.

Abstract: Organic silicon compounds such as tetraloweralkylorthosilicates, silicon tetracarboxylates, and silicon-containing reaction products derived from carbohydrates, such as glucose, sucrose, and ascorbic acid are useful in treating, preventing, or delaying the onset of bone disease in warm blooded vertebrates, including man and domesticated animals of economic importance, such as poultry, house pets, and horses, cattle, swine, and sheep.

Abstract: A calorimeter for generating signals representative of the oxygen consumption of a subject over a test period includes a bidirectional volume flow sensor and a carbon dioxide scrubber connected to a mouthpiece. Interconnections are such that the air inhaled by the subject passes through the flow meter and the exhaled breath passes first through the carbon dioxide scrubber and then through the flow meter. The electrical output signals from the flow meter are provided to a microprocessor-based computer which integrates the volume differences between the inhaled gas, and the exhaled gas after the carbon dioxide has been removed from it, over the period of the test. Since the exhaled carbon dioxide essentially replaces the oxygen used by the subject during the test, this integral difference is a function of the patient's oxygen consumption. The use of a bidirectional flow meter results in a simple instrument that may be disposed after a single use to avoid the need for sterilization.

Abstract: A calorimeter for generating signals representative of the oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production of a subject over a test period includes two flow sensors and a carbon dioxide scrubber connected to a patient mouthpiece. Interconnections are such that the air inhaled by the subject passes through one flow meter and the exhaled breath passes first through the other flow meter the carbon dioxide the scrubber and then through the first flow meter. The electrical output signals from the flow meters are provided to a microprocessor based computer which integrates the volume differences between the inhaled gas, and the exhaled gas after the carbon dioxide has been removed from it, over the period of the test. The inhaled volume less that part of the exhaled volume which does not constitute CO.sub.2 measures the oxygen comsumption per breath, the integral difference is a function of the patient's oxygen consumption over the period of the test.

Abstract: There is described a tampon made of continuous filaments based on a man-made fiber tow with a water-holding capacity of at least 1000% by weight, the tampon consisting essentially of continuous filaments in a perpendicular arrangement relative to the longitudinal axis of the tampon with essentially only one free filament end at the surface per filament while the other free filament end is on the inside.

Abstract: An eyedrop delivery system for administering eyedrops to at least one eye of a user, wherein the system comprises a fluid reservoir for holding a supply of eyedrop fluid, a tube for conducting eyedrop fluid from the fluid reservoir to at least one eye of the user, the tube comprising at least one distal end portion terminating adjacent the at least one eye of the user, fluid driving apparatus for continuously urging eyedrop fluid from the fluid reservoir through the tube toward the at least one distal end portion of the tube, and fluid control apparatus for successively (1) permitting eyedrop fluid to flow freely through the tube so that the eyedrop fluid can begin to exit the at least one distal end portion of the tube, (2) interfering with the flow of eyedrop fluid through the tube so as to prohibit any further eyedrop fluid from exiting the at least one distal end portion of the tube, and so as to cause the eyedrop fluid leaving the at least one distal end portion of the tube to exit the at least one dista

Abstract: Apparatus for alleviating disruptions in the circadian rhythms of a mammal comprises a pair of electrodes 11 mountable on either side of the head 12. The apparatus further comprises a voltage generator for generating a voltage alternating at a rate of between 5 and 40 cycles per second with a peak to peak voltage value of at least 100V. The electrodes being connected to the generator so that an alternating electric field is generated between them. In a method of alleviating circadian disruptions in a mammal, the mammal's brain region is subjected to the aforementioned alternating electric field.

Abstract: An annular mounting member is bonded to the pouch wall to define a vent opening. The mounting member is made of material which is compatible with the pouch film and has a smooth exterior surface adapted to facilitate removable mounting of an adhesive coated element in alignment with the opening. The element may be a deodorizing filter assembly including a filter disk surrounded by an annular border member coated with pressure sensitive adhesive or a gas impermeable cover member designed to close the vent.

Abstract: A refastenable adhesive closure is provided. The closure has a pressure-sensitive adhesive-bearing fastening tab and a target portion, or target strip, having a working face for contact with the adhesive-bearing fastening tab. The working face of the target strip is formed with peaks and valleys, the height of the peaks above the valleys being substantially uniform and from about 40 to 300 .mu.m, the spacing between adjacent peaks being from about 50 to 500 .mu.m, the back face of the target portion being substantially flat, and the thickness of the adhesive layer of the tab being no more than about 90% of the height of the peaks above the valleys. The closure is resistant to contamination by dust and other fine particulate matter and is especially useful for refastenable disposable diaper closures and refastenable envelope closures.

Abstract: A slide valve, especially a drain valve, for collection bags, such as urine collecting bags, including an external tubular member and an internal tubular member, both members having a flow passage and being telescoped inside one another in an axially slidable manner. The external tubular member is provided with a valve body and the internal tubular member is provided with a valve seat mating the valve body of the external tubular member. The two tubular members are mutually slidable between a first position, in which the valve body sealingly engages the valve seat to prevent passage through the valve, and a second position in which passage is allowed through the valve. The external tubular member includes a first finger engaging portion at its outer circumference, and the internal tubular member comprises a second finger engaging portion situated substantially diametrically opposite the first finger engaging portion.