Abstract: A gasketless seal is formed between a flow tube in a venous reservoir and a rotatable connector telescoped into it, by forming on the connector one or more annular ribs of slightly larger diameter than the inner diameter. When the connector is inserted into the flow tube, the rib is partially crushed against the inner wall of the flow tube and forms a tight, rotatable seal with it.

Abstract: A method of removing beta-2 microglobulin from blood has the steps of removing blood from a patient, passing the blood through a material with a size and a structure selected so as to remove beta-2 microglobulin from the blood, and re-entering the blood from which the beta-2 microglobulin is removed into the patient.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes a generally reduced length absorbent assembly positioned between a moisture barrier and a bodyside liner. The moisture barrier and the bodyside liner extend beyond the absorbent assembly and define at least one waist region with a length dimension greater than about 10 centimeters. A moisture control layer is present in from about 25 to 100 percent of the area of the first waist region. The moisture control layer is configured to accommodate liquid that may be present in the waist region as a result of condensation or perspiration and also limit the transport of liquid from the absorbent assembly into the waist region.

Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. In addition to a heat exchanger, the heat exchanger assembly includes an integral bubble trap, filtration means and means to enable the measurement of certain physical characteristics of the circulating cardioplegia fluid and/or certain events occurring within the heat exchanger assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package containing absorbent articles having differing absorbent capacities. The package includes at least one first absorbent article packaged within the package and having a predetermined absorbent capacity, and at least one second absorbent article packaged within the package and having a predetermined absorbent capacity. The absorbent capacity of the second absorbent article is greater than the absorbent capacity of the first absorbent article.

Abstract: An intubation device is used to intubate a body passageway or cavity, such as the maxillary sinus, by ventilating, draining, irrigating, medicating or otherwise treating the body cavity. The intubation device includes a flexible tube, for providing access to the cavity, and an anchoring member disposed at a distal end of the flexible tube, for anchoring the tube to a region of the cavity. The tube includes a curved portion proximate the distal end, and the anchoring member includes one or more flanges extending from the distal end. The curved portion of the tube and one of the flanges form a receiving region adapted to receive and conform to a wall in the body cavity, such as the wall of the maxillary sinus. The method of nasal intubation includes inserting the anchoring member and distal end of the tube through a hole formed in the wall of the maxillary sinus.

Abstract: An extracorporeal blood set may be primed with physiological solution for use in a blood transporting process such as hemodialysis. The set comprises tubing having a patient connector on an end thereof, and a first branch tube in connection with a source of the solution. The branch tube connects with the set between the ends of the set. The branch tube also connects with further branch tubing, having a second connector which is capable of sealing connection with the patient connector. The method comprises the steps of connecting the patient connector and the second connector to form a closed loop of tubing. One then passes the solution from the source in flow through the first branch tube and further branch tubing to fill them and the set tubing with the solution. One then disconnects the patient connector for subsequent connection with the vascular system of a patient.

Abstract: A glaucoma drain implanting device having a body portion including a proximal end and a distal end, a separate nozzle portion connected to the distal end of the body and including a drain delivery passageway, a plunger having a plunger tip movably disposed relative to the drain delivery passageway, and a drain receiver. A method of using the drain implant device includes the steps of advancing a glaucoma drain into the drain delivery passageway of the device, thereby placing the glaucoma drain in a staged configuration, and, placing an exit of the drain delivery passageway proximately to the eye and further advancing the glaucoma drain to cause the glaucoma drain to pass through the exit of the drain delivery passageway and into the tissue of the eye.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically transferring a predetermined quantity of a sterile liquid to a vial containing a dry medicament for hydrating the medicament and then transferring the hydrated medicament to a container. To hydrate the medicament, a needle is positioned through a vial septum of the vial and an artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates a pump to transfer a predetermined quantity of sterile liquid into the vial. The needle is then removed from the vial septum and the vial is shaken to mix the liquid and medicament. To transfer the hydrated medicament to a container, another needle is positioned through the vial septum. An artificial sensor senses when the needle has been positioned through the vial septum and actuates the pump to transfer the hydrated medicament to the container.

Abstract: A vessel (20) which is divided into compartments (22, 24) receives medical and biological fluid wastes through inlet fitting (12, 14). As the fluid is received, air in the vessel is displaced and is discharged through a vent line (32), either to atmosphere or to a vacuum source. When a level sensor (34) senses that a level of fluid in the vessel is approaching a preselected maximum, a control circuit (40) closes a valve (30) in the vent line, blocking the discharge of air from the vessel and creating a backpressure that stops the receipt of further fluid. Tubing connected to the fittings (12, 14) is disconnected from the patient or other source of fluid and a valve (64) is manually opened to vent the vessel, allowing any residual fluid in the tubing to be drained into the vessel. A drain valve (74) is opened to drain the vessel and the cleaning cycle is commenced.

Abstract: In a heart-lung machine, blood is defoamed without the use of defoaming chemicals by passing blood between parallel insulated electrodes whose electric field orients the blood protein molecules to break up the foam bubbles. The blood then passes into the venous reservoir through a bubble screen which traps any remaining bubbles.

Abstract: An implantable ocular device to decrease intraocular pressure by draining aqueous humor from the anterior chamber of the eye into an extraocular space above the sclera and below the conjunctiva and Tenon's layers. The device includes a conduit attached to an episcleral drainage plate having a porous posterior surface for cellular ingrowth and attachment by the sclera. The distal end of the conduit is inserted into the anterior chamber and protrudes out of the limbal/scleral junction. A portion of the outer surface of the conduit adjacent to the plate has a porous ingrowth surface area to enhance anchoring of the conduit to the surrounding extraocular tissues. The plate has a smooth anterior surface and a porous posterior surface. This device uses porous surfaces to enhance cellular infiltration and ingrowth to increase apposition with surrounding tissues, decrease micromovement of the implant, and thereby decrease the fibrous capsule formation surrounding the episcleral plate.

Abstract: A shunt includes a tubular body having first and second legs at a proximal end and a third leg at a distal end. A fluid distensible balloon and cooperating insufflation conduit are carried on the tubular body. The first leg of the tubular body includes a longitudinal slit for receiving the second leg whereby the first and second legs may be positioned substantially coaxial so as to allow easier introduction of the shunt into the blood vessel of a patient. Similarly, the second leg having a longitudinally slit for receiving a portion of the cooperating insufflation conduit and also holding it in a coaxial position. A leader tube with a blunt atraumatic tip is received over the proximal end of the tubular body to further aid in the introduction of the shunt.

Abstract: The present invention is an implantable vascular device which has the ability to open and close without the formation of thrombi. The device comprises at least one shunt which maintains a valve system. This shunt is surgically grafted to a blood line for enabling fluid flow through the shunt when the valve system is in an opened state. This will provide a device which is well suited for use in hemodialysis because the shunt can be opened for hemodialysis and closed when not in use. The destructive problems associated with the high flow states is limited only to the short time interval of the hemodialysis.

Abstract: Device (1) for sealing a closed container (2) comprising a neck (3), the opening (3a) of which is plugged, and provided with an external annular lip (3b), the device firstly comprising an internal cap (5) for fitting coaxially over the neck (3) of the plugged container (2), comprising catching teeth (6) distributed angularly about the axis (7) of the cap, each teeth having a radially outwards elasticity starting from a position (FIG. 3) of snap-fastening under the annular lip (3b), secondly, means (9) of access, which are arranged on the cap (5), and thirdly, an external sleeve (10) for sliding coaxially against and on the outside of the catching teeth (6), including a circumferentially continuous band (10a) provided along one of its edges with an internal annular ridge which may be continuous or discontinuous, for snap-fastening under the rim (6a), when the said sleeve (10) is in the fitted position.

Abstract: In a heart-lung machine, blood is defoamed without the use of defoaming chemicals by passing blood between parallel insulated electrodes whose electric field orients the blood protein molecules to break up the foam bubbles. The blood then passes into the venous reservoir through a bubble screen which traps any remaining bubbles.

Abstract: A method of kidney dialysis by operation of a kidney dialysis machine includes use of unique AVF or a AVG sets or needle-like venous catheter whose blood-flow tubes are equipped with respective injection/administration port structures or fittings for the introduction of required or desired drugs or other additives into the body of a patient through an A-V access fistula or graft during operation of the machine or following disconnection from the machine while still emplaced in the body of a patient.

Abstract: An absorbent structure is described having an absorbent material layer of fibrous or foamed material, a front half section, a back half section, and absorbent gelling material, wherein more than half the weight of the absorbent gelling material is disposed in the back half section of the absorbent structure. The absorbent structure may include an acquisition/distribution layer having a surface overlying said absorbent material layer, wherein more than half of the surface is disposed in the back half section of the absorbent structure. The absorbent material layer of the absorbent structure may also have a back half section with a higher caliper than the caliper of the front half section of the absorbent material layer.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like are disclosed. The absorbent articles described herein comprise a foam absorbent structure comprising a hydrophilic, flexible, nonionic polymeric foam structure of interconnected open cells which is particularly suitable for absorbing blood and blood-based liquids. The foam structure is resiliently compressible and has resistance to compression deflection of from about 5% to about 85% when measured under a confining pressure of 0.74 psi at 31.degree. C. after 15 minutes. In preferred embodiments, the foam structure is compressible under such forces that when it is placed in the space between the wearer's labia majora, it will be compressed without deforming the wearer's labia majora, and will be molded by the wearer's labia and conform to the shape thereof.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the extra-corporal treatment of blood wherein blood is supplied from a body to a vacuum bottle via a conduit and an insertion spike, the insertion spike is in communication, by way of a gas hose, with a pressure compensation bag from which a predetermined amount of gas can be supplied to the insertion spike for foaming the blood in the vacuum bottle, whereby no excess pressure can be generated in the vacuum bottle. The blood conduit further includes a quartz glass portion to permit UV irradiation of the blood while passing therethrough.