Abstract: A releasable device for securely fastening intravenous tubing to an intracatheter insert or needle and method are disclosed. The securing system comprises a locking member attached to the hub of the intracatheter insert and a projection knob molded near the end of the intravenous tubing, as part of the tubing. The locking member comprises a loop portion which is designed to securely but releasably fit over and around the projection knob when the intravenous tubing is inserted into position in the intracatheter insert. The locking member is also comprised of a pair of inclined arms attached to the loop portion and to which is attached a pair of parallel legs further including a pair of radially inwardly directed hinge pins, which hinge pins are hingedly attached to the hub of the intracatheter insert or needle. The locking member of the present invention is preferably constructed of a single length of metal rod which is bent into the desired shape.

Abstract: A sphygmomanometer is provided with an automatic pressure inflation and deflation means for feeding a pressurized air into a cuff wound on the upper arm or the like so as to close the arterial blood flow. Korotkoff's sounds are detected during an interruption of the pressurized air feeding. The air is intermittently repressurized so long as the Korotkoff's sounds can be detected, and is switched over to an exhausting state when the Korotkoff's sounds are no longer detected. The systolic/diastolic blood pressure values are detected during the exhausting state and are digitally indicated. A continuous sound is generated until the Korotkoff's sounds reappear, and thereafter a sound is generated which is synchronized with Korotkoff's sounds.

Abstract: A solid dose ballistic projectile formed entirely of a cohesive mixture comprising biologically active material, in the form of grindable solid particles having an average diameter between about 7 and 25 micrometers, and biologically inert binder, and capable of withstanding the stresses imparted thereon when the projectile is propelled ballistically from a barrel and implanted in the flesh of a living animal.

Abstract: A sound source located inside a tube having one end inside the mouth or nose of a subject provides an acoustic transient signal that propagates into the respiratory system of the subject to provide reflections sensed by a single mircophone inside the tube between the sound source and the mouth of the subject for recording on a transient recorder or computer and display on an oscilloscope after passing through a low pass filter to provide an output signal representative of the acoustical properties of the airways of the subject. This output signal may be processed in accordance with the deconvolution integral and other algorithms to determine essentially the acoustic impulse response, impedance or effective cross-sectional area of the airways, typically as a function of the distance from a reference point, such as the end of the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the quantity of moisture in a given region includes a crystal of sodium chloride, a support for the crystal in the region and means for detecting the change in the electrical resistance of the crystal caused by the exposure of the crystal to moisture. A dry gas is caused to flow intermittently over the crystal to remove the accumulated moisture from it. This prevents the crystal from dissolving and allows the use of a smaller crystal than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the measurement of cardiac volumes of the beating heart, in pulsed flow conditions, by means of a tracer injected upstream of or in the ventricle at a controlled injection flow D.sub.i during a controlled injection time t.sub.i. The variation of concentration .DELTA. of the tracer with respect to time, in a pulsed flow regime varies in a steplike manner, the concentration at each cardiac cycle n being .DELTA.n.According to the invention, after acquiring the concentration .DELTA. of the tracer during a number N of complete cardiac periods and computing the step concentration .DELTA.n, the mean cardiac period .tau. from the number of recorded cardiac cycling intervals n, the following summated concentration products can be formed: ##EQU1## where m is any cycle corresponding to or occurring after the M.sup.th cardiac cycle but before the N.sup.th cycle (M.ltoreq.

Abstract: A circuit and method for radiotelemetry of an esophageal pH signal in an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal radiotelemetry system includes esophageal and reference pH electrodes (16 and 17) connected to a pH meter (15) for monitoring esophageal pH and generating a signal proportional thereto and a waveform converter circuit (12) for converting the same to a signal whose waveform is similar to an ECG waveform and one of whose parameters, such as frequency, is proportional to esophageal pH. A conventional ECG radiotelemetry system (13) includes an ECG signal transmitter (31) receiving and broadcasting the converted signal to a remote ECG signal receiver (32). A display (14) receives the demodulated converted waveform from ECG signal receiver (32) and displays indicia of esophageal pH.

Abstract: A separable integral donor connector with an improved clamping mechanism for use with flexible blood collection tubing is disclosed. The device is positioned in line with the blood tubing between a phlebotomy needle and the collection bag. Separation of the device is accomplished by manipulation and breaking of a thin frangible ring area and drawing the sections of the device apart. This separation exposes an internally-mounted needle that may be used for penetration of sample collection tube closures and subsequent collection of blood samples. The present embodiment of this invention includes improved manually-operated clamping jaws that are flexibly biased away from the blood tubing. Clamping jaws of differing lengths are disclosed which, when engaged, overlap and cause an area of tubing to be collapsed into a distinctive, S-shaped configuration which crimps and more effectively seals the tubing against blood flow.

Abstract: A visually observable means for indicating end of service life of hazardous vapor/gas respirator cartridges or canisters is disclosed. A colorimetric indicator in sheet form is positioned along the inner transparent sidewall of the respirator cartridge or canister.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for preparing a jawbone or the like for implantation of a dental implant. After exposing a selected area of the jawbone, accurately located guide holes are formed in the jawbone to receive a drill guide which facilitates forming a precise elongated slot by a burr between the guide holes, after which the slot is lengthened to include the initially formed guide holes and a properly configured dental implant may be pressed firmly into the slot.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic scanning head is disclosed for use in an apparatus for imaging sections of a body by transmitting ultrasonic energy into the body and determining the characteristics of the ultrasonic energy reflected therefrom. The scanning head includes a scanning window which comprises an acoustic lens for converging the scan of the ultrasound beam. This serves to reduce geometrical distortion.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for measuring the catheter fluid pressure of a patient wherein a pressure transducer is used to convert the pressure into an electrical signal and a pressure indicator indicates the pressure corresponding to the electrical signal. A turnable active filter is disposed in the signal path between the transducer and the pressure indicator and the frequency parameters of the filter are adapted to that of the catheter in real time.

Abstract: An apparatus used for measuring the pressure within a body cavity and methods of manufacturing and using same. An elongated catheter has its perforated body end disposed in a guide tube used for introducing the catheter. Both the catheter and guide tube are prefilled with sterile liquid and sealed against loss thereof and disposition of the guide tube and catheter. The gauge end of the guide tube is releasably sealed and secured by a tubular member fitted frictionally over the gauge end of the guide tube and catheter.

Abstract: This invention consists of a collar which is worn as a neck support for posture training and therapeutic purposes. It is made of a soft spongy plastic material of a shape to fit the contour of the neck, and is reinforced around its rim with a narrow band of a stiff but flexible plastic material. The collar is provided with a plurality of spaced vertical stays which are made of longitudinal tubes containing removable strips of metal therein for controlling the shape and degree of stiffness of the collar. The spaces on the collar between the stays are open to provide vertilation. The collar is held around the neck by strips of adhesive tape such as "Velcro" which join the ends of the collar. Additional and variable support is provided by separate vertical supports which can be attached at various heights and locations on the collar, by "Velcro" type adhesive.

Abstract: An infusion device for medical purposes is described, comprising a container (10) with at least two chambers (14, 16), with their openings (20, 22) closable by means of sealing stoppers, in particular by a common stopper (12). The sealing stopper has a cavity (34) in the area of the opening (20) of the first chamber (14) which communicates with the second chamber (16). A cannula (42) may be pierced through the stopper (12) in the area of the opening (20) of the first chamber (14) and can simultaneously receive infusional solutions from the two chambers through two orifices (44, 46) spaced longitudinally from one another. The connection between the cavity (34, 40) in the stopper (12) may be established in one embodiment by means of a connecting cannula (56) with orifices (58, 60).

Abstract: Apparatus for purposes such as obtaining information pertaining to human beings or other animals having body cavities wherein fluids from which desired information can be derived are at least temporarily present. A means for collecting a body fluid is situated proximate to the body cavity and left there for a time sufficient to provide for collection of a quantity of fluid suitable, for example, for subsequent analysis. The fluid collected by the collecting means is enclosed in an enclosure which can then be transmitted to a laboratory or the like for subsequent analysis of the fluid.

Abstract: An improved elastic leg disposable diaper and process for manufacturing same; wherein the diaper includes elastic strips extending and being secured to the diaper continuously along the full length of the outside longitudinal edges of the diaper and wherein the elastic strips are secured in the crotch area in stretched elastically-contractible condition forming gathered and extendible side portions in the crotch area for elastic compliance of such side portions to the legs of the wearer.

Abstract: A system and method for measuring and recording intra-arterial systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The system encompasses a variable diameter sleeve which encompasses the patient's arm, and is adapted to be inflated to produce a predetermined maximum compression pressure and to decompress at a predetermined decompression rate. A telephone communication system is provided which is accessible by the patient whose blood pressure is to be detected. A stethoscope is connected to a pulse sensing device and to the telephone. A prerecorded voice count down device generates audible pressure readings beginning at the maximum compression pressure and decreasing at the predetermined decompression rate. The count down is in human understandable form and the device is operably connected to the telephone communication system.

Abstract: A hemostatic clip applicator useful in the rapid and automatic application of hemostatic clips for the strangulation of tubular members is disclosed. The applicator consists of a main body, a clip magazine externally attached to the main body, clip deforming jaws attached to one end of the main body, a laminated clip feed blade located within the clip magazine, and an actuating mechanism attached to the feed blade and deforming jaws. In operation, one of many hemostatic clips stored in the clip magazine is fed into the deforming jaws by the interaction of the actuating mechanism and the feed blade. This feeding of a hemostatic clip into the deforming jaws is a result of the clip feed means engaging a clip from the clip magazine, sliding into the deforming jaws so as to move that clip into the deforming jaws, and the retracting of the clip feed means from the deforming jaws.

Abstract: A body slenderizing method is disclosed comprising topically applying on the body a composition comprising a silicon organic derivative in combination with heat notably under the form of infra-red rays.