Abstract: A method of treatment of humans suffering from the Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factor (CHDRF) Syndrome which comprises the steps of 1) administering, by a pharmaceutically effective mode, a priming dose of drug composition selected from the group consisting of opiate antagonists, and drugs which substantially equally reduce the amounts of catecholamines bound to catecholamine binding sites for a period of about one to four weeks, and 2) administering a maintenance dose of said selected drug, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treatment of humans suffering from the Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factor (CHDRF) Syndrome which comprises administering, by a pharmaceutically effective mode, a drug composition selected from the group consisting of opiate antagonists or anti-opioids, and drugs which substantially equally reduce the amounts of catecholamines bound to all catecholamine binding sites, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of treatment of humans suffering from hyperlipidemia which comprises administering, by a pharmaceutically effective mode, a drug composition selected from the group consisting of opiate antagonists, and drugs which substantially equally reduce the amounts of catecholamines bound to all catecholamine binding sites, is disclosed.

Abstract: A trocar and catheter assembly for automatically disarming the trocar after placement of the catheter into a patient's blood vessel includes a spring urging retraction of the trocar and a releasable retainer mechanism for maintaining the trocar in an extended position during insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. The catheter is removably mounted to a handle which defines an internal passage. Disengaging the handle from the catheter after placement of the catheter into the blood vessel actuates the releasable retainer mechanism for allowing the trocar to be drawn into the handle passage under the influence of a spring, to enclose the sharpened end of the trocar after use.

Abstract: A retractable needle medical assembly includes a barrel and a plunger assembly defining an internal passageway. A sleeve is mounted to the barrel and extends into the internal passageway defined by the plunger assembly. An actuator member, in the form of an actuator tube, is mounted within the sleeve toward its rearward end, and includes a trigger which can either be manually engaged by the user or engaged by the plunger when the plunger is in its full-forward position relative to the barrel. A hub is received within the sleeve passage, and a spring bears against the hub so as to urge the hub to a rearward, retracted position. The actuator tube engages the hub so as to maintain the hub in a forward position, and a needle assembly consisting of a needle and a head is engaged with the hub by the user prior to operation of the assembly.

Abstract: A retractable needle medical assembly includes a barrel and a plunger assembly defining an internal passageway within which a retraction member is mounted. The retraction member is biased into the passageway, by means of a spring or a vacuum located within the passageway. The medical assembly further includes a needle assembly consisting of a needle mounted to a hub. The hub is releasably engaged with the barrel. In one embodiment, an automatic retraction system is provided for engaging the retraction member with the hub upon movement of the plunger assembly toward the hub, and automatically releasing engagement between the hub and the barrel. Final movement of the plunger assembly toward the needle assembly disengages a retaining ring which retains the retraction member in position at the end of the passageway. The retraction member and needle assembly are then drawn into the passageway, to enclose the end of the needle to prevent accidental contact therewith and subsequent reuse of the medical assembly.

Abstract: A trocar and catheter assembly for automatically disarming the trocar after placement of the catheter into a patient's blood vessel includes a spring urging retraction of the trocar and a releasable retainer mechanism for maintaining the trocar in an extended position during insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. In one embodiment, the catheter is removably mounted to a handle which defines an internal passage. Disengaging the handle from the catheter after placement of the catheter into the blood vessel actuates the releasable retainer mechanism for allowing the trocar to be drawn into the handle passage under the influence of a spring, to enclose the sharpened end of the trocar after use. In another embodiment, the insertion device is in the form of a pair of wings which are movable between a closed position and an open position. The wings are in their closed position and grasped by the user when inserting the catheter into the blood vessel, and are thereafter moved to their open position.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump having a first and second shoe mechanism being slidably mounted on a pump body is provided to allow the placement of two flexible tubes therein. The pump preferably includes tube holding mechanisms to prevent the flexible tube from moving while engaged by the pump. The pump exhibits dual feed capabilities that allow the simultaneous pumping of two distinct fluids at a measured and precise flow rate.

Abstract: A method of producing highly homogeneous material, for constructing bone density phantoms used in calibrating CT machines and the like, dehumidifies the x-ray absorbing constituents of the material and combines them under vacuum to reduce the effects of absorbed atmospheric moisture and of air entrained by the mixing process. The binding polymer into which the x-ray absorbing materials are added is predoped with hardener to increase its viscosity to a point that prevents the migration of the components during the hardening process but that does not prevent their adequate dispersion throughout the mixture. Molds are filled by transferring the unhardened material through a tube connected to the bottom of the mixing vessel and to the bottom of the mold to further prevent the entrainment of air.

Abstract: A nucleic acid probe capable of participating in a chemiluminescent reaction comprising a defined nucleic acid sequence, the sequence being linked to any one ofa. a chemiluminescence precursor,b. a chemiluminescence enhancer, andc. an enzyme the remaining two of (a), (b) and (c) not linked to the sequence being in a mixture of the linked sequence. A method for determining a particular single stranded polynucleotide sequence in a test medium, comprising the steps of:(a) combining the test medium with a polynucleotide probe having a base sequence substantially complementary to the sequence to be determined,(b) labeling either the resulting hybrids or probe which has not hybridized with the sequence to be determined with one of the participants in an enhanced chamiluminescent reaction involving a chemiluminescent precursor, an enzyme, an oxidant, and a chemiluminescence enhancer,(c) initiating such chemiluminent reaction with the labeled hybrid or probe, and(d) detecting the resulting light emission.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for controlling blood glucose concentration in a subject by selected infusion of insulin into the blood stream of such subject, depending upon the general blood glucose concentration. This apparatus comprises in combination sensor means for determining the blood glucose concentration and for providing computer input signals based on such measurement, computer means for receving such input signals and for providing output signals based upon such input signals, and pump means responsive to such computer output signals to supply insulin to such subject at a rate determined by such output signals. The computer means is programmed to derive the output signals in accordance with specific equations employing certain independently selected values relating to basal blood glucose concentrations and basal insulin infusion rates at such basal blood glucose concentrations.