Abstract: In the field of staining methods for histology and cytology specimens, the improvements of the invention are three-fold. First included is a drying-clearing step whereby a specimen is cleared by drying. Thus, the use of hazardous chemical-clearing agents to remove washing-dehydrating solution prior to cover-slipping is eliminated. Second, in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a low molarity, combination, bluing-washing solution which serves the dual purpose of a washing solution and a bluing reagent, eliminates the use of water in a staining procedure. Third, and also in a staining method using spray staining equipment, the use of a series of sprays of fresh, essentially anhydrous, washing-dehydrating solution to dehydrate a specimen replaces immersion in a series of washing-dehydrating solutions and thereby decreases the amount of chemical consumed and also avoids contamination of the reagent with water and specimen debris.

Abstract: Cytocentrifugation apparatus is improved by providing centrifuging devices with a plurality of liquid-receiving chambers arranged serially along and opening into an elongate conduit leading to and terminating within a filter-pad-holder so that a filter-pad-prewetting liquid can be passed along such conduit and into a liquid-flow opening of a filter pad held by such holder in advance of passage along said conduit and through such liquid-flow opening in the filter pad of a cell-carrying liquid sample during a centrifugation run of the apparatus. Retention of prewetting liquid in the filter pad around the sample liquid flow helps to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad. Various other structural modifications of the cytocentrifugation device and filter pads used therewith also help to prevent loss of cells to the filter pad.

Abstract: A wire retention clip for holding a wire or bundle of sires. The wire clip includes a retaining arm member and locking means attached to a base plate in a spaced relationship to each other. The retaining arm member includes a substantially tangentially extending press pad that extends in a direction towards the free end of the retaining arm, to ease the pressing of the free end of the retaining arm into the locked position and to cover the release lever of the locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent release of the retaining arm. The retaining arm member is further defined by its ends both tapering into a narrower middle section.

Abstract: A gimbal assembly including a first gimbal element; a second gimbal element located within the first gimbal element; a bearing assembly comprising a trunnion, the bearing assembly mounted between the first and second gimbal elements for supporting the second element within the first element in a manner to permit pivoting of the second element within the first element; and an adhesive layer bonding the trunnion to the second gimbal element.

Abstract: A continuous flow jet nebulizing device and method for delivering respiratory powdered medication to the lungs of a patient. The nebulizer device of the present invention comprises a nebulizer housing having a lower, generally conical-shaped lower housing portion defining an interior volume enclosed by the housing, and a nozzle element at the upper portion of the housing, coaxially aligned with the cone-shaped lower portion. The nozzle element extends through the housing, with an upper inlet portion coupleable to a suitable source of compressed carrier gas, and a lower portion of the nozzle element forming a discharge structure for directing of gas downwardly to the lower extremity of the conical-shaped lower portion of the nebulizer housing. At the upper portion of the nebulizer housing is an exit port for discharge of solids-containing carrier gas from the nebulizer housing to an exterior treatment locus.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to one or more miscroscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time or angular rotation during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry determines the position of the slides and carousel in the spray chamber and coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides. The slide holding carousel may be replaced by an interchangable centrifuge rotor when it is desired to perform cytocentrifuging tests.

Abstract: A fixative solution for fixing biological smears, such as blood smears, to a slide for subsequent staining of the smear, which can be used in automated slide staining equipment, includes a fixative liquid, a stabilizing agent to reduce water spotting problems during fixing and/or to stabilize cellular components of the smear, and a solubilizing agent for maintaining the stabilizing agent in solution in the solubilizing agent after evaporation of the fixative liquid to thereby prevent formation of the solid residue normally formed by the stabilizing agent upon evaporation of the fixative liquid. The invention also includes the method fo preventing formation of a solid residue upon evaporation of the fixative liquid from a fixative liquid-stabilizing agent solution by the addition of a solubilizing agent thereto. The mixture of the stabilizing agent and solubilizing agent can be made as a concentrated additive to be added to a fixative liquid prior to use.

Abstract: A low restriction exhaust treatment apparatus having a hollow outer shell into which a means for treating exhaust gas emitted from an internal combustion engine is disposed, end portions disposed at each end of the outer shell to sealingly close the inner portion of the shell, and end tubes inserted into apertures formed in the sealing end portions for facilitating exhaust flow into and out of the apparatus. The end tubes each have a plurality of axially extending, radially inwardly angled serrations formed about one end thereof to form a lead-in portion of a reduced diameter for ease of insertion of the tubes into the apertures of the end portions without creation of undesirable exhaust system back pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of reagent to a microscope slide or the like includes a spray chamber and a carousel adapted to hold a plurality of slides and to be mounted for rotation in the spray chamber. Nozzles are mounted to spray reagent onto the slides in the carousel as they rotate by the nozzles. Accurate control of the time during which the reagent is sprayed from the nozzles is obtained by placing a control valve in the flow line between a reagent pump and the nozzle and operating the valve to control flow of reagent. Control circuitry coordinates operation of the pumps, valves, and rotation of the carousel to accurately cause spray of reagent onto the slides.

Abstract: An endoprosthetic bone component is produced from parts respectively having a projection and cavity engaged in a mutual clearance fit, and a third part of plastics material located in the space of such fit, the space and third part being dimensioned to inhibit ejection of the latter and to lock the two parts against mutual articulation during post-operative use. Normally the space and third part will be of generally uniform thickness overall which is small compared to that of the projection. Also the projection and cavity are preferably of uniform cross-sectional shape over at least major portions thereof. Typically the two parts will be of different materials, such as ceramic and metal, suited respectively to articulation and bone fixation roles.

Abstract: Suction-irrigation apparatus for medical use in relation to wound and surgical sites comprises a probe projecting from a handpiece which also carries a valve, there being a through-conduit opening at the probe tip for suction, a first irrigation conduit opening at the tip, and a second irrigation conduit communicating with the suction conduit adjacent the tip, and with the valve normally operable to control the flow of fluid through the irrigation conduits. Preferably the valve operation has a normal position with both irrigation conduits closed, a fully operated position with only the first such conduit open, and a partially operated intermediate position with only the second such conduit open.

Abstract: A hand-held suction-irrigator, particularly for surgical use, has a handle and two inlet bores extending through the handle and connected respectively to a suction source and a source of irrigating fluid. A valve assembly connects one or the other of the bores to a single outlet port so that the outlet port can be used to apply suction or irrigating fluid. A probe is removably coupled to the outlet port by cooperating luer fittings. The two inlet bores are parallel with one another, the outlet port being located intermediate the inlet bores on the opposite side of the valve assembly. A valve member is mounted in the valve assembly and can be displaced transversely of the bores by pushing down on the valve member with a finger or thumb.

Abstract: An intramedullary orthopaedic device for interconnecting bone fragments for union comprises an elongate member of plastics material having a relieved structure extending over its length but only partially therearound, each upstanding element being of transverse sizing to afford an interference fit by translation alone into a slightly undersized bone recess, such fit resulting from flexure of the elements without stripping bone material, and the unrelieved area of the member being of non-circular cross-section to inhibit rotation. The member is suitably of rectangular cross-section with sequences of fins having their longitudinal directions across the major side faces, and with the inter-sequence spacing and fin height each exceeding fin thickness.

Abstract: An orthopaedic splint is provided for treatment of injury to the extensor tendon distal to the DIP joint in the finger, the splint serving to hold the DIP joint in hyperextension and the PIP joint in flexion, while allowing restrained extension of the PIP joint. The splint suitably involves first and second portions each including at least one plate curved to seat transversely over or under a finger, the first portion also being longitudinally inclined and provided with strapping to hold the DIP joint in hyperextension, and the portions being resiliently and hingedly interconnected to hold the PIP joint as required. This interconnection conveniently involves like springs on respectively opposite sides of the PIP joint, the springs preferably being of mutually parallel flat spiral form.

Abstract: Endoprosthetic metacarpal phalangeal joint devices are well known in various forms including unitary flexible structures for connection between the bones, and others with separate phalangeal and metacarpal components for respective bone connection and inter-engagement or connection for mutual articulation in a hinge action. All such devices are applied individually to respective joints and can tend to fail due to conditions leading to ulnar drift. It is now proposed that this tendency be obviated by mechanically interconnecting a plurality of devices of the latter form in the hand, suitably by use of a common hinge pin. The pin preferably has slight longitudinal curvature to pass through the natural joint centers. The phalangeal components preferably each have a socket for bone connection and a stem for axle connection, the stem being slidably and rotatably received in the socket to accomodate torsional loading.

Abstract: The specification discloses a system and method for authenticating a message recipient prior to transmission of a message and for authenticating the message content after receipt of the message. A randomized character or character sequence is initially enciphered at the authenticator station and stored. The enciphered character is transmitted to the message recipient. The enciphered character is deciphered by the message recipient to reproduce the randomized character. The randomized character is reenciphered by the message recipient and transmitted back to the authenticator station. The reenciphered character is deciphered and the stored randomized character is compared with the deciphered character. The message recipient is authenticated if the stored randomized character exactly compares with the deciphered character. In order to authenticate the message after receipt, polynomial block check characters are accumulated from the message.

Abstract: A voice scrambler system (10) for encryption of a voice signal is provided. The voice scrambler system (10) includes a first generator (124) for generating a fixed frequency signal. A second generator (132) is provided for generating a plurality of frequency signals. Control circuitry (134) is provided for dynamically controlling the second generator (132) for randomly generating the plurality of variable frequency signals. A mixer (122) heterodynes the voice signal with the fixed frequency signal generated by the first generator (124). A filter (126) filters the output of the first mixer (122). An adder (128) adds the voice signal and the output of the first filter (126). A second mixer (130) heterodynes the output of the adder (128) with one of the plurality of frequency signals generated by the second generator (132). A second filter (136) filters the output of the second mixer (130) to generate an encrypted voice signal.

Abstract: The specification discloses a portable cryptographic device, adapted to be hand-held through solid state electronics, which possesses the capability for enciphering and deciphering plain text. The housing of the device has a keyboard for the input of plain text or cipher text, including numeric characters and control signals and, further, has a display for displaying the inputs. Circuitry within the device is responsive to the inputs and controls the display. Additional circuitry enciphers or deciphers the inputs and substitutes the resulting text into the display.The device incorporates a random code generator for generating a randomized message key which, together with the keyboard inputs, initiates and generates a long sequence of randomized letters for enciphering purposes. In a deciphering mode, a predetermined message key may be entered to set the random code generator at a point to generate the originally entered plain text.

Abstract: The specification discloses an electronic digital enciphering system which is selectively operable in a plurality of different modes. The system may be operated in an off-line mode for preparing enciphered message tapes prior to transmission via teleprinter message circuits. The system may also be operated in an on-line asynchronous mode wherein a sending station may asynchronously transmit enciphered data on-line to a remote receiving unit, synchronization being provided by the start/stop pulses of the individual digital characters. The system may also be operated in an on-line synchronous mode wherein a sending and a receiving unit are automatically synchronized in time by local self-contained clocks in order to bridge fades or interference in a transmission medium such as radio telegraph, or the like. The system may be utilized on either half-duplex or full-duplex communication channels.