Abstract: An apparatus is provided including an elongated strip having a plurality of spaced apart segments, each segment defining a through opening, and a plurality of connecting zones, each connecting zone located between and separating two adjacent spaced apart segments. The plurality of spaced apart segments are sized and structured to allow at least one segment to be passed into, through and out of the through opening of at least one other segment. Methods of using such apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: Assemblies for coupling together two elements are provided and include a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The second coupling member has a body sized and adapted to be fitted into a hollow space defined by the first coupling member. The coupling members are structured to deflect the body of the second coupling member toward a first wall of the first coupling member as the body is passed into the hollow space.

Abstract: Apparatus (8) and methods are provided for facilitating medical procedures, such as providing injections to human or animal patients. The apparatus and methods mitigate against discomfort and/or pain often experienced by a patient receiving an injection for a therapeutic or a cosmetic purpose. The apparatus and methods are effective to isolate a surface area of a human or animal body, even an irregularly shaped surface area of a body, for enabling localized preparation of the skin, for example for localized cooling of the skin.

Abstract: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided. The system includes a housing holding a test element and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test element. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test element, and a cover. The system further includes specimen openings and results openings having different configurations, one from the other, which provides enhanced visualization of test results. The system also includes structure, such as channels, effective to control a rate of flow of developing medium to the specimen openings.

Abstract: New splined fluid ports and caps for fluid ports are provided. The fluid ports and caps are straightforward in construction, are easy to manufacture and use, and are structured to be highly effective and reliable in use. The present fluid ports and caps, for example, dust caps structured to be secured to luer ports, include coupling systems, for example, including pluralities of splines and spaced apart thread segments, which provide benefits, for example, in terms of reduced manufacturing costs and ease of manufacture, relative to prior art such parts which are fully threaded to provide for coupling.

Abstract: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided. The system includes a housing holding a test element and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test element. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test element, and a cover. The system further includes specimen openings and results openings having different configurations, one from the other, which provides enhanced visualization of test results. The system also includes structure, such as channels, effective to control a rate of flow of developing medium to the specimen openings.

Abstract: New valves and valve assemblies for fluid ports are provided. The present valves and valve assemblies are straightforward in construction, are easy to manufacture and use, and are structured to be highly effective and reliable in use, for example, as check valves.

Abstract: New splined fluid ports and caps for fluid ports are provided. The fluid ports and caps are straightforward in construction, are easy to manufacture and use, and are structured to be highly effective and reliable in use. The present fluid ports and caps, for example, dust caps structured to be secured to luer ports, include coupling systems, for example, including pluralities of splines and spaced apart thread segments, which provide benefits, for example, in terms of reduced manufacturing costs and ease of manufacture, relative to prior art such parts which are fully threaded to provide for coupling.

Abstract: Assemblies for coupling together two elements are provided and include a first coupling member and a second coupling member. The second coupling member has a body sized and adapted to be fitted into a hollow space defined by the first coupling member. The coupling members are structured to deflect the body of the second coupling member toward a first wall of the first coupling member as the body is passed into the hollow space.

Abstract: A self-contained system for testing for the presence of occult blood in a specimen has been provided with features enhancing its ease of use. The system includes a housing holding a test matrix and a container for releasing a developing medium onto the test matrix. The housing includes a base portion encasing both the container and the test matrix, and a moveable cover for selectively covering and uncovering the base. The cover is provided with a tab which can be manipulated with a finger of one hand, and the base is provided with tabs which can be grasped easily with one or two other fingers of the same hand, thus allowing the cover to be easily opened and closed with one hand. Other ease-of-use features include an applicator with a tip configured for optimized retrieval and even spreading of the specimen on the test matrix, and indicia imprinted at various positions on the housing designating both the location and order in which the different steps of the testing procedure are to be performed.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate identifying information located on a container, for example, a pharmaceutical container, includes at least one member adapted to be secured, for example, removably secured, to a container, and includes a magnifying lens.

Abstract: Self-contained systems test for the presence of occult blood in a specimen. In one embodiment, the system has a test matrix comprising a testing portion spaced apart from a medium entrance portion, wherein the testing portion has a specimen placement area on a first side and a result area on an opposing second side. The system also has a container holding a developing medium, wherein the container is adapted to release the developing solution onto the solution entrance portion. A housing holds the test matrix and the container. The housing has a specimen opening at the specimen placement area and preferably is adapted to enable the result area to be observed. The developing medium preferably is a free standing liquid within the container. The developing medium is released from the container upon compression or breaking of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating respiratory gases include a housing having a patient side port adapted for connection to a tracheal tube device and a machine side port adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases; and one or more liquid trap chambers positioned between the patient side and machine side ports and adapted to receive and hold liquid passed from outside the housing through the patient side and machine side ports.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and humidifying respiratory gases include a housing, a filter element located in the housing, and a gas permeable member positioned in the housing to exchange heat and moisture with respiratory gases passing through the housing. In one embodiment, the inlet portion of the housing is detachably secured to the remainder of the housing and is adapted to be replaced, together with the filter element, while the outlet portion of the housing remains connected to the tube for passing respiratory gases. Additional materials, such as generating material useful to produce moisture and heat and heat generating materials useful to generate heat may be included within the housing. The present apparatus are particularly structured and adapted to reduce the risk of causing trauma to the patient and to increase the safety and comfort of the patient using such apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate identifying a container, for example, a pharmaceutical container, includes at least one member adapted to be secured, for example, removably secured, to a container and to provide indication information effective to distinguish the container when the member is secured thereto, for example, relative to an identical container without the member. The present apparatus is particularly useful in facilitating distinguishing one pharmaceutical container from one or more other pharmaceutical containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating respiratory gases include a housing having an inlet adapted for connection to a tracheal tube device and an outlet adapted for connection to a tube for passing respiratory gases; and a liquid trap chamber positioned between the inlet and the outlet and adapted to receive and hold liquid passed from outside the housing through the inlet or through the outlet. For example, saline or other aqueous liquid which is passed to the patient from outside the housing to loosen and/or remove mucous secretions in the patient can inadvertently slosh back toward the housing. The liquid trap chamber is positioned and adapted to collect and hold such liquid and prevent such liquid from passing further into the housing, for example, to contact and block a filter element located in the housing. An outlet liquid trap chamber is effective to prevent condensed water from a humidifier in a respiratory gas circuit from contacting and detrimentally affecting a filter in the circuit.