Abstract: A hollow core coaxial catheter supporting a heatable probe or balloon transmits electrical power, such as RF energy, to the ohmically resistive probe or balloon. The hollow core may accommodate passage of a guide wire, fiber optics for imaging or laser, fluid flow for perfusion and/or a lumen for fluid inflation and pressurization of a balloon. Inner and outer electrical conductors are disposed on radially opposed sides of dielectric tubing with an outer covering of dielectric material mechanically shielding and electrically insulating the outer conductor. A similar inner covering of dielectric material may be disposed radially inwardly of the inner conductor to mechanically and electrically insulate the inner conductor. An ohmically resistive load, in the event RF energy is the power source, interconnects the inner and outer conductors to form the probe.

Abstract: A hollow core coaxial catheter supporting a heatable probe or balloon transmits electrical power, such as RF energy, to the ohmically resistive probe or balloon. The hollow core may accommodate passage of a guide wire, fiber optics for imaging or laser, fluid flow for perfusion and/or a lumen for fluid inflation and pressurization of a balloon. Inner and outer electrical conductors are disposed on radially opposed sides of dielectric tubing with an outer covering of dielectric material mechanically shielding and electrically insulating the outer conductor. A similar inner covering of dielectric material may be disposed radially inwardly of the inner conductor to mechanically and electrically insulate the inner conductor. An ohmically resistive load, in the event RF energy is the power source, interconnects the inner and outer conductors to form the probe.

Abstract: A radially compressible heating element is located about concentric overlapped heat fusible elements temporarily mounted upon a mandrel to form an annular seal between the heat fusible elements upon energization of the heating element.

Abstract: A bridge is attachable to and mountable upon the upper edge of a centrifuge cup for suspending a blood collection bag within the cavity of the centrifuge cup during centrifugation of the collected blood. The bridge includes structure for supporting the bridge upon an expressor to permit expressing the centrifuged blood from the bridge suspended blood collection bag.

Abstract: Isolation of a quantity of blood within a fold of a blood collection bag is prevented during centrifugation by applying a laterally oriented force against the blood collection bag to pressurize it and encourage unfolding of any folds. The laterally oriented force is generated by the apparent weight increase of the blood collection bag during centrifugation.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.

Abstract: A solenoid operated moveable jaw cooperates with a fixed jaw protruding from a blood tubing sealing unit and formed as part of a relatively massive heat sink to effect seals on liquid filled plastic tubing upon transmission of RF energy timed to coincide with a degree of initial mechanical compression of the tubing by the jaws after the movement of the moveable jaw has been triggered by the tubing intercepting and reflecting a beam of light. Dissipation of heat from the exposed part of the fixed jaw is by convection. Dissipation of heat from the enclosed part of the fixed and moveable jaws and that produced by the circuitry generating the RF energy internal to the sealer unit is effected by channeling the heat by conduction from all internal heat sources to the bottom and rear plates of the unit and dissipating the heat from the bottom and rear plates to the atmosphere by convection.