Abstract: A wound dressing is provided which comprises a blend of silicone fluid and fumed silica having the consistency of a stiff cream prepared in the presence of a volatile diluent that reduces the consistency of the silicon fluid-fumed silica blend to that of a spreadable cream or grease which can applied to a wound without producing further injury or undue discomfort. After the blend is in place on the wound, evaporation of the volatile diluent restores the consistency of the silicone fluid silica blend to its undiluted state, thereby allowing the advantages of increased wound adhesion and "smear proofing" to be achieved without producing further damage to the wound or undue pain and discomfort during application. The consistency of any particular blend of silicone fluid and fumed silica may be adjusted by varying the quantity of volatile diluent, thereby allowing the physician to vary the thickness of the film to help control the loss of water from the protected area.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for obtaining a continuous substantially particle-free sample of a liquid comprising a rotatable disc disposed beneath a conduit from which a stream of liquid to be sampled is discharged onto a portion of the disc and a drive motor for rotating the disc at a speed sufficient to form a bed of liquid about the disc periphery. A continuous sample of the liquid is removed by a blade positioned to engage the bead adjacent an edge portion of the disc at a point along the disc periphery opposite the portion wetted by the stream so that any solid particles which may be present in the liquid are carried off in the stream flowing from the disc before reaching the blade.

Abstract: A turbidimeter for measuring the turbidity of a sample of fluid comprises a transparent sample cell, a light source for directing a beam of light through the sample cell, and beam separating means comprising a hollow tube and reflective means encompassing the tube. The hollow tube is positioned for receiving unscattered light transmitted through the sample cell and transmitting it to a light responsive detector. The reflective means is positioned and oriented for receiving light scattered by the fluid in the sample cell and directing it to a second light responsive detector. A comparison of the outputs of the two detectors provides a measure of the turbidity of the sampled fluid. This arrangement is compact, economical and shock-resistant, and it provides a measure of turbidity which is relatively unaffected by changes in color, the accumulation of turbid films on the sample cell wall and variations in the intensity of the light source.

Abstract: An air supply system for supplying air to a periodically opened valve comprising a conduit for connecting the valve in continuous communication with a source of air and an expandable air storage chamber connected to the source of air and to the valve.

Abstract: A device for obtaining a relatively particle-free sample of liquid is disclosed. The device comprises a rotatable member having a planar fluid wettable collection surface. The rotating member is disposed within a trough through which a portion of the liquid to be tested passes, thereby resulting in the formation of a thin film of the liquid on the collection surface of the rotating member as it emerges from the liquid. A blade which bears against the collection surface is used to remove the liquid. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, a baffle is provided for deflecting particles floating on the surface of the liquid inside the trough away from the collection surface of the rotating member.

Abstract: A device for precisely metering out quantities of fluids is disclosed. The device comprises a tapered rotor having a plurality of chambers, each of the chambers having first and second openings. The rotor is received within a housing and together with the housing cooperates to perform the metering function as the rotor is rotated with respect to the housing. The housing has a plurality of input and overflow ports corresponding to the chambers in the rotor. These ports are positioned with respect to the rotor in such a manner that when a corresponding input port is in communication with one of said openings, its corresponding overflow port is in communication with the other of said openings. The housing also comprises a plurality of pressure ports and output ports which correspond to the plurality of chambers.

Abstract: A metering pump is disclosed wherein discrete, precisely measured quantities of fluid are caused, at predetermined intervals, to flow through a tubular conduit in the pump in response to the impingement of force or energy impulses against the wall of the conduit.

Abstract: An automatic liquid analyzing apparatus for quantitatively measuring the parameter of a liquid is disclosed. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises means for automatically and continuously obtaining a relatively pure sample of the liquid to be analyzed. Discrete quantities of the sampled liquid are reacted with discrete quantities of chemical reagents in accordance with the reaction which one desires to conduct. The transmittance of the reacted sample is then compared to the transmittance of the unreacted sample to obtain a measure of the parameter which one desires to monitor.