Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring blood clotting time includes a blood clot detection instrument and a cuvette for use with the blood clot detection instrument. The cuvette includes a blood sample receptor-inlet; a channel arrangement including at least one test channel for performing a blood clotting time measurement, a sampling channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the blood sample receptor-inlet and the at least one test channel, and a waste channel having at least one surface portion that is hydrophilic, communicating with the sampling channel; and a vent opening communicating with the sampling channel. The sampling channel, the vent opening and the waste channel, coact to automatically draw a requisite volume of a blood sample deposited at the blood receptor-inlet, into the sampling channel.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for quickly measuring the hemoglobin content of a sample of blood uses a light reflectance measurement of the hemoglobin sample lysed in a membrane. The reflection is inversely proportional to hemoglobin concentration. A blood sample is loaded on to a nylon mesh and dispersed within a nylon membrane, both of which have been treated with a hemolyzing agent and surfactant, and air-dried. As soon as the blood sample contacts the reagent on the membrane, the red blood cells are lysed and the hemoglobin molecules are released and dispersed into the membrane by the action of surfactant. The hemoglobin apparatus emits light at 522 nm to the reflective surface of the membrane. The intensity of the reflected light is measured by a detector in less than 29 seconds. The intensity of the reflected light is converted to hemoglobin concentration, g/dL, or mmol/L by an interpolative comparison with stored reflection data indicative of known hemoglobin contents.

Abstract: A protective device to be emplaced over the head of a user comprises a sack-like member fabricated from a flexible film material and having an opening to enable a user to place the sack-like member over the user's head. The sack-like member has an interior containing a predetermined amount of an oxygen producing material, wherein the material produces oxygen by reacting with the exhalation products of the user.

Abstract: A protective device to be emplaced over the head of a user comprises a sack-like member fabricated from a flexible film material and having an opening to enable a user to place the sack-like member over the user's head. The sack-like member has an interior containing a predetermined amount of an oxygen producing material, wherein the material produces oxygen by reacting with the exhalation products of the user.

Abstract: A protective device to be emplaced over the head of a user comprises a sack-like member fabricated from a flexible film material and having an opening to enable a user to place the sack-like member over the user's head. The sack-like member has an interior containing a predetermined amount of an oxygen producing material, wherein the material produces oxygen by reacting with the exhalation products of the user.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for quickly measuring the hemoglobin content of a sample of blood uses a light reflectance measurement of the hemoglobin sample lysed in a membrane. The reflection is inversely proportional to hemoglobin concentration. A blood sample is loaded on to a nylon mesh and dispersed within a nylon membrane, both of which have been treated with a hemolyzing agent and surfactant, and air-dried. As soon as the blood sample contacts the reagent on the membrane, the red blood cells are lysed and the hemoglobin molecules are released and dispersed into the membrane by the action of surfactant. The hemoglobin apparatus emits light at 522 nm to the reflective surface of the membrane. The intensity of the reflected light is measured by a detector in less than 29 seconds. The intensity of the reflected light is converted to hemoglobin concentration, g/dL, or mmol/L by an interpolative comparison with stored reflection data indicative of known hemoglobin contents.

Abstract: A device for making an incision in skin, having a housing with a slotted opening, and a triggering mechanism disposed within the housing for propelling a blade coupled thereto, through the slotted opening of the housing to make an incision in the skin. The triggering mechanism includes a finger engageable trigger located external to the housing for actuating the triggering mechanism and a spring anchoring assembly for automated machine arming the device after the triggering mechanism has been assembled into the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing a skin incision has a torsion spring and a method of assembling the apparatus. The apparatus has a housing having a pair of housing sections, each of the housing section having a base and a plurality of walls. The housing defines an inner space and an exterior. A pivot arm is pivotally mounted to a base of a housing section. The pivot arm is guided between a first position and a second position by a follower in a cam carried by the housing. A torsion spring carried by a spring post is coupled to the arm to exert a spring force on the arm in the first position. The housing has an indentation with a raised level and a lower groove on the base for receiving a portion of the spring post. The opening through the base extends from the lower groove. The spring post has a cylindrical base portion adapted to be received by the indentation in the base and a detent portion.

Abstract: An integral valve diaphragm pump has a first rigid layer, a second rigid layer and a flexible membrane therebetween. Concave surfaces in the two rigid layers form a pump. The pump includes an actuating chamber which is alternately connected to a source of pressure and a source of vacuum. A pump chamber is connected to a fluid source and a fluid receiver through a filling check valve and a dispensing check valve, respectively. Duckbill and spring loaded ball check valves are disclosed.

Abstract: A low cost safety lancet device for creating a skin incision. The lancet contains a unitarily formed plastic body, thereby making the lancet device easy to manufacture at a low cost. The lancet device includes a blade beam having a cutting blade disposed at one end for generating an incision in a patient's skin. The blade beam is pivotally coupled within the device, engages a beam keeper arm in a first position and disengages the beam keeper arm in a second position. Upon activation of the device, the blade beam member resiliently deflects in a first direction as the beam keeper arm moves from the first position to the second position thereby causing a buildup of a biasing force in the beam member. When the blade beam disengages the beam keeper arm in the second position, the biasing force built up in the beam member causes the beam member to pivot, thereby accelerating the cutting blade through an aperture in the lancet device to incise the user's skin.

Abstract: A volume-control receptacle has a reservoir with a bottom. The reservoir is adapted for receiving a fluid. The receptacle has a plurality of capillaries opening on the reservoir at a specific height above the bottom; the capillaries draw off the excess fluid from the receptacle, thereby leaving a specific amount of fluid in the reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the volume-control receptacle is adapted for use with a disposable cuvette. The reservoir of the receptacle has a drain at the bottom connected to the cuvette for delivering the fluid to a testing instrument or other final application point. The volume-control receptacle has a lip projecting upward from a promontory of the receptacle. A rib extends downward from the lip to the bottom of the reservoir for guiding the fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: A portable device for performing coagulation tests on a patient's blood. Blood is first drawn from a patient using a lancet. The blood is then supplied to a disposable cuvette placed within the testing device. The blood is drawn into multiple conduits within the cuvette. Each of the conduits contains a dried or lyophilized activation reagent that is rehydrated by the blood. The blood in each of the conduits is then reciprocally moved across a restricted region until a predetermined degree of coagulation occurs. Since the coagulation time is being monitored in multiple conduits, a representation coagulation time for a given sample can be determined. In at least one of the conduits a normalizing control agent is present. The normalizing control agent counteracts any effects of anticoagulants present in the blood sample, thereby allowing the blood sample to have generally normal coagulation characteristics.

Abstract: A method for circumcising a penis having a foreskin encircling the glans penis using an apparatus having a cap, a guide clamp, and a blade holder mechanism. The cap defines an interior space and has an outer surface. The glans penis of the penis is placed in the interior space defined by the cap. The foreskin of the penis is positioned around an outer surface of the cap. The clamp is positioned over the foreskin such that a portion of the foreskin is interposed between the clamp and specific features on the outer surface of the cap. The guide clamp is secured in a position over the foreskin of the penis crushing the skin to prevent bleeding. The blade holder mechanism is placed on the guide clamp and rotated around the guide clamp so that a blade carried by the blade holder mechanism cuts the foreskin. The blade is mounted on a flexible finger within the blade holder and as such is exposed for cutting only during use. At all other times the blade is safely contained within the blade holder body.