Abstract: Limb surgery and intravenous regional anesthesia are facilitated with a tourniquet cuff apparatus that includes an inflatable member constructed in a way that restricts the tendency of the cuff to roll along the limb to which it is applied. The locating strip is included for permitting a user to accurately and consistently apply the cuff at a fixed distance from an anatomical reference site. In one embodiment two overlapped inflatable cuff bladders are used for distributing pressure over a greater length along the limb for lowering the maximum pressure needed to be applied to the limb.

Abstract: A turbocharger in which a turbine wheel located in a turbine chamber is driven by an exhaust gas flow. A bypass passageway extends around the chamber to enable exhaust gas to be diverted away from the turbine wheel. A valve is mounted in the bypass passageway and controlled so as to selectively open and close the passageway. The passageway opens into the exhaust gas outlet in a direction such that gas issuing from the passageway is directed in a substantially annular form and in a substantially downstream direction.

Abstract: An overlapping occlusive cuff has an inflatable bladder and a sheath for containing the inflatable bladder, wherein the sheath has a length sufficient to encircle a limb and overlap on itself in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb. First and second means are provided for securing the overlapping sheath in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb such that the sheath remains overlapped and secured by the second means if the first means does not engage or becomes ineffective while the bladder is inflated to a pressure sufficient to occlude flow in blood vessels in the limb encircled by the overlapping sheath.

Abstract: A physiologic tourniquet includes a safety interlock system for detecting any potentially hazardous attempt to change tourniquet cuff pressure during a procedure involving the use of two cuffs for intravenous regional anesthesia. The attempt to change pressure is prevented until the operator provides a timely and separate confirmation action.

Abstract: An overlapping occlusive cuff for improved application of pressure to the limb, comprising: an inflatable bladder; a sheath for containing the inflatable bladder wherein the sheath has a length sufficient to encircle the limb and overlap on itself in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb; sheath securing means for securing the overlapped sheath around the limb; and stiffening means for superimposing over a region of the overlapped and secured sheath to constrain the shape of the sheath beneath the region when the bladder is inflated. The stiffening means includes securing means for securing the overlapping sheath in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb independently of the sheath securing means such that the sheath remains overlapped and secured in a substantially circumferential direction if the sheath securing means is not engaged or becomes ineffective while the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: Tourniquet apparatus for use in intravenous regional anesthesia and limb surgery includes a pressurizing cuff for substantially encircling a limb and applying a varying pressure to an underlying vein in response to variations in a pressure control signal, applied venous pressure sensing means for producing an applied venous pressure signal representative of a pressure applied by the cuff to the underlying vein, venous pressure estimation means for producing a venous fluid pressure signal representative of the pressure of fluid in the vein distal to the cuff, and pressure control means responsive to the venous fluid pressure signal and applied venous pressure signal for generating a pressure control signal to maintain a predetermined relationship between the applied venous pressure signal and the venous fluid pressure signal. The apparatus automatically controls the introduction, retention and release of anesthetic fluid in the limb.

Abstract: Apparatus for assisting in the administration of anesthesia in a portion of a patient's limb distal to a cuff comprises in combination: applied pressure transducing means for generating an applied pressure signal representative of a pressure applied to a limb by a cuff which encircles the limb and applies pressure to the limb; anesthetic pressure sensing means for sensing the pressure of anesthetic liquid in a vein distal to the cuff and for generating an anesthetic liquid pressure signal indicative of the pressure; and alarm means for producing an alarm signal when the difference between the pressures corresponding to the applied pressure signal and the anesthetic liquid pressure signal is less than a preassigned safety limit.

Abstract: A pipetting apparatus for dispensing blood serum or blood plasma from a collection tube comprises a plate having a tubular spike protruding from one side and a spout protruding from the other side. The spike includes a dual conduit for providing a passageway for liquid to be dispensed from the tube and a passageway for gas to be introduced into the tube. The spike is pierced through a stopper of the collection tube and held in place with a holder that provides a leak-proof connection between the gas passageway and a supply of gas that is introduced into the passageway to force liquid out of the collection tube via the liquid passageway.

Abstract: An overlapping occlusive cuff for improved application of pressure to the limb, comprising: an inflatable bladder; a sheath for containing the inflatable bladder wherein the sheath has a length sufficient to encircle the limb and overlap on itself in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb; sheath securing means for securing the overlapped sheath around the limb; and stiffening means for superimposing over a region of the overlapped and secured sheath to constrain the shape of the sheath beneath the region when the bladder is inflated. The stiffening means includes securing means for securing the overlapping sheath in a substantially circumferential direction around the limb independently of the sheath securing means such that the sheath remains overlapped and secured in a substantially circumferential direction if the sheath securing means is not engaged or becomes ineffective while the bladder is inflated.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting, containing and separating a sample of blood. Disclosed is an apparatus for separating a pre-selected phase of a sample contained in an enclosed chamber, wherein said apparatus can be used with a separating means which rotates the chamber about a longitudinal axis of the chamber. In addition, separating means in which such an enclosed chamber is rotated about a longitudinal axis is described.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding surgical instruments such as retractor blades in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including an actuation means responsive to a control signal, a signal generating means which enables an operator to generate the control signal and which transmits the control signal to the actuation means, for causing the actuation means to move the surgical instrument.

Abstract: Tourniquet apparatus for use in intravenous regional anesthesia and limb surgery includes a pressurizing cuff for substantially encircling a limb and applying a varying pressure to an underlying vein in response to variations in a pressure control signal, applied venous pressure sensing means for producing an applied venous pressure signal representative of a pressure applied by the cuff to the underlying vein, venous fluid pressure estimation means for producing a venous fluid pressure signal representative of the pressure of fluid in the vein distal to the cuff, and pressure control means responsive to the venous fluid pressure signal and applied venous pressure signal for generating a pressure control signal to maintain a predetermined relationship between the applied venous pressure signal and the venous fluid pressure signal. The apparatus automatically controls the introduction, retention and release of anesthetic fluid in the limb.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for heat treating aluminum-base alloys. The method increases stress corrosion resistance after heating of the alloy to temperatures between 100.degree. C. and 150.degree. C. A dispersion strengthened aluminum-base alloy containing lithium and magnesium is shaped to form an object of substantially final form. The dispersion strengthened aluminum-base alloy is heated to a temperature between 160.degree. C. and 250.degree. C. for at least 3 hours. The heat treated object has increased stress corrosion resistance after exposure to temperatures between 100.degree. C. and 150.degree. C.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding retractors and other surgical instrumentation in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, including advanced sensing and regulation of retraction pressures and position; and incorporating a force amplification method to drive a locking mechanism in the supporting structure that utilizes a constrained, substantially incompressible, flexible solid material to yield a mechanism that is suitable for clinical use.

Abstract: A tourniquet system comprising: an inflatable occlusive band for encircling a limb of a subject and for inflating to apply pressure to the encircled limb to occlude blood flow into the limb distal to the band, wherein an inner surface of the band faces the limb; inflation pressure regulation means responsive to a variable inflation pressure regulation signal for regulating the pressure to which the occlusive band is inflated and for producing an inflation pressure signal representative of the pressure to which the band is inflated; applied pressure sensing means located at a predetermined location fixed relative to the band for producing an applied pressure signal representative of the pressure applied by the inflated band to the limb in a direction normal to inner surface of the band at the predetermined location; and pressure-regulating means responsive to the applied pressure signal for producing an inflation pressure regulation signal to maintain the pressure applied by the inflated band to the limb at th

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing a predetermined volume of liquid from a closed, liquid-containing blood collection tube is described. The apparatus includes a dual conduit providing a passageway for liquid to be dispensed from a closed blood collection tube and a gas conduit providing a passageway for gas to be introduced into the blood collection tube. Included in the apparatus is insertion of the dual conduit into the blood collection tube, turning the tube away from a vertical, upright orientation, connecting and disconnecting the gas passageway from a gas supply, displacing a volume of gas through the gas passageway, and controlling the operation of the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus useful in surgery for holding part of a patient's body such as a limb, portion of a limb, extremity organ or tissue in a number of different positions required by a surgeon for the performance of a surgical procedure, and for establishing a sterile barrier between a surgical site and a patient's limb while the limb is being grasped by a limb positioning apparatus.

Abstract: A tourniquet comprising: (a) an occlusive band for encircling a limb of a subject and for applying pressure to the limb wherein an inner surface of at the band faces the limb; and applied pressure sensing means located at a predetermined position on the inner surface of the band for producing an indication of the pressure applied by the band to the limb near the predetermined location. The applied pressure sensing means is comprised of material having a degree of flexibility and physical dimensions selected so that the sensing means conforms closely to the surface of the occlusive band and does not substantially displace the surface of the limb away from the band surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for partitioning a pre-selected phase of a sample of liquid, such as blood, having a plurality of phases of differing densities. Disclosed is an apparatus for separating a pre-selected phase of a sample contained in an enclosed chamber, wherein said apparatus can be used with a separating means which rotates the chamber about either a longitudinal axis of the chamber, or about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and not passing through the chamber. In addition, separating means in which such an enclosed chamber is rotated about a longitudinal axis is described. Also disclosed is an apparatus for dispensing fluid from said enclosed chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting a sample of liquid, such as blood, having a plurality of phases of differing densities. Disclosed is an apparatus for collecting a sample in an enclosed chamber, wherein said apparatus can be used with a separating means which rotates the chamber about either a longitudinal axis of the chamber, or about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chamber and not passing through the chamber. In addition, said apparatus facilitates automated manipulation of the sample by providing formed features for: decreasing the gas permeability of said apparatus; clot activation of a blood sample contained within said apparatus; interconnection of a multiplicity of said apparatus; automated manipulation of said apparatus; protecting markings upon said apparatus; layering the construction of said apparatus; and, encoding of information upon said apparatus in both a tactile and visual manner. Also disclosed is an apparatus for dispensing fluid from said enclosed chamber.