Abstract: A fetal electrode product for transmitting signals indicative of fetal heart rate from a fetus to a monitor. A drive mechanism slides and rotates a holder--to which are attached, at opposite ends, a fetal spiral electrode (FSE) and a reference electrode--to secure the FSE to the fetus. The drive mechanism has a solid drive rod, with at least two regions of different diameter defining the torque versus angular deflection characteristics of the drive rods and a clutch connected to the drive rod and imparting translation and rotation to the holder. The clutch is sufficiently pliable to slip over the reference electrode when the holder resists rotation. The drive rod, a handle, and the clutch are integrally molded together to form the drive mechanism and each has a channel transporting a twisted wire strand, which includes an untwisted length to facilitate removal of the FSE from the fetus, from the electrodes to a connector.

Abstract: A packaging system for a fetal electrode assembly. The assembly includes an electrode which can be attached to a fetus. The electrode is coupled to an electrode wire. The electrode wire extends through a drive tube and terminates in a connector end. A flexible guide tube receives the drive tube. The packaging system includes a handle and a clip. The handle is attached to the rearward end of the drive tube. The handle has a forward section which detachably mounts inside the rearward end of the guide tube. The handle also has a passage for receiving the connector end and a slot for securing the electrode wire when the electrode is not in use. The electrode projects from the forward end of the guide tube when the forward section of the handle is mounted inside the rearward end of the guide tube.

Abstract: An intrauterine pressure catheter system for monitoring pressure in the uterus of a mother during labor and delivery. The system includes a reusable junction box with a needle communicating directly to a pressure transducer sensor. The sensor transmits changes in pressure to a conventional pressure monitor. A connector attached to the catheter is pushed into the junction box and is held in place by a plastic latch. Inside this connector are an elastomeric plug and an adjacent diaphragm. When the connector is installed in the junction box, the needle pierces the plug and the tip enters the air-filled volume between the plug and the diaphragm. Fluid pressure in the catheter is communicated to the diaphragm surface and, in turn, passed to the air in the volume between the diaphragm and the plug. Thus, the intrauterine pressure is transmitted directly to the sensor. The system may be zeroed to atmosphere by simply removing the connector from the junction box.

Abstract: A disposable marker and adapter for use in an integrator pen. The forward end of the marker fits within the adapter and a nib holder, projecting from the front of the marker, is threadedly retained therein. The rear end of the adapter is adapted to be frictionally retained within a conventional integrator pen body holder.

Abstract: A disposable blood pressure transducer system for use with a catheter with or without a catheter flush/flow valve. The transducer housing has both electrical and fluid connections, with the electrical connections being protected from contamination by fluid.

Abstract: A recording instrument pen and pen arm and the combination thereof, the mounting means comprising a rearwardly extending channel-defining member associated with said pen and including a slot having two widthwise segments at lengthwise positions thereof, the forward segment being of lesser width than the rearward segment, the forward tip of the pen arm being adapted to be received in said slot and to be securely positioned by engagement at at least four spaced-apart positions therein.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus and related method for a continuous casting apparatus includes a series of spray nozzles for spraying a coolant against one surface of a moving chill substrate. The invention apparatus includes an enclosure having vacuum applied thereto for preventing migration of the sprayed coolant from the surface against which it is sprayed to the surface contacting the molten solidifying material. Any coolant having a tendency to escape along sealed edges of the enclosure is forced back into the enclosure by the pressure gradient. The edges are sealed by elongated plastic rods. Additionally, scrapers are provided for removing remanent coolant from the sprayed surface. The coolant is sprayed at a high velocity to increase its heat transferring efficiency.

Abstract: Disposable pen and pen arm for a recording instrument, the pen stylus and pen arm being correspondingly elongated and bent to mate with one another in their assembled configuration. The pen body having a slot for receiving the pen arm upon installation and piloting the pen body rearwardly to an installed location, which is otherwise not conveniently accessible.

Abstract: A disposable marker apparatus for use with low torque recorders includes a bifurcated body with two separate ink reservoirs in the first and second body segments interconnected by a connector segment. The connector segment includes an ink transmitting member. A stylus tube extends from the body. A pivot member is provided to engage an associate pivot support outwardly from said pen body. A substantial portion of the mass of the marker is below the connector segment and the pivot member. The result is a marker having a center of gravity below the pivot so that the swinging marker tends to stabilize after disturbance due to vibration or rapid marker excursion.

Abstract: Catheter patency flow-flush controller comprising push-button valve mechanism with fast flow flush path surrounding the valve member, normally closed by a valve element and valve seat interposed between the inlet and outlet of the internal passageway of the controller by a coil spring located external of the internal passageway, the coil spring also compressively retaining a resilient seal at all times about the entry way through which the valve plunger enters the controller internal passageway. Preferably, the valve member push-button actuator includes a top cap member with dependent skirt which serves also as an alignment guide during valve movement by sliding engagement with an upwardly open skirt associated with the controller housing. Other features of the invention are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Convenient disposable marker tip design minimizes marker passing distance and provides a constant width trace line independent of the angle at which the marker tip engages the writing surface. The marker tip comprises a nib shank, surrounding and supporting a nib having a partially spherical tip. The nib shank is shaped to provide maximum coverage of the nib surface and minimum passing distance between adjacent nib tips.

Abstract: Easily removable instrument pen tip comprised of a body formed of resilient plastic with an ink passageway adapted to receive and sealingly engage an ink supply tube associated with a pen arm, the other end of which is adapted to receive and sealingly engage an elongated nib element, such as a stylus or fibrous nib. The pen tip body is a flat shaped member in which the passageway lies. The body may converge toward the ink passageway to serve as a visually indicating pointer. The body may also include locators or positioning ribs and reinforcing ribs. Preferably, the body and passageway include bent sections and the nib element and passageway are adapted for engagement only in the bent section passageway.

Abstract: Disposable instrument pen with integrally-formed spring member simplifies installation and provides its own biasing means for urging the pen nib into engagement with a writing surface and/or for retaining the pen in a pen mounting carriage. In various alternative embodiments, the spring member may consist of a cantilever arm, a torsion bar with end mount fixtures, a helical spring, flared wings, etc.

Abstract: Disposable instrument pen with integrally-formed spring member simplifies installation and provides its own biasing means for urging the pen nib into engagement with a writing surface and/or for retaining the pen in a pen mounting carriage. In various alternative embodiments, the spring member may consist of a cantilever arm, a torsion bar with end mount fixtures, a helical spring, flared wings, etc.

Abstract: Novel apparatus for mounting a pen to a tubular recorder pen arm includes an elongated resilient clip with two apertures formed therein that are axially alignable with each other. Fastening and positioning means, such as pronged projections, located on the clip, securely position the desired pen on the clip. The recorder pen arm is inserted through the clip apertures, upon alignment thereof against the resilient urging of the clip, so that the pen is accordingly mounted to the recorder pen arm.

Abstract: Convenient disposable marker design facilitates manufacture of disposable markers at low cost within a wide range of configurations and writing capacities. Marker comprises tubular, plastic-sheathed fibrous ink reservoir material cut to predetermined length for a particular marker and capped at one end. At the opposite end, a tip cap with nib projection is sealingly mounted on the plastic sheathed reservoir material.In another form of the invention, the tubular outer body fits snugly over a tip cap projection and is sealed by an external sealing rib to flushly mate with the tip cap body. A metallic holder clip fastens the disposable marker securely to the recorder pen arm.

Abstract: Truncated pen with ball point writing tip, designed to contain a large volume liquid ink supply within a short axial length body includes a short axial length, wide diameter pen barrel. A liquid ink reservoir, housed inside of the barrel, is separated from a pressure regulation mechanism by a thin diaphragm. The pressure regulation mechanism constantly applies pressure on the ink supply contained within the ink reservoir, so that ink will be supplied to the writing tip regardless of the position in which the pen is disposed or the volume of ink remaining in the reservoir.

Abstract: Marker includes a three-phase ink circuit to transport ink from a large capacity reservoir through an intermediate capillary phase to a generally porous writing tip. Each phase of the ink circuit contains capillary ink transporting material. Arrangement of the phases in order of increasing capillarity draws ink from the low capillarity reservoir through a small diameter intermediate conduit to the generally porous writing tip.

Abstract: A thermographic stylus apparatus includes a bimetal spring element in the pen arm and a resistive heating means. The pressure exerted by the scribing element on the writing platen is varied in linear proportion to the total power consumed in the resistive heating means which causes bending or at least a tendency to bend in the bimetal.