Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating blood vessels in a mammal, particularly humans, especially coronary blood vessels, for vascular thrombosis and angioplasty restenosis, thereby to decrease incidence of vessel rethrombosis, unstable angina and myocardial infarction, by administering a conager of an endothelium-derived bioactive agent, especially a nitrovasodilator, including one or more of nitric oxide or a nitric oxide donor agent, such as sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin, to an extravascular treatment site at a therapeutically effective dosage rate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for treating blood vessels in a mammal, particularly humans, especially coronary blood vessels, for vascular thrombosis and angioplasty restenosis, thereby to decrease incidence of vessel rethrombosis, unstable angina and myocardial infarction, by administering a conager of an endothelium-derived bioactive agent, especially a nitrovasodilator, including one or more of nitric oxide or a nitric oxide donor agent, such as sodium nitroprusside and nitroglycerin, to an extravascular treatment site at a therapeutically effective dosage rate.

Abstract: A liquid vessel provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple specimens of a liquid. Two containers are connected side-by-side by a retainer which accepts an optional detachable funnel assembly that directs liquid into each container. The retainer includes both a flexible serpentine connector loosely connecting collar portions of the retainer fitted to each container and a rigid portion fixing the spacing of the containers. Each container includes a sidewall flexure, and when the funnel is removed, each is closed by a closure that includes another sidewall flexure, a nozzle facing away from and basally open to the floor of the container, and a stiff basal projection extending to the floor of the container. Coupling members on the floor underside of the containers enable coupling of the floors of the two containers after the rigid portion of the retainer is severed. Pushing the closure of one of the containers reduces intra-chamber pressure in that container.

Abstract: A method for dispensing a sample of liquid from a sealed thermoplastic container which includes both a volumetrically flexible chamber holding the liquid and also a plurality of spaced axially vertical nozzles on the container underside, the nozzles having an inlet in fluid communication with the chamber. The container is first manipulated to increase the volume of the chamber, rotated from a right side up position to an upside down position, and after the two preceding operations an axial opening is non-invasively created in the nozzle while the container is upside down without decreasing the volume of the chamber. The container is then rotated from the upside down position to a right side up position without decreasing the volume of the chamber, manipulated to decrease the volume of the chamber and expel a sample of the liquid from the chamber through the nozzle opening, then rotated to an upside down position and the opening in the nozzle is closed by melting and clamping it closed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining aliquots or samples from a liquid specimen collection container and an apparatus which automateally perforths those methods involves transferring a sample of liquid from a sealed non-deformingly expandable container containing gas and the liquid without contaminating the liquid remaining inside the container, and comprises (a) non-deformingly volumetrically expanding the sealed container sufficiently to reduce pressure therein below ambient pressure outside the container, (b) applying heat selectively to a locus on said enlarged container to non-invasively create a hole having a diameter effective to equilibrate the pressure inside the container with said ambient pressure without loss of liquid from the container, and (c) non-deformingly volumetrically reducing the container to expel liquid from the container through the hole.

Abstract: A liquid vessel provides a means of assuring uncontaminated, multiple specimens of a liquid. Two containers are connected side-by-side by a retainer which accepts a detachable funnel assembly that directs liquid into each container. The retainer includes both a flexible serpentine connector loosely connecting collar portions of the retainer fitted to each container and a rigid portion fixing the spacing of the containers. Each container includes an bellows-like sidewall flexure, and when the funnel is removed, each is closed by a closure that includes another bellows-like sidewall flexure, a nozzle facing away from and basally open to the floor of the container, and a stiff basal projection extending to the floor of the container. Coupling members on the floor underside of the containers enable coupling of the floors of the two containers after the rigid portion of the retainer is severed.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing single homogeneous units upon rotation of the apparatus comprising a generally circular walled container having a bottom for holding the singular homogeneous units. A discharge area located distally from the bottom for receiving the single homogeneous units and for discharging them upon rotation of the apparatus. A helical spiraled rib member located on the generally circular walled container extending from the bottom of the container and along the circular walls of the container for creating during rotation a continuously variable inclined surface along the helical spiraled rib member and the circular walls of the container for advancing single homogeneous units along said helical spiralled rib member and the generally circular walls of the container until a single homogeneous unit reaches the discharge area for discharge from the container.

Abstract: A resealable conduit is used to remove or add fluid to a closed system without coring or contamination of the fluid. The conduit can include funnel-shaped guide means, duck bill valve means and beveled tip puncturing means. A conduit resting angle of less than about five degrees can be achieved. A tip bevel angle between about ten and twenty degrees is preferred. The beveled tip can have a rotated or twisted blade surface extension. A blade surface extension formed with a ninety degree rotation of the blade surface is preferred. Alternately, the puncturing means can include a needle point or a flat cutting surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic allergy testing system. The system includes an electrode capable of testing up to eight different allergies and an associated electronic unit. The electrode includes apparatus to transcutaneously deliver an allergen to the patient without puncturing the patient's skin. The electrode also includes a temperature sensor for sensing the skin temperature in the area surrounding the delivery of the allergen. Electronic apparatus is provided for processing the sensed temperature and storing data related thereto for subsequent print out to an output device. The allergy testing system is controlled so that periodic temperature readings are made at thrity second intervals over approximately a fifteen minute testing span. The data can be printed out in a graphic format to allow the physician to easily and quickly make more accurate diagnosis.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrode for performing a plurality of allergy tests on a patient undergoing tests. The allergy electrode consists of a plurality of individual testing electrodes and a single common electrode. Each of the testing electrodes includes allergen delivery apparatus and a temperature sensor. The allergen is contained in a removable allergen impregnated pad. If a dry allergen is used, it may be hydrolized with a drop of distilled water prior to application. A small electric charge charges a charge plate on one side of the allergen pad and a common ring on the electrodes is grounded in circuit with the charging plate, thereby causing electric field to transfer the allergen through the pores of the skin. The area surrounding the allergen delivery area is sensed for temperature by a thin film temperature sensor and a rigid temperature conducted base.

Abstract: Described herein is a controlled circulation incubator device having a plurality of plate receiving trays held by a tray bracket. Heated air is circulated by a blower and heater assembly around the trays held by the tray bracket and the temperature of the flowing heated air is sensed by a thermister included in a temperature controller circuit. The termister is coupled in a circuit so that its resistance determines the amount of heating provided by the heater portion of the blower and heater assembly. Each of the trays have a front lid and a back lip and the plurality of trays are offset from one another within the confines of the incubator device. The angle of the back lip and the amount of offset are selected so that each of the back lips are positioned in a generally planar surface. This causes the front lip, which extend at a slight angle from the receiving trays, to extend into the circulating air stream and air is forced between adjacent trays to heat the contents held by the trays.

Abstract: A photometric analyzer and method are disclosed for analyzing particle containing samples. More particularly, a nephelometric apparatus and method are disclosed for analyzing baceteria samples. In the disclosed embodiment, the bacteria count of a bacteria sample is determined by photometrically comparing the sample to another sample having a known particle or bacteria concentration. Thus, in accordance with the invention, samples having a known bacteria count may be quickly and easily obtained from a "go" "no-go" test. The bacteria samples obtained according to the invention may be used as standardized bacteria concentrations for conducting Kirby-Bauer dilution tests.

Abstract: A photometric analyzer and method are disclosed for analyzing particle containing samples. More particularly, a nephelometric apparatus and method are disclosed for analyzing bacteria samples. In the disclosed embodiment, the bacteria count of a bacteria sample is determined by photometrically comparting the sample to another sample having a known particle or bacteria concentration. Thus, in accordance with the invention, samples having a known bacteria count may be quickly and easily obtained from a "go" "no-go" test. The bacteria samples obtained according to the invention may be used as standardized bacteria concentrations for conducting Kirby-Bauer dilution tests.

Abstract: The test apparatus detects pressure changes in a vessel containing a volume of a contaminated industrial liquid and a volume of gas. The apparatus includes a detector having a housing defining a chamber. A pressure transducer having a flexible, pressure-transmitting wall is mounted in the chamber. A passageway fluidly communicates between a port in the housing and the transducer. In one embodiment a needle housing is removably coupled to the port. A hollow needle is adapted to pierce a stopper in the vessel. The vessel remains continuously sealed during and after the pressure test. Pressure changes in the gas of the vessel are transmitted through the needle and the passageway to the transducer. The transducer converts such pressure changes into corresponding electric signals which are indicative of the density of organisms in the liquid contained in the vessel.