Abstract: A device and method for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly, a bellows with a seal body, a low-density float and a high-density ballast. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the seal body of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates through the fluid sample and then stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The seal body of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the seal body sealingly engages the container and the composite element separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel douche nozzle suitable for vaginally administering a douche fluid.

Abstract: An electrically powered stapler is disclosed having a sliding blade for driving staples which is reciprocated by a lever and crank mechanism driven by an electric motor through a torque increasing gear train. Jamming of the stapler is prevented by mounting the lever's fulcrum on a plunger which is releasably retained to a fixed support by a flexible collar. The plunger has an enlarged head, and the collar has a plurality of flexible fingers which grip the plunger behind the head to retain the plunger to the collar. The plunger can be disengaged from the collar by the application of a predetermined force directed away from the plunger, such as occurs on the fulcrum during a jammed condition when the blade cannot drive a staple and is stalled. The pivot point of the lever then shifts to the blade end of the lever and the plunger is reciprocated by the lever instead of the blade, allowing the motor and other components to cycle through their full range of motion without stalling.

Abstract: An automatic fluid switching valve is disclosed. The switching valve includes first, second and third ports and a valve member controlling fluid flow between the ports. The valve member substantially prevents fluid from flowing: (a) from the third port to the first port; (b) from the second port to the first port; (c) from the third port to the second port; and (d) directly from the first port to the third port. The valve member has a first state in which it permits fluid to flow from the first port to the second port and a second state in which it permits fluid to flow from the second port to the third port.

Abstract: A fluid diverter valve for selectively switching fluid flow between two paths is disclosed. The valve includes an intake port, two output ports, and a valve member mounted for reciprocating movement between a first position wherein fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through the first output port, and a second position wherein fluid is substantially prevented from flowing through the second output port. The valve includes two switches. Actuating one of the switches causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position. Actuating the other switch causes the valve member to move from the second position to the first position. The disclosed valve acts as an integral diverter valve and vacuum break.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel douche nozzle suitable for vaginally administering a douche fluid.

Abstract: A woven or non-woven screen mesh disc impregnated at spaced locations along its circumference with a dose of powdered medicament. The disc is selectively indexed so as to present the impregnated doses of medicament seriatim between a pair of holes in an upper and lower pressure plate in an inhalator. Air is forced through the holes in the pressure plates and the encapsulated screen mesh to entrain a dose of the powdered medicament, which is then inhaled through a mouthpiece, by the patient-user. Because the powdered medicament is impregnated into the screen mesh, the air impinging upon the mesh and the powdered medicament will cause the medicament to break up as it is pressed up against and passed through the mesh infrastructure to aerosol or atomize the same so that the medicament is presented in appropriate particle sizes for maximum benefit when inhaled.

Abstract: A carrier impregnated at spaced locations along its circumference with a dose of powdered medicament. The carrier is selectively indexed so as to present the impregnated doses of medicament seriatim between a pair of holes in an upper and lower pressure plate in an inhalator. Air is forced through the holes in the pressure plates and the encapsulated dose on the carrier to entrain a dose of the powdered medicament, which is then inhaled through a mouthpiece, by the patient-user. The powdered medicament is embedded in and across interstices in the carrier formed by intersecting and sometimes offset depressions on each surface of the carrier, providing corners and surfaces to cause the medicament entrained in the air stream to break up as it is pressed up against and passed through the carrier infrastructure to aerosol or atomize the same so that the medicament is presented in appropriate particle sizes for maximum benefit when inhaled.

Abstract: A dry powder inhalator for delivering a precise dose of a medicament contains a mesh disc impregnated with a series of spaced, medicament doses about the disc periphery. The inhalator is armed by manually retracting a finger pull extending downwardly from the bottom of the inhalator housing or rotating the bottom of the housing. The user inserts a mouthpiece on the housing into the mouth and inhales. This causes a chamber in the housing under a diaphragm to evacuate, thereby pulling the diaphragm down onto a knock out lever. The pivoting of the lever enables release of a piston into a cylinder which first compresses, and then dispenses a reduced volume of air at high pressure in a burst up through the medicament disc. When the burst of air hits the impregnated disc, the dose is forced out of the mesh's interstices, producing a cloud of the drug in its powdered form, which is inhaled by the user.

Abstract: A fluid delivery device and method of delivering fluid is provided. The device comprises a delivery member including a member for creating a vacuum pressure, to suck fluid into a reservoir, and for expelling fluid from the reservoir. A body is provided including a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening, the interior of the body defining a first fluid pathway from the first opening to the second opening and a second fluid pathway from the second opening and a second fluid pathway from the second opening to the third opening. The delivery member is coupled to the second opening. A fluid source is coupled to the first opening. A fluid conduit is coupled to the third opening for allowing the device to deliver product to a patient. The first and second fluid pathways are defined in part by walls that define a central cavity and a diaphragm located therein.

Abstract: A contraceptive diaphragm has a cup-shaped body molded from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, and a rim formed with the diaphragm body having a thickness and an inner core structure sufficient to provide a desired bending resilience for use of the diaphragm without any metal spring therein. The thermoplastic or thermosetting material is preferably a silicone rubber. In one embodiment, the rim is molded with a solid inner core structure with a circular cross-section of between 0.060 to 0.375 inch outer diameter. In another embodiment, the rim is formed by an outer layer molded around an inner core in the form of a plastic, injection- or compression-molded ring. The molded plastic ring is preferably made of an acetal plastic material with an outer diameter of between 0.040 to 0.250 inch. The plastic ring may have two or more cutout portions formed spaced apart along its circumference for defining flexing points on the diaphragm rim.