Abstract: The described method provides, methods, and kits to produce, identify, catalog and classify a comprehensive collection of nucleic acid targets produced from a nucleic acid sample. The method, referred to as Cataloging and Classification of Sequence Tags, involves generating a set of target nucleic acid fragments; coupling the target nucleic acid fragments to a nucleic acid bridge comprising, for example, two or more primer binding sites and two recognition sites for cleavage at a site offset from the recognition site to the fragment's end; and cleaving the fragments to generate chimeric nucleic acids of known length. The nucleic acid bridge is thus disposed between the two nucleic acid fragments in the chimeric nucleic acid. The resulting duplex nucleic acids comprise a set of sequence tags (i.e., by amplification using universal primers), comprising an addressable portion, a target nucleic portion and a portion of the nucleic acid bridge.

Abstract: A magnetic key chain which provides for the ability to attach itself to a magnetic material, such as the inner surface of a front door of a home or a refrigerator door. The magnetic key chain also allows for therapeutic treatment of an anatomical site in a living body. In another embodiment, magnetic jewelry is adapted for both ornamental and therapeutic use.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for delivering excess zinc to eukaryotic cells to inhibit the metabolism of the cell, the method comprising treating the cells with a zinc ionophoric that is capable of delivering a zinc ion across a cellular membrane wherein the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the zinc ionophoric material is less than about 500 ppm. Further disclosed is a method for delivering excess zinc to eukaryotic cells to inhibit the metabolism of the cell, the method comprising treating the cells with a zinc ionophoric material that is capable of delivering a zinc ion across a cellular membrane wherein the zinc ionophoric material is in combination with a zinc containing material and further wherein there is an increase in an intracellular zinc level by 1.5 fold more than would occur in the absence of the zinc ionophoric material.

Abstract: A magnetic key chain which provides for the ability to attach itself to a magnetic material, such as the inner surface of a front door of a home or a refrigerator door. The magnetic key chain also allows for therapeutic treatment of an anatomical site in a living body. In another embodiment, magnetic jewelry is adapted for both ornamental and therapeutic use.

Abstract: A magnetic key chain which provides for the ability to attach itself to a magnetic material, such as the inner surface of a front door of a home or a refrigerator door. The magnetic key chain also allows for therapeutic treatment of an anatomical site in a living body. In another embodiment, magnetic jewelry is adapted for both ornamental and therapeutic use.

Abstract: A needle assembly preferably suitable for single sample blood collection and for determining vein entry when collecting a blood sample from a patient into a vacuum collection device. This assembly includes a housing with an interior chamber having a blood inlet needle on one side of the housing and a blood outlet needle on the other. The outlet needle extends interiorly into the chamber, is open at its distal end and includes a side hole therethrough. A vent plug covers the side hole by surrounding the outlet needle inside the chamber, while a sealant plug covers the open end of the outlet needle. This arrangement prevents liquid from flowing into the holes while allowing gas to flow through the vent plug into the side hole for escape from the assembly whereby the prevented liquid may then be viewed by a user through a transparent portion of the housing.

Abstract: A multiple sample needle assembly useful in collecting liquid samples from a source comprises a housing with a chamber therein. A first cannula is in fluid communication with the chamber and is adapted for insertion into a liquid source. A second cannula is also in fluid communication with the chamber and is adapted to deliver liquid passing through the chamber to a liquid collector. A gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable porous member is positioned in the lumen of the second cannula. The second cannula preferably includes at least one side hole and an operable valve for collecting liquid from the second cannula by diverting liquid flowing therethrough away from the liquid-impermeable member.

Abstract: A single or multiple liquid sample needle assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing with a receiving chamber having translucent or transparent walls for determining whether access to the sample in question has been achieved. The invention utilizes a porous plug in the chamber which provides, simultaneously, a liquid barrier for the sample received, and gas displacement venting means for gas displaced by the liquid sample received. The assembly may be modified to receive only a single sample for subsequent discharge to a vacuum collection device, or multiple samples for sequential discharge to a plurality of vacuum collection devices. For multiple collection, the assembly incorporates a flexible sleeve and a separate gas discharge opening in combination with the sample discharge opening of the assembly.

Abstract: A multiple sample needle assembly for determining fluid access when collecting fluid samples from a source of fluid into a vacuum collection device. The assembly includes a housing with a chamber therein having first and second access openings in fluid communication with the chamber. The housing is preferably translucent to provide for the viewing of the contents of the chamber. A cannula is associated with the first access opening, while the second access opening is adapted for fluid communication with the vacuum collection device. An operable, resilient valve member is positioned in the chamber and is normally closed against a gas permeable, liquid impermeable plug member mounted in the valve member. This valve member is adapted to open away from the plug member when the pressure at the second access opening is less than the pressure at the first access opening.

Abstract: A needle assembly preferably suitable for single sample blood collection and for determining vein entry when collecting a blood sample from a patient into a vacuum collection device. This assembly includes a housing with an interior chamber with a blood inlet needle on one side of the housing and a blood outlet needle on the other. The outlet needle extends interiorly into the chamber, is closed at the end and includes a pair of holes each spaced preferably along an axial line. A slidable plug is operatively positioned in the chamber to prevent liquid from flowing into the side holes while allowing gas to flow into at least one of the side holes at a first position in the chamber whereby the prevented liquid may be viewed by a user through a transparent portion of the housing. The operative plug is movable to a second position in the chamber to allow liquid to flow into at least one of the side holes whereby liquid may be collected from the outlet needle of the assembly.

Abstract: A blood sampling device having a valve assembly which prevents the backflow of blood into a patient, and which is especially suitable for multiple sample collection. The valve assembly includes a mounting structure for a valve member, a chamber to house the valve, and a valve which has a resilient skirt allowing fluid flow only in one direction. The valve member is prevented from cocking by a protruding portion which fits within a recess of the mounting structure and by valve positioning members within the valve chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved blood gas syringe. In one embodiment, the improved syringe comprises a conventional syringe barrel, a plunger and an elastomeric piston at the bottom of the plunger. The plunger extends through and beyond the piston a short distance. The extended portion of the plunger, which is incompressible, serves as a stop means to prevent the piston from being compressed at the bottom of the barrel and to provide a chamber to hold a liquid anti-coagulant. The improved syringe has several advantages over prior art blood gas syringes, such as the obviation of inadvertently drawing air back into the syringe when pressure on the plunger is removed.