Abstract: The present invention provides both a process and apparatus for rapidly warming and delivering relatively high volumes of a physiological fluid. Unique to this invention is the ability to warm and infuse physiological fluids at a rate of up to about 1000 ml/min without causing damage to the fluid components, e.g. lysing or rupture of cells, or upsetting the normothermic equilibrium of the patient. Further unique to this invention is the utilization of a 12 VDC source, e.g. a battery source, as an amperage supplement to be used simultaneously with an AC power source, thereby enabling the heating of physiological fluids at a rate which surpasses that normally attainable through the sole use of facility provided AC power.

Abstract: A rotary valve includes a rotor having at least one internal flow passageway therein extending between ports for providing communication between various pairs of flow passageways in the body of the valve. The rotor includes an annular surface for sealing engagement with the body, at least one of the rotor ports being disposed on the annular surface. A continuous resilient seal is disposed between the sealing surfaces of the rotor and the body to provide static and dynamic sealing. A spherical surface disposed between the rotary drive and the rotor applies axial pressure to the rotor, the surface accommodating rocking of the rotor to insure uniform loading thereof. Further, loading of the seal between the rotor and body is adjustable externally of the valve.

Abstract: A tapered, hollow, axially ribbed stem starting at its lower tip with a hard pointed tubular ferrule and terminating upwardly integrally in a windmill bladed disc disposed normal to the axis of the stem and having a diameter approximating the length of the stem, the stem being strung on a nylon string knotted at its lower end to form a stop engaging the ferrule and at its upper end to capture a glass bead on the string to constitute an upper end thrust bearing, the lower and upper extremities of the nylon string being then tied into a break formed in a kite string not far below the kite, and a parachute suspended through a glass bead bearing from a flat foam polyethylene hook having a widely flaring mouth and hooked over the lower end of the kite string to initiate the ascent of the parachute, the wind required in flying the kite blowing the hook supported parachute up the kite string and onto the ferrule, while the reaction of the windmill bladed disc to the wind is to spin the stem with an abundance of torq