Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.

Abstract: A test for determining whether an elastomeric article has a desired ratio of strength to comfort, i.e., a strength-comfort index, is disclosed. Methods for preparing strong, soft, and thin articles from synthetic latexes, to optimize the strength and comfort of the articles, are also disclosed. Using this index, and, optionally, comparing the results with those one obtained using natural rubber, one can determine whether an article of manufacture can be prepared from synthetic elastomers and still have optimal properties (i.e., strength and comfort), particularly as compared to a similar article prepared from natural rubber. The strength of an article is directly related to the force required to break a tensile specimen of the sample and thus the tensile strength of the article.

Abstract: A cassette integrated system. The cassette integrated system includes a mixing cassette, a balancing cassette, a middle cassette fluidly connected to the mixing cassette and the balancing cassette and at least one pod. The mixing cassette is fluidly connected to the middle cassette by at least one fluid line and the middle cassette is fluidly connected to the balancing cassette by at least one fluid line. The at least one pod is connected to at least two of the cassettes wherein the pod is located in an area between the cassettes.

Abstract: An endoscopic tissue separator surgical device and method. The device has a multi-lumen shaft having proximal and distal ends, a central lumen for accepting an endoscope, and at least two fluid lumens, with a head coupled to the distal end of the shaft and a handle coupled to the proximal end. The head has an endoscope port and at least two fluid ports whose centers are all disposed along an arcuate line of curvature, while the handle has at least two fluid supply ports. Gas and fluid may be conveyed through the shaft from the handle to the head in the at least two fluid lumens separate from the lumen for accepting an endoscope. At least one lumen of the multi-lumen shaft may house a stainless steel tube with an inside diameter of sufficient size to accept an endoscope.

Abstract: When a patient is fitted with an external gastrostomy connection to the stomach, ingested food can be removed through the gastrostomy connection using a pump-based or siphon-based system to achieve weight loss. The process of removing ingested food can be improved by alternating the infusion of liquid into the stomach with the removal of material from the stomach. Optionally, stomach acid may be captured and returned to the stomach. Optionally, nutritional supplements or medicines may be added to the infused liquid. Optionally, a flush mount connectorized system with a built in valve may be used to simplify the interface with the gastrostomy hardware that remains installed in the patient. Optionally, the system may be configured to disable itself from further use after a triggering event (e.g., the passage of time or a predetermined number of uses) has occurred.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing a drug in a vial includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike, a chamber and a valve mechanism. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. The valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A bracket for attachment to an upright scaffolding member has a rigid body with a front hook and rear hook thereon for engaging opposing front and rear faces of the upright scaffolding member. A support arm projects horizontally forward from the rigid body beyond the front hook for supporting an auxiliary platform thereon. A retainer member is movable on the body between an unlocked position in which an area between the hooks for receiving the upright scaffolding member therein is unobstructed and a locked position for engaging the upright scaffolding member in which the retainer member is immovable in the direction of engagement of the retainer member with the upright scaffolding member to prevent accidental release thereof.

Abstract: A method and device for adjusting the unstored length of tubing directed to improving the use of infusion sets that deliver fluids to a user. The device includes a storage module and other features for adjusting, storing and securing the length of the tubing.

Abstract: Backpressure information is communicated from a physical layer device to a link layer device in a communication system by generating a flow control message in the physical layer device responsive to a detected condition relating to at least a given one of a plurality of queues of the physical layer device, and transmitting the flow control message from the physical layer device to the link layer device. The flow control message may comprises backpressure information associated with a given egress queue of the physical layer device and is transmitted from the physical layer device to the link layer device as an in-band message over an interface between the physical layer device and the link layer device. Multiple-rate traffic shaping or other types of traffic shaping may be provided responsive to the flow control message.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for mixing an intravenous drug in a vial to a patient includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, a first vial spike, a second vial spike and a chamber. The chamber, the first and second vial spikes, and the liquid inlet are in fluid communication with each other. A valve mechanism may be actuated to control flow between the chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A system and method for the preparation and delivery of intravenous drugs includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply and vial receptacles. The system may also include a liquid outlet for providing the intravenous drug in mixed, liquid form to the patient. The system may include a chamber having a variable volume, and a valve mechanism, which may be actuated to control flow between the liquid outlet, the variable-volume chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet. The liquid inlet, the vial receptacles, the variable-volume chamber, the liquid outlet and the valve mechanism may be located in a disposable cassette, which may be received in a control unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ionophore antibiotic composition capable of dilution with water to a substantially stable dispersed form in all water then present, said composition comprising or including:—at least one ionophore antibiotic (preferably monensin) of a mean particle size of less than 20 microns,—and at least one dispersing agent. A method of preparing the ionophore antibiotic composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in conjunction with a metered dose inhaler which includes a novel valve system to aid in the delivery of aerosolized medicament to a subject. The apparatus also includes a novel rotational flow generator to aid in the useable delivery of said medication and avoid its loss either in the apparatus or by non-useful delivery to said subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer composition capable of being cured or crosslinked in the absence or without the use of conventional sulfur and accelerator cure systems. The polymer is formed from olefinically unsaturated monomers and includes at least one conjugated diene monomer. Such polymer includes additional functionality provided by a chelating monomer.

Abstract: A bedside-pharmacy system for the preparation and delivery of intravenous drugs. The system includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, vial receptacles, and a liquid outlet for providing the intravenous drug in mixed, liquid form to the patient. The system may include a chamber having a variable volume, and a valve mechanism, which may be actuated to control flow between the liquid outlet, the variable-volume chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet. The system induces change in the volume of the variable-volume chamber and actuates the valve mechanism, so as to introduce liquid from the liquid inlet into the vials and reconstitute or dilute the drugs and so as to deliver the drugs to the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid inlet, the vial receptacles, the variable-volume chamber, the liquid outlet and the valve mechanism (in other words, all components that come into contact with the liquid) are located in a disposable cassette, which may be received in a control unit.

Abstract: A bedside-pharmacy system for the preparation and delivery of intravenous drugs. The system includes a liquid inlet for connection to a liquid supply, vial receptacles, and a liquid outlet for providing the intravenous drug in mixed, liquid form to the patient. The system may include a chamber having a variable volume, and a valve mechanism, which may be actuated to control flow between the liquid outlet, the variable-volume chamber, the vial receptacles and the liquid inlet. The system induces change in the volume of the variable-volume chamber and actuates the valve mechanism, so as to introduce liquid from the liquid inlet into the vials and reconstitute or dilute the drugs and so as to deliver the drugs to the patient. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid inlet, the vial receptacles, the variable-volume chamber, the liquid outlet and the valve mechanism (in other words, all components that come into contact with the liquid) are located in a disposable cassette, which may be received in a control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gasket using a polymer composition capable of being cured or crosslinked in the absence or without the use of conventional cure systems. The polymer is formed from olefinically unsaturated monomers. Such polymer includes additional functionality provided by a chelating monomer. Methods of making gaskets or other articles of manufacture either using a beater additions process or a saturation process are also provided.

Abstract: A medical irrigation pump and pump system utilize a permanent non-sterile drive motor capable of operating disposable sterile single use pump units each of which is specifically designed for a particular medical procedure. The pump units have housing which are adapted to be interchangeable within the permanent controller system. Only the sterilized and disposable pump units come into contact with the fluid pathway during pumping. A pattern of bumps on each pump unit is unique for the medical procedure for which the pump unit was designed. The pattern of bumps engages switches on the controller, enabling the controller to identify what type of pump unit has been installed. After automatically identifying the type of pump unit and the intended medical procedure, the controller automatically selects a default motor speed that will provide an appropriate fluid pressure for that particular procedure. Buttons on a control panel also enable the user to manually adjust the pressure delivered by the pump.