Abstract: A basement assembly of a household appliance is provided herein. A basement has a bottom compartment and a top compartment. The bottom compartment is separated from the top compartment and includes a plurality of voids. A plurality of acoustic pads are configured to reduce noise levels produced by the household appliance. Each of the acoustic pads is configured to be received in one of the voids. A cover member is coupled to the basement and is configured to confine the acoustic pads therein.

Abstract: A basement assembly of a household appliance is provided herein. A basement has a bottom compartment and a top compartment. The bottom compartment is separated from the top compartment and includes a plurality of voids. A plurality of acoustic pads are configured to reduce noise levels produced by the household appliance. Each of the acoustic pads is configured to be received in one of the voids. A cover member is coupled to the basement and is configured to confine the acoustic pads therein.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.

Abstract: An improved syringe with a sleeve operable as a barrier effective to resist entry of undesired particles, such as microorganisms or pathogens, for contact with the inside of the syringe from the plunger end. A portion of the sleeve is configured for disposition surrounding the plunger and inside the syringe's barrel. A syringe structured according to certain principles of the invention is effective to maintain the inside of the syringe's barrel in a sterile condition, even subsequent to multiple strokes of the plunger.

Abstract: A catheter connection system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catheter connection system may include at least two components and a deformable sealing element positioned between the at least two components configured to allow, upon deformation, fluid flow through the at least two components. In another embodiment, the catheter connection system may include a sealing element positioned between at least two components, wherein the components are coupled to one another by a locking member.

Abstract: A stylet capable of being at least partially disposed within a lumen of a device is disclosed. This stylet may include an elongated body comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and at least one magnetic material. In certain embodiments, the elongated body may also include at least one core element, a tubular member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element, and/or at least one support member circumferentially disposed about at least a portion of the core element. In addition, a matrix material may be disposed between the core element and the tubular member to retain the magnetic material within the elongated body. A catheter assembly including a stylet and a corresponding method of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve providing selectable communication between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve is adapted for remote actuation and has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented to permit communication with the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to infuse a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder. A pressure transducer desirably is connected in-circuit to indicate the fluid's pressure.

Abstract: A corporeal drainage system including a fluid receptacle. The fluid receptacle in one embodiment is disposable and may be manipulated to generate a negative fluid pressure. The fluid receptacle in another embodiment is reusable and includes features to enable the insertion of a disposable bag therein. A pump may be integral to the fluid receptacle, the pump including a pair of unidirectional check valves. A catheter connection system is described, which facilitates connection between a fluid flow conduit and an implanted catheter. Methods of producing active and passive siphon systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for monitoring the intra-abdominal pressure of a hospitalized patient includes a urinary catheter connected to a urine valve having selectable communication positions between a discharge end of the urinary catheter and either a drain or a fluid source. Preferably, the urine valve has a housing adapted to resist patient discomfort from leg-valve contact. One operable protective housing may be embodied as a separate tray component. Plumbing structure desirably maintains fluid supply and drain conduits in a substantially parallel arrangement to assist routing those conduits between a patient's legs. When the urine valve is oriented for communication to the fluid source, an infusion pump may be used to introduce a known quantity of fluid through the urine valve and into the patient's bladder where the fluid's pressure can be measured.

Abstract: A valved sheath introducer for venous cannulation, including a valve, sheath, handle and cap. The valve is configured to permit safe introduction and removal of medical instruments through the sheath introducer. The valve may have one or more anchoring members and a thickened central portion through which a slit is formed. The central portion may have one or more concave surfaces and the slit can be angled with respect to the top surface of the valve. The cap is attached to the handle, compressing a portion of the valve therebetween.

Abstract: A multi-access adapter operable to dispense doses of a medicament in succession from a bulk container, such as a vial. A preferred adapter may be used alone, or in combination with various discharge devices. A first preferred combination includes the adapter paired with a needle for injection of the medicament into one or more patients. A second preferred combination includes an atomizing nozzle affixed to the adapter and arranged for discharge of the medicament therethrough. Sometimes the atomizing nozzle carries a nostril guide structure that can be absorbent and may operate as a splash guard.

Abstract: A system and method for forwarding multiple credit applications to multiple potential lenders. A user computer or a credit management server sends queries to potential lenders inquiring about the respective information fields used in the potential lenders' respective credit applications. The queries also request information relating to the desired format and transmission method of the respective credit applications. With this information, a dynamic credit application is generated which includes all of information fields from all potential lenders. A credit applicant enters credit information into the dynamic credit application. The system then generates tailored credit applications for each lender and forwards these tailored applications to the respective potential lenders. The lenders process the tailored applications and provide results to the user.

Abstract: A method for actuating an access control transmitter in which a four code access transmitter is employed with the dimmer switch flashed once to produce a first signal, twice in rapid succession to produce a second signal, three times in rapid succession to produce a third signal, and four times in rapid succession to produce a fourth succession. Each separate signal is an access controlled signal to gain access to an access controlled area such as a garage. Programming of the access controlled transmitter occurs by actuating a standard transmitter nearby, when the access transmitter is in a programming mode. A programming access mechanism is provided to prevent authorized programming of the access transmitter by one not having the programming access code.

Abstract: A device for providing remote control current signals to wave energy transmitters in a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a power source, a manually operated electrical switch, and at least one wave energy transmitter. The device comprises an electrical network including a first timing R--C circuit, a second timing R--C circuit, a counter, and a transmission actuator that has a plurality of transmission output lines. The first timing R--C circuit provides a first timing period triggered by a first actuation of the electrical switch in the vehicle. The counter counts the number of times the electrical switch is actuated during the timing period. The transmission actuator provides an output current to one of the output lines for a duration controlled by the second timing R--C circuit. Selection of the output line for receiving the output current is determined by the accumulated count during the first timing period.

Abstract: An implantable lead fixation apparatus, including two suture collars connected by a flexible retaining member of predetermined length, is provided for anchoring an elongate cylindrical electrode lead to a patient's body. Each suture collar comprises a flexible annular member having a central lumen that is adapted to enclose the lead. The suture collars each include provision for securing the lead against longitudinal movement of the lead with respect to the collar, and provision for anchoring the collar to the patient's body. The suture collars are positioned relatively proximally and distally with respect to the lead, and are secured on the lead with the proximal suture collar being separated from the distal suture collar by slightly less than the length of the retaining member.