Abstract: An integrated valve assembly (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is provided for pressure-responsive flow control for associated components, such as for nutritional administration to patients. The valve assembly includes a first connector element (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and a second connector element (14, 114, 214, 314, 414), which are joined to each other, and which respectively define a first, internal flow passage (20, 120, 220, 320, 420) and a second internal flow passage (28, 128, 228, 328, 428). A valve member (40, 140, 240, 340, 440), which may comprise a resiliently deformable slit valve, is positioned between the first connector element (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) and the second connector element (14, 114, 214, 314, 414) for providing pressure-responsive flow control between the first, internal flow passage (20, 120, 220, 320, 420), and the second, internal flow passage (28, 128, 228, 328, 428).

Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is provided with a peripheral mounting portion and a connecting sleeve connecting the peripheral mounting portion with a head which defines a dispensing orifice. The valve head includes a central inner surface portion that bulges axially inwardly to project from a radially outer surface portion.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve is provided with a peripheral mounting portion and a connecting sleeve connecting the peripheral mounting portion with a head which defines a dispensing orifice. The valve head includes a central inner surface portion that bulges axially inwardly to project from a radially outer surface portion.

Abstract: A tube in a pumped fluid system can become obstructed by a clog. The clog is automatically cleared in response to an obstruction signal by modifying the pumping cycle which is normally used to pump the fluid. In particular, the pumping cycle is stopped after a compression stroke to apply sustained high pressure in the clogged tube, using the same fluid and the same pump, to expel the clog from the tube. The obstruction signal is derived by measuring pressure during a portion of the pumping cycle when elevated pressure due to viscosity effects have subsided. Therefore, if the pressure remains elevated, a determination of an obstructed state can reliably be made which may be caused by a clog.

Abstract: A medical pumping system has a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6), a readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) connected to the tubes and engaged with the pump, and means (22,24) such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The pumping system features a display and switch means (9, 10) on a front panel thereof, a pressure sensor (28), an optical fluid presence sensor (19), and a microprocessor (20) metering the volume of fluid pumped through said cassette (3), monitoring output signals from said sensors (18, 28), controlling the motor-driven piston in accordance with settings entered via said switch means (9,10), and directing output data to said display means (8). The microprocessor has a stored program for performing SET RATE, RUN, HOLD, VOLUME FED, and CLEAR VOLUME functions.

Abstract: A medical pumping system has a supply tube (2), an outlet tube (6), a readily sterilizable, disposable cassette (3) connected to the tubes and engaged with the pump, and means (22,24) such as a motor-driven piston, for intermittently applying pressure to the cassette. The pumping system features a display and switch means (9, 10) on a front panel thereof, a pressure sensor (28), an optical fluid presence sensor (19), and a microprocessor (20) metering the volume of fluid pumped through said cassette (3), monitoring output signals from said sensors (18, 28), controlling the motor-driven piston in accordance with settings entered via said switch means (9,10), and directing output data to said display means (8). The microprocessor has a stored program for performing SET RATE, RUN, HOLD, VOLUME FED, and CLEAR VOLUME functions.

Abstract: A therapeutic device for removing pathological effectors brom body fluids of a patient is disclosed. Said device includes a chamber for receiving the body fluids and positioned within the chamber is a biospecific polymer. Said biospecific polymer interacts with and binds specific pathological effectors carried by the body fluid that is passed through the chamber.

Abstract: An electrode having a lead base and a catalyst is manufactured by (a) compressing titanium sponge particles so as to consolidate them to a coherent porous layer, (b) applying the catalyst to the titanium sponge particles, and (c) fixing the layer of consolidated sponge particles to the lead base. The catalyst is formed on the titanium sponge particles before or after their consolidation to a coherent layer. This layer may be produced and fixed to the base in a single compressing and fixing step combining (a) and (c). Oxygen is anodically evolved at a reduced, stable potential by means of this electrode, so that it can be usefully applied as an anode in processes for electrowinning metals from acid electrolytes.