Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: An earphone assembly is disclosed that includes an annular baffle having an outer surface and an inner surface as well as an interior wall and an exterior wall. The interior wall defines a central chamber. A transparent, flexible lid is attached to the baffle along the outer surface, completely covering the central chamber and forming an acoustic seal with the baffle. The lid has an inner face and an outer face. The flexibility of the earphone is improved by creating hinges in the lid and by providing cuts, or other discontinuities, in the baffle. For example, a radial cut may be disposed in the annular baffle. Further, a circumferential cut may also (or alternatively) be disposed in the baffle, extending from the inner surface and disposed between the exterior wall and the interior wall. At least one hinge may be disposed on the flexible lid. To improve the attachment of the earphone to the patient's head, tabs are mounted to the exterior wall.

Abstract: A physiological sensor device for attachment to a mammalian subject including first and second regions of sensors attachable to a subject in use, which first and second regions of sensors are separated by a flexible web adapted to enable variable separation of the first and second sensor regions from one another in use. The physiological sensor device is manufactured by forming a strip of electrically conductive material on a flexible electrically non-conductive substrate and cutting a slot through both the flexible substrate and conductive strip to define a pair of adjacent edges of conductive material separated by a non-conductive gap thereby also to define adjacent electrode sensors each having one of the pair of adjacent edges formed in the strip of conductive material. The physiological sensor device is attached to the subject for measurement of numerous physiological parameters for a period of time, such as 24 hours, and is then thrown away.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: A disposable element for ear phone assembly is provided for use with a hearing screening instrument to test infants for hearing impairments. The ear phone assembly includes a generally D-shaped reusable cover including a back wall having a perimeter, a side wall extending from the perimeter to define a cavity for receiving an infant's ear, a port in the cover to receive and support a transducer, and a generally D-shaped disposable element that is adhesive coated on two sides to be secured to the cover and to the patient's head. The cover may have a notch located along the perimeter of the re-usable body for removing the disposable element. A liner is used to cover the disposable element adhesive sides to protect them from contamination during packaging and prior to use. The disposable element may have a die cut so that a portion of it can be removed to make the ear phone adjustable for infants with large ears.

Abstract: An ear phone assembly is provided for use with a hearing screening instrument to test infants for hearing impairments. The ear phone includes a generally D-shaped reusable cover including a back wall having a perimeter, a side wall extending from the perimeter to define a cavity for receiving an infant's ear, a port in the cover to receive and support a transducer, and a generally D-shaped disposable element that is adhesive coated on two sides to be secured to the cover and to the patient's head. The cover may have a notch located along the perimeter of the re-usable body for removing the disposable element. A liner is used to cover the disposable element adhesive sides to protect them from contamination during packaging and prior to use. The disposable element may have a die cut so that a portion of it can be removed to make the ear phone adjustable for infants with large ears. The ear phone is low in cost and capable of being used with any conventional hearing screening equipment.

Abstract: Blood lines for hemodialysis and other blood handling procedures may be reused by placing connectors intermediately along the length of the blood lines so that the lines can be disconnected to separate out reusable portions thereof. Specifically, the bulk of the blood lines used may comprise branchless lengths of tubing which are easily reusable, and may be cleaned and stored along with a dialyzer or similar device by connection to a conventional reuse machine. Also, the connectors on the blood lines which are reused may have first and second sealing surfaces. The first sealing surfaces are used in the connections made to form the blood line in its normal form for use. Then, during cleaning and sterilization for reuse, the reusable connectors can connect first and second lengths of blood lines together making use of a second sealing surface, in which the first sealing surfaces are exposed to cleaning/storing solution to cause cleaning and antibacterial action on the first sealing surfaces.

Abstract: An occlusive implant includes an elongated member having an end, a portion proximal to that end, and a portion distal to that end. The proximal portion is sufficiently flexible so that it can be folded upon itself and maintain that configuration without further restraint. At least a portion of the distal portion is preformed to have a first configuration when in a first state and a second configuration when in a second state. The distal portion second configuration has a flow resistance substantially greater than that of the proximal portion. When discharged in the region to be occluded, the proximal portion is forced into a mass around at least a portion of the distal portion secondary structure. As the mass builds in size, it is believed to frictionally engage the surrounding vasculature wall and anchor the implant thereto. The occlusive implant preferably is provided in an introducer cartridge for delivery in vivo.

Abstract: A slotted guard for locking a needle in a shielded position as the needle is removed from a patient, and a guarded winged needle assembly including not only such a slotted, locking guard, but also a needle (with a winged hub attached thereto) slidably mounted within the guard. Preferably, the guard's slot has an angled portion so that when the hub and needle are fully retracted within the guard, the needle's tip will be oriented away from the slot. Also preferably, a piece of absorptive material is disposed in the guard to absorb any fluid dripping from the needle tip after the needle has been locked in its retracted position within the guard following an injection.

Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.

Abstract: A TCD probe mounting assembly is provided comprising a TCD probe mounted in a pedestal which has affixed to the base thereof an adhesive material for adhesively securing the pedestal to a patient's head. The pedestal is designed to allow insertion of the TCD probe therein after the pedestal is secured to a patient's head and for holding the probe at a selected angulation by means of friction after the probe is inserted in the pedestal. An external compression device and strap member are supplied to provide alternative means for providing a force perpendicular to a patient's head in order to minimize the risk of air gaps between the probe and the patient's head.

Abstract: A noninvasive device and methods for measuring the end-tidal carbon monoxide concentration in a patient's breath, particularly newborn and premature infants. The patient's breath is monitored. An average carbon monoxide concentration is determined based on an average of discrete samples in a given time period. The ratio of the end-tidal portion of the breath flow sample is separately determined, preferably based on monitoring the level of carbon dioxide in the gas sample and identifying the carbon dioxide concentration levels corresponding to the end-tidal portion of the breath sample. The sensed carbon monoxide level is converted to the end-tidal carbon monoxide level by subtracting the ambient carbon monoxide level and dividing the remainder by the ratio of end-tidal breath to breath in the breath sample.

Abstract: A slotted guard for locking a needle in a shielded position as the needle is removed from a patient, and a guarded winged needle assembly including not only such a slotted, locking guard, but also a needle (with a winged hub attached thereto) slidably mounted within the guard. Preferably, the guard's slot has an angled portion so that when the hub and needle are fully retracted within the guard, the needle's tip will be oriented away from the slot. Also preferably, a piece of absorptive material is disposed in the guard to absorb any fluid dripping from the needle tip after the needle has been locked in its retracted position within the guard following an injection.

Abstract: A cup member defines a cavity for covering an infant's ear, and an annular member extends from an end portion of the cup member. The cup member and the annular member each comprise a first sound attenuating layer of foam material which attenuates high frequency sound and a second sound attenuating layer of a material which attenuates low frequency sound. The annular member has a surface for placing the earmuff against the infant's head. A hydrogel adhesive is disposed on the surface for bonding the earmuff to the infant's head. The hydrogel layer preferably extends along the plane defined by the surface of the annular member and into the cavity defined by the cup member for bonding the earmuff to a substantially hairless portion of the infant's head located behind the pinna.

Abstract: A slotted guard for locking a needle in a shielded position as the needle is removed from a patient, and a guarded winged needle assembly including not only such a slotted, locking guard, but also a needle (with a winged hub attached thereto) slidably mounted within the guard. Preferably, the guard's slot has an angled portion so that when the hub and needle are fully retracted within the guard, the needle's tip will be oriented away from the slot. Also preferably, a piece of absorptive material is disposed in the guard to absorb any fluid dripping from the needle tip after the needle has been locked in its retracted position within the guard following an injection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catheter assembly comprising a cannula, needle and catheter inserter wherein the inserter is in slidable relationship to the cannula and wherein the inserter or other device also serves to selectively restrict the cannula and needle from sliding relative to the inserter. The cannula comprises a material which, when inserted into the body of a living subject, softens and/or swells and has a tensile energy to break of at least about 700 N-cm/cm.sup.3 and a 2.5% Secant modulus of less than about 7,000 N/cm.sup.2. The invention also relates to a method of inserting a cannula into a living subject using an inserter which is positioned such that the desired length of cannula for initial insertion extends beyond the inserter. The method also relates to further inserting the cannula into the living subject after initial insertion of the cannula.