Abstract: Compositions containing two species of indolyl-3-alkane alpha-hydroxylase (INDH) are isolated from Pseudomonas XA. An INDH1 composition contains protein subunits having molecular weights of 75,000, 34,500 and 32,500 daltons. An INDH2 composition contains protein subunits having molecular weights of 60,000, 44,000 and 42,000 daltons. Molecular weights are determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The compositions have a Specific INDH Activity of at least 10 international Units of INDH activity per milligram of protein, and contain less than 1 nanogram of endotoxin per International Unit of Specific INDH Activity. The INDH compositions may be immobilized on an insoluble matrix such as silica beads to provide at least 2.5 international Units of INDH activity per gram of Immobilized INDH composition. The INDH compositions are isolated by lysing Pseudomonas XA cells at a temperature of no more than 15.degree. C.

Abstract: An expandable bladder type wound dilatation device which is specially designed to be introduced into puncture wounds of various sizes and shapes in order to effectively arrest internal bleeding. The novel design of the device makes it very effective in mechanically constricting broken capillaries and small blood vessels located in the area of the puncture wound.

Abstract: A culture of Pseudomonas XA cells containing indolyl-3-alkane alpha-hydroxylase(INDH) is produced by aerobic batch fermentation in a culture medium. The culture medium is in a vessel having a means for adjusting agitation rate. During culturing, the cells go through a logarithmic phase and a stationary phase. Oxygen concentration is measured in the culture medium at the beginning of the process to determine a first oxygen concentration. Agitation rate is adjusted to produce a second oxygen concentration in the culture medium of about two to about seven percent of the first oxygen concentration for a time period of about two to about seven hours which ends at the beginning of the stationary phase. An INDH having three subunits of different molecular weight is isolated from the cells. The INDH is stable, free from endotoxin-mediated side effects and has sufficient specific activity to be useful for depletion of tryptophan from aqueous solution. During use, the INDH may be in immobilized form.

Abstract: An assembly for inhibiting microbial growth in collected body fluid includes a reservoir for collecting the fluid, and a tablet in the reservoir, which tablet dissolves in the collected fluid to produce hydrogen peroxide in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the collected fluid. The tablet is partially coated with an insoluble coating which leaves a portion of the tablet uncoated to provide a constant surface area exposed to the collected body fluid, which surface area is of a size to provide sufficient hydrogen peroxide for inhibition of microbial growth.

Abstract: A method for the production of antimicrobial catheters includes the steps of comminuting an antimicrobial metal compound to a particle size of up to about 30 microns in diameter. The comminuted antimicrobial metal compound is suspended in a suspending agent which can be cured to form a catheter or which can be formed to provide a coating on a previously formed catheter. The suspending agent is coated to either form the catheter or to form a coating on a catheter. Upon curing of the suspending agent, an outer surface is formed on the catheter, which outer surface includes the antimicrobial metal compound, thereby imparting antimicrobial activity to the catheter.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring catheter which has an elongated shaft having a distal end and a proximal end and a wall portion defining a drainage lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. The wall portion can also define a longitudinally extending inflation lumen which extends therethrough. The drainage lumen opens at the proximal end of the shaft through a drainage eyelet. An elastic, inflatable sleeve portion can be bonded to and extend annularly around a portion of the proximal end of the shaft. The elastic, inflatable sleeve portion is in fluid communication with the inflation lumen so that it can be inflated for retaining the catheter in a patient's body. A temperature thermistor is imbedded in the wall of the shaft at the proximal end of the shaft. A bifilar electric wire coil, helically wound, is imbedded in the wall of the shaft and connected at one end to the temperature thermistor.