Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing consumers with access to the discounted rates for health care procedures provided by primary care physicians, specialist physicians and facilities. Fee information for contracted providers is stored in a database and is accessible to consumers via an online interface. Consumers select query criteria for providers and are presented with actual cost information pertaining to procedures prospectively rendered by providers. Additional information, such as quality or efficiency of providers, can also be presented. Information on multiple providers can be obtained and presented in a comparative arrangement. The presented information can be limited to providers within a geographic region, within a cost range, within a quality range, or other criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing consumers with access to the discounted rates for health care procedures provided by primary care physicians, specialist physicians and facilities. Fee information for contracted providers is stored in a database and is accessible to consumers via an online interface. Consumers select query criteria for providers and are presented with actual cost information pertaining to procedures prospectively rendered by providers. Additional information, such as quality or efficiency of providers, can also be presented. Information on multiple providers can be obtained and presented in a comparative arrangement. The presented information can be limited to providers within a geographic region, within a cost range, within a quality range, or other criteria.

Abstract: A method is presented for developing sales for promotional items. One or more educational videos are created for one or more promotional items. The educational videos are used as content on one or more web pages that provide information for the promotional items. The web pages are included on a website for the promotional items. Distributor contact information is received from a distributor. The distributor contact information is included on at least one of the web pages, such that a viewer of the website can contact the distributor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing consumers with access to the discounted rates for health care procedures provided by primary care physicians, specialist physicians and facilities. Fee information for contracted providers is stored in a database and is accessible to consumers via an online interface. Consumers select query criteria for providers and are presented with actual cost information pertaining to procedures prospectively rendered by providers. Additional information, such as quality or efficiency of providers, can also be presented. Information on multiple providers can be obtained and presented in a comparative arrangement. The presented information can be limited to providers within a geographic region, within a cost range, within a quality range, or other criteria.

Abstract: A catheter for evaluating the competency of a mitral valve has a main lumen and at least one additional lumen for venting the area immediately adjacent the catheter. The vent lumen has multiple vent apertures provided along the length thereof to ensure thorough venting. Preferably, a third lumen fluidly connected to a pressure-sensing device is also integrally formed into the catheter. In practice, the distal end of the catheter is inserted through an access aperture formed in the aorta, passed through the aortic valve into the left ventricle. Pressurized fluid is injected into the left ventricle through the main lumen of the catheter. The fluid pressure within the left ventricle is monitored through the pressure-sensing lumen while the surgeon visually inspects the valve competency. The vents are utilized prior and subsequent to evaluating the competency of the valve for removing air and fluid from the area adjacent the catheter.

Abstract: A device for cleaning golf-club heads comprises a receptacle for containing cleaning solution open at its upper end for receiving a golf-club head to be cleaned, and at least one brush mounted within the receptacle for engagement with the club head. An extension of a base portion projects outwardly of the device a sufficient distance to receive at least a portion of a user's foot thereon to stabilize the cleaning device when supported in an upright position on a horizontal surface. A handle may be formed on the base portion extension for conveniently lifting and transporting or for storing and draining the cleaning device. A cap may be provided for closing the upper end of the receptacle to prevent loss of cleaning liquid during transportation and handling of the cleaning device.

Abstract: A cleansing composition includes a salt of chlorhexidine such as chlorhexidine digluconate and at least one nonionic surfactant which does not include any polyoxypropylene/polyoxyethylene block copolymers. Also included in the composition is at least one amphoteric surfactant. Other additives such as viscosifiers or thickeners, emollients, fragrances, perfumes, coloring agents, preservatives, foaming agents, fungicides and the like may also be added. Preferably, the composition does not include alcohol as a carrier. The cleansing composition has been found to exhibit improved antibacterial properties while remaining mild on the skin.

Abstract: A smoke reducing device for use in minimally invasive surgery includes a housing having an inlet opening from an outlet opening. The housing is sized to fit through a trocar opening that leads to a body cavity. A filter is positioned within the housing between the inlet and outlet openings. An air flow generator is located within the housing and is positioned to draw air in through the inlet opening, pulled through the filter, and exhausted through the outlet opening to draw any smoke created during minimally invasive surgery through the filter. The smoke reducing device may form part of an electrocautery device such that smoke created during minimally invasive surgery can be filtered internally of the body cavity.

Abstract: A cleansing composition includes a substituted phenol such as para-chloro-meta-xylenol, and at least one primary surfactant selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, phospholipids, partially neutralized carboxylic acids and diacids, betaines, ethoxylated methyglucosides, and mixtures thereof. The composition is devoid of conventional anionic and nonionic surfactants. Other additives such as viscosifiers or thickeners, emollients, fragrances, perfumes, coloring agents, and the like may also be added. The cleansing composition has been found to exhibit improved antibacterial properties while remaining mild on the skin.

Abstract: A single stage venous catheter for use in open heart surgery which has an extended insertion end provided with axially extending open-sided sectorial grooves around a common axis, the grooves terminating in a common receiving chamber surrounded by circumferentially spaced multiple fins or ribs to maintain the proper clearance for the catheter chamber.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable ester such as di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: A flow control assembly comprises separate first and second members. The first member is attachable to two or more flexible fluid conduits and serves to establish flow communication between the attached conduits. The second member carries one or more crimping mechanisms and is releasably attachable to the first member. When the first and second members are attached together, the crimping mechanisms of the second member can be independently and selectively operated to close one or more of the flexible conduits attached to the first member. Fluid flow into and through the first member can thus be controlled from a convenient, centralized location. The assembly is extremely adaptable and can be readily incorporated into virtually any fluid system which requires complex, repetitive valving functions. For example, the assembly is ideally suited for use in conjunction with a plasmapheresis system.

Abstract: A plasmapheresis assembly includes a fluid manifold which interconnects the phlebotomy needle of the assembly with a pair of blood collection containers. The manifold includes a removably insertable plug member which, when inserted, blocks fluid flow through the manifold to retain anticoagulant solution in the containers prior to use and which, after removal, affords fluid flow through the manifold and permits the attachment of a recipient set to the manifold.

Abstract: Packages or containers are formed for body fluids or other solutions within which autoclaved liquids such as anticoagulants are included. The invention, which is particularly suitable for donor blood bags, includes the use of a sterile connector to incorporate autoclaved liquids into sterilized packages that can, if desired, be made of materials that cannot be successfully autoclaved at high temperatures without deformation or discoloration thereof.

Abstract: A separable integral donor connector with an improved clamping mechanism for use with flexible blood collection tubing is disclosed. The device is positioned in line with the blood tubing between a phlebotomy needle and the collection bag. Separation of the device is accomplished by manipulation and breaking of a thin frangible ring area and drawing the sections of the device apart. This separation exposes an internally-mounted needle that may be used for penetration of sample collection tube closures and subsequent collection of blood samples. The present embodiment of this invention includes improved manually-operated clamping jaws that are flexibly biased away from the blood tubing. Clamping jaws of differing lengths are disclosed which, when engaged, overlap and cause an area of tubing to be collapsed into a distinctive, S-shaped configuration which crimps and more effectively seals the tubing against blood flow.

Abstract: A sealed, sterile connection may be provided between a pair or more of containers having transparent, flexible, thermoplastic sealed walls, each of which contains an opaque, relatively rigid, hollow sealing member in the general shape of a truncated cone, open at both ends. The containers are brought together into facing contact, and the hollow sealing members are nested together with portions of the transparent walls of the containers positioned therebetween. The nested, sealing member cones are irradiated with infrared or the like through the transparent container walls to heat the nested sealing members. As a result of this, heat is conducted to the portions of the transparent walls between the nested sealing members, to seal the portions of the transparent walls together in an annular area between the sealing means. A portion of the transparent walls retained in the nested sealing members may then be torn away to make a sterile connection between the two containers.

Abstract: Packages or containers are formed for body fluids or other solutions within which autoclaved liquids such as anticoagulants are included. The invention, which is particularly suitable for donor blood bags, includes the use of a sterile connector to incorporate autoclaved liquids into sterilized packages that can, if desired, be made of materials that cannot be successfully autoclaved at high temperatures without deformation or discoloration thereof.

Abstract: Valve means in a flexible tube, for example, tubing for connecting blood bags, are provided, which comprises a tubular portion having a closed end, and an elongated, generally rigid member, carried on the exterior of the closed end and positioned within the flexible tube. Frangible means are provided to permit the opening of the closed end by manual manipulation of the elongated member from outside of the flexible tube. The elongated, rigid member is adapted to fit in sealing relationship within the tubular portion after opening of the closed end, to permit resealing of the valve. The elongated, generally rigid member carries longitudinal vanes to provide flow channels along its length.