Abstract: A nozzle, comprising a housing; and an assembly including at least two deformable conjugated parts separated by a spacer seal, the assembly being arranged in the housing so as to form a nozzle outlet, the housing and the parts and the spacer seal being deformable so as to define a geometry of the nozzle outlet and seal surfaces between the parts and the spacer seal and between the parts and the housing; wherein the parts and the spacer seal are configured so that a force needed for inserting the assembly into the housing exceeds an assembly force that deforms of at least one of the housing and the assembly, and wherein the parts and the housing are deformed by the assembly force when assembled together to create a seal between the parts and the housing; and wherein the housing is fabricated from material having a lower hardness than the parts and the spacer seal.

Abstract: A nozzle, comprising a housing; and an assembly including at least two deformable conjugated parts separated by a spacer seal, the assembly being arranged in the housing so as to form a nozzle outlet, the housing and the parts and the spacer seal being deformable so as to define a geometry of the nozzle outlet and seal surfaces between the parts and the spacer seal and between the parts and the housing; wherein the parts and the spacer seal are configured so that a force needed for inserting the assembly into the housing exceeds an assembly force that deforms of at least one of the housing and the assembly, and wherein the parts and the housing are deformed by the assembly force when assembled together to create a seal between the parts and the housing; and wherein the housing is fabricated from material having a lower hardness than the parts and the spacer seal.

Abstract: A nozzle having a housing and an assembly including at least two conjugated parts separated by a spacer seal. The assembly is arranged in the housing so as to form a nozzle outlet. At least one of he housing, the parts, and the spacer seal are deformable so as to define a geometry of the nozzle outlet and seal surfaces between the parts and the spacer seal and between the parts and the housing.

Abstract: A nozzle having a housing and an assembly including at least two conjugated parts separated by a spacer seal. The assembly is arranged in the housing so as to form a nozzle outlet. At least one of he housing, the parts, and the spacer seal are deformable so as to define a geometry of the nozzle outlet and seal surfaces between the parts and the spacer seal and between the parts and the housing.

Abstract: A liquid fan jet nozzle having a housing with a central passage having an inlet and an outlet. A subnozzle is arranged in the central passage and has two round orifices arranged along converging axes so that round liquid jets exiting the round orifices collide at a distance from the orifices and form a fan-shaped jet.

Abstract: A fluid jet orifice and method of making same. The fluid jet orifice comprises an orifice made of sapphire, the sapphire being annealed in a high temperature oxygen atmosphere. Preferably, the high temperature is in a range of approximately 1200.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C., the pressure of the oxygen atmosphere is atmospheric or above, and the annealing time is from approximately 4 to 40 hours.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving a fluid under pressure and providing a highly cohesive fluid jet stream. The apparatus has a housing for fastening to a supply tube supplying fluid under pressure to the housing. A passageway is provided in the housing through which the fluid flows, the passageway having an orifice therein for producing the fluid jet. The passageway in the housing further has a converging section disposed upstream of the orifice for reducing turbulence in the passageway upstream of the orifice, thereby providing a more cohesive fluid jet downstream of the orifice. The converging section is disposed in the housing, with the housing being a separate part from the supply tube attachable to the supply tube as a single screw-on assembly.

Abstract: Apparatus for receiving a fluid under pressure and providing a highly cohesive fluid jet stream. The apparatus has a housing receiving fluid from a supply tube supplying fluid under pressure to the housing. The housing has a passageway therein through which the fluid flows, the passageway having an orifice therein formed by an opening in an orifice element for producing the fluid jet. The orifice element has an upstream portion, the passageway further having a converging section disposed upstream of the orifice for reducing turbulence in the passageway upstream of the orifice. The converging section extends toward the orifice element, reducing turbulence upstream of the orifice and thus providing a more cohesive fluid jet downstream of the orifice.

Abstract: An orifice assembly for emitting a stream of fluid under high pressure has an orifice member having an aperture therein through which a high pressure fluid is emitted, a support member on which the orifice member is disposed, the support member providing support for the orifice member and being flexible in response to the application of high pressure fluid to the orifice member and having a passageway therein in communication with the aperture in the orifice member. Because of the flexing of the support member on which the orifice member is disposed, the orifice member is allowed to move in response to the application of the high pressure fluid, reducing damage to the orifice member due to shock from the high pressure fluid, particularly when cycling on and off. A housing has an opening for receiving the orifice member and support member therein, and a retainer holds the orifice member and support member in the housing.

Abstract: Improved detachment and sealing mechanism for a balloon catheter assembly utilized in diagnostic and therapeutic environments in connection with very small human vessels. The assembly is of the type including a resilient elongated catheter having means at one end for attachment to a source of pressurized fluid. A small inflatable tubular balloon is detachably connected at the other end of the cannula and is in fluid communication therewith. The detachment and sealing mechanism includes a self-sealing plug positioned in the balloon adjacent the end of the cannula. A circumferential band is on the outer surface of the inflatable balloon in concentric position with respect to the plug.

Abstract: A method for determining cardiac output by use of thermodilution principles and by utilizing a catheter assembly with a passageway therethrough. The catheter assembly is introduced at least into close proximity to the right heart. A small balloon tipped catheter is inserted through the passageway of the catheter assembly and is guided thereby with the balloon uninflated and with a thermistor attached thereto to the desired location. The balloon tipped end of the small catheter is passed out of the passageway through the catheter assembly into the bloodstream and the balloon is inflated so that it is flow directed away from the catheter assembly into the desired position in the heart and spaced a substantial distance from the catheter assembly. The small balloon tip catheter has a central lumen therethrough to effect the inflation and deflation of the balloon.

Abstract: A multi-component flow directed catheter system for use in the determination of physiological parameters in the vascular system. The system includes a catheter assembly and a central component in the form of a balloon tipped central catheter whose primary purpose is to, by means of its flow directed balloon tip, form or act as a passageway from outside of the body to the interior of the heart, in particular, the right heart including the right atrium, the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery. The catheter assembly includes two or more concentric tubes with the inner tube extending distally beyond the outer tube. An inflatable balloon is attached distally to the outer surface of the inside tube to seal the distal portion of the balloon and is proximally attached to the outer surface of the outer tube to seal the proximal portion of the balloon. Inflatation and deflation of the balloon is effected by injecting fluid into the annular space between the two tubes.