Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: Retrofit connectors that secure together the outside sheathing and underlying structural members of wood-frame or masonry houses, preventing damage when subjected to lateral stresses from a hurricane, or transverse loads from an earthquake. The connectors have special bushings and bearing surfaces that tie the outside sheathing and underlying structural members together, but allow deflection, and transfer of energy to other structural members. Different embodiments of the connectors allow them to adapt to most wood-frame and masonry homes, and to most roof pitches.

Abstract: A one-piece metal connector that securely ties together the structural members of the roof and wall on a wood frame house. The connector has a vertical web on the top that is attached to a rafter and a vertical web on the bottom that is connected to a wall stud. The connector correctly places each structural member for maximum structural integrity, forming a direct load path. The middle part of the connector has a vertical plate and horizontal tabs that form a box-section around the top plate. Horizontal and vertical tabs form open boxes that hold sheathing tight to the wall. Gussets brace the rafter and stud against racking. The connector has a large surface area for maximum strength, and precise nail holes to avoid splitting the structural member. The connector grasps the structural members to avoid detachment of any structural members during hurricanes and seismic events. The connector's webs and bends help to avoid twisting, lateral forces, thrusting, and uplift.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retrograde cardioplegia catheter for the delivery of a cardioplegia solution to a patient's heart during open heart surgery. The catheter includes a flexible, elongated cannula having a proximal and a distal end. The cannula includes at least two lumens, the primary lumen being utilized to deliver cardioplegia solution. Typical of retrograde catheters, a sealing member is positioned and secured about the distal end of the cannula. In contrast to conventional catheters, however, the sealing member is comprised of (i) a thin-walled membrane that defines an interior chamber and (ii) a compressible, resilient form positioned within such chamber to fully support the membrane. The resilient form is in an expanded state when relaxed.

Abstract: A basket for a cask for transporting, storing, and containing pressurized water nuclear fuel assemblies, including an internal assembly of sleeves has a plurality of sleeves arranged in a uniform pattern and secured within a cylindrical shell. Each of the plurality of independent sleeves being sized to secure and contain a fuel assembly. The internal assembly of sleeves includes a set of single sleeves centrally positioned in the basket, a set of corner sleeves including a single sleeve in each corner of the basket, and a set of double sleeves. An internal support structure is positioned within the basket and includes a cross-shaped central support element and four angle shaped corner supports. Neutron poison material for absorbing neutrons is secured to an inner wall of each of the plurality of sleeves for maintaining fission reactions within the basket below a critical level necessary to sustain a fission reaction.

Abstract: A system and method for blood mixture fluid delivery to a patient includes fluid delivery conduits connected to the patient for delivering blood mixture fluid, a pump for controlled pumping of blood mixture fluid through the conduits to the patient, and an automatic control mechanism operatively connected to the pump for controlling the pump so that the blood mixture fluid is continuously delivered to the patient at a defined constant pressure.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for a cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. A first pump combines the blood from the conduit with a second fluid and delivers the combined flow into the delivery line leading to the heat exchanger. A control panel is operatively connected for adjusting the ratio of blood and second fluid delivered by the first pump and for adjusting the total volumetric rate of flow from the first pump.

Abstract: A display panel for use with a blood mixture fluid delivery system, which system has mechanisms for infusing blood mixture fluid to a patient and for controlling characteristics of the fluid delivery system. The display panel includes a visible schematic representation of a blood mixture fluid flow path through the fluid delivery system and visible displays of two or more of the controllable characteristics of the fluid delivery system, which visible displays are positioned along the schematic representation of the blood mixture fluid flow path.

Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. A first pump combines the blood from the conduit with a second fluid and delivers the combined flow into the delivery line leading to the heat exchanger. A control panel is operatively connected for adjusting the ratio of blood and second fluid delivered by the first pump and for adjusting the total volumetric rate of flow from the first pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for rate controlled gravity drip delivery of a liquid from a replaceable storage container to a delivery site includes a first mount for removably suspending the container at a first elevation higher than the site. A second mount is located above the site, but at a second elevation below the first elevation by a predetermined amount. The second mount carries an intersurface comprising a venting tubing connector having an outlet into a delivery conduit extending to the site. A metering tube of predetermined flow resistance substantially higher than that of the delivery conduit extends from the container at one end and is releasably secured to the connector at its other end to define a two part flow path from the container to the site through the metering tube and delivery conduit.

Abstract: A spent nuclear fuel shipping basket has a plurality of tubes of corrosion resistant material, each tube being adapted to contain a spent nuclear fuel rod assembly. The tubes are arranged in a geometric pattern within a circular cask, and are totally independent of each other, with neutron poisoning material between adjacent tubes. Filler blocks of heat absorbing material which may also contain neutron poisoning material are inserted into the empty spaces between the tubes and the wall of the cask, and are independent of both tubes and wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to the parenteral infusion of fluids into patients, and particularly to the addition of drugs or other secondary fluids in infusion systems operating on an automatic basis.

Abstract: A parenteral fluid administration system in which a measured medication dose is drawn into a syringe and the syringe is placed into a hangable bag so that its outlet can protrude from an aperture in the bag. A novel connector secures the delivery tubing in communication with the syringe outlet, and provides an air vent extending into the syringe barrel a sufficient distance to prevent venter air bubbles from being drawn out of the syringe outlet.

Abstract: A flow status monitoring method is disclosed for a gravity flow metering system employing a metering chamber separated by a movable diaphragm into two compartments, each with a valved inlet and valved outlet. The system alternately opens pairs of valves on opposite sides of the diaphragm at preselected time intervals to deliver a fixed increment of fluid. Each preselected interval is divided into a series of discrete sub-intervals, and flow monitoring information is generated by displaying a a discrete indicator representative of the sub-interval in which movement of the diaphragm across the chamber is completed.

Abstract: An intravenous administration set assembly (10) is disclosed which is capable of introducing fluid from a plurality of sources of intravenous fluids into a patient and which allows the various sources of fluid to be easily attached and detected from the assembly without the necessity for intravening safety steps, such as purging the system, and yet without any possibility of air or bacteria being introduced through the system into the patient. An air-eliminating filter (32) is attached to a manifold formed of fittings (26) which are connected through inlet adapters (28) to the sources of intravenous fluid. The air-eliminating filter (32) ensures that air or bacteria introduced into the assembly (10) through attaching or detaching sources to the assembly does not pass to the patient and also ensures that a head pressure is maintained relative to the venous pressure of the patient to prevent a back flow of blood from the patient into the assembly.

Abstract: A cardioplegia system for delivering cardioplegic solution to the heart during open heart surgery in cooperation with an extracorporeal blood circuit employing a heart/lung machine, includes a conduit diverting a portion of the blood flow from the heart/lung machine to a cardioplegia delivery line. A heat exchanger for controlling fluid temperature is provided in the cardioplegia delivery line. A flat pump combines the blood from the conduit with a second fluid and delivery the combined flow into the delivery line leading to the heat exchanger. A control panel is operatively connected for adjusting the ratio of blood and second fluid delivered by the first pump and for adjusting the total volumetric rate of flow from the first pump.