Abstract:
The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes a conventional blood transfer bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with an air-blood separator to form a collection system. This system is particularly adaptable for use in the surgical setting in that it can operate at high vacuum while minimizing hemolysis. This is accomplished by early separation of air from the blood as the blood is collected.The air-blood separator and the interior of the blood bag are placed in communication with a vacuum source. As a result, there is a pressure equalizing feature inherent within the device. This allows the blood to continue to flow through the device into the blood bag without extending or opening the blood bag. As a result, there is minimal air-blood interface as the blood enters the blood bag.
Abstract:
The present invention is directed to improved methods and apparatus for the collection of blood, which are particularly useful for autotransfusion purposes. The apparatus includes an upper reservoir wherein the collected blood enters the device. A lower container is placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. Disposed within the interior of the container is a conventional blood bag which is in turn placed in fluid communication with the upper reservoir. The upper reservoir has two external connections. The first connection is for receiving blood from the patient. The second external connection places the upper reservoir in communication with a source of vacuum. In one embodiment of the present invention a filtering structure is disposed within the upper reservoir and is connected directly to the inlet connection from the patient. The filtering mechanism provides for early debubbling of the blood flowing into the device and also filters out any emboli or cell masses which may have developed in the collection process. In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus described above is combined with an air-blood separator to form a collection system. This system is particularly adaptable for use in the surgical setting in that it can operate at high vacuum while minimizing hemolysis. This is accomplished by early separation of air from the blood as the blood is collected.The lower container and the interior of the blood bag are placed in communication with the vacuum source of the reservoir. As a result, there is a pressure equalizing feature inherent within the device. This allows the blood to continue to flow through the device into the blood bag without extending or opening the blood bag. As a result, there is minimal air-blood interface as the blood enters the blood bag.
Abstract:
A noninvasive system and method for monitoring arterial oxygen saturation levels which may also be used to continuously and noninvasively monitor blood pressure, including generating a continuous blood pressure waveform. The apparatus of the described embodiment includes a red LED and an infrared LED which are positioned to direct their respective light beams into, or reflected by a patient's body part. A phototransducer device is positioned to receive the light beams which are transmitted through the body part. A pressure cuff surrounds the body part and the LEDs. During calibration periods, pressure is applied to the body part and the systolic and mean blood pressures are determined and the arterial oxygen saturation level in the body part is determined. The pressure is then released from the body part and another arterial oxygen saturation level is determined and the difference between the two oxygen saturation levels is used as a calibration factor during later monitoring periods to remove the effect of nonarterial oxygen saturation levels on the values obtained during the subsequent monitoring period. The systolic and mean arterial pressures measured during a calibration period are used to develop a Hardy model compliance curve wherein the pressure-volume relationship of the arteries is determined. The modulation of the red LED light beam which strikes the photodetector, which corresponds to changes in arterial volume, can be used according to the Hardy model to continuously calculate a blood pressure waveform for the patient.
Abstract:
An assembly mechanism is provided for removably securing a bearing assembly carried by a male connection member to a female connection member of an articulated coupling system. Such assembly mechanism includes at least one vertically disposed lug member secured to an outer surface of a vertically disposed side wall of a cavity formed in one end of such female connection member adjacent an opening formed in such side wall portion. There is at least one horizontally disposed lug member secured to such outer surface adjacent another portion of such opening in such side wall portion. A locking member is engageable with each of such vertical lug member and such horizontal lug member and a portion of a shaft-like member extending outwardly from such bearing assembly. The locking member removably secures such shaft-like member against rotation in such opening. A locking device is engageable with such locking member and such vertical lug member and such horizontal lug member which locks such locking member in a secure manner to such verticl lug member and such horizontal lug member.
Abstract:
A friction shock-absorbing draft gear having an elongated body member secured to a base member which forms a housing of such draft gear. An elongated compressible device disposed within an internal cavity of the body member adjacent the base member. A collar member secured to the body member adjacent an open end thereof. At least one friction shoe, having at least one tapered friction surface, frictionally engaging a correspondingly tapered inner friction surface of the collar member. A wedge member, having a tapered surface, engages a correspondingly tapered surface on the friction shoe and applies an outwardly-directed radial force on the friction shoe to maintain such friction shoe in frictional engagement with the collar member. At least one lug, extending inwardly of the collar member, engages the wedge member to lock the at least one friction shoe and the wedge member in place.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for verifying the calibration of a pressure transducer in a pressure monitoring system and for isolating defective electrical components of the monitoring system. The apparatus includes a manually operable pressure cylinder for generating a known test pressure, a pressure calibration circuit coupled to the known test pressure for displaying on the device a calibrated output indicating the level of the known pressure, and a bypass pressure transducer also coupled to the known test pressure for transforming it into an electrical output signal to replace the transducer in the monitoring system as the source of electronically derived readable output in the monitoring system. The substitute pressure transducer includes a temperature compensation circuit and a semiconductor pressure diaphragm with a piezoresistive strain gauge formed thereon. One side of the diaphragm is coupled to the known test pressure and the other side thereof is referenced to atmosphere. The method and device disclosed have particular application in the medical arts to verify the calibration of and test the pressure transducer and cooperating electronic equipment in a direct patient blood pressure monitoring system.
Abstract:
Method and system for sampling and determining chemical substances such as blood gases, in a fluid matrix, such as blood, by bringing the chemical substances into equilibrium with a liquid in a fiber probe, passing the equilibrated liquid to a sensor adjacent the equilibrium region and on into a hollow fiber line enclosed in a calibration chamber. Calibration of the sensors is accomplished by reversing the flow of liquid from the hollow fiber line to the sensors. In the system chemical substances for sensor calibration are provided by an electric proportioner whose output is continuously controlled by the output of the sensors such that the substances proportioned into a fluid in the calibration chamber surrounding the hollow fiber line are substantially the same as the substances within the matrix. The concentration of substances is determined by the output of the sensors and the amount of substances fed from the proportioner to the fluid surrounding the hollow fiber line. When the substances being measured are in equilibrium with both the matrix and fluid surrounding the hollow fiber line, a null response is obtained at the sensors.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and a device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an apparatus for securing a bearing assembly to an articulated coupling apparatus which connects one end of one railway car to an adjacent end of a second railway car in a semipermanent manner. Such coupling apparatus includes a male connection member, a female connection member, a bearing assembly, and such device for securing such bearing assembly to the coupling apparatus.
Abstract:
This invention teaches an improved high capacity frictional shock-absorbing assembly. The assembly comprises a housing with a first threaded member which is fitted therein for axial movement. A second threaded member is rotatably-fitted in the housing, but is restricted against axial movement. The first and second members are designed with compatible threaded surfaces for frictional engagement therebetween. A compression member is provided within the housing. The compression member is in engagement with the first threaded member to resist the axial movement of the first threaded member as it moves in a direction that will compress the such compression member.