Other

The State University of New York

Graphic Controls Corporation

Goran E Enhorning

David M DiSabito

George R Allen

A pipette assembly ( ) having a suction device ( or ) and a small volume disposable tip ( ) having a capacity with a range of 0.1 &mgr;l to 2.0 &mgr;l, the disposable tip being removably secured to the suction device. The suction device is provided with a female tip receiver ( or ) which receives a disposable male tip ( ). The tip is in the form of a short piece of extruded tubing. The tubing has a very small i.d., for example 0.3 mm. It is preferably formed of Teflon&reg;, or another hydrophobic material.

Pipette assembly having a small volume disposable tip

The pessary,, which will alleviate the common female problems of stress incontinence and prolapse, includes an annular hollow body,and an air tube,. The hollow body is ring shaped and is made deflatable. While the body,is being inserted into the vagina it is evacuated which diminishes its size and thereby reduces the discomfort associated with insertion. Once in place in the vagina, air is given free access to the hollow device,whereby elasticity of the device causes it to expand to its normal shape. When the device,is to be removed from the vagina the tube,, which is preferable coiled and stowed at the center of the ring shaped device,, is extracted and connected to the hollow needle of a syringe. When the syringe sucks out air, the hollow body,diminished in size, which reduces the discomfort associated with its removal.

Deflatable vaginal pessary

Apparatus for performing broncho-alveolar lavage and method of using the apparatus using relatively low known pressures which may avoid damage, such as overexpansion and rupture of airways and alveoli, when too high a pressure is used. The apparatus includes a closed barrel device for receiving a predetermined quantity of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, apparatus for applying a predetermined pneumatic pressure upon the upper surface of the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid, and a catheter, the distal end of which may be properly positioned in the portion of a patient's lung to be lavaged. The pressure applying apparatus includes a closed compartment forming an air chamber, and a fluid containing first bladder mounted within the air chamber, the air chamber being in communication with the closed air space in the barrel device above the lavage fluid. The hydraulic pressure applying device is a second bladder in an open container in fluid connection with the first bladder. In use, it is now only necessary to raise the open container a certain height above the closed container to cause fluid to flow from the second bladder to the first bladder pressurizing the air chamber. As this chamber is connected with the chamber in the syringe, the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid will be pressurized to this extent and be forced through the catheter into the lung. When the lavage fluid is aspirated into the syringe, the open container is lowered below the level of the closed container.

Apparatus for performing broncho-alveolar lavage and method of using

This invention provides a system for management of data collected over the course of a pregnancy which allows the physician to make better use of patient data in the ascertainment and treatment of potentially pathological conditions and which facilitates transfer of patient data to computer memory. The system includes a chart upon which a data point are indicated by placement of a mark relative to a vertical measurement axis and a horizontal gestational week time axis. Data expressed on the chart provide a retrospective graphical representation of developmental progress through the date of the most recent entry. Data from the chart may be transferred into computer memory with a laser scanner. A marking implement to facilitate scanning is also included.

Pregnancy data recording system

A non-invasive, disposable, self-adjusting tocodynamometer (10) for monitoring uterine contractions of a patient during pregnancy, labor, and delivery The tocodynamometer includes a pressure-sensitive, fluid. filled bellows (20) responsive to changes in the hardness of the uterus during contractions The bellows has one face which projects into the patient's soft tissue in the abdomen and adjacent the uterus, rending the tocodynamometer sensitive even for obese patients. A plate (22) supports the bellows and provides structure for attaching the tocodynamometer to the patient. A wall (30) formed on the plate receives the bellows as it is compressed during use. A conduit (14) connects the bellows to a pressure transducer (12) which, in turn, is connected to a monitor (16). The bellows, conduit, and pressure transducer form a closed system containing the working fluid.

Disposable tocodynamometer with self-adjusting bellows

A vaginal pessary (10 or 34) used to control urinary incontinence or a prolapse, which pessary has a hollow annular body (12 or 36) and an elongated fluid conveying flexible elongated tube (16) which may be stored between the upper and lower surfaces of the annular body when the pessary has been properly inserted into the vagina. The annular body is provided with a diaphragm (20) attached to the inner surface (12.2 or 36.2) of the body, the diaphragm having a central aperture (22). The tube (16) has a coiled shape by making the tube from an elastic material having a memory, by having the tube carry a spring wire (18) forming into a coiled shape, or both. In the illustrated embodiments, a one way valve (24) is provided in an end portion (16.2) of the tube. The valve may be opened by inserting a hypodermic needle carried by a syringe to either cause the body (16) to assume its normal operational volume or to have its volume reduced for insertion or removal. After the annular body has been inserted and it is has attained its normal operational volume, the tube is released and it returns to its coiled shape, retracting into the vagina. Digital manipulation may encourage the coiled tube to fully retract. When the pessary is to be removed, a finger, directed through loops of the coil, will pull out the tube with its valve which reaches well outside the vagina for easy attachment to a hypodermic needle. Fluid may now be withdrawn from the annular body, thereby permitting easy removal.

Vaginal pessary

A female incontinence device inserted into the vagina for supporting the vaginal tissue on each side of the upper urethra so that the tissue therebetween will be stretched like a hammock and will offer counter pressure to sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing and physical exercise thereby preserving continence. The device includes an annular inflatable body section having an aperture extending therethrough, means for inflating and deflating the body section and two projections attached to the body section for supporting the tissue of the vaginal wall lateral and adjacent to each side of the urethra therebetween. The inflating and deflating means includes a tubing extending from the body section, and a valve housed within the tubing for regulating the flow of air into and out of the body section.

Female incontinence device

A method and apparatus for determining if a surfactant will keep a narrow passageway open. The apparatus includes a glass tube having first and second end portions and an intermediate necked-down portion including a relatively narrow center and tapered first and second sections to either side of the relatively narrow center. In accordance with the method, a small quantity of fluid, for example one microliter, is placed within the necked-down portion to form a column of fluid. A pressure transducer is associated with a closed portion of the tube to one side of the column. The column of fluid is then slowly forced through the necked-down portion and the pressure is recorded. By continuing the process even after the column of fluid has passed the necked-down portion, it is possible to determine whether or not the fluid will adhere to the surface of the glass tube or re-form into a column of liquid. If the later happens, it is also possible to determine the surface tension of the fluid.

Method and apparatus for determining surface tension or if a surfactant

A device for accurately displacing a fluid within a chamber. The device includes a barrier wall (38) which separates the fluid (12) to be displaced from another fluid, a rod (32) and a concentric elastomeric tube (34) disposed about the rod and passing through an aperture in the barrier wall, securing structure (58) which secures the ends of the elastomeric tube (34) about the rod (32), a resilient annular element (44) carried by a cavity (48) formed within the barrier wall, and structure to compress the resilient element so that it is forced radially inwardly to seal the resilient tube about the rod. The space between the rod (32) and the tube (34) to either side of the resilient element (44) is filled with a lubricant.

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo, NY, United States of America

Goran E Enhorning