Abstract:
A syringe instrument for particular use in medical balloon inflation procedures comprises a fluid chamber and a plunger arranged to displace fluid from the chamber for delivery to inflate the balloon, and incorporates control structure arranged to provide a series of releasible space limits for respective displacements of the plunger within the chamber. The control structure allows the fluid in the chamber to be pressurized at selective predetermined pressure levels governed by the releasable limits for the plunger displacements. A reverse drive structure is provided for reverse-displacement of the plunger from the fluid chamber to enable self-aspiration of fluid into the chamber from the balloon in order to simplify balloon deflation and removal from the patient. The reverse drive structure is manually activated with the same hand which depresses the plunger, for single handed operation of both the forward and reverse plunger motions. A second fluid displacement structure separate from the plunger, is reversibly displaceable into and from the chamber in order to enable charging aspiration of the pressure fluid into the chamber. A pressure balance mechanism is provided cooperating to allow the plunger to self-adjust in order to maintain the proper predetermined balloon pressure as the dilating duct induces increase in the balloon volume.
Abstract:
An actuating mechanism for sequentially advancing and retracting a lancet needle includes a carriage for carrying the advancement and retraction of the needle, and a cam-following structure for transmitting propulsion to the carriage during the advancement. The actuating mechanism is also provided with a drive cam structure which engages the cam-following structure to direct the advancement propulsion. The cam-following structure can have a separate surface engagable with the drive cam structure during the retraction of the carriage and during arming of the actuator for the advancement propulsion.
Abstract:
A contact lens cleaning system comprises a container for receiving a quantity of cleansing fluid and a contact lens therein and a vibrator including a vibration generator and a vibration transmitting assembly for transmitting vibration from the vibration generator to a predetermined portion of the container. The container includes fluid agitator components including a resilient diaphragm comprising the just-mentioned predetermined portion, which resilient diaphragm is locatable for contact with the vibration transmitting assembly so as to transmit vibration therefrom to an agitator member immersed within the cleansing fluid.
Abstract:
A humidifier apparatus for admixture of heated water vapor into a gaseous stream include heating means for generating heated vapor from the water and a housing with a transfer chamber formed therein secured to the heating means which is exposed within the chamber. The housing includes intake and effluent conduit for flow passage of the gaseous stream through the chamber and a water intake conduit extending through the housing and chambers so that the conduit directs discharge of the intake water against the heating means to generate the heated vapor.
Abstract:
A valve assembly and overall system provides selective fluid flow switching and communication between a plurality of flow conduits. The valve assembly includes two valve members which have respectively engaged surfaces which are relatively rotatable to provide the valving action. A first valve member has a plurality of through apertures for respective communication with the flow conduits and a second valve member includes flow passage means for selectively interconnecting at least two of the apertures through the first valve member in order to enable fluid flow therebetween. Drive means is provided for driving continuous relative rotation of the valve members in order to enable rotationally cycled interconnection and fluid flow through the interconnected apertures. The valve assembly can be employed, for example, to provide switching of air intake between dual air separation vessels which provide concentrated oxygen, so that air can be processed in one of the vessels while the other processing vessel is regenerated to purge the waste gases for further oxygen separtaion, and modulated flow switching is performed in a continuous, cycled manner with simple and reliable cycle frequency.
Abstract:
An inspection device for visually ascertaining the desired alignment of a contact lens in a tinting fixture comprises a base and a platform having a flat surface and mounted to the base for rotation relative thereto. The device also includes an arrangement for mounting the fixture for rotation in unison with the platform and for aligning the fixture relative to the platform flat surface in such a way as to maintain the contact lens in an alignment wherein substantially the entire peripheral edge thereof is located in a plane substantially parallel to the platform flat surface, if the contact lens is in the proper desired alignment in the tinting fixture, and such that the tinting fixture is centered relative to the center of rotation of the platform. A viewing arrangement is provided for visually observing the position of the contact lens peripheral edge during rotation of the platform relative to the base to thereby ascertain whether the contact lens is in the desired alignment relative to the tinting fixture. A method for visually ascertaining the desired alignment of a contact lens in a tinting fixture defining an axis, comprises the steps of aligning the fixture such that the contact lens, if in the desired alignment in the fixture, is substantially centered with respect to the fixture and a peripheral edge thereof defines a plane substantially parallel to a given, substantially flat end surface of the fixture. The method proceed by rotating the fixture about its axis, and visually observing the relative position of the peripheral edge during rotation to thereby ascertain whether the contact lens is in the desired alignment relative to the tinting fixture.
Abstract:
A disposable tint pack assembly is provided for use in a contact lens tinting apparatus. This disposable assembly includes a plurality of disposable packages, each for containing a supply of a given fluid material for use in a contact lens tinting process carried out by the apparatus. A fluid dispensing apparatus is coupled with each of these packages and is selectively operable for dispensing the fluid contained therein, preferably in premeasured, incremental quantities. A tray-like carrier member is provided for supporting and locating all of the packages in predetermined relative positions for use in a given order in the lens tinting process carried out by the tinting apparatus. A retaining structure is provided for releasably holding each of the packages in the desired position in the carrier tray. The invention also extends to individual portions or sub-assemblies of the foregoing tint pack assembly.
Abstract:
A novel stent compression instrument is used for holding a stent therein during shipping to a hospital and for thereafter crimping the stent onto a balloon catheter. The stent compression instrument includes a body having a central bore; a flexible diaphragm having an axial lumen and mounted within the body central bore, thereby defining a chamber between the body and the diaphragm, and first and second sealing structures for providing seals at opposite ends of the chamber. The diaphragm is formed from a generally tubular, thin wall into which the stent is placed therein and is expandable under a negative pressure condition to expand within the body and compressible under pressure to crimp the stent onto a balloon catheter. Holding structure, which is formed from at least one thickened wall portion along the length of the diaphragm wall, is associated with the diaphragm for holding the stent therewithin and to prevent movement of the stent once positioned therewithin when the diaphragm is subjected to a negative pressure condition. In the preferred embodiment, positioning structure is provided which is formed from a thickened wall portion along the length of the diaphragm wall which is spaced from the holding structure, is also associated with the diaphragm for positioning the stent within the lumen and preventing the further axial movement of the stent relative to the lumen when the stent is placed therein.
Abstract:
The present invention provides an improved pressurization device for use with angioplasty balloon catheters, or the like. The device has a novel quick release mechanism which enables rapid advancement of a threaded screw plunger to attain initial pressurization, and then the subsequent engagement of said mechanism with the threaded surface of the plunger to achieve precise control during final pressurization of the balloon catheter. In addition, there is provided an improved and novel pressure indicating means for providing the physician with an analog readout of the pressure being applied to the balloon catheter.
Abstract:
A liquid dispensing nozzle assembly for mounting on a squeezable liquid container and dispenser to maintain liquid in sterile condition during storage and repeated dispensing from the container, includes a conduit having a liquid discharge port leading to the ambience for discharge of the liquid therethrough to dispense liquid from the container. The liquid discharge port is formed in a discharge structure which eliminates microbial contamination of the discharge port during dispensing and storage of the liquid. Embodiments of the liquid dispensing nozzle have a liquid discharge structure including a composition comprising an antimicrobial component, in order to maintain microbially sterile condition of any liquid retained against the discharge structure following liquid dispensing therefrom. Additional embodiments of the nozzle structure of the invention include a tubular passage from which the liquid is discharged in which the tubular passage has a collapsible end portion defining a normally closed liquid dishcarge port. Tensioning members maintain tension on the end portion to retain the normally collapsed configuration thereof, while allowing the discharge port to be resiliently opened by exertion of hydraulic pressure, overcoming the imposed tension, from the liquid flow discharged therethrough.