Abstract: A relatively flexible, dual-lumen enteral feeding tube for delivery of fluid through a patient's esophagus to the patient's digestive system, the enteral feeding tube having proximal and distal ends. The tube comprises an enteral feeding lumen having a feeding lumen inlet opening adjacent the proximal end of the tube and a feeding lumen outlet opening adjacent the distal end of the tube. Additionally, a relatively small stylet lumen is provided separate from said enteral feeding lumen, the stylet lumen having a stylet lumen inlet opening adjacent the proximal end of the tube and being longitudinally co-extensive with a substantial length of the enteral feeding lumen. A relatively stiff stylet having a tapered annealed distal portion is removably positioned in the stylet lumen and extends from the stylet inlet lumen opening to adjacent to the feeding lumen outlet opening.

Abstract: A serum or plasma collection device including a gel material for partitioning and separating heavier and lighter phases of a fluid sample such as a blood sample. The device preferably includes an affinity member such as a disc-shaped or ring-shaped member or a coating on the collection tube which has an affinity for the separated oil or degradation material from the gel material to prevent the separated material from interfering with the sampling of the separated fluid sample. The affinity member is preferably formed of hydrophobic and/or non-wetted material and has a specific gravity different than the specific gravity of the lighter phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device for use with a fluid delivery system which includes a fluid delivery set and an infusion pump. The support device allows simple attachment of various types of fluid delivery sets and infusion pumps thereto and is adapted for use with bed ridden patients in a traditional manner, or for ambulatory patient use. The support device includes a compartment for securely holding an infusion pump and a separate compartment for securely holding a fluid container of the fluid delivery set. The device further includes an elongate channel into which the tubing of the fluid delivery set can be inserted and subsequently protected from kinking or inadvertent occlusion, and is adapted for use with rigid bottle, flexible bag, burette, spike sets, or other standard types of fluid delivery sets. The device may be used on an infusion pole in a standard manner, placed on a horizontal surface such as a table, or enclosed in a carrying case for ambulatory use.

Abstract: A device having a rechargeable power source with an associated battery charger base having a quick charge current output and a trickle charge current output. A control circuit within the device is also provided that monitors if and for how long the device is attached to the base and determines the present capacity of the power source. Based on these signals, the control circuit selects an appropriate charge current output. The control circuit also includes timer circuits and circuits to measure the battery voltage during charging to allow for maximum but safe quick charging to protect the power source from long-term damage.

Abstract: A protective needle shield for use on a syringe type device wherein the shield is movable between a retracted position such that the needle is exposed and an extended or locked and extended position wherein the needle is protected and the shield is prevented from returning to the retracted position. A collar is operatively attached to the distal end of syringe device to selectively engage a key on the shield as the shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the syringe device to lock the shield in a locked and extended position. A locking mechanism is disclosed which preferably includes a series of ramps and slots adapted to engage portions of the keys on the shield to retain the shield in the locked and extended position.

Abstract: A medical fluid delivery set is provided with a magnetic field source in the region of its mounting to a fluid flow control apparatus. The flow control apparatus includes a magnetic field sensitive switching component which detects the proper placement of the delivery set on the flow control apparatus and prevents operation of the fluid delivery system unless a set is in proper position.

Abstract: A device and method of closing an incision or puncture in a patient by inserting a vessel plug into the incision or puncture until the distal end of the vessel plug is adjacent to the outer lumen of the blood vessel or target organ so that the vessel plug does not obstruct the flow of fluid through the blood vessel or target organ. The precise positioning of the vessel plug in the incision or puncture is accomplished through the use of a balloon catheter or a cylindrical insertion assembly having a proximal plunger member associated therewith.

Abstract: A pump assembly used in conjunction with a fluid delivery set is disclosed which includes a tube slot into which the outlet tube of the fluid delivery set is intended to be mounted. The invention includes a retention member which is pivotally attached to the pump adjacent the point at which the outlet tube exits the tube slot of the pump assembly. The retention member includes a pivoting flat elongate arm which is secured to the pump by a pin and designed to rotate from a first position wherein the tube can be placed into the tube slot, and a second position wherein the tube is secured in the tube slot by the arm. The arm also has formed thereon a tab member which includes a tapered guide edge for ensuring that the tubing is forced into a secured position within the tube slot when the arm is pivoted thereover.

Abstract: A medical device particularly adapted for use with a blood collection tube including a nonlinear needle having first and second needle points wherein the first needle point is selectively protected by a movable protective shield and the second needle point is designed to pierce the stopper of an evacuated blood collection tube. The needle guard is movable axially along a portion of the nonlinear needle between a needle tip exposing retracted position and a needle covering locked extended position.

Abstract: A biopsy device is disclosed having a tubular cannula through which a stylet having a stylet cavity near the distal end is placed. The stylet is attached to a stylet actuator and the cannula is attached to a cannula actuator. Both actuators are constrained by a housing to relative proximal and distal movement. In use, the stylet and stylet cavity are positioned in the cannula. The cannula and stylet are then inserted into the patient's tissue. When a sample is to be taken, the stylet is moved farther into the patient's tissue thereby exposing the stylet cavity. The patient's tissue then falls into the stylet cavity. Thereafter, the cannula actuator moves the cannula forward over the stylet cavity thereby cutting the tissue so that a sample of the tissue remains in the stylet cavity which becomes encased by the cannula as the cannula is moved forward.

Abstract: A rotary type of peristaltic pump having the rotor member mounted on one side thereof and including a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a pair of closed positions which automatically align and stretch a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to allow for the convenient loading of the fluid delivery set on the peristaltic pump and to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump. A latch member on the swing arm provides a secondary position wherein the flow of fluid through the fluid delivery set is prevented.

Abstract: A check valve assembly for use in medical devices having a single valve disc therein to allow a medical fluid to be drawn from a bulk container through the inlet opening and secondary opening of the valve assembly and into a syringe and then subsequently dispensing the fluid from the syringe through the secondary opening and outlet opening of the valve assembly and into a second container or to the patient. Alternately, the valve assembly may be used with a squeeze bulb of an aspiration device such that as the bulb is squeezed, the air in the bulb passes from the secondary opening to the outlet opening of the valve assembly and then, as the bulb is released, the negative pressure from the bulb is transmitted through the secondary opening and inlet opening of the valve assembly to the aspiration device to draw fluids from the patient and into the aspiration device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device for use with a fluid delivery system which includes a fluid delivery set and an infusion pump. The support device allows simple attachment of various types of fluid delivery sets and infusion pumps thereto and is adapted for use with bed ridden patients in a traditional manner, or for ambulatory patient use. The support device includes a compartment for securely holding an infusion pump and a separate compartment for securely holding a fluid container of the fluid delivery set. The device further includes an elongate channel into which the tubing of the fluid delivery set can be inserted and subsequently protected from kinking or inadvertent occlusion. The support device is adapted for use with rigid bottle, flexible bag, burette, spike sets, or other standard types of fluid delivery sets, and may be used on an infusion pole in a standard manner, located on a horizontal surface such as a table, or enclosed in a carrying case for ambulatory use.

Abstract: An improved pulmonary function tester provides for dynamic calibration during patient testing of various modes such as Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Resting Ventilation (RV), Negative Inspiratory Force (NIF) and Maximum Voluntary Ventilation (MVV). The improved tester senses the ambient atmospheric pressure prior to and after sensing the pressure created by a patient's pulmonary function. The pressure created by a patient's pulmonary function is calibrated in view of the difference between the ambient atmospheric pressure sensed prior to and after sensing the pressure created by a patient's pulmonary function.

Abstract: A safety syringe having a protective barrel which is movable between a retracted position wherein the needle is exposed and a locked extended position wherein the needle is protected. A collar is attached to the distal end of the sleeve to selectively engage a key on the shield in the retracted and extended positions. The locking mechanism preferably includes a series of ramps and slots which engage portions of the shield to retain the shield in the retracted and extended positions. The shield slides longitudinally between the retracted and extended positions and may be rotated about the barrel of the syringe to irreversibly lock the shield in the extended position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support device and carrying case for use with a fluid delivery system which includes a fluid delivery set and an infusion pump. The support device allows simple attachment of various types of fluid delivery sets and infusion pumps thereto and is adapted for use with bed ridden patients in a traditional manner, or for ambulatory patient use. The support device includes a compartment for securely holding an infusion pump and a separate compartment for securely holding a fluid container of the fluid delivery set. The device further includes an elongate channel into which the tubing of the fluid delivery set can be inserted and subsequently protected from kinking or inadvertent occlusion.

Abstract: A hemostasis valve membrane for use with a catheter introducer having a cover and a frame is disclosed. The valve membrane is inserted between the cover and the frame of the catheter introducer body. The valve membrane is a disc made of a soft elastic material. The disc has opposed faces, at least one of which has a concave shape extending into the disc. A plurality of slits extend into the disc from the faces so that slits extending into the disc from one face do not touch slits extending into the disc from the opposed face. A needle hole connects the slits extending into the disc from one face with the slits extending into the disc from the opposed face.

Abstract: A medical device particularly adapted for use with a syringe including a nonlinear needle or a nonlinear protective shield wherein the protective shield is movable between a needle exposing retracted position and a needle protecting extended and locked position.

Abstract: A safety device including a protective needle shield which is movable between a retracted position wherein a needle is exposed and an extended position wherein the needle is protected. The needle shield including an inwardly directed and longitudinally oriented key member thereon and an elongate barrel member includes a collar member operatively associated therewith such that the key member is movably received in a keyway on the collar member as the needle shield is moved between the retracted and extended positions. The collar member also includes a locking slot thereon to receive a portion of the key member as the needle shield is rotated about the barrel member in the extended position of the needle shield.

Abstract: A charger unit assembly is disclosed which is particularly adapted to receive a peristaltic pump thereon for charging the batteries of the peristaltic pump and to provide power to the peristaltic pump. A clamp member is mounted on the rear surface of the charger unit to mount the peristaltic pump and charger unit on a support pole. The peristaltic pump includes a rotor member mounted on one side thereof and a swing arm rotatably mounted along the side of the peristaltic pump such that the swing arm is movable between a fluid delivery set loading open position and a closed position which automatically aligns and stretches a portion of the fluid delivery set around the rotor member to ensure that the fluid delivery set is properly aligned about the rotor member of the peristaltic pump.