Abstract: An administration set including a burette with an air valve communicating with the burette chamber. The air valve comprises a stationary port extending from a top portion of the burette chamber with a fitting closing the port except for a small passageway defined by a top portion of the fitting. A pivotable closure overlies the port and is pivotally connected therewith. The pivotable closure defines an opening for communication with the small passageway when the closure is pivoted to a predetermined open position. The closure opening and the passageway are segregated when the closure is not in the predetermined open position. A filter member is received within the port and directly underlies the small passageway.

Abstract: The method of removing fluorinated olefin byproduct formed during the synthesis of a fluoromethylhexafluoroisopropyl ether product or the like comprises: adding ammonia or an amine to the mixture to react with the fluorinated olefin byproduct, and thereafter distilling the fluoromethylhexafluoroisopropyl ether product to remove it from the byproduct.

Abstract: A clear, flexible, sealed container may be made of first and second plastic sheets sealed together at their peripheries. The first plastic sheet defines a bulge to increase the inside volume of the container, and comprises a laminate of a layer of polyolefin and a blended layer of polyolefin and a block copolymer of polyolefin and polystyrene. The second plastic sheet is a bonded laminate of a layer of biaxially oriented polypropylene and nonoriented polypropylene, peripherally bonded to the layer of polyolefin of the first plastic sheet.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container which defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and a relatively stiff shoulder portion and sealed at the opposite end, with gusset portions defined in the body portion adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite sides thereof. The shoulder portion extends outwardly from the neck portion and also extends axially rearwardly away from the neck portion in tapered manner. Sections of the shoulder portion adjacent the gusset portions normally extend in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, being connected to the remainder of the shoulder portion by an angular crease line and being flexible to permit axially forward bending of the sections about the crease line as the container collapses by draining. Also, the tail seal at the opposite end may define a convex, arcuate seal for improved strength.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a pressure-sensitive transducer in an extracorporeal blood system and for providing a sterile barrier while the apparatus transmits the blood pressure to the pressure-sensitive transducer. The apparatus (34) comprises a housing (40, 42) having first (40) and second (42) generally hemispherical members which symmetrically enclose a generally planar silicone membrane diaphragm (44). The membrane diaphragm (44) has a thickness that is less than 0.040 inch and a diameter that is at least twice as great as the intended total deflection distance. The membrane (44) is centered within the housing (40, 42) and greater pressure on either side of the membrane (44) will cause the membrane (44) to deflect to the other side by stretching.

Abstract: Hexafluoropropylene may be conventionally oxidized to form an impure mixture comprising hexafluoroacetone and residual hexafluoropropylene, which materials are separable only with difficulty. The impure mixture may be subjected to reducing conditions to hydrogenate the hexafluoroacetone to a hexafluoroisopropanol product, which product is easily separable from the hexafluoropropylene impurity, which impurity may be recycled for further oxygenation and production of the acetone. Alternatively, hexafluoroisopropanol may be conventionally made from hexachloroacetone to form an impure mixture of hexafluoroacetone and HF. When this impure mixture is hydrogenated, the resulting hexafluoroisopropanol, mixed with hydrogen fluoride, is formed. Either of these alcohol products may be reacted with hydrogen fluoride and a formaldehyde to obtain a fluoromethyl-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl ether, which is a useful anesthetic.

Abstract: In a flow metering apparatus a bubble detector for detecting bubble formation in tubing subject to deformation from internal fluid pressure includes a light source and a light detector. The light detector is positioned on the opposite side of the tubing from the light source such that the light transmitted through the tubing to the detector is dependent on the presence of fluid in the tubing and on the shape of the lumen of the tubing. A control circuit responsive to the output of the detector interrupts operation of the metering apparatus when the light transmitted through the tubing falls below a predetermined minimum level. False interruptions resulting from deformation of the tubing by pressure changes in the fluid are prevented by forming members which engage the wall of the tubing adjacent the light source and light detector.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and a shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container defines a pair of opposed gusset portions adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite ends of the shoulder portion, with the shoulder portion defining opposed shoulder edges extending between the gusset portions. A pair of opposed lines of flexing weakness are defined in the collapsible solution container and exhibit an arcuate cross section which extends inwardly of the container. The opposed lines of flexing weakness are positioned on each side of the container in generally parallel relation to the opposed shoulder edges with the opposed lines of flexing weakness being longitudinally spaced from the shoulder edges by a distance which is proportioned to cause the opposed lines of flexing weakness to abut one another as the container collapses inwardly about the opposed shoulder edges.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a slide calculator for determination of factors related to metabolic requirements and used in determining parenteral feeding dosages. By use of the calculator, factors, such as basal energy expenditure, body surface area, ideal body weight, and carbohydrate dosage can be determined.The calculator includes a front panel and a back panel, each having several window-like apertures. A slide member is positioned and movable between the front and back panels. Indicia is provided on the front and back panels and is generally arranged adjacent the window-like apertures. Indicia is also provided on the slide member and is arranged for exposure at predetermined windows.In connection with each of the factors to be determined, the indicia on the slide and the indicia adjacent the appropriate window are arranged in a predetermined manner and relationship so as to permit the desired factor to be determined or calculated.

Abstract: A one-way slide clamp is provided having a slot member with a one-way passageway intermediate a tube receiving section and a tube crimping section to restrain the tubing in the crimping section thereby permanently sealing the fluid passageway.

Abstract: A unitary molded injection site comprising a central, needle-receiving portion and a skirt portion may be assembled onto a support tube by temporarily convoluting the skirt portion about the central portion to expose its inner surface; bringing the end of the support tube adjacent to the inner surface; and bringing the skirt portion back toward its original, unstressed configuration, to surround the end portion of the tube in telescoping relation. An advantage of this is that the injection site is positioned on the support tube in relatively unstressed condition. Furthermore, the skirt portion may define on its inner surface a plurality of sealing rings adapted to sealingly bear against the support tube.

Abstract: A non-collapsible medical fluid container is disclosed, with microporous filter means mounted on the interior end of a vent conduit that extends into the container for venting displacement air thereinto. The filter means, preferably a rigid microporous depth-type filter frictionally mounted on the end of the vent conduit, is mounted closely adjacent to an interior surface of the container to prevent dislodgement of the filter by pressure from the venting air.

Abstract: A system for infusing fluids into the human body includes a peristaltic-type metering apparatus which controls the flow of fluid through a disposable administration set. The metering apparatus includes a control system which allows the volume and rate of flow of the fluid to be infused to be accurately preset by the operator. The control system provides an alarm function in the event of malfunction of the pump or occlusion of the tubing of the administration set, and a minimum pumping rate for maintaining fluid flow through the system after the desired volume of fluid has been infused.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which separates gas from liquid and vents the separated gas from the filter. The filter includes a vented housing through which the fluid stream passes. Liquid-wetting filter means carried in the housing in the path of the fluid stream permits the passage of liquid only. Gas separated from the fluid is vented through vent opening means which is covered by a liquid-repellent filter to permit the passage of gas only. An automatic pressure sensitive control means may be used to seal the vent opening means against the entry of ambient air but to automatically release separated gas from the filter. The liquid-repellent filter may be secured to the housing by a mechanical bond between the housing and a fibrous backing carried by the filter, or a continuous band of medical grade tape may be used to attach the filter to the housing.

Abstract: A connection between a tubing and a container, for example a blood bag and donor tubing, may be made even if dissimilar materials are utilized which are incompatible for heat sealing together. A pair of inner and outer tapered, telescoping sleeve members retain between them a flexible tubing segment. The sleeve members carry a flange which is of a material adapted for sealing to said container. The tubing segment defines a different material which is less sealingly compatible with said container, and is adapted to be sealed at its outer end to the telescopically connected tubing which may comprise the donor tube of a blood bag or the like.