Abstract: A method of making a probe for an electronic thermometer includes positioning a flex circuit together with a probe shaft. Connecting a locating member to the probe shaft. The locating member comprises a resilient locator that is resiliently deformed by engagement with the flex circuit thereby to bias the flex circuit to a selected position. The biasing of the flex circuit by the resilient locator is independent of movement of the probe shaft.

Abstract: A lid for covering an interior of a medical waste receptacle base. The lid includes a cover having a generally circular opening. The opening including an upper rim surrounding an upper central axis and a lower rim surrounding a lower central axis that is non-co-linear with the upper central axis. The lid includes a generally circular closure sized for blocking the opening. The lid includes a guide extending along the cover. In the open position, the closure is at least partially out of alignment with the opening. In the closed position, a center axis of the closure is aligned with the upper central axis to block the opening. The closure is moveable from the closed position to a locked position in which the center axis of the closure is coincident with the lower central axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for maintaining an adjustable loop in the drain tube of a urine collection and/or monitoring system. The clip, band or bands act to maintain the adjustable loop such that the adjustment in size of the loop created in the drain tube varies the effective length of the drain tube. Further disclosed is a method for preventing back pressure from developing in the drain tube of urine collection and/or monitoring system.

Abstract: A urine meter is provided for use in a urine collection system. The urine meter includes a housing defining at least one fluid receptacle and having a concave upper wall having first and second ends and a central portion of reduced height. The housing defines first and second drain openings positioned adjacent respect ends of the upper wall. The housing also defines an inlet port extending through the central portion of the upper wall. A drain tube having a discharge end is positioned through the inlet port to direct fluid into the fluid receptacle. The drain tube has an internal surface having substantially no discontinuities. In one embodiment, the housing defines a centrally located first fluid receptacle and a second fluid receptacle which is positioned about the first fluid receptacle.

Abstract: A medical stopcock which allows easier switching operation of plural branch-tubes. The main body of the stopcock comprises a chamber part with a nearly spherical inner surface, and an upstream branch-tube, a downstream branch-tube and a merge-branch-tube all extending from the chamber part. A valve body of the stopcock comprises a nearly spherical valve main body and a rod-shaped operating part with a guide hole linking the inner surface of the chamber part to the outside. In operation, the rod-shaped operating part is moved along the guide hole through the use of the horizontal flow passages and the vertical flow passage to allow the predetermined branch-tubes out of the upstream branch-tube, the downstream branch-tube and the merge-branch-tube to communicate with one another or to shut-off the communication.

Abstract: An I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device are disclosed which allow for the safe removal of a needle from a catheter assembly. The safety device includes a locking assembly which includes lock housing a rotatable locking member and a locking clip. The needle and the locking member are configured such that withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly effects rotation of the locking member. The locking clip is positioned and configured to obstruct rotation of the locking member after the needle has been retracted within the housing to obstruct re-advancement of the needle.

Abstract: A urine collection system includes a collection element configured for operable connection to a catheter for accumulating urine expelled from a subject and defining an opening for passage of the urine from the collection element and a drainage device extending from the collection element and positioned about the opening in the collection element. The drainage device includes a drain spout defining an outlet port disposed above the opening in the collection element. Urine collected in the collection element exits the opening within the collection element to be drained through the outlet port of the drain spout until the volume of urine reaches a predetermined level below the outlet port. Upon reaching the predetermined level, the urine remaining within the drainage device establishes a fluid trap substantially preventing contaminants from entering the collection element through the opening.

Abstract: An electronic thermometer includes a probe adapted to be heated by a subject for use in measuring a temperature of the subject. At least one temperature sensor detects a temperature of the probe. An IR emitter emits an infrared signal from the probe. And an IR detector detects the infrared signal emitted by the IR emitter. The detection of the IR signal by the IR detector indicates that the probe is received in a probe cover.

Abstract: A connecting structure for a connector in which a male-side connector and a merging pipe are connected by screwing together a female screw having protrusions formed on the inner peripheral surface of a lock ring and a male screw comprising protrusions formed on the outer peripheral surface of the merging pipe is provided with engaging recess parts on the female screw and engaging projections on the outer peripheral surface of the merging pipe which are able to engage with the engaging recess parts whereby when the male screw and the female screw are screwed together to reach an appropriate screwed state, the engaging protrusions engage with the engaging recess parts.

Abstract: A closable male luer connector is provided in which an inner portion within the spigot of the connector is movable from a sealing position to an open position on connection of the connector to a female luer connector wherein the movement of the inner portion may be caused by, for example, action of the female connector on a projecting arm or a screw thread arrangement.

Abstract: A syringe comprising a clear syringe barrel, a clear hollow plunge which can be pushed and pulled within the syringe barrel and is open at both ends, a gasket having a throughhole for providing communication between the inside of the plunger and the inside of the syringe barrel and provide a fluid tight seal with the syringe barrel, and a return-flow prevention mechanism which allows the fluid flowing into the plunger to flow in an outward direction from the inside of the plunger.

Abstract: A syringe assembly carrier includes a syringe-well holding fixture, a plurality of openings defined in the syringe-well holding fixture, and a plurality of syringe wells. Each of the syringe wells is configured to removeably receive a syringe assembly. The syringe-well holding fixture includes an upper surface and a plurality of mounting flanges coupled to the upper surface. Each of the plurality of mounting flanges is individually associated with a different opening in the syringe-well holding fixture and configured to receive a syringe well.

Abstract: Featured is a vascular access device such as an IV catheter device including a housing, a tubular member and a seal member, and a securing mechanism. The housing includes a proximal and distal portion and a chamber that extends between the proximal and distal portions. The tubular member is coupled to the housing distal portion so it is fluidly coupled to the chamber. The seal member is disposed within the chamber and the securing mechanism secures the seal member distal end to the housing proximal portion so the seal member is sealingly and compressibly retained between a chamber proximal end and the securing mechanism. Such a seal member also is constituted so a portion of the seal member moves axially responsive to an axial force applied to the proximal end.

Abstract: A sensor array apparatus for monitoring medical signals includes a flexible substrate adapted for positioning relative to the torso of a patient. The flexible substrate includes a central segment defining a central axis and is adapted to generally conform to an area extending along the sternum of a patient. The flexible substrate further includes an upper segment extending traversal across the central segment and adapted to generally conform to the chest area of a patient and a lower segment extending traversal across the central segment and adapted to generally conform to the abdominal area of the patient. The apparatus further includes a medical electrode disposed on at least one of the segments and a connector in electrical communication with the medical electrode and adapted to connect to an electronic monitoring system.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus including a safety shield and mounting structure for mounting the safety shield to a medical needle. The safety shield includes a distal segment, a proximal segment and a retention member. The distal segment is pivotally secured to the proximal segment and the proximal segment is pivotally secured to the retention member. The retention member includes an opening for receiving a nose of a medical needle device, e.g., a blood collection device. In one embodiment, a retaining collar is provided which is dimensioned to be press-fit about the nose of the medical needle device to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device. Alternatively, mounting structure is formed directly on the retention member to secure the safety shield to the medical needle device.

Abstract: A probe for an electronic thermometer includes a first elongate, semi-cylindrical probe shaft member having a distal end, a proximal end, first and second edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, an interior surface and an exterior surface. A second elongate, semi-cylindrical probe shaft member has a distal end, a proximal end, first and second edges extending between the proximal and distal ends, an interior surface and an exterior surface. A joint along which the second probe shaft member is attached to the first probe shaft member forms an interior space between the probe shaft members. A probe tip is disposed on the distal ends of the first and second probe shaft members. A temperature sensor is in thermal communication with the probe tip.

Abstract: A container system is provided with a container having a door mounted for pivotal reciprocation about a door pivot axis between opened and closed positions. The container system also has a carrier with a body receiving the container and an arm coupled to the body for pivotal reciprocation about an arm pivot axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the door pivot axis. The arm engages the door of the container, and the pivotal reciprocation of the arm reciprocates the door of the container between the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A package assembly includes a panel, an array of openings defined in the panel, and a plurality of syringe wells. The panel includes an upper surface. Each of the syringe wells is individually associated with a different one of the openings. The panel and the plurality of syringe wells are integrally formed as a unitary structure. Each of the syringe wells is configured to removeably receive a syringe assembly.

Abstract: A probe cover for a tympanic thermometer probe comprises a generally tubular body having an opening for receiving the thermometer probe and an infrared transparent window at a distal end thereof. In one embodiment, a film support extends radially inward from the distal end of the body and supports an infrared transparent film spanning the window. The film support has an inner edge that is substantially free from corners turning in the plane of the window. A plurality of end ribs are spaced apart and disposed about an inner circumference of the distal end of the body to engage a distal end of the thermometer probe and form an insulating gap by preventing contact of the film by the thermometer probe. The insulating gap also extends proximally into spaces between the end ribs, reducing thermal contact between the thermometer probe and a circumferential inner surface of the probe cover.