Abstract: A pump 10 for delivering a precise selected output volume has a rigid pump housing 12. A diaphragm 16 is in fluid right abutment with the pump housing 12 to define a pump chamber 40 therebetween. The diaphragm 16 is resiliently biased towed a selected metering position 46 wherein the diaphragm 16 assumes a cup-shaped configuration and the pump chamber 40 has a selected metering volume. The diaphragm 16 is drivable to a discharged position 52 wherein the pump chamber 40 has a selected discharge volume less than the metering volume by a selected output volume. The diaphragm 16 maintains the output volume substantially constant notwithstanding substantial variations in fluid pressure from the fluid supply of variations in ambient pressure. An inlet 32 selectively allows fluid to flow between a fluid supply 45 and the pump chamber 40 as the diaphragm 16 moves from the discharged position 52 to the metering position 46.

Abstract: An improved drug delivery system and method for reconstituting drugs are provided. The system allows the delivery of a medicament from a drug vial (40) directly into an intravenous line to a patient. The system provides a method and an apparatus that insures that the drug vial (40) is properly pierced and the vial (40) is locked into an activated position when it is desired to use the same. To this end, a vial retaining member (50) for coupling the vial (40) to a cartridge (12) including a cannula (22) is provided. The retaining member (50) includes a cannula centering member extending from an end thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods resuspend cellular-rich concentrates of blood by rocking the separation chamber to create variable agitation forces within the separation chamber. The systems and methods also add resuspension fluids to aid the resuspension.

Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting in fluid communication a first connection site and a beneficial agent container having a closure. The adapter includes a plate having first and second connection site sides. A wall extends from the plate from the second connection site side and constructed to surround only the closure. This allows containers having varying sized bodies to be received. A cannula structure is rigidly secured in the plate and defines a flow path extending through the plate. The adapter can be provided in an assembly with the beneficial agent contained or in a drug delivery system.

Abstract: A drape is described which includes a three dimensional system for covering appendages of a patient. The drape includes a top sheet which forms a first, generally horizontal plane when draped over a patient. The drape further includes an apron which is attached to the top sheet and forms second and third, generally vertical planes.

Abstract: A cannula assembly adapted to pierce a solid or unslit closure is disclosed and includes a blunt cannula and a piercing member held in cooperation with or contained within the flow channel of the cannula. Generally, the piercing member includes a tip capable of piercing an unslit stopper or closure and a means to temporarily retain the piercing member from the cannula and prevent inadvertent disengagement of the piercing member from the blunt cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, low cost method and apparatus for monitoring the intravenous metering of fluids to a patient. The present invention provides a strain gauge which is preferably a balanced metal beam. Conditioning circuitry is provided which has as input the strain gauge output. The output of the conditioning circuit is inputted into occlusion sensing circuit. The output of occlusion sensing circuit is inputted into an air sensing circuit. The output of both the occlusion sensing circuit and the air sensing circuit are inputted into an analog to digital convertor which is monitored by a microprocessor for abnormal signals.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for coupling a first container including a beneficial agent to a second member. In an embodiment, the device includes a substantially hollow member having a cannula mounted within a wall that divides the substantially hollow member into a first and second section. The first section includes means for receiving at least a portion of a first container. The substantially hollow member includes a wall that defines an exterior of the first section that is substantially flexible. A number of different cannula and flow path structures within the hollow member are possible pursuant to the present invention.

Abstract: A closure for a tubular administration port is formed by inner and outer members having upper ends joined together in sealing relationship. The inner member has a sealed bottom end and is configured to fit within the administration port. The outer member is configured to engage about an exterior of the tubular port. The inner member includes radially outwardly extending ribs that engage against the interior of the administration port in an interference fit relationship.

Abstract: A blood bag comprises a plastic polyvinyl chloride formulation in which the polyvinyl chloride formulation contains from 5 to 30 percent by weight of a first plasticizer material which is essentially nonextractable by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.; and from 10 to 25 percent by weight of a second plasticizer which is significantly extracted by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.

Abstract: A stand-alone control module for use in closed-wound drainage systems is described. The control module transforms a variable high-vacuum source into a constant low-vacuum source. The control module also provides a one-way check valve to prevent return of air to a patient when draining such air from the pleural cavity of the patient. The control module is a water-based control module. It includes a first-suction control chamber for transforming a variable high-vacuum into a constant low-vacuum. The first chamber contains a first column of fluid at a first pre-determined level. The module also includes a second water seal chamber that contains a second column of fluid at a second pre-determined level. The height of the second column of fluid is less than the height of the first column of fluid. Tubes are placed in each chamber that have one end of each tube located below the columns of fluid.

Abstract: A multi-layer blood culture sensor includes two matrices. The first matrix is a polymer that is permeable to carbon dioxide and water, but impermeable to protons. A pH sensitive absorbance based dye is encapsulated or isolated in the polymer. The second matrix is a polymer with a pH insensitive fluorescent dye encapsulated or isolated in the polymer. The matrices are spectrally coupled and are useful for the determination of microorganisms in a blood culture bottle.

Abstract: A blood sampling system including a sampling device located in line is provided. The sampling device provides an access port that allows undiluted blood to be sampled automatically by insertion of a luer. The sampling device can have a number of different structures, for example, a swing valve, a ball valve, or a breakable seal for normally closing the sample port until a nozzle of the luer blood collector is forcibly inserted into the sample port.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a suspension of plasma and platelets from whole blood rotate a chamber about an axis to create within the chamber a low-G zone radially close to the axis and a high-G zone spaced radially further from the axis than the low-G zone. The systems and methods introduce whole blood into an inlet region of the chamber to initiate separation of red blood cells toward the high-G zone of the inlet region. This creates a strong flow of plasma that moves radially toward the low-G zone of the inlet region and elutes platelets into suspension with it. The systems and methods direct the radial flow of plasma and eluted platelets within the inlet region to a port in the inlet region for transport out of the chamber. The systems and methods also drag the interface into this radial plasma flow, eluting even the largest of platelets into suspension for collection.

Abstract: A drawer-mounted centrifuge provides easy access for loading and unloading disposable processing elements. The centrifuge also includes an umbilicus holder that moves between an operating position and an out-of-the-way position as the drawer opens and closes.

Abstract: A centrifuge provides simplify access to the processing chamber. In one arrangement, the processing chamber separates into a bowl and spool element to receive a disposable processing bag. In another arrangement, the processing chamber pivots between an operating position and an access position to provide improved access. The centrifuge also employs readily accessible holders for releasably retaining tubing that, in use, conveys fluid to and from the chamber. Though greatly accessible, the centrifuge operates without the need of complicated rotating seals and expensive disposable components.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided comprising a cartridge body including an upper portion defining a vial receiving area and terminating in a wall, the cartridge body including a cannula extending from the wall. A vial including a beneficial agent is coupled by a retaining member to the cartridge body in an inactivated position. The retaining member allows the vial to move to an activated position. The retaining member including an outer member and an inner member, the inner member separating from portions of the outer member as the vial moves from the inactivated position to the activated position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable hemoglobin based composition having sufficiently low levels of methemoglobin to effectively function as an oxygen carrying solution upon administration to a patient made by the process comprising: a) adding an oxygenated or deoxygenated form of said blood substitute to an oxygen impermeable package, and b) storing said container at from between 5.degree. C. to 45.degree. C. for sufficient time to permit the autoreduction of methemoglobin. The stable hemoglobin based composition includes hemoglobin, modified hemoglobin and/or encapsulated hemoglobin. To effectively function as an oxygen carrying solution upon administration to a patient, the stable hemoglobin based solution cannot have greater than about 50% of said hemoglobin based solution in the methemoglobin form but, preferably no more than about 15%. The invention further relates to a method to store a stable oxygen carrying solution according to the above discussed process.

Abstract: A sample analyzer for analyzing the characteristics of a plurality of samples. The analyzer includes a movable sample support for holding samples arranged in a first plurality of holders in a sequence for movement in a first direction. An indexing drive for the sample support advances the sample support in the first direction in a set of one or more increments, wherein one increment in the set is a net amount equal to a second plurality of holders greater than one holder and less than the first plurality such that the second plurality is relatively prime with respect to the first plurality.