Abstract: A medical fluid administration set is disclosed which may be used for the passive reconstitution and delivery of a drug or other beneficial agent with liquid flowing through the administration set. A receptacle mounted in the administration set is adapted for receiving a cartridge containing the beneficial agent. Also disclosed is an adapter for connecting the cartridge and the receptacle and an air flask within the administration set.

Abstract: A surgical drape for use in surgical procedures such as those wherein a catheter is inserted within a vein or artery of a patient. The drape includes a base sheet, for covering portions of the patient, that includes a fenestration and at least one tab portion that provides a member to which a catheter, inserted in a vein or artery of a patient, can be removably coupled during the surgical procedure. The drape further includes a pleated sheet portion so constructed and arranged so as to drape along the patient's arm near the operative site. In an embodiment, the drape includes an instrument pouch. The instrument pouch can be removably secured to the drape near the operative site. The pouch includes means for removably receiving surgical tools and positioning catheters used during the surgical procedure with respect to the drape. Preferably, the pouch is substantially transparent.

Abstract: A sterilizable, plastic medical container has a body section formed of thin, multi layer film. The film has a first layer formed of cross-linkable plastic free or essentially free of extractable plasticizers, such as poly(ethylene vinyl acetate), and a second layer formed of a substantially non-cross-linkable plastic having a higher melting temperature than the first layer, such as high density polyethylene. The first layer is inwardly oriented in contact with the contents of the container. A port formed of the same plastic can be heat sealed to the body section. The container is irradiated to effect cross-linking, filled with fluid, and the port sealed. The fluid filled container can then be heat or steam sterilized.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and system (20) are disclosed for the patient-controlled delivery of an analgesic or other beneficial agent 142, while preventing administration of a toxic quantity of the beneficial agent. The invention permits delivery of fractional doses to a patient in quantities which are directly proportional to the time period since the last dose or fraction thereof was delivered to the patient. In the preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a housing (58) including a casing (88) and a back plate (86), the housing containing a control switch (84) for opening and closing downstream conduit (62) and for depressing a floating plate (100) that thereby compresses a dose reservoir (90) with the beneficial agent (142) therein. A spring (124) biases the control switch (84).

Abstract: Protection barrier against ionizing rays of the .gamma. type and/or X-rays comprising a flexible sheet (2) in which particles (3) of an agent absorbing said rays are dispersed. The absorbing agent is selected among bismuth and the oxides, hydroxide and salts of bismuth and is particularly bismuth oxide of the formula Bi.sub.2 O.sub.3 having a particle size of less than 10 microns (figure).

Abstract: A system for continuously esparating lighter and intermediate density matter, such as plasma rich in platelets from whole blood moves blood through a diverging centrifugation gap between inner and outer walls of a rotor rotating about a central axis within an outer housing. The centrifugation action creates layered flow along an intermediate section. However by crating trailing wakes in the gap between the rotor and housing, localized remixing patterns tending to move in the opposite direction are induced in the layered matter. Platelet rich plasma may then be extracted through adjacent platelet concentrate ports on the inner wall of the rotor. An interior passageway system passes the platelet rich plasma to a platelet concentrate reservoir. Recirculation of blood in the rotor-housing gap between the output and input, and pumping action provided by the diverging centrifugation gap, aid in enhancing throughput and concentration levels.

Abstract: Thromboresistant materials are disclosed comprising hirudin or hirudin derivatives covalently linked to support materials such that the resultant composition has substantially the same biological activity as hirudin. Methods for making such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical fluid administration set is disclosed which may be used for the passive reconstitution and delivery of a drug or other beneficial agent with liquid flowing through the administration set. A receptacle mounted in the administration set is adapted for receiving a cartridge containing the beneficial agent. Also disclosed is an adapter for connecting the cartridge and the receptacle and an air flask within the administration set.

Abstract: A surgical drape including a fluid collection trough integrally formed therein. In an embodiment, the fluid collection trough is positioned to fit between a patient's head and a wrist rest positioned about the head. The drape preferably includes a head covering portion incorporating the collection trough that preferably is made of a translucent plastic film so as to permit viewing of a patient's head. The trough preferably is contoured to include a lower portion in which fluid collects.

Abstract: Bis(salicyl) diesters useful as cross-linking agents for hemoglobin are prepared in high yield and purity by reacting salicylic acid or a derivative thereof with a lower aliphatic dicarboxylic acid halide in a lower aliphatic ketone or nitrile solvent in the presence of a pyridine derivative. The desired diester is recovered from the resulting insoluble pyridine derivative salt.

Abstract: A surgical ophthalmic drape which is a complete draping system and provides a sterile field and fluid control. The ophthalmic drape includes a main sheet and a fluid pouch. The fluid pouch has a fenestration which is smaller than the main sheet fenestration. The adhesive layer on the bottom of the fluid pouch both secures the pouch to the main sheet and also secures the drape assembly to the patient. The pouch is a folded piece of fluid impervious material with a sealed edge on three sides.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow control system well suited for use in intravenous fluid delivery systems comprising a flow restrictor wafer having one or more flow limiting flow restrictor paths formed thereon. The system provides fixed flow rate control. The system also provides means for selectively orienting at least two flow restrictor paths relative to the main fluid passage to varying the flow rate.

Abstract: An insulated housing is described which includes a means for holding a pair of electrical connectors in parallel. The housing includes a griping means which allows a person to either insert or remove the housing from a mating electrical connection. The housing also includes a "living hinge" which, when closed, clamps on to the pair of electrical connectors to provide strain relief.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intravenous administration set 10 having a primary container 22 and a secondary container 24, each containing fluid, and a pump 20. The primary container 22 and secondary container 24 are joined into a single flow path by a Y-site 50. A check valve 42 is provided between the primary container 22 and the Y-site 50. A fluid capacitor 60 is provided on the single flow path between the Y-site 50 and the pump 20 to repenish displaced fluid in the pump 20.

Abstract: A class of fluorescent rare earth chelates and the ligands upon which they are based whose molecular structure incorporates a plurality of substituted arylpyridine diacid units attached to a central template structure is disclosed. These ligands function as efficient energy transfer groups in fluorescent tagging reagents and tracers.