Abstract: An ampule defines a pair of opposed, flexible sides, sealingly enclosing a space which contains a mass of beneficial agent which is soluble in aqueous solution. Inlet and outlet ports communicate between the space and the exterior. Flow promoting means are positioned between the mass of beneficial agent and at least one opposed, flexible side to facilitate the formation of a fluid flow path along the mass of beneficial agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a port within an aperture of a web of film, including a chain loop having a plurality of forks for releasably retaining ports. The chain loop is fed around a first, a second, and a third rotatable sprocket. The first and second rotatable sprockets are coupled to a frame and located in a substantially aligned relationship to each other, perpendicular to a portion of the film, the third sprocket is located at a position offset from a plane defined by the first and second sprockets. The first and second sprockets can be moved from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. During operation, the rotation of the third sprocket is releasably prevented, to accurately regulate the rotation of the first sprocket an indexer is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the safe, passive reconstruction of a drug or other beneficial agent, without requiring manual reconstitution steps. The apparatus includes a housing, preferably having a receptacle "in-line" in an administration set and forming part of an intravenous delivery system, and a cartridge adapted for receiving a beneficial agent or beneficial agent and carrier. The cartridge is plugged into the receptacle to initiate reconstitution of the agent. The apparatus creates first and second delivery modes, in which the delivery rate of the agent to a patient is independent from and dependent upon, respectively, the fluid flow rate through the intravenous delivery system.

Abstract: A vacuum biased disposable infuser is provided having a liquid chamber (14) and at least one vacuum chamber (44). The liquid chamber (14) includes a liquid plunger (26) contained therein while the vacuum chamber (44) includes a vacuum plunger (48). The plungers (26, 48) are connected by an arm such that when liquid under pressure is provided to the liquid chamber (14), the vacuum plunger (48) is drawn back in the vacuum chamber (44). The device is further preloaded such that at the end of infusion, the vacuum plunger (48) does not abut against the vacuum chamber (44).

Abstract: A glove comprising a front sheet (9) and a back sheet (10). At least one of the sheets consists of an outer layer (12) and an inner layer (13) made of polymeric films. The layers are bound to each other. The faces (18) facing each other of at least two adjacent layers (12, 13) are independent from each other so as to allow relative movement (M) between the two layers (12, 13).

Abstract: A method and device are provided for infusing a fluid into a patient via a tubing. A peristaltic pumping apparatus is provided which applies a pumping action to the tubing. A linear variable differential transformer measures the diameter of the tubing subject to the pumping action. The diameter of the tubing is measured at various times and changes in the diameter of the tubing are utilized to adjust the pumping action on the tubing.

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 improved method of synthesizing 3,5-dibromosalicylic acid provides a highly purified pharmaceutical grade product free of toxic by-products and solvents. The purified product may be utilized as an intermediate in synthesizing pharmaceutical grade substances, as a bactericide when incorporated into topical ointments, and as an adjuvant in drug absorption systems.

Abstract: A surgical drape for covering a patient during a procedure is described. The drape includes a plurality of loops that are attached to the upper surface of the drape for maintaining medical devices during the procedure. In the preferred embodiment, the loops are formed of a polymeric material and are attached to the drape in close proximity to a surgical site.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a continuous dose and a bolus dose of fluid or beneficial agent to a patient. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with a continuous flow path for providing the patient with a continuous source of the beneficial agent. The source of beneficial agent is also connected to a bolus dose apparatus which provides patient control of a bolus dose of the beneficial agent, up to a preselected maximum.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for sterilizing a selected portion of a product and for assembling a sterile product from two or more parts which can not be sterilized with the same form of sterilization. A sterile product produced by these methods is also disclosed. The method for sterilizing may include sterilizing a selected portion of the product by exposing the selected portion to an electron beam, while shielding the remainder of the product from the radiation of the electron beam. The method of assembling a sterile product from two or more component parts may include the steps of sterilizing the first part of the product, isolating a portion of the first part from the remainder of the first part, attaching the second part to the isolated portion of the first part, and exposing the isolated portion to a form of sterilization which is deleterious to the remainder of the first part, while shielding the remainder of the first part from such form of sterilization.

Abstract: An encoder wheel (60) is provided for monitoring a peristaltic pump (20). The encoder wheel (60) provides a plurality of equispaced sectors (62) and a reference sector (66) provided at the outer radius of the encoder wheel (60). A vane slit (68) is provide radially offset from the sectors (62,66). A pair of optical couplers (72,74) are provided to read the sectors (62,66) and the vane slit (68).

Abstract: A surgical drape is described which includes a pouch having a drawstring through a channel which runs along one edge of the pouch. When the drawstring is pulled through the channel, the edge of the pouch can be gathered to create a concave surface to control and contain fluids about a surgical site.

Abstract: Systems and methods of collecting blood cells, substantially free of undesired matter, use a first container, that forms a part of a blood collection system, to initially collect a quantity of blood cells. A filtration system is then attached to the first container. The filtration system includes a second container, a first fluid path that leads to the second container through a filtration device, and a second fluid path that leads to the second container bypassing the filtration device. The blood cells are conveyed from the first container through the first fluid path and filtration device and into the second container to separate the undesired matter from the blood cells. The blood cells, now substantially free of the undesired matter, are then conveyed from the second container through the second fluid path, bypassing the filtration device, and back into the first container. The filtration system is then detached from the blood collection system.

Abstract: A surgical garment having a sleeve reinforcement that reduces the fluid strike through. The sleeve reinforcement is wider than the sleeve panel. The sleeve seam is sewn without the sleeve reinforcement. The edges of the sleeve reinforcement are then glued in an overlapping manner over the sleeve seam.

Abstract: A stable human serum based control for the assay of Total LD and CK and their isoenzymes. This control may be lyophilized and reconstituted and still provide the same enzyme activity prior to lyophilization, for seven (7) days after reconstitution, if stored in the dark at or about 2.degree.0 to 8.degree. C. No thiol compounds other than the amount normally used to purify CK isoenzymes are found in this highly stable control.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved apparatus and method for collecting, freezing and removing a liquid such as blood or blood components, and particularly blood plasma. In accordance with the present invention, a container (16) for blood plasma is defined by a pair of substantially flat, flexible opposing sidewalls (40, 42) which are substantially adjacent when the container is empty. The sidewalls are peripherally sealed together to define an interior compartment, and the side seals (44, 46) converge toward one end (48) of the container. After a selected quantity of plasma is collected in the container, the filled container is formed and frozen in a wedge-shaped configuration, with the opposed sidewalls (40,42) converging toward the end of the container. An air space (82) may be provided in the top of the container so that a knife (86) may be easily inserted into the frozen container without contacting the frozen liquid (88) therein.

Abstract: A mounting for a stepping motor (42) in a peristaltic pump (20) is provided. The mounting includes a first bracket (81) which rigidly scures stepping motor housing (58) in a radial direction while providing a bearing assembly (96) connecting the first bracket (81) and the stepping motor housing (58) to allow for free rotational movement. A second bracket (62) is also secured to the stepping motor housing (58) which includes at least one spring (72) which dampens tangential forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a web of material is provided that automatically changes the roll of material from an exhausted roll to a new full roll of material. The apparatus includes a plurality of spindles for supporting a plurality of rolls of material, the spindles being coupled to a rotatable carousel, a locking member for selectively preventing the rotation of the carousel is provided as well as a mechanism for selectively rotating the carousel. The apparatus also includes a member for splicing an end of a first roll of material to an end of a second roll of material.