Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder infusion pump which may be used for delivering a pharmaceutically active material to a patient at a substantially constant flow rate. A unitary internal stress member or mandrel is disposed within the bladder, prestressing the bladder in both the axial and radial dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cannula that can be used to reconstitute powdered drugs in a drug delivery system. Furthermore, the present invention provides a cannula and drug delivery system incorporating same. To this end, the present invention provides a cannula structure for use in a reconstitution device for reconstituting a powdered drug comprising a cannula having a first end and a second end, and defining a channel in an interior thereof between the first and second ends. The first end is closed and includes a member for piercing a septum. The cannula includes at least two slots providing fluid communication between the channel and an exterior of the cannula. The slots are located in juxtaposition to the first end and have a width, as measured along a length of the cannula, that is less than a length, as measured around the cannula. The slots also have a minimum projected area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the channel.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A second end of the housing carries a coupling component to adapt the site to standard vials. The coupling component, a vial adapter, includes an adapter spike with openings allowing for the drainage of fluid in the vial through the spike and into the injection site. The vial adapter is provided with a skirt housing unit which protects the adapter spike in manufacturing and use. The skirt housing unit also provides features to lockingly engage the adapter with injection site to standard vials, despite dimensional variations in vial closures. Another embodiment of the coupling component is a spike having a barb feature capable of insertion into a standard vial or port and resisting disengagement.A blunt cannula is usable with the injection site combined with the coupling components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing drugs, wherein a patient's order of one or more prescriptions is automatically filled. Various drugs are stored in three or more filler lines. A vial size is assigned to each line. When a prescription is filled, it is automatically assigned to a line in view of the vial size requirements and processed accordingly. Provisions are made for the inability to fill a prescription or order. Subsequently, all of the patient's prescriptions are collected and made available as a single order.

Abstract: An improved multiple fluid delivery system usable for the delivery of intravenous fluids to a patient from a plurality of fluid sources includes flexible tubing members for coupling the sources to a fluid junction member. The fluid junction member, wherein little or no interfluid mixing occurs, is coupled by an output conduit to a controllable pump. Output from the pump, via a further fluid flow conduit, can be coupled to the patient's catheter. The system can multiplex a plurality of different fluids. Spaced apart sequences of fluid quanta are injected into the output conduit from the fluid flow junction. The fluids are either mixed, or not, in the output conduit as desired. Operator interaction and control of the system can occur either through a display screen or by means of a bar code sensor. Hard copy records can be provided of fluid flow delivery schedules or other related information.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for attaching a fitment (13) to a web of film (20), including a heat seal tip (32) for piercing a web of film (20), for use in the manufacture of flexible plastic containers. The fitment (13) provides a means of access between the interior of the container and the outside environment.

Abstract: A protector shield is provided for a needle to protect from injury to the hand and touch contamination of the needle. The protector shield comprises an arcuate wall, longitudinally positionable about the pointed end of a tubular needle in spaced relation to it. The arcuate wall defines an open side, and an arcuate arm extends from the arcuate wall across a portion of the open side. The arm extends generally circumferentially about the needle so that the protector shield may be used to lock the needle into engagement with a Y-type injection site.

Abstract: An intravenous metering device is provided which includes an air retention chamber in downstream fluid communication with a source of fluid and in upstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. A first valve is provided between the air retention chamber and the pumping chamber to control access to the pumping chamber. A second valve is provided to control the exit of fluid from the pumping chamber. The valves include a shared diaphragm portion. A safety mechanism as provided to prevent accidental free flow of fluid through the metering device. In a first preferred embodiment of a safety mechanism, a gradually tapered priming stem is provided attached to the diaphragm portion of the second valve. In a second preferred embodiment of a safety mechanism, a priming stem is provided attached to the diaphragm portion of the second valve and a priming stem release mechanism is further provided.

Abstract: The present device is a magazine (10) which includes housing defining a medication storage area. An access door (22) is provided in the housing to gain access to stock the storage area with unit dose medication containers (34). The housing defines an open lower periphery which is covered by at least one locking mechanism having a release door (156). The locking mechanism includes a plurality of cams (166, 174, 186) cooperatively contained such that upon sequential operation, the release door (156) opens the lower periphery which allows the unit dose medication containers (34) to fall.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula the locking member latches to the injection site forming a mechanically coupled unit.

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: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula the locking member latches to the injection site forming a mechanically coupled unit.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising an unbuffered iso-osmotic aqueous formulation containing an effective amount of ranitidine for the treatment of conditions mediated through histamine H.sub.2 receptors. The formulation has a pH of greater than or equal to 5.0 and less than 6.5 and preferably includes an osmotic adjusting agent chosen from the group consisting of dextrose and sodium chloride.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula the locking member latches to the injection site forming a mechanically coupled unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sheath for at least removably covering the blunt end of the cannula. The sheath allows the cannula to be presterilized and utilized without subsequent sterilization. The sheath comprises a body member defining an interior for receiving at least a portion of the blunt cannula, the body member including a first end and a second end, the second end having an opening for receiving at least a portion of the cannula. The first end including a wall member so constructed and arranged as to rip upon the exertion of a sufficient perpendicular force by an end of the blunt cannula. The body also includes side walls extending between the first and second end, the side walls are so constructed and arranged so as to slide back along the cannula toward the second end upon the tearing of the first end by the cannula and the application of a sufficient force upon the side walls.

Abstract: A cover 10 for a waste disposal container 12 is disclosed. The cover 10 includes a body configured to cover an opening 68 defined by a waste disposal container 12. The body 14 has an orifice 20 therethrough for permitting access to a waste disposal container 12 upon which the cover 10 is placed. A lid 26 is threadably removably attachable to the body 14 for blocking the orifice 20 and preventing access to a waste disposal container 12 upon which the cover 10 is placed. A plurality of posts 36,38,40,42 are provided on the top 16 of the planar body 14 for releasably holding the lid 26 in a fixed storage position on the body when the lid 26 is not in its operative position of the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides housing containing a cylindrical, prestress member around which an elongated elastomeric bladder is wrapped. This interior of the bladder defines a fluid chamber. A filling port and an exit port are provided in fluid communication with the fluid chamber to provide for filling and dispensing of the liquid. The elongated bladder is wrapped around the cylindrical, prestress member so that the bladder is prestressed in the axial direction when disposed thereon.

Abstract: A dancer assembly for feeding a web of film having ports extending therefrom to a former for folding the web of film. The apparatus includes a dancer having a roller located between two tracks that allow the roller to move vertically along the tracks. The web of film being fed around the roller and vertically upwards toward the former. A quarter turn member for changing the flow path of the film from a substantially horizontal flow path to a substantially vertical flow path. And a member for moving horizontally, as a unit, the dancer and quarter turn member while maintaining a fixed spacial orientation of the dancer and the quarter turn. A method of feeding a web of film to a former is also provided.