Abstract: A wound drainage device is provided which includes a manually operable suction pump having inlet and outlet ports, and a pliable fluid storage bag having a pair of plastic sheets in face-to-face contact and an inlet. The pump inlet port is adapted to be connected to a wound suction catheter for removing drainage fluid from the wound. The pump outlet port is connectable to storage bag inlet for discharging drainage fluid into the storage bag without disconnecting the suction catheter. The bag has an upper foldable portion between the main storage portion and the bag inlet to close fluid communication to the bag and can serve as an added protection against drainage fluid flowing back to the suction pump. The storage bag can be used to receive drainage fluid and thereby provide a relatively large storage capacity without requiring a relatively large suction pump.

Abstract: A syringe tray having a plurality of circumferentially spaced sockets for frictionally receiving the needle sheaths of syringes. The sockets have longitudinal slots so that each sheath can be pivoted about a distal end portion thereof and moved through the slot to position the sheath and syringe associated with it at a selected angle relative to the tray.

Abstract: A fluid coupler for connecting two devices in locked fluid communication is provided which includes a body (12) having a male Luer lock connector (14) at one end connected in fluid communication with a female connector (28) at the other end. The female connector (28) is radially spaced from an outer wall (32) of the body (12) and has a Luer tapered bore (30) for receiving a male Luer tapered connector (62, 86) and a resilient locking member (40) connected to the body (12) at the other end thereof for frictionally engaging and locking the male Luer connector (62, 86) when inserted into the Luer tapered bore (30) to ensure against any subsequent fluid leakage between the connector.

Abstract: A method of connecting a plastic tube to a plastic hub is disclosed which includes preforming the tube by externally heating it in selected areas to cause outward bulging of the tube in those areas, applying an axial force on the tube to cause the bulges to compress axially while heated and molding the hub with the tube bulges in the mold.

Abstract: A specimen collecting and transporting device is provided which includes a container, a swab in the container connected to a closure cap closing one end of the container, and a reservoir attached to the other end of the container and containing a liquid culture-sustaining medium sealed in a chamber of the reservoir. The bottom end of the container has an opening covered by an absorbent pad and which is in contact with the swab tip. The container has a projection which when moved relatively toward the reservoir, pierces the chamber seal to allow the medium to flow through the opening to the pad and swab tip.

Abstract: A medical drainage collection device of the disposable liner type wherein the problems of connecting and disconnecting the liner from the canister of a device is simplified by providing a resilient locking device on a canister cover which receives a snap-in tube connector fixed to the disposable liner. Pressure applied to the locking device resiliently releases the connector from the cover. The liner can be provided with a hydrophobic filter which filters air before reaching the vacuum system to prevent system contamination, and when covered by drainage liquid closes off further gas or air flow through the filter to also provide a maximum-fill shut-off thereby preventing overfilling.

Abstract: An endometrial sampling device (10) for collecting body material for diagnostic testing includes a handle (12), a generally cylindrical sample collecting member (14, 14a) connected to the handle (12) and having a longitudinal chamber (22, 70), slot (24, 72), and a transverse slot (26) for scraping the walls of the uterus and moving sample material into chamber (22, 70). The handle (12) has a passage (24, 72) connected with the chamber (22, 70) to which a suction force may be applied. A stop member (16) has a slide (36) for gathering collected sample material. The collecting member (14, 14a) is made of a plastic material which can be severed from the handle (12) if desired to convey the sample therein. If desired, the stop member (16) and slide member (36) can be removed from the device (10) after it has gathered the sample.

Abstract: The rheological properties of thixotropic, gel-like compositions employed in blood separation tubes are controlled by incorporating in the composition up to about five percent by weight, based on the amount of composition, of a disilazane.

Abstract: Grooved tubing having a groove in the outer sidewall and a hole through the bottom of the groove is made by extruding a first plastic to produce a molten tubular extrudate, extruding a second plastic in the exterior of the sidewall of the tubular extrudate, subsequently removing the second plastic to provide a groove in the tubular extrudate and forming an opening through the bottom of the groove. This method can be used in making suction catheters wherein the groove walls prevent invagination of body tissue into the hole in the groove during suctioning.

Abstract: A body fluid collection device includes a blow-molded unitary plastic container having a pair of integral tube connectors formed in the upper wall for connecting a pair of tubes in fluid communication with the interior of the container. One tube can be connected with a source of vacuum and the other to a source of body fluid. A line of weakness is formed in the container sidewall adjacent the upper end which permits the upper end of the container to be manually opened for removal of collected material for clinical testing. The line of weakness may be a slot, perforation line or an area of reduced wall thickness.

Abstract: A fluid collection device for collecting and separating a liquid into its phases is provided which includes a collection container and an elongate housing having gel-like sealant therein. The sealant has a specific gravity between those of the separated low and high density phases. The housing has a sealant flow control valve in the low density phase portion of the container which is opened in response to a decrease in the specific gravity of the liquid adjacent the valve.

Abstract: A fluid administration device is provided which includes a catheter holder having a passage extending through it, a plastic cannula connected at the distal end of the passage, an elastomeric seal at the proximal end of the passage, and a fluid administration side port intermediate the ends of the passage. The device includes a needle holder having a needle cannula extending through the seal, passage, and into the catheter. When the needle holder is in its initial position, the seal is in a passage venting position so that a source of administration fluid can be connected to the side port and the device flushed of air. When the air is removed, the needle assembly is moved to an armed position forcing the seal into a compressed condition in the passage. After the catheter has been placed into the vein, the needle is withdrawn proximally from the catheter holder with the plug sealing the proximal end of the passage.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided with a stopper adapted to be pierced by a needle cannula for introducing a sample of blood into the collection tube, and a valve disposed within the tube which allows blood to flow from the proximal end of the needle into the blood collection chamber of the tube but prevents the reflux of blood from the collection chamber to the patient.

Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided with a blood phase partitioning device disposed in the upper portion or adjacent the low density blood phase end of the tube. The device carries blood phase barrier gel-like material which flows through a restricted orifice in the device to meter or reduce the flow rate of the material into the blood during centrifugation to suitably delay the formation of the complete phase barrier until complete blood phase separation has taken place.

Abstract: A method of making fabric-lined elastomeric articles of wear is disclosed which includes forming an elastomeric article on a form or mold, applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive to the article while on the form, drying the adhesive, applying a lubricant over the adhesive, positioning a preformed liner over the lubricated adhesive, removing the lubricant, and removing the lined article from the form and turning it inside-out.

Abstract: A medical tube connecting device which includes a tube connector and a security connection member for connecting a medical tube, such as a tracheal tube, to a slip-fit coupling adapter of gas supply equipment. The connector has slip-fit couplers for connection with the adapter and the tube, and a flange with a pair of diametrically opposed slots extending inwardly from its outer periphery. The security member is an elastic strap having opposed end enlargements. The strap, in use, extends around a portion of the coupling adapter and the ends of the strap are received in the flange slots with the enlargements maintaining the strap in place.

Abstract: An evacuated blood sample collection tube is provided with a stopper carrying a one-way valve for preventing blood drawn into the tube from flowing back to the patient, and for preventing blood trapped in the valve after a sample has been taken, from flowing to the sample during centrifugal blood phase separation. The valve includes an elastomeric valve member and a ring member which moves in response to centrifugal forces to a position in which it applies pressure on the valve member to maintain the valve closed during centrifugation.

Abstract: A fluid collection device is provided which includes a container for receiving a liquid, such as blood, that is centrifugally separable into relatively light and heavy phases, and a phase partitioning device in the container. The partitioning device includes a thixotropic gel-like material adjacent one end of the container having a specific gravity between the specific gravities of the light and heavy phases, and a piston member having an outlet in communication with the sealant so that during centrifugation of the device, centrifugal forces cause the piston to pressurize the sealant and force the sealant through the outlet toward the interface of the phases with sealant forming a partition between the separated phases.

Abstract: A blood collection device used in taking a small sample from a patient for test purposes is provided with a capillary tube and vented tube holder disposed in the upper end of a blood collection container. Integral radial extensions allow the container to be centrifuged in a centrifuge normally used for containers of larger diameter. An integral flexible strap connects a stopper to one of the radial extensions so that the stopper remains with the container.

Abstract: Stable aqueous solutions useful as standards in the determination of uric acid are disclosed. The solutions have a pH of about 6-7 and contain a buffer and a known concentration of uric acid present in solution as a salt of the pH-controlling buffer component. They do not contain any strong base such as lithium carbonate. The standards can be used in connection with either enzymatic or non-enzymatic procedures.