Abstract: A unique selectively openable seal line made between two sheets of flexible thermoplastic material is disclosed, the seal line being exceptionally resistant to unintentional opening forces but being easy to open upon the application of a specific force. The seal line may be employed in various containers, including a two chamber container for the separate storage and selective mixing of two medical substances. The container includes two sheets forming the exterior of the container and an inner, diaphgram sheet between the outer sheets. The selectively openable seal line is disposed between one of the outer sheets and the diaphragm sheet. Preferably a permanent line of securement is also included, between the other exterior sheet and the inner diaphragm sheet, extending substantially parallel to and coextensive with the openable seal line.

Abstract: A method of preparing a dialyzer unit having a plurality of coextending hollow fibers includes washing interior fiber surfaces with an acetic acid both, flushing the interior surfaces with an aqueous glycerin solution, and removing the residual water while retaining a substantial quantity of absorbed glycerin in the fibers. The dialyzer can then be sealed and sterilized.

Abstract: A method of blending two different sizes or two different types of hollow fiber membranes provides hemodialyzers with specifiable characteristics utilizing standardized housings. The system can blend two different fiber sizes of the same type to achieve a desired ultrafilteration rate in a standard housing. This system can also blend two different types of fibers to be used in a standardized housing to provide a desired ultrafiltration rate.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis solution which comprises a water solution of physiological pH, and having physiological salts and metabolizable carbohydrate polymers in concentrations sufficient to safely effect the removal of solutes and water from a patient by peritoneal dialysis.

Abstract: It is disclosed that aryl-substituted 2,6-bis[N,N-di(carboxyalkyl)aminoalkyl] pyridines in which the aryl groups are substituted with one or more electron-releasing groups are an advantageous ligand for forming fluorescent chelates with rare earth metals. The pyridine moieties can be linked to target molecules, especially biologically active target molecules to provide fluorescent tagging for use in fluoroassay techniques. The pyridine moieties are disclosed as tetraacids, as salts and as esters. Preparation processes and precursors including the corresponding aryl-substituted 2,6-dicarboxypyridines as acids, salts and esters, are disclosed as well.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film including a heater member for melting a portion of the film to create side and chevron seals. A back-up bar is located diametric the heater member. The heater member includes two elongated heater bars and two wing heater bars.

Abstract: A disposable dental instrument is described in which the instrument is formed by insert molding a handle about a wire. The wire has a working portion and a embedding portion; both the working portion and the embedding portion have a common diameter. In one embodiment of the subject invention, the handle changes color when exposed to ultraviolet light. In another embodiment of the invention, the instrument can be sterilized using only radiation sterilization techniques.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an improved reconstitution device 30, 168, 170, 186, 242, 256, 274 are disclosed, directed to the proper mixing of two substances, and are particularly directed to the medical field for the reconstitution of a drug 36 which may be stored in a drug vial 32 with a diluent 60 stored in a flexible medical solution container 34 and used for the intravenous delivery of a medicament. In one embodiment the reconstitution device 30 includes an improved vial adapter 76 and bag adapter 78 which permit the permanent coupling of the vial 32 and liquid container 34. The bag adapter 78 may be rotatable relative to the vial adapter 76 to operate a valve including a stem channel 108 and a base post 148 on the vial adapter 76, a base segment channel 136 and a cut out portion 146 of a rim 140 on the bag adapter 78, and a sealing segment 80 disposed between the vial and bag adapter 76, 78.

Abstract: A disposable biomedical rotating filtration system for processing fluids in a closed environment includes a rotor mounted for rotation on a pivot pin, a seal between the rotor and pivot pin, an external permanent magnet drive mechanism, and a star shaped drive element mounted on the rotor for rotating the rotor in response to a magnetic field induced by the permanent magnet of the drive mechanism. The drive element on the rotor is stamped from an inexpensive non-permanent ferromagnetic sheet metal and has a configuration and position in relation to the center of said magnetic field such that said drive element receives sufficient torque for driving said rotor and sufficient seal force is applied on the rotor to provide fluid tight seal between the rotating rotor and the seal. The pivot pin is molded from a hard plastic material such as a polyamide base resin having a low coefficient of friction and good lubriciousness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detection for serum antibody and/or microbial surface antigen by radial partition immunoassay. The method of this invention is applicable to (a) the evaluation of a clinical specimen for identification of a microorganism; (b) antimicrobial sensitivity assays for determination of an efficacious antibiotic for use against a specific microorganism; (c) a semi-quantitative determination of viral surface antigen; and, (d) a quantitative method for the determination of the presence of serum antibodies to microbial antigens. In each of the foregoing applications, the analyte of interest can be immobilized within a porous matrix (solid phase) by simple pipetting of the sample onto the prepared matrix. Appropriate reagents are subsequently applied to the matrix to effect immunochemical interaction of a labeled binding material to the surface antigen (or antibody) of the analyte of interest. The portion of the matrix within which such interaction takes place is termed the "reaction zone".

Abstract: An endoscope comprising a body, including an elongated tubular distal section adapted for insertion into a patient and optics for transmitting an image through the distal section so that the image can be viewed at a viewing location. The image-transmitting optics include an elongated image-transmitting rod for transmitting the image to at least a region of the distal section. The image-transmitting rod is subject to breakage by bending forces and is divided longitudinally into discrete elongated rod sections to thereby reduce the likelihood of breakage by bending forces.

Abstract: A membrane plasmapheresis system introduces a flow of whole blood subject to a predetermined inlet pressure into a fluid path across a membrane which is suited for filtering the plasma from the whole blood and across which a predetermined pressure drop occurs. The plasma-poor blood is conducted from the membrane subject to a determinable plasma-poor blood pressure. Likewise, plasma filtrate is conducted from the membrane subject to a determinable plasma-filtrate pressure. The conduction of plasma filtrate is metered in response to the existent plasma-poor blood pressure to achieve and thereafter maintain substantial equilibrium between the plasma-poor blood pressure and the plasma filtrate pressure. A substantially constant transmembrane pressure can thereby be maintained at a level below which hemolysis occurs.

Abstract: The preparation of particular fluorescent silane dye compositions is disclosed. These silane dye compositions have particular utility as reactants in the preparation of silicone polymeric fluorescent dyes which can be ideally used as chemical indicators in biological sensors.

Abstract: An apparatus for splicing film together is provided. The apparatus includes a first jaw and a second jaw, the jaws cooperating to clamp two film ends together. A heat sealer for sealing the two film ends together is located in the first jaw. A rotatable block is located in a second jaw. The rotatable block is rotatable to a cutting position and a sealing position. In the cutting position, a side of the rotatable block having a slot faces upwardly and contacts the film. In the sealing position a side of the rotatable block having a back up member faces upwardly and contacts the film. When the film is clamped between the jaws and the rotatable block and is in the cutting position, a portion of the block, and accordingly the film, extends outwardly from a horizontal plane defined between the jaws. Therefore, after the film is cut along the slot in the block and the block is rotated to the sealing position, the severed ends of the film overlap. A method of splicing film is also provided.

Abstract: An eyepiece assembly for an endoscope focusable by an exterior focusing collar is made soakable by using an O ring and very fine screwthreads to prevent liquid sterilant from penetrating under the collar and entering the interior of the eyepiece. The use of an O ring also provides a uniform resistance to the turning of the focusing collar and makes the focusing adjustment shock resistant. In another aspect of the invention, the placement of the light fiber connector on the discardable stop housing improves light transmission and allows one-handed focusing of the eyepiece.

Abstract: An infusor (10) is disclosed for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined flow rate. The influsor (10) includes a housing (12) containing an elastomeric bladder (16) for receiving the liquid under pressure. The liquid is delivered from the bladder to a patient through tubing (36). A non-adjustable, preselected flow regulator (38) includes a capillary bore (48). The flow regulator (38) is disposed at the distal end of the tubing (36), such that the tubing may be primed quickly, in a time period virtually unaffected by the flow regulator (38). Distal placement of the flow regulator (38) results in a more constant temperature, and thus a more constant flow rate, of fluid flowing through the flow regulator.

Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A pair of separate conduits, each having an internal seal zone, may be joined by the method which comprises sealingly joining the ends of the conduits together; thereafter adding an antiseptic into the area of the joined conduits between internal seals formed in the zones; and then opening said internal seals without separating the conduits to permit internal fluid flow through the joined conduits.

Abstract: A system for measuring first and second fluid pressures within a patient comprising a valve having first and second positions, first and second conduits for providing communication between a fluid source and the valve, a pressure transducer coupled to the first conduit upstream of the valve, and third and fourth conduits for providing communication between the valve and first and second fluid pressures, respectively. When the valve is in the first position, it couples the first conduit to the third conduit, and the second conduit to the fourth conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the first fluid pressure. When the valve is in the second position, it couples the first conduit to the fourth conduit and the second conduit to the third conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the second fluid pressure. In both positions of the valve, fluid flows through the transducer.