Abstract: This document relates to delivery devices for dispensing fluid materials, including high viscosity fluids such as high viscosity surgical adhesives. For example, methods and materials for an integrated system of containing and permitting point of use delivery of a high viscosity adhesive fluid onto a planar surface of tissue during a surgical procedure are provided.

Abstract: A needle (1, 100, 110) for precision filling of dosage containers, such as vials, ampoules etc. is provided. The needle ideally comprises an elongate plastics body (2) having a through channel (5) extending between inlet (3) and outlet (4) openings. A tip portion (7b) at the outlet opening (4) has a chamfer (8) tapering towards the outlet opening (4) and an end surface (9) around the opening so that the tip portion (7b) is frusto-conical. The surface area of the end surface (9) is sufficiently smaller than the area of the cross-section of the needle body (2) so that in use the needle (1) is capable of providing for formation of smaller droplets of liquid at the outlet (4) compared to needles without such body thickness reduction at the time when the liquid flow through the needle is shut off. The end surface (9) may be so narrow as to take the form of a sharp rim.

Abstract: A holder device (1,100) for an article such as a thermocouple (9) is disclosed. The holder (1, 100) facilitates the placement and retention of the thermocouple (9) in an apparatus such as a lyophilizer by clamping the thermocouple (9) stably in position between adjacent shelves (80, 90) of the apparatus. The holder (1,100) comprises two bearing surfaces (14a, 126b) and a housing (10) extending therebetween. The housing (10) includes a spring (11) for biasing the bearing surfaces (14a, 126b) apart to retain the holder (1,100) between the shelves (80, 90). Also provided is a means for retaining a conduit, such as a thermocouple (9) or other device. The thermocouple retaining means comprises a conductive block (230) for securely holding within it a sensor end of a thermocouple (9) and a means is provided for retaining the block (230) with the thermocouple (9) in good conductive contact with a surface (80, 90) of the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention provides a seal for sealing between two members (1, 3) which are mutually movable so as to slide relative to each other. One of the members comprises a body (3) with a channel (2) formed therein. The channel (2) has a longitudinal axis and the other member (1) is receivable in the channel (2) so that the two members (1, 3) slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first member (1) has at least one deformable plastics rib (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30, 34) formed on a surface thereof. The rib (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30, 34) faces the second member (3) and in use deforms on abutment with the wall of the channel (2) of the second member (3) to provide a seal between the two members (1, 3) when they are stationary or moving relative to one another. An endless plastics skirt (22) may be provided around the external surface of the first member (1) with the rib (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 30, 34) being formed around the external surface of the skirt (22).

Abstract: A re-closable valve (1, 100, 700, 800) for use in sterile fluid transfer has a body (5) with open entry and exit sides (2, 3) and a passageway (4) for fluid therebetween. The entry side is connectable to an opening of a separate vessel and the exit side is connectable to downstream processing. The entry side includes a first rupturable seal (5b, 500) blocking the opening of the entry side. A piston (9) is connected to an actuator (7) via a cam mechanism (8, 85, 10) which moves the piston (9) axially in the passageway (4) and to the first seal (5b, 500). On movement of the piston (9) during a first actuation, the first seal (5b, 500) is torn free from the entry side to open the valve for fluid transfer. A sharp rim (15) surrounds the opening of the entry side and a curved surface area (193) encircles the piston exterior proximal the entry side.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve (1) for sterile transfer of fluids. The valve (1) comprises a housing (5) having first and second open ends (2, 3) and a passageway (4) extending between the ends (2, 3). The first end (2) has a flange (54) for coupling the housing (5) about an opening (205) of an external conduit (201) and a seal blocking an open area of the first end (2). The seal is placed in register with the opening (205) of the external conduit (201). The valve (1) has a piston (9) movably disposed within the housing (5) so as to interrupt the seal and to permit fluid to pass along the passageway (4). A mating surface (215) of the flange (54) and the seal form a sterilizable surface. The seal is formed between a plastic plug (18) movable by the piston (9) and a sharp plastics rim (15) which encompasses the open area of a first end (16) of the housing (5).

Abstract: The invention provides a seal (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for sealing between two members (1, 3) which are mutually movable so. as to slide relative to each other. One of the members comprises a body (3) with a channel (2) formed therein. The channel (2) has a longitudinal axis and the other member (1) is receivable in the channel (2) so that the two members (1, 3) slide relative to each other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first element (1) has at least one deformable plastics rib (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) formed on a surface thereof. The rib (4, 5, 6, 7, 8) faces the second element (3) and in use deforms on abutment with the wall of the channel (2) of the second member (3) to provide a seal between the two elements (1, 3) when they are stationary or moving relative to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bulkhead connector assembly providing a sealing arrangement for sealingly feeding a conduit between two environments. The assembly provides a first and second coupling components having a first and second surface respectively. A gap is formed between the first and second surfaces. The first coupling component has an aperture which extends between the first surface and a first environment and the second coupling component has an aperture which extends between the second surface and a second environment. Each aperture is adapted for receiving a conduit therethrough. A resiliently deformable gasket is provided to be placed into the gap and the gasket also is provided with a bore for a conduit to pass through the gasket.

Abstract: A re-closable valve (1, 100, 700, 800) for use in sterile fluid transfer has a body (5) with open entry and exit sides (2, 3) and a passageway (4) for fluid therebetween. The entry side is connectable to an opening of a separate vessel and the exit side is connectable to downstream processing. The entry side includes a first rupturable seal (5b, 500) blocking the opening of the entry side. A piston (9) is connected to an actuator (7) via a cam mechanism (8, 85, 10) which moves the piston (9) axially in the passageway (4) and to the first seal (5b, 500). On movement of the piston (9) during a first actuation, the first seal (5b, 500) is torn free from the entry side to open the valve for fluid transfer. A sharp rim (15) surrounds the opening of the entry side and a curved surface area (193) encircles the piston exterior proximal the entry side.

Abstract: A needle (1, 100, 110) for precision filling of dosage containers, such as vials, ampoules etc. is provided. The needle ideally comprises an elongate plastics body (2) having a through channel (5) extending between inlet (3) and outlet (4) openings. A tip portion (7b) at the outlet opening (4) has a chamfer (8) tapering towards the outlet opening (4) and an end surface (9) around the opening so that the tip portion (7b) is frusto-conical. The surface area of the end surface (9) is sufficiently smaller than the area of the cross-section of the needle body (2) so that in use the needle (1) is capable of providing for formation of smaller droplets of liquid at the outlet (4) compared to needles without such body thickness reduction at the time when the liquid flow through the needle is shut off. The end surface may be so narrow as to take the form of a sharp rim.

Abstract: A holder device (1, 100) for an article such as a thermocouple (9) is disclosed. The holder (1, 100) facilitates the placement and retention of the thermocouple (9) in an apparatus such as a lyophilizer by clamping the thermocouple (9) stably in position between adjacent shelves (80, 90) of the apparatus. The holder (1, 100) comprises two bearing surfaces (14a, 126b) and a housing (10) extending therebetween. The housing (10) includes a spring (11) for biasing the bearing surfaces (14a, 126b) apart to retain the holder (1, 100) between the shelves (80, 90). Also provided is a means for retaining a conduit, such as a thermocouple (9) or other device. The thermocouple retaining means comprises a conductive block (230) for securely holding within it a sensor end of a thermocouple (9) and a means is provided for retaining the block (230) with the thermocouple (9) in good conductive contact with a surface (80, 90) of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bulkhead connector assembly providing a sealing arrangement for sealingly feeding a conduit between two environments. The assembly provides a first and second coupling components having a first and second surface respectively. A gap is formed between the first and second surfaces. The first coupling component has an aperture which extends between the first surface and a first environment and the second coupling component has an aperture which extends between the second surface and a second environment. Each aperture is adapted for receiving a conduit therethrough. A resiliently deformable gasket is provided to be placed into the gap and the gasket also is provided with a bore for a conduit to pass through the gasket.

Abstract: A valve apparatus (100) for use in sterile fluid transfer or isolator systems has open entry (10) and exit (11) sides and a passageway (9) for fluid between the entry (10) and the exit (11) sides. The entry side (10) is connectable to an opening (4c) of a vessel or pipe (4) and the exit side (11) is connectable to downstream processing by means such as tubing, a vessel or a pipe. The entry side (10) includes a rupturable seal (2a) blocking the open entry side (10). Valve (100) also includes an actuator (5) attached to a piston (1) which moves within the valve (100), the piston being connected to the seal so that on movement of the piston, the seal is torn free from the entry side thereby allowing fluid gain entry to the valve (100) and to pass along the passageway (9) between the open entry (10) and exit (11) sides to downstream processing.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve (1) for sterile transfer of fluids. The valve (1) comprises a housing (5) having first and second open ends (2, 3) and a passageway (4) extending between the ends (2, 3). The first end (2) has a flange (54) for coupling the housing (5) about an opening (205) of an external conduit (201) and a seal blocking an open area of the first end (2). The seal is placed in register with the opening (205) of the external conduit (201). The valve (1) has a piston (9) movably disposed within the housing (5) so as to interrupt the seal and to permit fluid to pass along the passageway (4). A mating surface (215) of the flange (54) and the seal form a sterilisable surface. The seal is formed between a plastic plug (18) movable by the piston (9) and a sharp plastics rim (15) which encompasses the open area of a first end (16) of the housing (5).

Abstract: A valve apparatus (100) for use in sterile fluid transfer or isolator systems has open entry (10) and exit (11) sides and a passageway (9) for fluid between the entry (10) and the exit (11) sides. The entry side (10) is connectable to an opening (4c) of a vessel or pipe (4) and the exit side (11) is connectable to downstream processing by means such as tubing, a vessel or a pipe. The entry side (10) includes a rupturable seal (2a) blocking the open entry side (10). Valve (100) also includes an actuator (5) attached to a piston (1) which moves within the valve (100), the piston being connected to the seal so that on movement of the piston, the seal is torn free from the entry side thereby allowing fluid gain entry to the valve (100) and to pass along the passageway (9) between the open entry (10) and exit (11) sides to downstream processing.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for irradiating material comprises a single UV, pulsed brigth white light or IR lamp (2) with a centrally disposed receptacle (3) for containing material to be irradiated. The lamp can be an elongate hollow tube (2) of annular construction. Internal formations may be present within the lamp to control the position of the arc. For example, the lamp may have a plurality of longitudinal segments arranged such that a discharge arc is formed within each segment or internal formations may be provided to direct the position of the arc within the lamp. A pump (36) may be included for moving material through the receptacle which is preferably the hollow area within the annulus of the elongate hollow tube. Material can be treated batchwise or in a continuous process. This apparatus is suitable for the sterilisation of biological and/or non-biological materials. A further use is in carrying out photolysis on chemical substances in photochemical reactions.

Abstract: A closure for a transportable container used in the transfer of materials to or from an enclosed process area is described. The container docks with a port in a wall of the process area forming a sealed connecting chamber which is sterilized by irradiation. Communication between the interiors of the container and the process area is then established. The closure has a collar and a lid, which portions are formed so that all the surfaces which form part of the connecting chamber in use are in the direct line of the sterilizing radiation, which is normally ultra-violet or pulsed white light radiation. No relevant surface is shadowed from the radiation. The lid may be formed integrally with the collar with a thin web separating the two to define a fracture line. The lid is provided with a grip which can be grasped from within the process area. Application of a pulling force to the grip causes the lid to be pealed away from the collar without the generation of particulates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for inserting terminal pins into an apertured workpiece. The apparatus includes feeding means for sequentially advancing a supply strip of terminal pins integrally joined by intermediate web portions toward a first station of the apparatus; first clamping means for grasping the terminal pin adjacent the leading one of the terminal pins; second clamping means for grasping the leading one of the terminal pins; punch means for removing the intermediate web portion joining the leading one of the terminal pins and the terminal pin adjacent the leading one of the terminal pins; and insertion means for inserting the leading one of the terminal pins into the apertured workpiece.