Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid, comprising a container for holding the fluid to be dispensed and a housing for holding a solid chemical and a liquid chemical which react to generate carbon dioxide gas upon contact, such that the gas is used to drive the fluid out of the container.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device and the method of dispensing liquid are disclosed. The device is uniquely suited to meet the requirements of hospitals and other institutions for long shelf life in inert condition and ready activation when needed. The device includes a hollow gas- and liquid-tight casing (preferably spherical or cylindrical), a flexible gas- and liquid-tight membrane disposed entirely across the casing interior dividing the interior into a propellant chamber and a liquid chamber; an outlet port from the liquid chamber; two mutually reactive chemicals in the propellant chamber but separated by a barrier; and a member to breach the barrier and permit the chemicals to come into contact; the two chemicals being reactive upon contact to form a propellant gas. The propellant gas thereupon expands against the membrane, moves the membrane to enlarge the propellant chamber, decrease the liquid chamber, and expel the contained liquid from the liquid chamber through the outlet port.

Abstract: A device is disclosed which provides direct and effective incorporation of material (such as medicine) from a separate container into the contents of a liquid dispensing device. The device has a hollow sleeve extending outwardly, an openable closure, a securing member which engages a mating member on the container, and a conduit (such as a needle) to provide fluid communication between the device and the container, with the fluid communication occurring upon attachment of the container to the device. The device can also provide for attaching the separate container to the dispensing device but without initially establishing liquid communication between the two.

Abstract: A closed system for flushing an IV site comprises a unitary reservoir assembly of a first fluid reservoir for containing a first flush fluid, a second fluid reservoir for containing a second flush fluid, a tubing array for connecting the first and the second reservoirs to an IV site comprising a common tube having a connector on one end thereof for connection to the site, and mounted in a housing having depressible panels for selectively controlling the flow of a fluid from each of the first and the second reservoirs.

Abstract: A disposable infusion apparatus includes proximal, distal and intermediate segments of IV tubing connected via couplings. The intermediate segment has a length sufficient for operative engagement with a pumping member of a peristaltic pump throughout a pumping stroke thereof. The intermediate segment further has a maximum Durometer of seventy-five on the Shore A scale. The pumping member includes a plurality of fingers mounted in side-by-side substantially parallel relationship for individual reciprocation. Motor driven cams individually reciprocate respective ones of the fingers in a predetermined timed sequence so that when the linearly disposed intermediate segment is squeezed by the fingers, intravenous fluid in the tubing will be pumped therethrough. The disposable apparatus further includes a door connected to opposite ends of the intermediate segment and which is releaseably loadable in a case to place the intermediate segment into operative engagement with the pumping member.

Abstract: A luminometer for analyzing genetic or non-genetic maaterial comprises an optical chamber for receiving and holding a vial of the sample material in a dark environment. A pumping system mounted in the luminometer pumps reagents into the vial to cause the sample material to luminesce, and a sensor is positioned in the dark environment relative to the vial to detect the luminescence. Instantaneous intensities of the luminescence are sequentially sampled at set intervals of time during a preselected time period and summed by a microprocessor to generate a signal that is descriptive of the constituents of the sample.

Abstract: A protected needle coupling for connecting to a conventional IV injection site comprises an elongated tubular housing having a proximal end and a distal end, needle mounting means at the proximal end for mounting a conventional needle in a protected position within the housing, connecting means at the proximal end for connecting to an IV tubing, and clamping means at the distal end for extending over and gripping a standard IV injection site when the needle is inserted into the site.

Abstract: A liquid infusor apparatus includes an elastic sleeve mounted on an elongated member and within a spherical housing to enable it to expand naturally to maintain a constant pressure over the infusion period. An alternate embodiment includes a holding reservoir that may be pre-filled, and a pressure reservoir that is loaded from the holding reservoir preparatory to infusion.

Abstract: A unitarily constructed clamp for selectively occluding a resilient tube includes a curved platen formed with a pair of holes through which the tube is threaded to position and hold the tube against the concave surface of the platen. The platen has a first end and a second end. Additionally, an articulated pressure member having a hinged juncture is pivotally connected to both the first end and the second end of the platen to locate the juncture between the ends of the platen. With this configuration, the articulated pressure member is positioned for movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the pressure member is distanced from the platen to leave the tube patent. In the closed configuration, the tube is squeezed between the platen and the pressure member to occlude the tube.

Abstract: A liquid infuser apparatus includes an elastic sleeve mounted on an elongated member and within a spherical housing to enable it to expand naturally to maintain a constant pressure over the infusion period. An alternate embodiment includes a holding reservoir that may be pre-filled, and a pressure reservoir that is loaded from the holding reservoir preparatory to infusion.

Abstract: A programmable infusion system includes a disposable IV tubing apparatus for conveying intravenous fluid from a source to a patient. A compact, portable case has a receptacle for removably receiving a segment of the disposable apparatus. A peristaltic pump is mounted in the case for engaging the segment of the disposable apparatus and pumping intravenous fluid therethrough. A motor is mounted in the case and is connected for driving the pump upon energization thereof. A bar code reader is mounted in an edge portion of the case for sensing a bar code label attached to the source of intravenous fluid, such as a bag. The bar code label represents the prescribed fluid delivery parameters. These are read and displayed in alphanumeric form by the system when the edge portion of the case containing the bar code reader is passed over the label.