Abstract: Method and apparatus for needle protection provided by a container having opposed ends, with one end permitting the container to be positioned on a receptacle, and the opposite end for the attachment of a fillable member. A needle is positioned within the container, which can be tubular, between the opposed ends. The attachment of a fillable member can be by the attachment of an empty syringe, and the container can be positioned on a receptacle for attaching a serum vial. A needle removably extends within the container near the end where the receptacle is attachable. The empty syringe is removably connected to the needle within the container, and is used to withdraw serum from the vial. After the filled syringe is withdrawn, the serum is dispensed, and the empty syringe, with the needle is returned to the container, which is disposed of.

Abstract: A method of sterile needless vial access, utilized to transfer materials from one unit to another. The method utilizes a swab-able access port and a blunt cannula. The access port receives the blunt cannula to couple and aseptically transfer medical and body fluids. The swab-able access port permits disinfectant treatment before receipt of the blunt cannula to limit and prevent contamination of sterile fluids.

Abstract: A valve connector adapted to facilitate fluid access between components is formed by a housing having a through channel. An elastomeric support secured to the housing biases a valve element or plug in the channel into sealing engagement with the support. When a fitting is inserted to depress the plug, it stretches the support and opens a passage through the channel, for example by canting the plug. When the fitting is removed, the stretched support contracts and returns the plug to its position of sealing engagement where the plug, support and housing are swabbable to eliminate pathogens that could otherwise enter the channel when the plug is depressed to open the channel and permit fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a housing having an end with an input having an entrance and an output and a probe integral with the housing extending from the output to beyond the end of the input. The probe has a passageway connected to the output. A spring-biased seal is disposed about the probe to seal the passageway and is depressible by an exterior member to expose the passageway. The extension of the probe beyond the end of the input permits the swabbing thereof before the depression of the seal.

Abstract: A valve adapted to actuators with various tolerances by having a flexible axial wall extend inwardly from an input of a housing containing a plurality of stationary and longitudinally extending ribs and by having the flexible axial wall surroundingly engage each inserted actuator, regardless of tolerance variations.

Abstract: A flow control device with an inlet for fluid and a slit movable member having an oval shape before sealing the inlet at a cam interface and closing the slit. The unsealing of the inlet and the opening of the slit permits the passage of fluid therethrough. The movable member extends by a channel, which can be open or closed, between the inlet and an outlet and has a portion which is expandable laterally. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can activate the moveable member by depressing it to open the slit and allow the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A flow control device has an inlet, an outlet and a conduit connecting the inlet to the outlet enabling fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A movable head with a slot therethrough seals the inlet. The head is connected to elongated legs which are flexed when the head is moved out of the inlet, opening the slot, providing a return force for returning the head to its position sealing the inlet. Preferably, the slot is normally open and the inlet closes the slot when the head is in the inlet. Movement of the head out of the inlet opens the slot, permitting the passage of fluid through the head. A spring can bias the head toward the inlet, instead of the elongated legs. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can open the slot by depressing the head, allowing the flow of fluid through the device.

Abstract: Apparatus formed by a housing having an inlet and an inwardly biased and circumferentially open flexible seal depending from the inlet to engage and seal a fitting as it enters the inlet. A stationary probe within the housing extends axially from an outlet to the inlet, with the probe having a passageway thereinto connected to the outlet and the input is sealed when there is a reflux of fluid into the outlet.

Abstract: A needleless valve connector is disclosed. The needleless valve connector includes a movable diaphragm assembly and an internal central cannula. The proximal portion of the internal cannula has a tapered configuration or is slotted to allow it to be radially compressed to form a tapered configuration. The diaphragm is slit and includes cams formed therein to engage the slotted portion of the internal cannula during downward movement of the diaphragm. The engagement of the cams and the proximal portion of the internal cannula facilitates movement of the diaphragm past the proximal portion of the internal cannula.

Abstract: Apparatus and method wherein a housing with an outlet has a cap with an inlet and is affixed to the housing with a flexible flange that depends from the inlet of the cap to engage and circumferentially seal a fitting as it enters the inlet, the housing containing an interior seat for a flexible plug that extends within the housing to the cap for circumferentially sealing the inlet at the flexible flange, with the plug expanding from a circular to an elliptical cross section by the insertion of a Luer fitment into the inlet of the cap to a stop position within the housing, and the plug having an interior passageway extending from an open end to a head with a slit extending therethrough at the inlet.

Abstract: A flexible container for medical fluid including a flexible housing with an adapter secured to the housing for connecting an outlet to a complementary inlet of another container sealed by a stopper having an outlet connected to an inlet and disposed to serve as a conduit for fluid flow, with a movable member sealing the inlet and having a flexible body for controlling flow by the extent to which the flexible body is buckled and the removal of flex restores the seal; the stopper can take the form of a flow control device with an inlet for fluid and a slotted movable member sealing the inlet and closing the slot, with the unsealing of the inlet and the opening of the slot permitting the passage of fluid to an outlet, advantageously through a cannula that is surrounded by the opened slot and extends to the outlet; a member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can activate the moveable member by depressing it to allow the flow of fluid.

Abstract: A flow control device with an inlet for fluid and a normally open slotted movable member sealing the inlet and closing the slot. The unsealing of the inlet and the opening of the slot permits the passage of fluid therethrough. The movable member extends by a channel, which can be open or closed, between the inlet and an outlet and has a portion which is expandable laterally. A member external to the flow control device, such as the tip of a Luer taper, can activate the movable member by depressing it to open the slot and allow the flow of fluid.

Abstract: An assembly of a needle, catheter, and a device for selectively protecting the needle tip from inadvertent needle sticks by an elongate housing having an extending needle and a needle guard adapted for sliding movement relative the housing. The needle guard is formed to carry a catheter hub and catheter, and includes an actuation tab to enable selective sliding movement of the needle guard relative the housing and along the length of the needle. The housing is adapted to be held within one hand to permit insertion of the needle and catheter into a patient, and after insertion, the needle may be withdrawn from the patient and covered by the needle guard by pressing against the actuation tab while slidably retracting the housing and needle relative to the needle guard; upon full retraction of the housing, a detent mechanism formed between the housing and needle guard locks the needle guard about the length of the needle and prevents accidental contact with the needle tip.

Abstract: A flow control device with an inlet for the flow of fluid and a movable member sealing the inlet and having a flexible body for controlling flow by the extent to which the flexible body of the movable member is buckled. The movable member extends between the inlet and an outlet and is expandable laterally with respect to the axis of a channel for the outlet in order to control flow. A member external to the flow control device can activate the moveable member which can take the form of a plug seated in the inlet by depressing the plug from its seat. The movable member also can be bell-shaped with its upper portion sealing the inlet and slotted walls straddling the outlet.

Abstract: Valve apparatus and method with an elastomeric disk fixedly disposed between inlet and outlet members and being deformable to permit flow through the inlet to the outlet. Deformation of the disk in the direction of pressure through the outlet is limited. The elastomeric disk can be circular with a linear or non-linear slit and be clamped between the inlet and outlet members. The structure for limiting disk deformation can take the form of a pilot integrated into, and extending across, the inlet member in centrally or non-centrally apertured form.

Abstract: A flow control device with at least one flow channel in a housing that can contain an injection site and/or a pre-biased flow control diaphragm that is stabilized by a flexible contact member. Any flow channel, including that with an injection site, may include a plug acted upon by an external actuator, which can be self-sealing. The injection site with a flexible plug can be used for needleless infusion of fluids, or the flexible plug may be used with a needle for the conventional injection of fluid.

Abstract: A flow control device in which flow channels converge in a housing containing an injection site and a pre-biased flow control diaphragm. The injection site may include a diaphragm. The diaphragm can be acted upon by an internal actuator or plunger that extends into one of the flow channels where the plunger can be engaged by an external member such as a Luer fitting. The actuator or plunger may be of rigid or flexible construction is at the entry position of an intermediate channel and extends to an output channel of the injection site.

Abstract: A dental appliance in which an elongated handle has a rectangular aperture at one end for removably receiving an insert with a rectangular cross section hub that has at least one elongated detent channel which is engageable with a complementary elongated protuberance within the aperture. The channel and protuberance may be perpendicular or parallel with respect to the major axis of the hub insert. The hub is rigid and protrudes from the opposite side of the handle aperture so that the insert may be expelled from the handle by applying pressure to the protrusion. Once removed, the insert may be replaced or readied for reverse installation on the handle, particularly where the portion of the handle containing the aperture is angled.