Abstract: The shielded cannula assembly includes a tubular shield of latex rubber which is mounted over the cannula of the assembly. The shield includes a resilient collapsible tubular portion which is able to collapse in an accordion-like manner when a longitudinal force is imposed thereon. The shield also has a cap at the distal end which seals off a chamber in which the cannula is contained in a sterile manner. The cap includes a transverse wall which may be pierced by the cannula when the cannula is passed into a vial of medication or into a connector of an administration set.

Abstract: The air check valve has a one-piece housing provided with a pair of coaxial passageways and radiating ports which are closed over by an elastic sleeve. When the pressure in the upstream passageway is greater than in the downstream passageway and the crack or opening pressure of the sleeve is exceeded, the sleeve expands radially so as to permit communication between the two passageways for the conveyance of fluid.The air check valve may also be provided with a one-way valve in a partition between the two passageways to permit withdrawal of fluids from a patient.

Abstract: The present invention is a lubricant coating composed of hydrophylic polymer and surfactant for intubation devices such as nasogastric tubes. The coating is strong and attains sufficient lubricity upon contact with water in less than about 5 minutes and preferably less than about 5 to 10 seconds to be used in intubation procedures.

Abstract: An intravenous catheter assembly includes a valve located in the catheter hub and made of needle-penetrable self-sealing material such as rubber. The valve is biased to a closed position wherein it surrounds an inlet end of a hollow elongated insert disposed in the hub. The insert is in flow communication with a catheter tube and serves as an outer sleeve for an insertion needle which is inserted through a puncture in the valve to pass through the insert and catheter tube. Upon removal of the needle the valve puncture self-seals. The valve is larger than the flow passage opening of a standard Luer tapered male fitting which, when inserted into the hub, axially translates the valve along the insert until the insert projects through the valve puncture and into the Luer male fitting flow passage. The positional bias for the valve is provided by a helical spring disposed about the insert by extending an integral part of the valve as an axially compressible resilient sleeve surrounding the insert.