Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a sealing member in a drug delivery device includes the steps of washing and rinsing the sealing members in hot deionized water following by drying the sealing members. The dried sealing members are tumbled with polymeric silicone and then irradiated at a target dose between 2.5 and 4.0 Mrads. The irradiated sealing members are then utilized in a variety of drug delivery devices including syringes, pre-filed syringes, drug cartridges, and needleless injector ampules.

Abstract: A gasket is capable of providing an excellent slidabiity and holding its sealability without applying lubricant and a gasket that can prevent a resin film from being peeled off of a gasket body and prevent the generation of a molding defect such as pinholes. The gasket can be installed slidably in a outer tube of a syringe, including a gasket body and a resin film formed of a material lower in coefficient of friction than a material of the gasket body, which covers at least an outer periphery of the gasket body, in which when a surface roughness of the resin film on the outer tube side is defined as Ra1 and a surface roughness of the resin film on the gasket body side is defined as Ra2, a relationship of 1.5 Ra1?Ra2 is satisfied.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A syringe of improved ergonomics having an ellipsoidal barrel which contains an ellipsoidal plunger. The plunger consists of: a plunger tip of a rigid, non-elastomeric material which interfaces a medical fluid contained in the syringe barrel; and an elastomeric ring which slideably interfaces the inside wall of the syringe barrel. In one embodiment the plunger contains a plastic plunger insert which supports the elastomeric ring, the interior of which is provided with an ellipsoidal cavity. A self-aligning plunger rod having a ball portion on its distal end is inserted into the cavity of the plunger insert. The ball portion freely moves in the cavity and directs the external force exerted on the plunger rod in an axial direction.

Abstract: A method for lubricating a sealing member and a medicament chamber in a drug delivery device includes providing lubricating silicone on the surface of the stopper and within the plastic material of the chamber. The stopper preferably is first washed and rinsed in hot deionized water followed by drying. The dried sealing member is then tumbled with polymeric silicone and then irradiated at a target dose between 2.5 to 4.0 Mrads to cause the silicone molecules to bond with the elastomeric material of the stopper. The irradiated sealing members are then loaded in any of a series of chambers including syringes, pre-filled syringes, drug cartridges, and needleless injector ampules. The chamber preferably is made from a plastic material that has been mixed with a lubricating solution such as silicone when the plastic is compounded.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: A syringe for injecting a fluid, such as a contrast medium for radiological diagnostic imaging, is enhanced by hydrophilic treatment of interior surfaces of the syringe, reducing air bubble attachment to the syringe. Air bubbles that do form or that are drawn into the syringe fail to attach to, or readily release from, the interior surface and can be expelled prior to being used on a patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating system, in particular to a coating system for articles where plastic materials slide against flexible rubber materials. The coating system is a silicone oil based coating having a viscosity of at least 200,000 centistokes, i.e. a high viscosity coating. The coating comprises in a preferred embodiment a silicone oil based block or graft copolymer, or segmented copolymer. Further the invention relates to a process of producing a component of an article coated as described above, comprising adding the coating material to the component material prior to molding and subsequently molding the component from the mixture, or molding the component from the component material and subsequently applying the coating material to the at least one surface of the component, as well as an article coated with a silicone oil based coating as defined above. Such an article is preferably a medical article, such as a container or an injection cylinder and a stopper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical article for containing a pharmaceutical protein preparation comprising at least a first component and a second component, having at least one surface coated with a coating to reduce the friction between the two components and to reduce the protein adsorption to the coating. The coating is a hydrophilic coating whereby the hydrophilicity of the surface of the coating as measured by the water contact angle is below 90°, and the long term static friction forces between the first and the second component are below 14 N. The coatings according to the present invention are especially suited for permanently coating in ternal surfaces of containers equipped with stoppers for storage and administration of liquid protein preparations, such as insulin preparations. The coating is preferably a silicon-containing coating, such as a poly(dialkyl siloxane) oil or copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a syringe including a tubular barrel. The tubular barrel has an open proximal end, a distal end with a fluid expelling passage defined therein, and a barrel chamber. A seal is disposed within the barrel chamber a predetermined distance away from the open proximal end in fluid-tight and axially-sliding engagement with the barrel chamber, so that fluid held in the barrel chamber between the fluid expelling passage and the seal can be expelled from the barrel chamber to the outside via the fluid expelling passage by sliding the seal towards the fluid expelling passage.

Abstract: A syringe is provided for delivering compositions having a hollow elongated barrel engaged by a plunger with a unique plunger tip. The plunger tip extends from a round and hollow sidewall of the stem of the plunger by bifurcating into an inset branch and a spring lever. The inset branch and the spring lever define a radial tensioning groove. The lower portion of the spring lever is flat while the upper portion of the spring lever flares outward at an angle with respect to the lower portion and then terminates at a rounded distal contact end. As a result, the diameter of the spring lever at the rounded distal contact end is slightly greater than the diameter of the inside of the barrel before the plunger is inserted into the barrel. The spring lever is sufficiently flexible that upon insertion of the plunger into the chamber of the barrel, the radial tensioning groove compresses due to the spring lever flexing toward the inset branch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating system, in particular to a coating system for articles where plastic materials slide against flexible rubber materials. The coating system is a silicone oil based coating having a viscosity of at least 200,000 centistokes, i.e. a high viscosity coating. The coating comprises in a preferred embodiment a silicone oil based block or graft copolymer, or segmented copolymer. Further the invention relates to a process of producing a component of an article coated as described above, comprising adding the coating material to the component material prior to molding and subsequently molding the component from the mixture, or molding the component from the component material and subsequently applying the coating material to the at least one surface of the component, as well as an article coated with a silicone oil based coating as defined above. Such an article is preferably a medical article, such as a container or an injection cylinder and a stopper.

Abstract: A syringe with a cylinder (1) and a plunger (4) that slides into it is provided, which has a recess (13) in its front side (5) and at least two cylindrical sections (9, 10) on its barrel surface (6), between which a groove (12) reduces the diameter of plunger (4). The pressure that is applied in the syringe acts on outer side (14) of the recess and on an outside face section (15) in a gasket lip (16), which is pressed by this pressure or else by a previously introduced prestressing against the inside cylinder wall and thus seals the syringe contents from the environment.

Abstract: Prefilled, disposable syringes for injecting preparations with a fill volume of less than 5 ml are typically made of glass. The disposable syringe in this invention avoids the use of glass as a construction material. The body of the syringe with barrel, grip and nozzle is made of transparent, glass-like plastic with a very low gas permeability and is designed to be resistant to gamma rays and/or ethylene oxide gas, whereby the hypodermic needle is directly integrated within the plastic nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a syringe including a tubular barrel. The tubular barrel has an open proximal end, a distal end with a fluid expelling passage defined therein, and a barrel chamber. A seal is disposed within the barrel chamber a predetermined distance away from the open proximal end in fluid-tight and axially-sliding engagement with the barrel chamber, so that fluid held in the barrel chamber between the fluid expelling passage and the seal can be expelled from the barrel chamber to the outside via the fluid expelling passage by sliding the seal towards the fluid expelling passage.

Abstract: A prefilled medicinal syringe includes a cylinder with a proximal end, a distal end and an outlet. The syringe contains a medicine or a diagnostic agent which is ejected therefrom by a plug. The surfaces of the plug which touch the inside wall of the cylinder are preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene (TEFLON.RTM.). Preferably the material of which the inside wall of the cylinder is made directly touches the TEFLON.RTM. surfaces of the plug. The plug has at least one sealing lip which forms an acute angle with the axis of the syringe and extends in a direction toward the distal end of the syringe. By so configuring the plug, the prefilled syringe may be autoclaved, stored for an extended time, and still function smoothly without leakage.

Abstract: A medical syringe assembly includes a first opening and a second opening at opposite ends of a tubular barrel having an inner wall. The inner wall includes an inner surface. A stopper having an engagement surface is slidably received in the tubular barrel and includes a portion for engaging the surface of the inner wall of said tubular barrel. A lubricant is disposed over a limited area of at least one member of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of said stopper, whereby a sufficient amount of the lubricant is available to provide adequate reduction of friction between the surface of the inner wall of the tubular barrel and the engagement surface of the stopper.

Abstract: There can be provided a sealing stopper for a syringe, having very high sealing property and sliding property, and a prefilled syringe using this sealing stopper and capable of preserving a medicament for a long time and operating in easy and precise manner during injecting. This syringe is also excellent in sanitary and operating property during a step of formulation or preservation of a medicament. In this sealing stopper for a syringe, a surface of the rubber body is laminated with a tetrafluoroethylene resin film or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene film having an average roughness Ra on the central line of the surface in a range of at most 0.05 .mu.m and a kinematic friction coefficient of at most 0.2.

Abstract: Devices and methods for slowing down or dampening the retraction velocity of an introducer needle used in connection with needle retracting safety vascular access devices. The devices and methods prevent splattering or dripping of blood caused by an introducer needle that retracts too quickly. The dampening devices can be easily modified to regulate the amount of dampening desired and can be retrofitted to existing vascular access devices designs.

Abstract: A medicinal syringe includes a cylinder with a proximal and distal end, and an outlet. The syringe contains, or is adapted to receive, a medicine or a diagnostic agent, and includes a plug. The surfaces of plug which touch the inside wall of the cylinder are preferably made of polytetrafluoroethylene. The material for the cylinder inside wall directly adjoins the surfaces of the plug, which touch the inside wall of the cylinder. The plug has at least one sealing lip and the mass-resultant of the sealing lip forms an acute angle with the axis of the syringe in that distal direction.

Abstract: A needleless injector is described for dispensing a liquid material, comprising a dispensing member which moves under the force of a spring providing an energy store. A damping arrangement, employing a viscous damping medium such as grease, is used to damp recoil during dispensing.

Abstract: A sliding piston for a syringe, which is inserted in a hollow barrel of a syringe is made of a substantially cylindrical body having a shape symmetrically rotatable with respect to the axis of the hollow barrel. The cylindrical body has its largest diameter at the front end thereof. The peripheral edge of the front end of the cylindrical body is rounded at a radius of curvature of 5/100 mm to 10/100 mm. The diameter of the rear end of the cylindrical body is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow barrel so as not to contact with the inner surface of the hollow barrel when the piston is inserted in the hollow barrel.

Abstract: Absorbable, segmented copolymers of aliphatic polyesters based on lactone monomers lactide, and p-dioxanone are described. The segmented copolymers exhibit a broad range of properties, especially high strength and long elongations. This unique elastomeric behavior makes the copolymers of the present invention useful in a variety of medical device applications, especially adhesion prevention barriers and hemostatic devices.

Abstract: A pre-fillable hypodermic syringe is provided. The hypodermic syringe includes a syringe barrel having opposed proximal and distal ends and a drug-receiving chamber therebetween. The distal end of the syringe receives a needle cannula that is sealingly and protectively covered by a cap. The proximal end of the syringe is sealed by a stopper assembly. The stopper assembly includes a distal stopper that is positioned adjacent the drug pre-filled into the syringe barrel. The distal stopper is formed to exhibit acceptably low sliding forces without the presence of lubricants deleterious to the drug. The stopper assembly further includes a proximal stopper formed from a material that exhibits acceptable microbiological sealing. Because the proximal stopper is separated from the drug by the distal stopper the proximal stopper may be treated with any convenient lubricant, such as silicone oil.

Abstract: A syringe which is suitable for both injection and aspiration includes a plunger movable within a barrel and a gasket disposed at the distal end of the plunger at a narrowed portion of the plunger between two plunger portions of greater diameter. When the plunger is moved, the gasket forms a seal between the inner wall of the barrel and one of the portions of the plunger of greater diameter.

Abstract: A rubber stopper for a vial comprising a body member 1 and a sheet of polyethylene 3 having an average molecular weight of 1,300,000 to 8,000,000, a surface being contacted with an inner surface of a mouth and a liquid medicine, or a top surface 1b of which is covered. The molecular chains of polyethylene are partially ramified by heat to be branched and partially crosslinked with a rubber of the body. Therefore, adhesion of them is high and a smoothness of the surface of the sheet portion is improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are pre-filled syringes equipped with an improved plunger having a plunge insert and a plunger rod, characterized by a leak-proof seal and easy sliding property.

Abstract: The invention features a low friction syringe which includes a plastic barrel having a circumferential inner surface defining a chamber, a plastic plunger having a distal end received in the barrel chamber, and an elastomeric gasket positioned at the distal end of the plunger and received in the barrel chamber. The gasket comprises a body with forward and rearward ends and first and second annular flanges positioned circumferentially at the forward and rearward ends of the body. The forward flange permits injection to occur. The rearward flange permits aspiration to occur. The flanges are separated by an annular space intermediate the body portion and the barrel inner surface. The gasket also includes an annular projection extending from each flange.

Abstract: An injection device comprises a plastic or metal container adapted to contain a charge of medicament, the container has at least an inner surface thereof coated with polyparaxylylene. A needle is cooperable with the container so as to be communicable with the medicament and provides a passage through which the medicament can be forced into the flesh of an individual. A plunger is disposed in the container in slidably sealed relation with the polyparaxylylene coating provided on the inner surface of the container. The plunger is movable through the container toward a generally forward end thereof to force the medicament through the needle and into the flesh of the individual.

Abstract: An article having surfaces in sliding contact is lubricated at the interface with a multi component system. A first crosslinked basement lubricant is coated onto a surface, such as a syringe barrel. A second lubricant is coated over the crosslinked lubricant. The second surface, such as a syringe stopper is engaged with the first surface. A second aspect of the invention is a method for lubricating an article such as a syringe. A low viscosity prebasement lubricant is evenly coated onto the inside surface of the syringe barrel and then crosslinked by a plasma to a viscous liquid or substantially solid basement lubricant. A second surface lubricant is then applied over the basement lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-compartment syringe which may contain a medical substance, such as a freeze-dried powder, and a solvent separately. When used, the medical substance and solvent are mixed for injection. A silicone coating is used inside the syringe barrel. The syringe is further provided with finger hooks to enable use of the syringe with one hand.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel copolymers containing carbonate repeat units and ester repeat units.

Abstract: An operable syringe assembly comprises a barrel including a cylindrical coextruded body portion having a longitudinal axis. The body portion forms a side wall spaced from the axis defining a chamber for retaining fluid. The body portion includes an open proximal end and a distal end and further includes an inner portion of plastic material and a rigid portion of plastic material surrounding the inner portion. The rigid portion has a higher hardness than the inner portion. A plunger including an elongate shaft portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a rigid piston at the distal end is provided. The piston has an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the inner portion and a higher hardness than the inner portion. The piston portion is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement inside the barrel. The fluid-tight engagement is caused by the piston compressing the inner portion of the plastic material of the coextruded body portion.

Abstract: A sliding stopper for a syringe, consisting of a rubber elastic body having the part to be contacted with a liquid medicament and the part sliding on the inner wall of a barrel fully laminated with a film of tetrafluoroethylene resin, ethylenetetrafluoroethylene resin or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene resin, and having an excellent liquid tightness and gas tightness. The ratio of the length (Y) of the surface of the outer circumferential part of the sliding stopper contacting the inner wall of the barrel to the length (L) of the sliding part of the sliding stopper, i.e. Y/L is in the range of 0.80 to 1.00, and the ratio of the length (L) of the sliding part to the outer diameter (D) of the sliding stopper, i.e. L/D is in the range of 0.25 to 1.00.

Abstract: A laminated sliding stopper for a syringe, excellent in sliding or moving property and free from contamination of an injection liquid, is provided which consists of a rubber elastic body whose part to be contacted with the injection liquid and sliding part on the inner wall of the barrel are fully laminated with a film of tetrafluoroethylene.

Abstract: A syringe which has a barrel, an annular elongate liner that is constrained by the barrel and a plunger head. The liner and the plunger head are made of a fluorinated polymer material, such as Teflon. The plunger head has first and second sealing surfaces and a portion of reduced diameter between them. The first sealing surface provides a fluid seal whereby fluid is drawn into and forced out of the syringe. The second sealing surface forms a particle trap with the inner bore of the liner to keep any fluorinated polymer particles from escaping from the portion of reduced diameter between the first and second sealing surfaces.

Abstract: There are depicted two embodiments of an ambulatory disposable infusion delivery system in which fluid (drug) is fed to a substantially transparent receiving and retaining housing which has indicia markings conventionally applied to indicate quantity. The inflow of fluid causes an elastomeric member attached to a piston, which is slideable in a bore in this housing, to be moved, thus stretching this member. This tension provides an energy source (force) to push the fluid out of the bore when the connected tubing line is opened. The housing is provied with a discharge fluid conduit and a restrictor controlling the rate of flow. In both embodiments, the housing has a barrel with a substantially constant bore. The slideable piston in this bore has a resilient outer portion with at least two ribs providing sealing action while having a low coefficient of friction.

Abstract: A urethral catheter comprising a tube having openings at both ends and at least a portion of the tube having a flexural wall formation permitting compliance of the wall with the urethral shape in use. Longitudinal flexion in the oval-shaped tube is reduced optionally by incorporating a thickened wall portion extending along the catheter about the minor axis thereof, and/or flexural compliance in the lateral direction is reduced optionally by providing a thickened wall portion about the major axis. The catheter is suitable for male patients, and the wall formation can be selected for satisfactory performance under a number of different conditions.

Abstract: A method to reduce high breakout and sustaining forces between slidable surfaces includes applying a film of lubricant to at least one of the surfaces and subjecting the lubricant and surface to an ionizing plasma. The invention includes articles having slidable surfaces of low breakout and sustaining forces.

Abstract: A piston for a precision dosing instrument includes a cylindrical core which may be made of glass, ceramic or metal, and a precision ground sleeve of polytetrafluorethylene disposed over the core. One end of the sleeve is closed while the core is open at both ends.

Abstract: A device for controllably delivering a solid, paste or liquid material in biological, environmental or industrial systems. The device is in the form of a tubular body, one end of which is open to allow egress of the material, and the other is closed. A gas-tight plunger slides within the body by virtue of spring driving means and gas from the external environment which enters the closed end of the tubular body by way of a gas permeable membrane and acts, together with the spring on the rear face of the plunger. The plunger controllably ejects the material from the open end of the device. The device has particular use in the delivery of therapeutic and/or prophylatic materials to animals.

Abstract: A piston for a precision dosing instrument includes a cylindrical core which may be made of glass, ceramic or metal, and a precision ground sleeve of polytetrafluorethylene disposed over the core. One end of the sleeve is closed while the core is open at both ends but the openings may have different diameters.

Abstract: A variable sealing pressure plunger rod assembly for use with a syringe barrel comprises a plunger rod and a flexible stopper. The plunger rod includes a rigid elongate shaft portion having a circular tapered tip portion at the distal end thereof. The flexible cup-shaped stopper includes an annular side wall and a front wall connected to the side wall. An exterior surface of the side wall is larger in diameter than the syringe barrel inside diameter. The stopper interior includes an inside surface of the front wall and a tapered annular inside wall connected to the side wall and to the inside surface. This tapered annular inside wall and the inside surface define a cavity which has the tapered tip portion received therein. The tapered annular inside wall and the tapered tip portion are inclined at approximately the same angle and adjacent to each other. Cooperating structure for maintaining the positional relationship of the stopper and the plunger rod is also provided.

Abstract: An improved pre-evacuated blood sampling collection tube having two oppositely positioned rubber stoppers sealing the corresponding oppositely positioned open ends of the said cylindrical tube, and interposed within the said tube is a slideable perpendicularly placed filtration disc that filters and separates the cellular elements of the whole blood from its fluid counterpart during the process of centrifugation. One embodiment of the tube having a special structural extension baffle at one of the two sealing rubber stoppers, said structural extension found proximal to the puncturable entrant area of the blood specimen into the tube, acts as the structural baffle that prevents or curtails hymolysis of the red blood cells during the sudden onrush of blood from the blood source through the bore of the collection needle, and into the vacuum of the said collection tube.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for obtaining a controlled flow of fluid from a source to a patient. The apparatus includes a plunger movable vertically in a chamber and made from resilient material and having a pair of vertically spaced lands. The chamber defines a recess with the lands and the plunger in the space between the lands. Lubricating fluid is disposed in the recess. Fluid such as intravenous fluid is introduced into the chamber in one reciprocal movement of the plunger and is withdrawn from the chamber in the other reciprocal movement of the plunger. A porous washer filled with lubricating fluid is disposed in contiguous relationship to a particular one of the lands for providing an auxiliary reservoir of the lubricating fluid. Such washer may be contiguous to the lower one of the two (2) lands.