Conduit With Hollow Needle Or Spike At Each End Thereof Patents (Class 604/412)
  • Patent number: 7326194
    Abstract: A fluid ducting assembly for enabling flow communication between a syringe and either one of a vessel and a dispenser for dispensing a fluid contained, a priori in the syringe or in the vessel. The fluid ducting assembly includes a base having a first member, a second member, and a third member for connection to and providing flow communication with the syringe, the vessel and the dispenser, respectively. The fluid ducting assembly further includes a flow controller within the base enabling any one of a flow path between the first member and the second member and a flow path between the first member and the third member. The flow controller has either a first operative position in which the flow path between the first member and the second member is enabled or a second operative position in which the flow path between the first member and the third member is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Medimop Medical Projects Ltd.
    Inventors: Freddy Zinger, Igor Denenburg
  • Patent number: 7297140
    Abstract: A connector according to the invention comprises a hollow needle fastened to a body. A first tubular receptacle provided with a first foil surrounds a first end section of the needle. A second tubular receptacle provided with a second foil surrounds a second end section of the needle. The tubular receptacles are able to slide on the body. The holding sleeve moves the body toward the first foil over a first piercing stroke to pierce it, and then moves the second foil toward the body over a second piercing stroke to pierce it. In this way there may be obtained simultaneous piercing of the foils and foils or stoppers of containers such as flasks or sachets pressed against the foils, to provide a connection under optimum conditions of sterility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: P2A Medical
    Inventors: Alain Orlu, Pierre-André Commaret
  • Patent number: 7294122
    Abstract: A transfer needle comprises: a liquid-specific member; and a medicament-specific member to be separably connected or joined to the liquid-specific member in a liquid-tight state. The liquid-specific member comprises: a liquid-specific hollow needle projecting toward the opposite side from the medicament-specific member. The medicament-specific member comprises: a medicament-specific hollow needle projecting toward the opposite side from the liquid-specific member and communicating with the liquid-specific hollow needle. A female luer is provided on at least one of the liquid-specific member and the medicament-specific member at a position opposing to the other. The female luer communicates with the one hollow needle and is separably connected with an injection needle connecting portion of a syringe in a liquid-tight state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: NIPRO Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kubo, Shuji Hasegawa, Yoshiyuki Sunaga, Takao Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7261707
    Abstract: The invention concerns an ampule comprising a tubular body (2) made of synthetic material having two chambers (3, 4) tightly isolated by a membrane (9) capable of being perforated or a removable or frangible wall, one (31) of which contains the liquid or the powder (6), and the other is accessible from outside to be connected during transfer, the frangible membrane (9) or wall being arranged at the end of a tube (8) integral with the ampule and emerging into the chamber (4) capable of communication with outside, said tube (8) containing a tubular element (14) having a pointed tip (17) oriented towards the membrane. The tubular element (14) and the tube (8) comprise means (13, 16) preventing the tubular element (14) from being separated from the tube (8) after one has been mounted into the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventors: Pierre Frezza, Alain Botella
  • Patent number: 7226538
    Abstract: Systems and methods handle air and rinsing fluid during fluid processing. The systems and methods eliminate air from a fluid processing system prior to, during, and after use. The systems and methods provide a connector assembly for establishing fluid flow from a fluid source. The connector assembly has discrete first and second passages that prevent communication between the fluid in first passage and the fluid in the second passage. Prior to system use, the connector assembly may be utilized in a priming function to remove residual air from a fluid circuit prior to use. The connector assembly may also be utilized after use to perform a rinse-back function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Nxstage Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Brugger, Dennis M. Treu
  • Patent number: 6974423
    Abstract: A blood collection needle assembly includes a holder body having a tube receiving chamber and a needle receiving chamber. A proximal needle is mounted to the holder body and projects into the tube receiving chamber. A distal needle is slidably mounted in alignment with the needle receiving chamber. A spring is provided to urge distal needle into the needle receiving chamber, and a trigger is provided for selectively permitting or preventing proximal movement of the distal needle. A transverse passage between the two needles is formed from a transparent material and provides indication of venus axis. The blood collection needle assembly is used to collect a sample of blood in a conventional manner. After collection of the blood, the trigger is actuated to release the distal needle and the spring propels the distal needle in a proximal direction for safe shielding within the needle receiving chamber of the holder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventor: Robert Zurcher
  • Patent number: 6875205
    Abstract: A vial adapter having a needle-free valve, a sharpened cannula used to perforate a vial's rubber stopper, and a circular array of claws of different lengths to engage vial closures of different diameters. The array of claws includes a first set of claws each having a first length extending inwardly from the periphery of the housing of the adapter and a second set of claws alternating with the first set of claws and each having a longer length. The second set of claws are mounted so that they deflect and plastically deform out of the way in the case where the adapter is engaged with a vial that exceeds a predetermined size. The housing includes a shroud that is at least as long as the sharpened cannula to protect medical personnel who use the adapter from inadvertent punctures. The needle-free valve includes a resiliently deformable piston element with a naturally open bore. The interior of the piston provides a fluid flow path through the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alaris Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl R. Leinsing
  • Patent number: 6875613
    Abstract: A device for accessing biological fluid, sampling biological fluid constituents and determining the concentration of at least one target constituent within the accessed biological fluid is provided. The device has at least one micro-piercing member used to penetrate the skin to a selected depth and to access biological fluid, a constituent sampling means and a constituent measuring means. The constituent sampling means comprises a constituent transfer medium, such as a hydrophilic gel material, by which sampled constituents are transferred from the micro-piercing member to the measuring means. The measuring means includes an electrochemical cell having at least one porous electrode through which at least one sampled constituent is caused to enter into the electrochemical cell. Methods of sampling constituents within the skin and measuring the sampled constituents, as well as kits for practicing the invention are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LifeScan, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Shartle, Koon-wah Leong, Ernest J. Kiser
  • Patent number: 6821785
    Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a vacuum sampling tube which is capable of preventing a pretreating reagent accommodated in the vacuum sampling tube from entering the blood vessel and the like even in the event of a backflow of a specimen, such as blood, during vacuum sampling, such as vacuum blood collecting, and a vacuum sampling method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Anraku, Ryusuke Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20040092905
    Abstract: A fluid mixing unit insertable along conveyance and/or distribution lines, particularly for mixing diagnostic or medical fluids or the like along biomedical lines, comprising a body that is internally hollow and is provided with at least one pair of intake ports for introducing two fluids to be mixed, which are associable with respective feeder devices, and a discharge port for discharging the mixture of the two fluids, which is associable with an outflow device, and a duct for the flow and mixing of the two fluids that is formed in the body and is connected to the intake ports and to the discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: SIDAM DI AZZOLINI GRAZIANO E C.S.A.S.
    Inventor: Graziano Azzolini
  • Patent number: 6699229
    Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing device for use in the aseptic intermixing of a powder component with a fluid component. The device is of a simple, compact construction that includes a first adapter that can be easily connected to a container containing the powder component and a second adapter that can be removably interconnected with the first adapter and can also be readily connected to a container containing a fluid such as a diluent so as to permit aseptic intermixing of the diluent with the powder. In use a conventional needleless syringe can be easily connected to the first adapter so that the mixture of the powder and diluent can be aseptically aspirated from the first container for subsequent delivery to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Inventors: Freddy Zinger, Igor Denenburg
  • Publication number: 20040015147
    Abstract: A confined air tube is intended to be placed into in-line communication with the transfer tubing of a blood processing system. The confined air tube provides an incremental volume of air, which keeps the transfer tubing from collapsing and sticking together during heat sterilization. After sterilization, the confined air tube accommodates conveyance of a blood component into an associated downstream transfer container. The confined air tube can also receive air vented from the transfer container, so that the blood component can undergo further processing or be stored in an air-depleted environment within the transfer container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Marie Mathias, Jean-Marc Payrat, Thomas Coneys, Philippe Van Heems
  • Publication number: 20030187421
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in inactivating pathogens in fluids such as blood or blood components. The apparatus includes a container having a main body portion and at least one tubing extending into the main body portion of the container. The apparatus also includes a container having a main body portion, at least one port and tubing extending from the port into the main body portion. The method includes flowing the fluid to be inactivated into the container via the port, and sealing the port off from the main body portion of the container through the container, without sealing the main body portion of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Keith Manica, Dennis J. Hlavinka
  • Patent number: 6605058
    Abstract: A device for introducing a needle for injecting a liquid substance, wherein the device includes a housing, a rear longitudinal part forming a portion of the housing and including a piercing needle, the rear longitudinal part being connectable to an injection device separate from the housing, a front longitudinal part forming another portion of the housing and including an injection needle for delivering said liquid, and a flexible connection between the piercing needle and the injection needle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Disetronic Licensing AG
    Inventor: Horst Wich
  • Patent number: 6591876
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a fluid conducting element. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and supports the fluid conducting element which, passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The fluid conducting element provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The fluid conducting element also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Safabash
  • Publication number: 20030109847
    Abstract: The present invention provides a receptacle for a therapeutic fluid susceptible to deterioration on exposure to a gas such as oxygen or carbon dioxide. The receptacle has walls of sheet material each including at least one layer forming a barrier essentially impermeable to such gas, and a seal sealing the walls together in a region thereof. A transfer tube is sealed in the seal having a proximal end in the receptacle, a distal end accessible from outside the receptacle, a flow passage extending between said proximal and distal ends, and a closure blocking flow through the flow passage adapted to be pierced by a tubular needle for transfer of therapeutic through the needle. The transfer tube and closure are essentially impermeable to said gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 12, 2003
    Applicants: Baxter International Inc., Baxter Healthcare S.A.
    Inventors: Sidney T. Smith, Larry Rosenbaum, Gregg Nebgen, William S. Hurst, William S. Hoerle, Adel M. Sadik, Melissa J. Skelnik
  • Patent number: 6575955
    Abstract: A high-sterility and high-capacity connector for lines for outflow from bottles for containing fluid-liquid substances for medical use, comprising an elongated cylindrical body, in a lower portion of which an anatomically shaped grip portion is provided and at an upper end of which a protruding piercing element which is functionally combined with means for engaging the rim of the neck of the bottle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Inventor: Graziano Azzolini
  • Patent number: 6558365
    Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing device for use in the aseptic intermixing of a powder component with a fluid component. The device is of a simple, compact construction that includes a first adapter that can be easily connected to a container containing the powder component and a second adapter that can be removably interconnected with the first adapter and can also be readily connected to a container containing a fluid such as a diluent so as to permit aseptic intermixing of the diluent with the powder. In use a conventional needleless syringe can be easily connected to the first adapter so that the mixture of the powder and diluent can be aseptically aspirated from the first container for subsequent delivery to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Medimop Medical Projects, Ltd.
    Inventors: Freddy Zinger, Igor Denenburg
  • Patent number: 6537263
    Abstract: The invention concerns a connecting device (1) comprising a base (5) mounted on the receptacle (2) and extended by a flange (9) forming an inner bore (A) and a piston (10) capable of sliding in said inner bore (A) between a released position relative to a plug (4) and a transfer position wherein a hollow needle (11) borne by the piston (10) passes through the plug (4). A scaling lip (22) is arranged on an internal surface (8d) of the bore (A) opposite the piston (10) or a surface of the piston, said lip (22) being shaped to be urged to press sealingly against the piston (10d) or against an internal surface of the bore, in the transfer position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Biodome
    Inventor: Antoine Aneas
  • Patent number: 6527758
    Abstract: A vial docking station for simultaneously sliding the spouts of a plurality of liquid medicament vials into an engaged position with matching receptacles of a like plurality of liquid reconstitution diluent bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Kam Ko
  • Patent number: 6524279
    Abstract: A needle assembly operable for the transfer of blood from a blood vessel to a vacuum tube contained within a vacuum tube holder. The assembly includes: (a) a first needle holder having a leading end and a trailing end and a hollow conical body portion therebetween; (b) a first hollow bore needle having a sharp beveled tip at a leading end thereof, a hub at a trailing end thereof, and a shank therebetween, the hub being disposed within the conical cavity and releasably attached to the leading end of the first needle holder; (c) a rigid tube having a leading end affixed to the hub of the first needle, a trailing end and a length therebetween, the rigid tube having an axial bore coextensive with the length of the rigid tube; and (d) a second hollow bore needle having a leading end disposed within the axial bore of the rigid tube and affixed to the trailing end of the rigid tube. The second needle has a trailing portion that includes a sharp trailing end projecting from the trailing end of the rigid tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Inventor: Jack W. Shields
  • Patent number: 6494869
    Abstract: A method of removing body fluids from a patient and disposing of the body fluids, the method comprising the steps of (a) providing a container including a bottom wall having therein a drain, (b) providing a drainage device for automatically opening the drain and draining the contents of the container, (c) collecting body fluids in the container, (d) placing the container on the drainage device, and (e) operating the drainage device so that the drainage device opens the drain and drains the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Bemis Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph M. Hand, Barry G. Anderson, Michael C. Hollen, Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 6475206
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid container capable of transferring liquids germ free in a simple manner within a short period of time and with inconsiderable solution remaining after transfer. The liquid container includes a vessel main body 1, a mouth portion 11 of which is closed by an easily breakable closing member 12, and a hollow needle member 2 crowned pivotably on the mouth portion 11 of the container main body 1. The closing member 12 is provided with a flat knob portion 121. A knob-containing portion 22 of the hollow needle member 2 is provided with a protrusion 24 for joining the knob portion 121 when the hollow needle member 2 is pivoted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Nipro Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Hama, Masakazu Mameta, Takamitsu Okawara
  • Patent number: 6453956
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a fluid conducting element. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and supports the fluid conducting element which, passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The fluid conducting element provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The fluid conducting element also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason H. Safabash
  • Publication number: 20020099355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety vacuum syringe for blood sampling conformed to ergonomics, mainly comprises: a hollow barrel, the barrel has a reduced inlet disposed on the top end thereof and a guiding slit disposed at the flank side thereof. A reduced lining tube is installed in the barrel, an eccentric reduced portion is eccentrically disposed on the top end of the reduced lining tube and has an opening at the lower end thereof, the eccentric reduced portion is wedged and fixed in the reduced lining tube and projects out of the reduced inlet. Besides, a needle head is fixedly covered on the eccentric reduced portion, a through guiding hole is disposed at the center of the eccentric reduced portion to position a type needle therein, a lower needle tip of the needle is positioned at the central axis in the reduced lining tube, a press plate is connected to said reduced lining tube at the outer flank side thereof and is positioned in the guiding slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Long Hsiung Chen
  • Publication number: 20020087141
    Abstract: A fluid transfer and mixing device for use in the aseptic intermixing of a powder component with a fluid component. The device is of a simple, compact construction that includes a first adapter that can be easily connected to a container containing the powder component and a second adapter that can be removably interconnected with the first adapter and can also be readily connected to a container containing a fluid such as a diluent so as to permit aseptic intermixing of the diluent with the powder. In use a conventional needleless syringe can be easily connected to the first adapter so that the mixture of the powder and diluent can be aseptically aspirated from the first container for subsequent delivery to the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Freddy Zinger, Igor Denenburg
  • Publication number: 20020079258
    Abstract: Components for composing an infusion line are classified into unit groups including a spike unit, a main tube unit, an injection device unit, an infusion filter unit, and a one-way valve unit. Plural kinds of units are provided for each unit group, each unit being formed of one or more components. A combination of the unit groups is determined by allowing the spike unit and the main tube unit to be indispensable and selecting at least one of the unit groups from the remaining unit groups. An arrangement of the selected unit groups is determined, with the spike unit being positioned at one end. At least one kind of the units is selected from each of the unit group based on the combination. The selected units are combined, with the end on the distal side relative to the spike unit being composed of a connector used for a connection to a member for access to a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: JMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Sawa
  • Patent number: 6299608
    Abstract: A bottle having a sterility seal and a method for producing same are disclosed. The bottle, which can be configured to retain a medicament in powder or tablet form, features a protective cap configured to engage a transfer assembly associated with the bottle. The cap includes one or more raised ridges on an interior surface engageable with a portion of the transfer assembly. A band or layer configuration of a sealing material such as silicone is applied to the transfer assembly prior to insertion of the cap thereover. As the cap comes into surface contact with the sealing material, the ridges cause the material to “roll up” into a toroidal O-ring configuration, thereby forming a seal between the cap and the bottle adapted to the dimensional variations of those components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson France, S.A.
    Inventors: Donald D. Solomon, Jean-Claude Thibault
  • Patent number: 6253804
    Abstract: A transfer guard for use by an individual for transferring contents from a supply container into a receiver container includes a supply adapter, a receiver adapter, a support structure and a needle. The supply adapter connects the supply container to the transfer guard, and the receiver adapter connects the receiver container to the transfer guard. The support structure couples the supply adapter with the receiver adapter, and the needle passes through the supply adapter and the receiver adapter. The needle is attached to one of the adapters for support and provides a passage for the contents to transfer from the supply container into the receiver container. The needle also includes at least one pointed end that is substantially protected by the transfer guard from contact with the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: MiniMed Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Hossein Safabash
  • Patent number: 6110160
    Abstract: A blood extraction device has a holder with a hollow needle cannula anchored therein. A rear end portion of this cannula is surrounded by a closed-end elastic hose like valve rubber tube with an air gap between the tube and the cannula. With a minimum of effort and cost a reliable anchorage of the valve rubber tube in the holder is obtained by pressing a clamping member within the holder against the exterior of the valve rubber tube and thereby plastically deforming this clamping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Walter Sarstedt Gerate und Verbrauchsmaterial fur Medizin und Wissenschaft
    Inventor: Horst Farber
  • Patent number: 6063068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector device for establishing fluid communication between a first container and a second container. The device has a first sleeve member having a first and a second end, the first sleeve member having at the first end a first attaching member adapted to attach to the first container. The device further has a second sleeve member having a first end and a second end, the second sleeve member being associated with the first sleeve member and movable with respect thereto from an inactivated position to an activated position, the second sleeve member having at the second end a second attaching member adapted to attach the second sleeve member to the second container. First and second piercing members project from one of the first and second sleeve members for providing a fluid flow path from the first container to the second container, and the first and second piercing members are independently hermetically sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Robert J. Weinberg, Thomas J. Progar
  • Patent number: 6036680
    Abstract: A system, a method and administration lines are provided for self-priming of a solution delivery system. The administration lines are arranged such that resultant forces acting on the lines create different forces applied on each lumen resulting in solution flowing in one of the lumen undergoing a higher isostatic pressure. The lumens forming the administration line may be formed from concentric tubings or formed from separate tubings extending varied lengths into the solution container. As a result, automatic priming of the administration line and the solution delivery system is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Horne, Eric J. Henaut, Patrick Balteau, Michael T. K. Ling
  • Patent number: 6019750
    Abstract: The present invention provides a septum for sealing an end of a medical connector. The connector has an end to attach to a closure of a container, the closure of the container having a target site, the connector further having a piercing member therein for piercing the target site of the closure. The septum comprises a disk having opposing first and second surfaces, a sheath extending axially from the first surface of the disk, and an annular ridge extending from the second surface of the disk, the annular ridge having a flared distal end, the distal end being dimensioned to form a fluid tight seal with the target area of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Fowles, Thomas J. Progar, Robert J. Weinberg, Craig A. Fuller
  • Patent number: 5890610
    Abstract: A connector assembly provided for efficient flow of liquid into and/or out of a vial, such as a vial containing a lyophilized drug. The connector assembly features a collar mountable to the rim of the vial in a locked position and thereafter removable by an end-user when disposal of the device is desired. A protective cap mountable over the collar includes an annulus-type ring at its proximal end which mounts over locking structure associated with the collar. The ring is secured to the protective cap via one or more user-severable connections. As the cap is urged proximally, the ring places the collar in the locked position with the vial rim, exerting an inwardly-directed force onto the locking structure to secure the collar to the vial rim. The cap can be separated from the ring at its user-severable connections, and the device used in its ordinary matter. When disposal is desired, the ring may be urged proximally out of engagement with the locking structure of the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventors: Hubert Jansen, Jean Claude Thibault, Bernard Sams
  • Patent number: 5873872
    Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for efficient flow of liquid into and/or out of a vial, such as a vial containing a lyophilized drug. The connector assembly includes a spike slidably mounted in the open top of the vial. The connector assembly further includes a stopper sealingly engaged in the open top of the vial and slidably moveable in response to the axially movement of the spike. Thus, movement of the spike relative to the vial will move the stopper into or out of sealing engagement with the vial. The connector assembly further includes a spring for generating a small amount of axial movement of the spike after the stopper has been moved into the opened position in the vial. Movement of the spike generated by the spring will cause a sufficient change in pressure to overcome surface tension and initiate an efficient flow of fluid into or out of the vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Becton Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Jean Claude Thibault, Hubert Jansen
  • Patent number: 5868178
    Abstract: A straw for storing a biological liquid such as animal semen, the straw comprising a fine tube open at both ends and closed by a plug engaged in one of said ends, said plug being formed by a powder suitable for transforming, on contact with the liquid, into a paste that is impermeable and leakproof, which powder is interposed between an external wad and an internal wad of a fiber material that is permeable to air and to liquids. The length of the external wad is at least twice as long as the length of the internal wad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Eurl Cryo Vet
    Inventor: Pascal Xavier Lecointe
  • Patent number: 5797897
    Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. One form of a blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula, the locking member latches to the injection site and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula includes a tube having a tapered distal end region and having elongate discharge slots for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post, an annular barb, and axially oriented grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Baxter International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Jepson, Thomas E. Dudar, Brian D. Zdeb, Vince C. Desecki
  • Patent number: 5738671
    Abstract: Flexible container, for containment and delivery of medical fluids, having a 5.degree. to 45.degree. angel form the center of its bottom towards its side, and at least one embossed interior wall to facilitate fluid delivery to an access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Bracco Diagnostics Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Niedospial, Jr., Rebecca V. Fisher, Lawrence Callan, Irene K. Ropiak, Charles R. Quirico, Fred E. Snyder, Michael N. Eakins, Julius P. Zodda
  • Patent number: 5735841
    Abstract: An assembly having a puncturing device and a receiving device is provided. The puncturing device has a puncturing element and a blocking element. The puncturing element is joined to a flexible tube and provided with a needle-shaped part. The needle-shaped part has a portion whose cross-section has at least one part set back in relation to a circle circumscribing the cross-section. The receiving device is joined to a sealed container and has a central longitudinal channel which is intended to receive, in a leak-proof manner, the needle-shaped part of the puncturing device. The channel has a portion with a cross-section complementing the portion of the needle-shaped part and a portion intended to cooperate with the blocking element of the puncturing device to form, when the puncturing device is situated in the final position in the receiving device, a leak-proof connection bringing the inside of the container into communication with the feed tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Nestec, Ltd.
    Inventors: Michel Bourguignon, Ignacio Larrain
  • Patent number: 5701910
    Abstract: An aspiration needle apparatus for collecting cell samples by withdrawing aspirate from tissue in a living body. An aspiration needle is provided which has a flow passage extending from its proximal extremity to its distal extremity. The proximal extremity has a hub end a cell collection chamber therein in communication with the flow passage. A vacuum container is provided which has an enclosed evacuated space evacuated to a subambient pressure to provide a predetermined volume of evacuated space devoid of a solid or a liquid and devoted solely to providing the desired vacuum. The vacuum container is sealed by a penetrable diaphragm providing access to the evacuated space. An adapter mounted on the hub and making a fluid-tight connection therewith is formed to receive the vacuum container. The adapter includes a needle having a flow passage in communication with the flow passage in the aspiration needle. A spring is carried by the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: Advanced Cytometric Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor J. Powles, Mir A. Imran
  • Patent number: 5653686
    Abstract: A method and transfer device for transferring fluids between closed vials. The transfer device includes a cylinder having a pair of opposing open tubes or tubular portions into which a pair of vials can be inserted to transfer fluid therebetween. The tubes are separated by a wall through which extends a fluid transfer needle and a vent needle which first is inserted into a first vial to vent the first vial into a vent chamber or reservoir formed in the transfer device before the transfer needle is inserted into the first vial. The first vial, stopper first, is inserted into first tube until seated onto an exposed end of the transfer needle. A second vial, stopper first, then is inserted into the second tube until seated onto the opposite exposed end of the transfer needle. A pressure differential between the closed vials preferably can be utilized to transfer a desired fluid portion between the vials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Coulter Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace H. Coulter, Charles R. Shambaugh
  • Patent number: 5641010
    Abstract: Apparatus for mixing liquid with material stored in a container having an opening sealed by a resilient plug includes an adapter having a bore extending through it. The bore is shaped at one end to receive the container plug facing toward the other end of the bore. A first fitting having a passageway extending through it is secured to the adapter at the said other end of the bore. An elongated cannula is sealed at one end to the first fitting passageway so the other end of the cannula penetrates the plug as the container is inserted into the adapter to provide a flow path from the material to the passageway in the first fitting, which is shaped to make a releasable fluidtight seal with a second fitting having a passageway extending through it and adapted to be connected to means for connecting the second fitting passageway to a source of liquid with means for causing the liquid to flow into the container and mix with the material stored in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: International Medication Systems, Limited
    Inventor: Gunther L. Maier
  • Patent number: 5620008
    Abstract: A blood sampling system includes a blood collecting assembly having an in-line blood sampling unit, a blood sampling container, and a fluid coupling device coupled to the in-line blood sampling unit for coupling the in-line blood sampling unit to the blood sampling container. The fluid coupling device has a housing having an anterior section formed with an open end capable of being applied to the blood sampling unit, a posterior section formed with an open end capable of receiving the blood sampling container, and a transversely-extending member between the anterior and posterior sections. A needle is secured to the transversely-extending member so as to extend axially of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Migada Inc.
    Inventors: Eilat Shinar, Eli Shemesh, Sarit Rotem, Menashe Choori, Ellen Tobe
  • Patent number: 5597536
    Abstract: A needleless port system for depositing a sample of biological material into a vacuum container. The system comprises a generally dome-shaped or bell-shaped housing having an upper end and a bottom end, the latter being designed and configured to axially engage a vacuum container receivable therethrough. The system further includes at least one passageway, preferably disposed along a top portion thereof, for establishing fluid communication with a source of biological material. The system further preferably includes a hollow, generally spike-shaped member for depositing the biological sample into the vacuum container. Axially disposed within the housing and axially received about the generally spike-shaped member is a seal member designed and configured to penetrably and sealingly receive the distal tip of the spike member. The seal member is preferably designed and configured to selectively control the amount of biological material drawn into the vacuum container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Critical Device Corporation
    Inventor: Bruno Franz P. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5552118
    Abstract: A needleless port system for depositing a sample of biological material into a vacuum container. The system comprises a generally dome-shaped or bell-shaped housing having an upper end and a bottom end, the latter being designed and configured to axially engage a vacuum container receivable therethrough. The system further includes at least one passageway, preferably disposed along a top portion thereof, for establishing fluid communication with a source of biological material. The system further preferably includes a hollow, generally spike-shaped member for depositing the biological sample into the vacuum container. Axially disposed within the housing and axially received about the generally spike-shaped member is a seal member designed and configured to penetrably and sealingly receive the distal tip of the spike member. The seal member is preferably designed and configured to selectively control the amount of biological material drawn into the vacuum container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Critical Device Corporation
    Inventor: Bruno Franz P. Mayer
  • Patent number: 5526853
    Abstract: A binary connector intercouples a plugged drug vial and a plugged, flexible-walled diluent container so that the diluent can pass to the vial from the container only after the latter has been pressurized by squeezing. Sharp-tipped, hollow spikes with intercommunicating axial bores extend in diametrically opposite directions from a disk-shaped base, with jaws having circularly arrayed flexible arms extending in diametrically opposite directions from the base, coaxially around respective ones of the spikes. A compressible rubber plug is wedged in one of the bores. A vial is engaged to a container for liquid communication by snapping the connectors' jaws around their respective inlets, causing the connectors' hollow spikes to pierce their respective plugs. However, not until the container is squeezed is the plug expelled from the blocked bore and communication established between vial and container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1996
    Assignee: McGaw, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. McPhee, C. Kenneth Lovejoy, Giuseppe Sacca
  • Patent number: 5505721
    Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing blood from a vein and simultaneously filling multiple collection tubes. The apparatus includes a movable sheath which protects the technician from inadvertently contacting the withdrawn needle after use and a laminar flow transition chamber between the blood withdrawal needle and the multiple collection tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1996
    Inventors: Gregory L. Leach, Albert C. Phelps, Mark L. Krebs
  • Patent number: 5496301
    Abstract: A method and device for sampling biological fluids during collection without opening the functionally closed collection system, thereby compromising the sterility of the collected fluid. A sample bag connected to a fluid line or collection reservoir is filled coincident with fluid collection, then hermetically sealed and physically separated from the collection system using a radio frequency tubing sealer. A vacuum tube collection device is attached to the sample bag to minimize exposure to the fluid during sample handling and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: COBE Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis J. Hlavinka, Robert L. White, Todd C. Green
  • Patent number: 5445631
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a vial having an opening for containing a dry medicament, a container having an opening for containing a solution, upper and lower, pierceable plugs for hermetically sealing the openings of the vial and the container, respectively, a capsule having upper and lower ends, and a sliding member slidably disposed in the capsule and having a double-pointed cannula providing with upper and lower needles. The container is slidably inserted into the capsule from the upper open end of the capsule and the vial can be detachably and fixedly connected to the lower open end of the capsule. When container is pushed downward, the lower needle of the cannula is firstly pierced and inserted into the plug of the vial so that the cannula is communicated with the medicament vial and then the upper needle of the cannula is pierced and inserted into the plug of the container so that the vial and the container are communicated to each other through the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignees: Suntory Limited, Nissho Corporation
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 5385546
    Abstract: An apparatus for separately storing a first component, such as a drug and for mixing this first component with a second component, such as a sterilized diluent, to form a beneficial agent which can be delivered to a patient from the container containing the second component. The device includes novel means for interconnecting a container, such as a glass vial containing a first component, such as a drug, with a second container such as a flexible bag containing the second component such as a parenteral liquid, and then for mixing the components under sterile conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1995
    Assignee: Science Incorporated
    Inventors: Marshall S. Kriesel, Thomas N. Thompson