Abstract: A combination comprising a syringe, an adaptor, a check valve, and associated connectors for an intravenous infuser for patient-controlled analgesia. The infuser comprises a cradle adapted to receive an annular or disc-shaped element fitting into the cradle and a switch adapted to disable the infuser unless such an element is fitted into the cradle. The syringe comprises a vial, a plunger arranged within the vial for relative movement of the plunger and the vial, a tubular needle extending through an axial hole of the plunger, and a flange mounted around the needle and spaced from the plunger but too small to fit into the cradle. An adaptor having an outer rim adapted to fit over the flange and into the cradle and a check valve mounted operatively in the adaptor are connected by tubular connectors to the flange. The check valve allows an infusible liquid to flow from a chamber within the vial, through the tubular needle, and through the check valve, but not oppositely.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for effecting compounding of parenteral admixture solutions, and recirculation with the admixture solution being formed. The apparatus includes a pump cassette configured for operative association with a pump driver, whereby one or more selected source solutions are delivered through the pump cassette to an associated admixture container. After pumping of each source solution, the present method contemplates that the admixture being formed is recirculated through the pump cassette, thereby diluting any source solution in the cassette and associated tubing. In this manner, the possible mixture of incompatible source solutions, resulting in formation of precipitate, is desirably avoided.

Abstract: An adapter and retainer for field assembly to the proximal end of a catheter in the form of a plastic clip having a length of flexible tubing mounted thereon into which the end of the catheter is inserted after which two jaws of the clip are locked together to sealingly compress the flexible tubing about the catheter, the catheter also being wrapped one or more times about reel formations provided on the clip and then snapped into retention grooves provided on the clip whereby to absorb any force applied to the catheter which would otherwise tend to separate the catheter from the clip.

Abstract: An injection site for the infusion of a medicament into a flow path for a parenteral fluid and, more particularly, an injection site which is essentially self-priming and air-occluding and which is of extremely simple construction and easily assembled. Furthermore, the invention is also directed to an injection site of the type described herein which is especially adapted for use as an injection port of a Y-connector utilized for an intravenous administration set. The device incorporates a self-sealing puncturable member of resilient material, such as rubber, which member is of a substantially spheroid configuration, the tubular segment so as to be in close proximity to the and which is swage-molded into a receiving housing in the tubular segment so as to be in close proximity to the inlet tubing for the flow path of the parenteral fluid.

Abstract: Container systems employing a diluent container having an extractor that is helically threaded and is used to engage a resilient undercut vial stopper of an additive container.

Abstract: A solution pumping system including a disposable pump cassette is disclosed, with the system configured for efficient and accurate preparation of parenteral admisture solutions. The system includes a pump driver having a reciprocable pump plunger and a plurality of associated valve actuators. The disposable pump cassette of the system is configured for removable positioning in operative association with the pump driver, and includes a positive displacement pump configured for operation by the reciprocable pump plunger. The pump cassette further includes a plurality of liquid inlets, and at least one liquid outlet joined in fluid communication with the inlets. By selective operation of the valve actuators of the pump driver, one or more selected source solutions are drawn through the pump inlets by the positive displacement pump, and directed through the pump outlet to an admixture solution container.

Abstract: An improved motorized transfer mechanism for use in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis apparatus (CAPD) is provided for automatically transferring a piercing pin from the clamped port of a used container of used dialysis solution to the clamped port of a container of fresh dialysis solution. The transfer mechanism is characterized by a track member extending between opposed aligned port mountings, an upstanding guideway adjacent to each port mounting and a rack formation located midway between the opposite ends of the track member. The rack formation is rotatably engageable with a circular gear sector secured to the spike carrier disposed within the guideways of the track member. The linear movement between the opposed ports of the spike carrier is performed by a motor-driven drive screw.

Abstract: A clamp for dividing a flexible bag includes three pivotally joined members. A sealing member has a sealing surface such as an extended bead. A center member has a first face having an undercut groove forming a pair of arms to engage the sealing surface and the flexible bag. A second face has a locking groove. A locking member has a wedge portion engageable in the locking groove so as to deflect the arms around the sealing surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for conducting peritoneal dialysis with a decreased total volume of dialysis fluid used and increased efficacy parameters such as ultrafiltration rate, urea clearance rate and dialysate volume as compared to conventional techniques. In the method of this invention, a fluid communication through the peritoneal membrane into the peritoneal cavity of a patient in need of peritoneal dialysis treatment is established. An initial volume of an aqueous peritoneal dialysis composition containing an osmotic agent is instilled into the peritoneal cavity through the fluid communication.

Abstract: The disposable transducer includes a small housing constructed of lightweight plastic material. The housing is shaped so as to form a transparent chamber within which is situated a very small piezoresistive strain gauge in the form of a resistive bridge network diffused onto a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate is electrically isolated by means of a nonconductive gel which partially fills the transparent chamber in which the semiconductor substrate is positioned. The resistive bridge network of the semiconductor substrate is also electrically connected to a plurality of calibration resistors which are separately formed on the semiconductor substrate, making the entire apparatus economically disposable after a single use.