Abstract: An adapter for interconnecting in fluid communication a first connection site and a beneficial agent container having a closure. The adapter includes a plate having first and second connection site sides. A wall extends from the plate from the second connection site side and constructed to surround only the closure. This allows containers having varying sized bodies to be received. A cannula structure is rigidly secured in the plate and defines a flow path extending through the plate. The adapter can be provided in an assembly with the beneficial agent contained or in a drug delivery system.

Abstract: A cannula assembly adapted to pierce a solid or unslit closure is disclosed and includes a blunt cannula and a piercing member held in cooperation with or contained within the flow channel of the cannula. Generally, the piercing member includes a tip capable of piercing an unslit stopper or closure and a means to temporarily retain the piercing member from the cannula and prevent inadvertent disengagement of the piercing member from the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A closure for a tubular administration port is formed by inner and outer members having upper ends joined together in sealing relationship. The inner member has a sealed bottom end and is configured to fit within the administration port. The outer member is configured to engage about an exterior of the tubular port. The inner member includes radially outwardly extending ribs that engage against the interior of the administration port in an interference fit relationship.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for coupling a first container including a beneficial agent to a second member. In an embodiment, the device includes a substantially hollow member having a cannula mounted within a wall that divides the substantially hollow member into a first and second section. The first section includes means for receiving at least a portion of a first container. The substantially hollow member includes a wall that defines an exterior of the first section that is substantially flexible. A number of different cannula and flow path structures within the hollow member are possible pursuant to the present invention.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided comprising a cartridge body including an upper portion defining a vial receiving area and terminating in a wall, the cartridge body including a cannula extending from the wall. A vial including a beneficial agent is coupled by a retaining member to the cartridge body in an inactivated position. The retaining member allows the vial to move to an activated position. The retaining member including an outer member and an inner member, the inner member separating from portions of the outer member as the vial moves from the inactivated position to the activated position.

Abstract: A container for housing a beneficial agent that can be removably coupled to a structure defining a fluid flow path. The container comprises a body defining a first and second interior area separated by a wall that terminates at an opening providing fluid communication between the first and second interior area. A cannula is provided that extends from the body for being removably received by the structure defining the fluid path. The cannula includes an inlet opening and inlet fluid flow path and an outlet opening and outlet fluid flow path. The inlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the first interior area, and the outlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the second interior area. The second interior area houses the solid beneficial agent and allows fluid that flows through the inlet fluid flow path to pass by at least a portion of the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising an unbuffered iso-osmotic aqueous formulation containing an effective amount of ranitidine for the treatment of conditions mediated through histamine H.sub.2 receptors. The formulation has a pH of greater than or equal to 5.0 and less than 6.5 and preferably includes an osmotic adjusting agent chosen from the group consisting of dextrose and sodium chloride.

Abstract: The device of the present invention includes a flexible container having an administration port and a flexible tube extending therefrom. The administration port includes an access membrane through which a spiked cannula can be inserted to gain access to the interior of the flexible container. The flexible tube contains a frangible or breakaway valve therein. Permanently secured to the end of the flexible tube is a sheath having a substantially circular base and an open-ended skirt including an inner surface depending from the base. The skirt includes a plurality of inwardly projecting bumps intermittently spaced around the inner surface to sealingly engage a standard drug vial. A sharp cannula is mounted within the skirt to pierce the stopper of the standard drug vial to establish fluid communication between the cannula and the interior of the drug vial. A peelable closure is provided covering the skirt opening prior to use to maintain a sterile condition of the device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a casing having a plurality of sources of pressurized liquid. The sources of pressurized liquid are preferably contained in at least one elastomeric bladder. Housing is provided to establish fluid communication between the sources of pressurized liquid. Additionally, at least one flow restrictor is provided to regulate the flow of pressurized liquid. A single or a plurality of flow restrictors can be used to regulate the flow of liquid between the sources of pressurized liquid. The plurality of sources of pressurized liquid can be contained under different pressures which can be provided by varying the size of the elastomeric storage area. The casing further contains an inlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with the sources of pressurized liquid to provide for filling and dispensing of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the physical compatibility of two or more pharmaceutical chemicals in solution mixes chemical solutions in predetermined relative quantities in a test well and, under the direction of a control mechanism, measures the absorption of the mixture at two different wavelengths. The first wavelength is within the visual spectrum in the range of 400 to 500 nm and detects both changes in color and changes in physical properties caused by mixing the chemical solutions. The second wavelength is above the visual spectrum in the range of 610 to 650 nm to detect only changes in physical properties caused by mixing the chemical solutions. The control mechanism further compares the absorption measured at the two different wavelengths to differentiate between solely color changes and physical property changes (with or without color changes) caused by the mixing. The control mechanism also provides an output of the differentiated results.

Abstract: A method of determining the critical vapor pressure of a hygroscopic material, such as a drug. A drug sample is placed in a substantially isothermal environment. A vapor, such as water vapor, at a given pressure is then placed in the ambient air over the drug. The rate of heat production from this sample at the given water vapor pressure, or the humidity of the air above the sample, is then measured. The water vapor pressure over the drug is gradually increased. Simultaneously, the rate of increase in heat production from the drug sample, or the rate of change of the relative humidity of the air above the drug sample, is measured. A marked increase in the rate of heat production generated by the drug, or a marked change in the relative humidity of the air over the sample, signals the attainment of the critical water vapor pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is an elastomeric bladder infusion pump which may be used for delivering a pharmaceutically active material to a patient at a substantially constant flow rate. A unitary internal stress member or mandrel is disposed within the bladder, prestressing the bladder in both the axial and radial dimensions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved cannula that can be used to reconstitute powdered drugs in a drug delivery system. Furthermore, the present invention provides a cannula and drug delivery system incorporating same. To this end, the present invention provides a cannula structure for use in a reconstitution device for reconstituting a powdered drug comprising a cannula having a first end and a second end, and defining a channel in an interior thereof between the first and second ends. The first end is closed and includes a member for piercing a septum. The cannula includes at least two slots providing fluid communication between the channel and an exterior of the cannula. The slots are located in juxtaposition to the first end and have a width, as measured along a length of the cannula, that is less than a length, as measured around the cannula. The slots also have a minimum projected area equal to or greater than the cross-sectional area of the channel.

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. A second end of the housing carries a coupling component to adapt the site to standard vials. The coupling component, a vial adapter, includes an adapter spike with openings allowing for the drainage of fluid in the vial through the spike and into the injection site. The vial adapter is provided with a skirt housing unit which protects the adapter spike in manufacturing and use. The skirt housing unit also provides features to lockingly engage the adapter with injection site to standard vials, despite dimensional variations in vial closures. Another embodiment of the coupling component is a spike having a barb feature capable of insertion into a standard vial or port and resisting disengagement.A blunt cannula is usable with the injection site combined with the coupling components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing drugs, wherein a patient's order of one or more prescriptions is automatically filled. Various drugs are stored in three or more filler lines. A vial size is assigned to each line. When a prescription is filled, it is automatically assigned to a line in view of the vial size requirements and processed accordingly. Provisions are made for the inability to fill a prescription or order. Subsequently, all of the patient's prescriptions are collected and made available as a single order.

Abstract: An improved multiple fluid delivery system usable for the delivery of intravenous fluids to a patient from a plurality of fluid sources includes flexible tubing members for coupling the sources to a fluid junction member. The fluid junction member, wherein little or no interfluid mixing occurs, is coupled by an output conduit to a controllable pump. Output from the pump, via a further fluid flow conduit, can be coupled to the patient's catheter. The system can multiplex a plurality of different fluids. Spaced apart sequences of fluid quanta are injected into the output conduit from the fluid flow junction. The fluids are either mixed, or not, in the output conduit as desired. Operator interaction and control of the system can occur either through a display screen or by means of a bar code sensor. Hard copy records can be provided of fluid flow delivery schedules or other related information.

Abstract: An improved apparatus is disclosed for attaching a fitment (13) to a web of film (20), including a heat seal tip (32) for piercing a web of film (20), for use in the manufacture of flexible plastic containers. The fitment (13) provides a means of access between the interior of the container and the outside environment.

Abstract: A protector shield is provided for a needle to protect from injury to the hand and touch contamination of the needle. The protector shield comprises an arcuate wall, longitudinally positionable about the pointed end of a tubular needle in spaced relation to it. The arcuate wall defines an open side, and an arcuate arm extends from the arcuate wall across a portion of the open side. The arm extends generally circumferentially about the needle so that the protector shield may be used to lock the needle into engagement with a Y-type injection site.

Abstract: A web of film for use in manufacturing flexible containers is provided. In an embodiment, the film comprises a first layer constructed from a non-RF responsive material and a second layer constructed from a RF responsive material. The second layer has a sufficiently greater thickness than the first layer that when sufficient RF energy is applied to the second layer, the first layer is sealed to a second film surface. In an embodiment, the film has three layers. A container constructed from the film is also provided.