Abstract: An insert for trans-membrane co-culture includes a hollow housing with a passageway therethrough, a first end, a second end and a center section intermediate the first and second end. The passageway has an inside diameter at the first end and the second end that is larger than the inside diameter of the passageway at the center section so that the passageway tapers from each end to the center section. The center section includes a porous membrane having a first surface and a second surface attached across and obstructing the passageway. The membrane forms a first receptacle from the passageway toward the first end and forms a second receptacle from the passageway toward the second end. A method for using the insert of the present invention to grow cells on both sides of a porous membrane includes horizontally submerging the insert in liquid medium so that the air in the receptacles is displaced by the medium.

Abstract: A pipet for transferring fluids of the present invention includes a distal tip, a barrel portion with an exterior surface, and a proximal neck. The pipet has a hollow bore. There are graduation markings on the exterior surface of the barrel portion for determining a volume of a fluid contained in the pipet. The graduation markings have a longitudinal and a radial orientation about the barrel. The pipet of the invention further includes a proximal mark for indicating the radial orientation of the graduation markings on the barrel that allows an operator to mount the pipet in a pipetter with the packaging open only at the neck end of the pipet in the most favorable orientation for use.

Abstract: A valved adapter for connecting a fluid handling device to a medical device includes a body with a longitudinal axis and having a female luer fitting at a proximal end, a distal end and a passageway therethrough. The passageway has a chamber intermediate the proximal end and the distal end containing a valve having a normally closed position but operative to an open position. The valve includes a relatively elongate resilient member with a proximal end and an axis substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the adapter. The valve further includes a pusher disposed at the proximal end of the elongate resilient member. The pusher includes a telescopic portion having an extended position and a collapsed position. The telescopic portion is biased to the extended position.

Abstract: A film forming composition for preparation of a skin surface as a surgical site includes a film forming material and a antimicrobial agent soluble in a fugitive solvent. The composition when applied to the skin surface forms a substantially water insoluble, substantially tack-free flexible film adherent to the skin surface. The film is capable of releasably retaining the antimicrobial agent to substantially inhibit microbial growth on the skin surface. The film releases sufficient antimicrobial agent to substantially eliminate the microorganisms normally present on the skin surface to prepare the surface for the procedure and continues to release the antimicrobial agent during the procedure and subsequent wound healing. A preferred embodiment of the composition includes at least one compound for providing a first color indicative of the skin surface area covered by the composition and develops a second color upon the substantial elimination of the fugitive solvent indicating that the site is ready.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polyurethane having inherent softness properties is formed from a diisocyanate, a polyetherglycol and a mixture of diol chain extenders. The mixture of chain extenders includes a first diol and a second diol which has side chain branching. A method for making the polyurethane of the present invention includes mixing the components to induce an exothermic reaction, followed by curing. The polyurethane formed is suitable for melt processing into medical devices such as catheters, other tubing, hubs and the like.

Abstract: A valved adapter for a medical access device includes a body with a longitudinal axis. The body has a proximal first end, a distal second end and a passageway therethrough which has an inside surface. The passageway has a chamber defined by a proximal shoulder and a segmented distal shoulder both projecting inwardly from the surface of the passageway. The chamber is located intermediate the first end and second end of the body. The adapter includes a valve contained within the chamber for selectively obstructing and allowing fluid flow through the passageway. The valve includes an elongate resilient member with an axis substantially coaxial to the longitudinal axis of the body having a proximal end and a distal end. The elongate resilient member is axially compressed between the distal shoulder and the proximal shoulder, the compression biasing the valve to a normally closed position.

Abstract: A roller bottle for trans-membrane co-culture of cells includes an exterior receptacle with a longitudinal axis having a first chamber surrounded by a sidewall. The exterior receptacle has a first neck at one end having an opening therethrough providing fluid access to said first chamber. The roller bottle further includes an interior container with a longitudinal axis and a second chamber, the interior container being located coaxially within the exterior receptacle. The interior container has a second neck at one end providing fluid access to the second chamber. The exterior receptacle is formed from a material that is substantially impermeable to gas and liquid and is sealed in a substantially fluid tight fashion forming the first chamber that has fluid access by the first neck. At least a portion of the interior container is formed from a microporous material.

Abstract: A closure for providing selective access to and for closing a cell culture vessel includes an open cylindrical first portion for attaching the closure to the cell culture vessel. The first portion includes a passageway for access to the vessel. The closure includes a second portion attached to the first portion by a hinge for closing the access passageway. The second portion additionally includes a vent which has a porous membrane covering it to prevent passage of microorganisms through the vent. The closure includes a third portion which is attached by a hinge to the second portion for closing the vent. Either the vent or the access passageway may be opened with one hand providing easy access and selective closure of the cell culture vessel.

Abstract: A plate assembly for useful for in vitro fertilization procuedures such as receiving ova and for forming, evaluating, holding, manipulating and culturing embryos includes a base with an apportioned top surface and a sidewall. The top surface has a plurality of open wells embedded therein for receiving ova to be cultured. The wells are substantially cylindrical and have substantially flat closed bottoms to facilitate microscopic examination of the well contents. The assembly includes a removable lid for covering the top surface of the base. The lid is preferably divided into sections comparable to the top surface portions of the base. Each lid section may be separately slidably moved between a closed position where the lid covers a comparable portion of the top surface and an open position where the top surface is uncovered.

Abstract: The invention is a catheter/needle assembly for delivery of a medicament to the subarachnoid space of a patient which includes an elongate flexible tube portion sized to fit within the bore of an epidural needle. The flexible tube portion includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow bore therethrough. The assembly further includes an elongate needle portion having a distal point and a passageway therethrough. The needle portion is fit within, fixedly attached to and fluidly sealed to the bore of the tube. The needle point projects distally a distance beyond the distal end of the tube so that the distal end of the tube forms a shoulder projecting radially outwardly at the needle portion.The invention also includes a method of using the instantly invented assembly to deliver a medicament into the subarachnoid space of a patient.

Abstract: A multisection composite material useful in forming compression braces for orthopedic support of a body part includes a user contacting fabric section, an outermost fabric section formed from bonding two dissimilar fabrics and an intermediate section formed from a closed cell foam. The user contacting fabric section is a fabric having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers and bonded to a surface of the intermediate foam section. The outermost section includes a first fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophilic fibers and a second fabric layer having multidimensional stretch properties formed from hydrophobic fibers. The intermediate foam section has a first surface and a second surface and a multiplicity of perforations therethrough from the first surface to the second surface. The foam has multidimensional elastic properties sufficient for providing compressive strain useful for supporting the body part.

Abstract: A shielded needle assembly includes an elongate needle having a pointed distal end, a proximal end and a passageway therethrough. The assembly further includes a hub having an opening for receiving the needle so that said distal end of said needle projects outwardly, and has elements for releasably mounting the hub on a fluid handling device. The assembly has a shield having an open end, a closed end, a sidewall having a slot extending from the open end toward the closed end, and an arm extending radially outwardly at the open end opposite the slot. The shield has a first position at which the needle is exposed for use and a second position at which the shield substantially obstructs access to the needle. The slot provides clearance for the needle. A mounting rotatably holds the shield onto the hub. The mounting has a first pivot for pivotally attaching the shield to the mounting at the arm.

Abstract: A multiconductor and support has a plurality of elongate conductive elements each with a pair of termini. An elongate support means, carrying adjacent conductive elements, has openings located at the distal and the proximal ends for alignment with conductive elements extending thereover leaving the distal termini thereof unsupported. Heat activated adhesive on the support means bonds the conductive elements. Each of the conductive elements are spaced from the other conductive elements and have center lines which are parallel. A machine for assembly of a multiconductor and support means has a plurality of spools supplying conductive elements and a plurality of guides each positioned to receive and align the supplied conductive elements. The guides position the conductive elements spaced from and parallel to each other. A supply of support means moves support means intermittently but synchronously between the conductive elements and a flat surface.

Abstract: A self-contained ready-to-use trans-membrane co-culture system of the present invention includes an insert having a tube with a longitudinal axis, a sidewall substantially parallel to the axis connecting a first open end and a second end. The second end has a microporous membrane bonded to it substantially perpendicular to the axis forming a well within the insert. The insert has a flange extending outwardly from the sidewall at the first end for suspending the insert as described hereinabove with a removable plug placed in the well of the insert to substantially prevent fluid flow through the microporous membrane. The insert with the plug is contained in a housing having a first end, a second end and a passageway therethrough. The housing has a longitudinal axis, a first diameter at the first end, a second diameter at the second end and an intermediate diameter between the first and second diameter.

Abstract: A medical device for securing tubing such as intravenous catheter tubing to a patient. The device is made up of two lobes, each being made up of a channel and a tab. The device is hinged so that the tabs can be brought together. When the tabs are brought together, the tubing is gripped between the gripping channels. The gripping channels have specially adapted surfaces to facilitate the gripping of the tubing. The gripping channels may also be lined with a tacky material or contoured liners.

Abstract: A syringe assembly comprising a barrel having a hollow cylindrical shaped body. The body has a proximal first portion with an adjacent second portion which includes a circumferential groove for mounting a finger flange. The barrel has a third portion adjacent to the second portion. The body has a distal tip with a passage therethrough for mounting a needle in fluid communication with the bore. The finger flange has an opening with a diameter defined by a plurality of inwardly facing cantilevers. The diameter of the flange opening is less than that of the body first portion and third portion, requiring a deflection of the cantilevers when the flange is moved over the first portion to the second portion by an installation force. The flange is retained by the barrel through interaction between the inwardly facing cantilevers and the circumferential groove.

Abstract: A single use needleless hypodermic injector includes an elongate housing with a proximal end, a distal end, an axis and a hollow bore therethrough. The housing has a reservoir at the distal end with a generally cylindrical chamber for containing an injectable liquid. The chamber has a axis aligned with the housing longitudinal axis. The chamber has a first open end adjacent the housing with a resilient stopper mounted therein. The reservoir has a distal second end with an orifice in fluid communication with the chamber. The resilient stopper seals the chamber and ejects the liquid from the chamber, forming a stream at the orifice when the stopper is moved distally in the chamber. The injector has an piston mounted for axial movement within the housing bore and elements to axially bias the piston distally within the bore. The piston has an armed position wherein it is positioned proximally within the bore.

Abstract: The present invention provides an iontophoretic drug delivery device having electrode renewing features includes a housing having a first electrode, a second electrode, a circuit for providing electrical communication between the first and second electrodes. The circuit is capable of engaging a source of current. Control means is provided for effecting the amount of current passing between the electrodes. A removable electrolyte reservoir is capable of holding electrolyte and removably engaging the housing so that one of the electrodes can contact electrolyte contained within the reservoir. A removable active agent reservoir is capable of holding an active agent for iontophoretic delivery. The active agent reservoir is capable of removably engaging the housing so that the active agent contacts one of the electrodes.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a hollow cylindrically shaped barrel. The external side of the barrel has a first portion at its proximal end, a second portion adjacent the first portion and a third portion adjacent the second portion. The diameter of the second portion is less than the diameter of the first portion resulting in formation of a shoulder at the intersection of the first and second portions. The third portion outside diameter adjacent the second portion is substantially equal to the outside diameter of the second portion and increases to the outside diameter of the barrel. The assembly further includes a finger flange with a first side and a second side and an opening with an inside wall. The flange opening has an annulus positioned within it which has an opening. The annulus has an end attached to the inside wall of the flange opening and an unattached end projecting toward the first side of the flange, and forms an acute angle with the inside wall of the flange opening.

Abstract: A kit comprises a tray with a well for a tourniquet, a dressing to use with a medical device inserted into a blood vessel. An antimicrobial treatment in the well disinfects an area of skin through which the medical device punctures the vessel. A pair of juxtaposed gloves with the finger ends, the hand parts and the cuff portions against one another are rolled up along their longitude from their fingers to their cuffs driving out air entrapped within the gloves. The process of rolling from the fingers to the cuffs leaves the cuffs of each glove at the periphery of the rolled generally cylindrical gloves for access to the inside of each when donning. A method for rolling gloves into a relatively cylindrical package, includes setting the gloves side by side with the finger ends, the hand parts, and the wrist or cuff portions juxtaposed. The finger portions are gathered into an axial bundle and rolled from the finger ends toward the palm or back hand parts driving out air within the gloves.