Abstract: A disposable, ready-to-use container such as a nursing container is provided which includes a protection compartment separating the nipple or other dispensing member from the infant formula or other stored substance until the time of use. The protection compartment is partially defined by and is separated from the storage compartment by a breakable line of securement extending across the interior of the container. When the line of securement is manually broken from the container-exterior, the stored infant formula is allowed to enter the now open protection compartment for open communication through the nipple. An enclosure chamber about the nipple may also be provided in combination with the protection compartment, to separate the nipple from the environment. Alternatively to the enclosure chamber, a nipple cover including two flexible tabs interposed and secured between the container sheet material and the nipple may be provided.

Abstract: A solution for blood cell storage having sugar-containing blood cell nutrients therein and additionally containing a magnesium or calcium L-ascorbate-2-phosphate salt is taught. The magnesium and calcium L-ascorbate-2-phosphate salts remain stable below pH 7 and thus permit sterilization of the solution at a pH at which degradation of both the L-ascorbate-2-phosphate salt and the nutrient sugar present in the solution is substantially avoided.

Abstract: A blood component collection system and method each utilizes centrifugation to first separate whole blood into red blood cells and platelet-rich plasma. Noncentrifugal separation is then utilized to further separate the platelet-rich plasma into platelet concentrate and plasma which is virtually free of platelets. The system and method are applicable for use in association with both batch and continuous flow procedures.

Abstract: A solution for stabilizing red blood cells during storage contains, along with nutrients and other stabilizers, a safe and effective concentration of an inhibitor of a step of the glycolysis metabolic pathway which is subsequent to the step which forms 2,3-DPG. The inhibitor may be oxalic acid, sodium oxalate, potassium oxalate, or mixed salts thereof, for example.

Abstract: A container is disclosed having a semirigid or rigid outer shell and a co-extensive flexible inner liner which is weakly or temporarily adhered to the shell to permit more convenient manufacturing of the container, and yet is collapsible to permit dispensing of the contents without displacement air. The liner may be weakly adhered to the shell by a low tensile strength adhesive although natural adherence or static electric attraction may also be used. Alternatively, a degradable adhesive may be used which holds the liner and shell together during assembly, but weakens to a point below the threshold of release between the shell and liner prior to the time of use. The container is particularly useful as a nursing container for feeding infants.

Abstract: A fitment for attachment to a container having an integral body constructed from a thermoplastic foam and having an integral skin outer surface and a cellular core. The body has a top and bottom surface and includes at least one resealable port.

Abstract: A straight-forward, simplified process and apparatus for obtaining blood plasma are provided which employ no pumps or other external flow monitoring devices. Instead, a plasma filtering assembly is suspended a predetermined distance below the injection site to employ the forces of gravity to separate plasma from the other components of whole blood.

Abstract: The monitor and fluid circuit assembly is used with a blood processing apparatus which is adapted for separating platelets from whole blood. The assembly is easily and simply attached to the apparatus and includes a holder, a plurality of flexible tubings held in and extending through the holder, monitor devices fixed within the holder and series coupled to various ones of the tubings and at least one tubing having a transparent wall section which is positioned adjacent an optical sensor of the apparatus. Several tubings extend in loops from the holder and are adapted for being received over and forming part of peristaltic pumps of the apparatus so that fluid can be pumped through the tubings. Other portions of some of the tubings extending from the holder are held in an umbilicus which is received through a rotatable holder in a centrifuge device of the apparatus.

Abstract: A wide-mouthed flexible, collapsible, sterile bag made of sheeting of poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate) containing from 5 to 35 weight percent of vinyl acetate units. The bag is made to be used for storing solid, living tissue portions at cryogenic temperatures. The wide mouth of such a container may be heat sealed prior to storage. Such containers, while flexible and collapsible, exhibit effective strength and durability at such cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract: An artifical nipple is disclosed which is interactive with an infant to provide a stimulus/response operation. The nipple portion has a generally cylindrically shaped, but undulated deformable outer wall closed at one end and a resilient elongated member disposed interior of the outer wall, depending from the closed end. The elongated member is spaced from the interior of the outer wall to define an annular chamber such that an infant will meet two levels of resistance to lateral compression of the nipple and a plurality of dispensing apertures provided communicating with said annular chamber, so that fluid flows through certain of said apertures in a manner responsive to infant suckling action.A nursing container utilizes the artificial nipple and a flexible fluid container is sealed to the nipple portion along a tapered shoulder.

Abstract: Layered thermoplastic articles (36) and a method for forming layered thermoplastic articles are provided. The method involves forming a layered, thermoplastic parison, followed by blow molding the parison in a mold cavity (10, 12) to form a desired configuration of hollow article (36). The blow molded articles (36) can be of any configuration achievable with known blow molding technology. Every section of the article (36) can be layered, or the article (36) can have selectively intermittent layered sections. The containers typically are used for storing and dispensing liquids and are of one-piece construction. In accordance with this invention, the thermoplastic materials (24, 26) are of a type which are incompatible.

Abstract: A tubular fluid transfer device is operative by itself to seal the end of a conduit. By coupling two of the devices together, a fluid path can be selectively established between two conduits by applying heat energy. The device includes a generally planar surface having a meltable region. The generally planar surface of one device is slidable against the generally planar surface of another one of the devices to bring the meltable regions into registration. The device includes a coupling mechanism which guides the meltable regions into the desired alignment as registration occurs. Furthermore, as the meltable regions register, the coupling mechanism generates forces which bias the meltable regions into intimate contact. The coupling mechanism thereafter releasably retains the devices in this snug interlocked relationship, so that the energy can be applied to jointly heat the meltable regions and melt open a fluid path between the two devices.

Abstract: A fluid processing system includes an integral flow control and distribution manifold for establishing fluid communication between conduit segments of the system. In use, the fluid manifold is received in an actuator head of an associated processor apparatus, wherein valving elements selectively crimp valving passageways in the manifold to perform the procedure. The fluid circuit of the system accommodates multiple procedures, obviating the need to stock multiple systems and enabling manufacturing economics to be realized from higher production volumes.

Abstract: A reconstitution device for constituting a drug in a standard drug vial with a liquid in a second container such as a parenteral solution container is provided. The reconstitution device 10 includes a housing 52 and a hollow, double-pointed needle 54 mounted within the housing. The housing includes a sheath 70 having a substantially circular base 72 and a skirt 74 depending from the base. The skirt 72 includes a free end 76, a substantially cylindrical inner surface 78 and an outer surface 80. A plurality of inwardly projecting bumps 82 are intermittently spaced about the inner surface 78. The bumps are disposed a substantially equal distance from the base 72, the distance being substantially equal to the width of the malleable band.

Abstract: A single needle batch-type blood fractionation system for separating plasma from whole blood includes a disposable flow system having a single-lumen phlebotomy needle and associated donor conduit, a flow-through plasma separation filter, and an in-process fluid reservoir. During an initial draw cycle whole blood is pumped through the filter to the in-process reservoir by a peristaltic-type inlet pump operating at a predetermined draw rate. When a predetermined volume of filtered plasma-deficient blood has been collected in the reservoir, as sensed by the weight of the reservoir, the system reverts to a return cycle wherein a portion of the plasma-deficient blood in the reservoir is pumped back to the donor conduit by a peristaltic-type return pump operating at a predetermined return rate higher than the draw rate of the inlet pump.

Abstract: A carton for packaging fragile containers is provided. The carton includes an energy absorbing insert member, two rigid plates, and packaging. Fragile containers are located on each side of the energy absorbing insert member and the rigid plates compress the containers against the energy absorbing insert member. The packaging surrounds the energy absorbing insert, containers, and rigid plates.

Abstract: A sealing closure for a male Luer fitment includes a rigid hollow cap and flange means for a pressure lock with the fitment. The sealing closure includes a compressively retained elastomeric insert which deforms over time to compensate for creep between the fitment and the hollow cap. The sealing closure provides a liquid-tight seal over time against a pressurized liquid supply in open communication with the fitment.