Abstract: A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.

Abstract: A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.

Abstract: A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.

Abstract: A system for mixing or reconstituting a drug contained in a first container with a diluent or fluid contained in a second container. The second container has a port docking assembly for engaging the first container. The first container is rotatable and axially slidable within the port docking assembly. The port docking assembly has an actuator to urge a stopper fluidly sealing the first container into the interior of the first container. The port docking assembly further includes a movable plug constructed to fluidly seal the second container in a first, docked position and to provide access to the interior of the second container in a second, activated position, whereby fluid communication between the first and second containers is provided when the first and second containers are in the second, activated position.

Abstract: An injector device for a pharmaceutical cartridge. The injector device includes a body defining a space for receiving a pharmaceutical cartridge. One or more retention members are disposed on the outer surface of the body. The injector device further includes a plunger rod having a connection member constructed for connection to a piston associated with a cartridge. The plunger rod has one or more receiving members. constructed to cooperatively retain the plunger rod on the body in a first position, and to release the plunger rod from the body when the plunger rod is moved to a second position. The plunger rod further includes a surface for engaging a pharmaceutical cartridge positioned within the body of said injector and for moving a pharmaceutical cartridge distally as the plunger rod is moved from its first position to its second position. A tamper evident band is secured to plunger rod and injector body.

Abstract: An injector device for a pharmaceutical cartridge. The injector device includes a body defining a space for receiving a pharmaceutical cartridge. One or more retention members are disposed on an outer surface of the body. The injector device further includes a plunger rod having a connection member constructed for connection to a piston associated with a cartridge. The plunger rod has one or more receiving members constructed to cooperatively retain the plunger rod on the body in a first position, and to release the plunger rod from the body when the plunger rod is moved to a second position. The plunger rod further includes a surface for engaging a pharmaceutical cartridge positioned within the body of said injector and for moving a pharmaceutical cartridge distally as the plunger rod is moved from its first position to its second position, thereby activating the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microneedle incorporating a base that is broad relative to a height of the microneedle, to minimize breakage. The microneedle further includes a fluid channel and a beveled non-coring tip. Preferably arrays of such microneedles are fabricated utilizing conventional semiconductor derived micro-scale fabrication techniques. A dot pattern mask is formed on an upper surface of a silicon substrate, with each orifice of the dot pattern mask corresponding to a desired location of a microneedle. Orifices are formed that pass completely through the substrate by etching. A nitride pattern mask is formed to mask all areas in which a nitride layer is not desired. A nitride layer is then deposited on the bottom of the silicon substrate, on the walls of the orifice, and on the top of the silicon substrate around the periphery of the orifice. The nitride layer around the periphery of the orifice is offset somewhat, such that one side of the orifice has a larger nitride layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microneedle incorporating a base that is broad relative to a height of the microneedle, to minimize breakage. The microneedle further includes a fluid channel and a beveled non-coring tip. Preferably arrays of such microneedles are fabricated utilizing conventional semiconductor derived micro-scale fabrication techniques. A dot pattern mask is formed on an upper surface of a silicon substrate, with each orifice of the dot pattern mask corresponding to a desired location of a microneedle. Orifices are formed that pass completely through the substrate by etching. A nitride pattern mask is formed to mask all areas in which a nitride layer is not desired. A nitride layer is then deposited on the bottom of the silicon substrate, on the walls of the orifice, and on the top of the silicon substrate around the periphery of the orifice. The nitride layer around the periphery of the orifice is offset somewhat, such that one side of the orifice has a larger nitride layer.

Abstract: In a closed-loop process, a controller uses a flow sensor to monitor the flow of a medicinal fluid being infused into a patient, to achieve a desired rate of flow. A relatively inexpensive peristaltic pump or electronically controlled valve can be used to vary the flow of the medicinal fluid through a fluid line. A Y site within the fluid line includes an integral flow sensor having an orifice. The flow sensor includes proximal and distal pressure sensors disposed on opposite sides of the orifice to monitor the distal and proximal pressure, producing a signal indicative of the rate of flow of the medicinal fluid through the fluid line. A signal produced by the controller is input to a motor driving the pump or to the valve to vary the rate of flow as required to achieve the desired infusion rate of the medicinal fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anesthetic composition containing a fluoroether compound and a physiologically acceptable Lewis acid inhibitor. This composition exhibits improved stability and does not readily degrade in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: Dosage form unit is provided to deliver one or more beneficial agents into a fluid, such as liquid enteral nutritional product. The dosage form unit includes a core containing at least one beneficial agent, preferably a marker dye, which is dispersible in the fluid. The core also contains a compatible binding agent to bind the beneficial agent together. Additional components of the core may include a plasticizer, a standard flow agent, a lubricant, additional tableting aids and at least one hydrophilic agent. A latex coating encases the core. The latex coating includes a mixture containing a substantially hydrophobic base material, preferably formed from an emulsion of cellulose acetate microspheres, which is capable of defining a matrix-type membrane, and at least one hydrophilic component being dispersible in the fluid. A dispersible beneficial agent is preferred as one of the hydrophilic components of the latex coating to allow immediate release of the beneficial agent therefrom.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical product. The pharmaceutical product includes a container constructed from a material containing one or more of polypropylene, polyethylene, and ionomeric resins. The container defines an interior space. A volume of a fluoroether-containing inhalation anesthetic is contained in the interior space defined by the container.

Abstract: Sterilization apparatus includes a monitoring system capable of continuously monitoring levels of a sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor. The monitoring system includes a sensor chamber joined in fluid communication with a sterilant supply conduit of the sterilization apparatus. A gas-detecting semiconductor sensing element, and associated temperature sensor, are provided within the sensor chamber to provide output signals corresponding to detected levels of sterilant. The sensor chamber isolates parametric influence, such as relative humidity, temperature and flow rate, to provide more accurate concentration level readings. A data collection circuit is operatively coupled to the sensors to provide an output corresponding to detected levels of sterilant within the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus wherein the primary dye source is connected to a secondary dye source with sufficient safeguards, including at least one-way check valve and at least one stopcock between the primary dye source and the secondary dye source, to assure a sterile barrier between the primary and secondary dye sources so that less than the total amount of fluid can be transferred from the primary dye source in an amount sufficient to perform a cardiac catheterization procedure.

Abstract: A system for monitoring concentrations of sterilant, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, within a sterilization apparatus, includes a self-contained, sterilant monitoring assembly that is freely positionable within the sterilization apparatus. The assembly includes a gas-detecting sensor and associated temperature sensor mounted on a portable structure, as well as a suitable data collection circuit for receiving output signals from the sensors. The assembly also includes signals connectors, such as a physical data port or a remote transmitter, or both. Signals can be transmitted concurrently with data collection, or an electronic memory may be provided for subsequent transfer of the collected data. Collected data is transferred to a remote communication unit positioned exteriorly of the sterilization apparatus.

Abstract: Sterilant monitoring assembly includes an external housing defining an inlet and an outlet, and an internal flow path extending therethrough. An internal housing is located within the external housing and substantially surrounded by the internal flow path. The internal housing defines an interior sensor chamber therein, and includes a valve arrangement to join the interior sensor chamber selectively in fluid communication with the internal flow path. Preferably, the valve arrangement of the internal housing is defined by a base portion and a cover portion moveable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. In one embodiment, the cover portion has an open end section configured for sealing engagement with an opposing surface of the base portion when moved axially to the closed position. In another preferred embodiment, the base portion and cover portion include mating peripheral walls.

Abstract: A retention member and a feeding tube having a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention member including a sleeve section, an expandable section, and a shoulder section of decreasing wall thickness therebetween. The sleeve section sealingly engages the feeding tube distal end and the expandable section everts about the shoulder section to sealingly engage the feeding tube and define an expandable lumen in communication with the inflation lumen.

Abstract: A disposable cassette for use with a medical infusion pump. An elastomeric membrane is captured between a facing member and a base of the cassette and is displaced into a pumping chamber. The elastomeric membrane includes a generally T-shaped lip, and corresponding grooves are provided on the facing member and base. As the cassette is assembled, an interference fit between the lip and the grooves causes the membrane to stretch taut and to be securely anchored, eliminating a break-in period when the cassette is initially used. “Lobes” of increased thickness provided on the undersurface of a portion of the elastomeric membrane overlying the pumping chamber reduce the residual volume of the pumping chamber, thereby reducing the volume of air retained within the chamber and increasing the accuracy of the cassette. The lobes also sweep air bubbles from the sides of the pumping chamber during operation, further reducing air bubbles retained in the pumping chamber.

Abstract: A feeding tube assembly includes a feeding tube, a polyurethane feeding tube adaptor having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, and a removable cap for selectively closing the inlet conduit. The surface configuration of the cap that causes frictional engagement with the inlet conduit is noncomplementary therewith in a common transverse plane and has a cross-sectional shape substantially different than that of the corresponding surface configuration of the inlet conduit. This difference in surface configurations can be established by providing one or both of the surfaces with a series of protuberances, indentations, or other surface variations.

Abstract: A multi-layered material for use in producing containers. The multi-layered material includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a regrind layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer. The outer layer contains titanium dioxide and the regrind layer contains a dye selected from a group consisting of yellow dye and black dye.