Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Abstract: A connecting system is provided with a connector adapted to be mounted to the end of a conduit for removably engaging a blunt cannula to establish fluid communication between the conduit and cannula. The connector has a housing which defines a passage for communicating with the conduit and which defines an opening to the passage. The housing also defines a generally frustoconical seating surface which decreases in diameter in the direction toward the opening. A generally fluid-impervious, resilient seal is retained within the housing passage against the seating surface. The seal defines a slit which can accommodate penetration by the blunt cannula and which can reseal upon withdrawal of the blunt cannula.

Abstract: A cap assembly is provided for mounting over the mouth of a container which is occluded with a stopper. The cap assembly includes a housing, a moveable piercing member or penetrator within the housing, a removable overcap over the housing, and a ferrule connecting the housing to the container. A preferred form of the penetrator is fabricated from sheet metal in a progressive die stamping process. One form of the overcap includes a frangible construction that permits the upper part of the overcap to be torn away to expose the upper portion of the housing.

Abstract: Medical drug formulation and delivery system includes a reverse osmosis device for purifying water from a source comprising a housing having an inlet for passage of water from the source, a first outlet for passage of purified water from the housing and a second outlet for passage of waste water remaining after purification. A first reverse osmosis multilayer assembly is disposed within the housing in fluid communication with the inlet for purification of at least a first portion of the water from the source. Water treatment chemicals can be positioned in a core about which the first reserve osmosis multilayer assembly is wound. The treatment chemicals are in fluid communication with the first reverse osmosis multilayer assembly to receive the first purified portion of water and for removal of at least chemical contaminants therefrom.

Abstract: A closure is provided for mounting across the mouth of a container and through which liquid can be withdrawn with a fluid transfer device having a male member. The closure includes a body for being disposed on the container across the container mouth. The body defines a passage with an exterior opening for matingly receiving the male member of the fluid transfer device. A frangible seal initially extends across the passage in the body to occlude the passage. The seal is broken when it is engaged by the male member of the fluid transfer device, thereby establishing fluid communication between the fluid transfer device and the interior of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for adding a beneficial agent to a liquid for drinking during oral administration includes a support structure extending transversely across an imperforate walled zone such as the upper end or neck of a bottle or vessel, or of a funnel-like adapter attached to the top of the vessel, with a retention pocket with liquid penetrable walls held by the support structure and comprising at least one beneficial agent secured therein whereby the beneficial agent is taken up in the liquid for drinking during or just prior to oral administration. The beneficial agent may be in either or both of controlled release dosage form or non-controlled release dosage form and may be one or more of nutrients, medicaments, probiotics, electrolytes, rehydration solutions and diagnostic agents, to which a flavoring agent may be added.

Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a liquid product. The apparatus includes a conveyor assembly having a conveyor belt and an agitator. The conveyor belt is constructed to deliver a unit of liquid product from the agitator to an analysis position. The agitator is constructed to impart motion to a unit of liquid product. The apparatus further includes an ultrasound transmissive pad assembly having a pad defining a chamber therein. A liquid acoustical couplant is contained in the chamber. The ultrasound transmissive pad assembly further includes an ultrasonic transducer in ultrasonic contact with the liquid acoustical couplant. The pad is positioned to contact a unit of liquid product at the analysis position. The pad has an upper portion and a lower portion and is orientated such that the upper portion contacts a unit of liquid product delivered to the analysis position before the lower portion contacts the unit of liquid product delivered to the analysis position.

Abstract: A method for placing an external feeding tube in the gastro intestinal tract of a patient. The device includes a feeding tube and a filling tool for filling a fillable retaining member of a feeding tube. The tool includes a fluid reservoir constructed to contain a fluid therein. The tool further includes a tool body defining a fluid flow path, the tool body constructed to be connected to the fluid reservoir such that the fluid reservoir is in fluid communication with the fluid flow path defined by the tool body. The filling tool further includes a cannula constructed to connect fluidly to a filling lumen of a feeding tube. The cannula is fluidly connected to the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A penetrator for penetrating a stopper sealing an opening in a container. The penetrator includes a stamped piece of sheet material formed to define a shank having a length. A groove extends along the length of the shank. The shank has a pointed distal. The stamped piece of sheet material further includes a bearing plate extending from the shank at a proximal end opposite the distal end of the shank.

Abstract: A pumping system for infusing fluids into a patient. The pumping system includes a pump and a controller constructed to control operation of the pump. The controller has a hold condition in which it deactivates the pump. The controller also has a timer subsystem having a variable duration. A magnitude control operable by a human is connected to the controller, the magnitude control being constructed to alter the variable duration of the timer subsystem of the controller. The pumping system further includes an alarm connected to the controller, the controller constructed to activate the alarm upon expiration of the variable duration of the timer subsystem.

Abstract: A feeding tube having an internal end portion and an external end portion. An external terminal end positioned on said external end portion. The feeding tube defines a feeding lumen therethrough from the external end portion to the internal end portion. A fillable retaining member is mounted on the internal end portion of the feeding tube. The tube further defines a filling lumen that extends from an internal point on an internal end portion side of the retaining member to an external point on an external end portion side of the retaining member. The external point is spaced from the external terminal end. The filling lumen is fluidly sealed at the external point. The filling lumen is in fluid communication with said retaining member.

Abstract: A system and apparatus are provided for connecting an anesthetic container (14) to a vaporizer. Indicia are provided on the container (14) or on a transfer tube (12) connected to the container (14) and the indicia can include mechanical keys, electrical keys and electronic keys. A transfer device is provided for mounting to the vaporizer and engaging the container (14) or transfer tube (12) connected to the container (14). The transfer device includes a sensing system such as a key or code reader system. A clamping mechanism is provided for clamping the container (14), or end pin (16) of a transfer tube (12) connected to the container (14), in a leak-tight engagement within the transfer device. The transfer device can accommodate movement between a fill position and a drain position. The internal fluid flow passages are blocked except when the transfer device is in the fill or drain position.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a feeding tube in a patient. The apparatus includes an introducer section defining a lumen therethrough and a tube section defining a lumen therethrough. A proximal end portion of the introducer section is mounted on a distal end portion of tube section such that the respective lumen are in fluid communication. Apertures are formed at the distal end of the introducer section and at the proximal portion of the tube section. The respective lumen are constructed to receive therein an endoscope. A graspable member is mounted on the distal end portion of the introducer section. A retaining member is mounted on the proximal end portion of the tube section. In order to place the apparatus in a patient, an endoscope is inserted into the aperture defined through the tube section and advanced such that a viewing portion of the endoscope is positioned proximal to the aperture defined through the distal end portion of the introducer section.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for arresting the rotation of a container while the container is conveyed so that a peripheral point on the container moves along a predetermined path. A conveyor includes an engagement structure for engaging a first portion of the periphery of the container to convey the container. An endless belt is arranged in a closed path adjacent the conveyor to contact a second portion of the periphery of the container and urge the container against the conveyor engagement structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying an enteral or parenteral fluid to a patient is a cooperative assembly of a rotary peristaltic pump and a fluid delivery set. The peristaltic pump has (a) a housing and (b) a peristaltic rotor projecting from the housing on a rotatable drive shaft. The housing has first and second receptacles for retaining and supporting the fluid delivery set. The fluid delivery set has (a) a drip chamber, or sight chamber, (b) a plurality of lengths or segments of flexible tubing, and (c) fluid connection elements therefor. The fluid delivery set defines a fluid pathway from a supply container of the enteral or parenteral fluid to a connector element adapted to be connected to a device for introducing the fluid into the patient. Preferably the fluid delivery set has a tension responsive pinch valve to prevent bolus feeding in the event that the fluid delivery set becomes displaced from the pump housing.