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: 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: An external retaining device, individually or in combination with a catheter having an elongate tube, is provided. The external retaining device includes a base member having a lower surface and an upper surface with a passage extending therethrough. A tube guide portion extending from the upper surface of the base member has two side walls with an elongate channel therebetween. The channel has a first section located proximate the passage and bends upwardly along a smooth transition to a second section angled relative to the first section. A manually-operable clip assembly is located proximate the second section of the channel. The clip assembly preferably includes opposing clip elements mounted for pivotal movement between an open position and a closed position.

Abstract: Aseptically sterilized package of a liquid nutritional product manufactured by (a) providing a multi-layered plastic sheet having at least one polymeric structural layer and at least one polymeric barrier layer; (b) passing the sheet through a peroxide bath; (c) locating the sheet in a sterile environment; (d) applying heat a plurality of times to the sheet; (e) forming the sterilized sheet into a container having a body portion; (f) filling the body portion with a liquid nutritional product; (g) sealing the container with a tabbed, multi-layered closure; and (h) separating the sealed container from the remainder of the sheet. Preferably the liquid nutritional product is infant formula. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is a laminate having two structural layers, each being about 45% of the laminate thickness and secured to either side of the barrier layer, which is about 5% of the laminate thickness, by an adhesive layer of about 2.5% of the laminate thickness.

Abstract: A method for placing a feeding tube placement wire in a patient. The method includes the step of providing a placement wire dispenser. The dispenser includes a rotatable placement wire receptacle that defines a placement wire outlet. The dispenser further includes a tube extending outwardly from the placement wire receptacle. The tube defines a placement wire inlet that is in communication with the placement wire outlet of the receptacle. A placement wire is wound about the receptacle, and is in mechanical engagement with the receptacle, such that rotation of the placement wire receptacle causes a first end of the placement wire to be advanced through the placement wire outlet, through the placement wire inlet of the tube, and through the tube. A first end of the tube is constructed for insertion through a patient's abdominal wall and into a patient's stomach. The method further includes the step of placing the first end of the tube through a patient's abdominal wall and into a patient's stomach.

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: An apparatus for altering characteristics of a fluid. The apparatus includes a first perimeter wall defining an internal chamber therein. The first perimeter wall defines a first opening and a second opening therethrough. The first opening is constructed to be fluidly connected to a fluid source. The internal chamber defined in said first perimeter wall is constructed to contain a beneficial agent therein. A beneficial agent is disposed in the internal chamber defined in the first perimeter wall, the beneficial agent being dispersible in a fluid flowing from the first opening to the second opening through the internal chamber defined in the first perimeter wall.

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: An apparatus for modifying a liquid enteral nutritional product. The apparatus includes a feeding set having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is constructed for fluid connection to a supply container. The feeding set defines an interior space. The apparatus further includes a canister disposed in the interior space defined by the feeding set. The canister includes a wall portion that defines an aperture therethrough. The canister is constructed to receive one or more beneficial agents in an interior chamber defined therein. At least one beneficial agent disposed in the interior chamber defined by the canister.

Abstract: The invention comprises a cap member having an annular wall and a top wall disposed within and connected to the annular wall. An arcuate pierce-plow member is disposed on an upper surface of the top wall at a position spaced from the annular wall. The pierce-plow member includes a first plow base member having a ramp portion and a substantially flat portion. The pierce-plow member further includes a piercing member disposed adjacent to the substantially flat portion of the plow base member. The piercing member includes a first portion disposed adjacent to the first plow base member and a second portion disposed at a position spaced from the first plow base member. A thickness of the second portion of the piercing member is greater than a thickness of the first portion of the piercing member.

Abstract: A method for placing a feeding tube in a patient. The method includes the step of providing a needle defining a channel therethrough, the needle being constructed for insertion through an abdominal wall of a patient and having a distal end portion and a proximal end portion. The distal end portion of the needle is inserted through an abdominal wall of a patient. An endoscope constructed for insertion through the channel defined through the needle is provided and inserted through the channel defined through the needle. An external environment of the distal end portion of the needle is viewed using the endoscope in order to determine whether the distal end portion of the needle is positioned within a preselected portion of a gastrointestinal tract of a patient. A dilating device having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion is provided. The dilating device defines a channel therethrough.

Abstract: An adaptor cap for a container. The adaptor cap includes a skirt constructed to engage a fluid container and to retain the adaptor cap on the fluid container. The adaptor cap further includes a dome projecting outwardly from said skirt. The dome defines an interior chamber. The dome further defines a spike port providing fluid communication between the chamber and an exterior environment of the dome, the spike port being constructed to receive and retain a hollow spike therein. The dome also defines at least one vent aperture therethrough, the vent aperture providing fluid communication between the chamber and the exterior environment of the dome. The adaptor cap further includes a microbial filter mounted on the dome across the vent aperture.