Abstract: An infusion needle attachment which, although covering the infusion needle protruding from below, so as to effectively and desirably mask it from view at the injection site, is nevertheless also effectively used to guide the unseen needle into position, since a flap finger grip thereof is in the same plane as the needle and the user is thereby readily able to judge the desired location at which the point of the needle should make physical contact preparatory to the subcutaneous administration of a medicament to a patient using said needle.

Abstract: Apparatus for the administration of solution to a patient at a precisely controlled rate. A length of flexible, collapsible tubing filled with the solution and connectable at one end to a conduit communicating with the vascular system of a patient is advanced through roller means, so that the solution expelled from the tubing is proportional to the rate of advancement of the tubing through the roller means.

Abstract: An end of thermoplastic tubing which is exposed to a temperature capable of causing dimensional distortion of the tubing end may be maintained by enclosing the tubing end with a tubular end cap. The end cap defines an inner member projecting axially into the bore of the tubing end, with the inner member defining an outer diameter of essentially the diameter of the bore of the tubing end, so that the dimensional integrity of the tubing end is maintained during the heating step to thereafter sealingly receive a luer.

Abstract: Blood may be stored in vitro for a period of days at a reduced temperature in the container which also includes a sufficient quantity of an emulsion of anti-hemolytic agent to cause a reduction in the hemolysis of the stored blood, when compared with blood under similar storage conditions to the absence of the emulsion. Preferably, the emulsion may include a fatty ester containing at least two ester linkages each comprising a fatty hydrocarbon group, with the emulsion containing sufficient hemo-compatible surfactant to stabilize the emulsion.

Abstract: A flexible, elongated handle-wrapping strip for tennis racquets, bicycle handlebars, baseball bats, fishing poles, or any other desired use which comprises a first layer of a composite of cork granules, the cork granules being plasticized with a liquid organic polyol and bonded to each other in a flexible plastic binder material. A second layer of contact adhesive is provided on one side of the first layer, while a third, peel-sheet layer overlies the contact adhesive layer for peeling away, to expose the contact adhesive layer for use. The handle-wrapping strip may be helically wound with the parallel edges of adjacent coils being in contact with each other. The adhesive layer is in the form of a flexible plastic sheet coated on both sides with an adhesive. The first layer includes 40 parts by weight of the cork granules plasticized with 3 to 20 parts by weight of the liquid polyol. The wrapping strip may also include a plastic layer of 0.01 to 0.05 inch thickness between the layer of cork and the adhesive.

Abstract: A microthermocouple member which comprises two wires of dissimilar materials joined together into a thermocouple junction, the wires having diameters of no more than about 75 microns. The wires and junction are carried by an elongated, thin support member, particularly surgical suture material, which is thin enough to be capable of insertion into living tissue without serious disruption of the local circulation. The support member preferably extends beyond the junction and wires, to permit grasping of the extending support member in a forward-slanted slot of a front-pointed stylet.

Abstract: An improved flexible, collapsible container (10) for holding a sterile solution such as protein hydrolysate or amino acid solutions is disclosed, it being intended for sterile connection with another flexible, collapsible container (38) of carbohydrate solutions or the like. The two containers carry connector members (24, 34) of a specific design. A flexible tubular boot member (18) is provided to the container of this invention, which carries the connector and a tubular cannula (20) defining an inwardly-pointed spike adapted to penetrate puncturable diaphragm means (17) for opening the contents in sterile manner. The boot member is of a particular shape as disclosed to permit inward deflection of its end without forcing the sides to expand substantially outwardly.

Abstract: A closure system for a container having a neck with a cap support flange extending radially outwardly around the neck. A resilient gasket encircles the neck and overlies the cap support flange, to be compressed by a closure cap which is attached to the neck for sealing. Annular rib means project from the support flange against the gasket to retain the gasket in its sealing position. A method is also described for the manufacturing of such a closure system.

Abstract: Capillary fiber bundles of semipermeable membrane material may be used by winding the fibers onto a reel member to form an annular assembly of the fibers, and thereafter cutting the annular assembly into separate bundles. In accordance with this invention, the capillary tubing is fed to the reel through guide slot means elongated in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel. The tension on the capillary tubing is sufficiently low to allow the capillary tubing to move about while winding in the guide slot means in generally random manner. Accordingly, the bundles comprise strands in generally non-parallel crossing arrangement with adjacent strands. Individual bundles may be wrapped in a special flexible sheet, and cut at their ends for improved quality.

Abstract: A fluid flow control clamp for in-line insertion on flexible fluid tubing is disclosed. A flow-directing member (10) is positioned intermediate a source of sterilized water or other fluid and a medical humidifier. A blocking element (20) is provided within the flow directing member (10) and inlet and outlet ports (12, 14) are provided on either side of blocking member (20). Resilient tubing (16) is attached to inlet, outlet ports (12, 14) of an appropriate length such that it kinks or crimps (18) when relaxed and unactivated, preventing fluid flow through the clamp.The clamp is activated by insertion of fingers (24) or other opening means within the loop of resilient tubing (16), unkinking the tubing (16), and permitting fluid flow through the clamp. Release of the resilient tubing (16) causes it to resume its normal kinked position, thereby cutting off the fluid flow through the clamp.

Abstract: Hydrophobic diffusion membranes such as porous polypropylene may be rendered hydrophilic at their surfaces, without losing their valuable characteristics as diffusion membranes, by subjection to a corona discharge or other ionizing condition, preferably in air or a similar oxygen-containing atmosphere.

Abstract: A gold-colored, acid and corrosion resistant alloy is disclosed, usable for jewelry, dental purposes and the like. The alloy consists essentially of 15 to 20 weight percent of indium, 7 to 20 weight percent of copper, 5 to 15 weight percent of palladium, and from 0 to 10 weight percent of gold, with the balance consisting essentially of silver and optionally minor amounts of ingredients such as oxide scavengers and the like.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining the amount of exposure of an object to ethylene oxide gas. A preweighed ethylene oxide-permeable container, which encloses a predetermined amount of catalyst for the reaction of the ethylene oxide gas to form a liquid, is placed adjacent to the object. The object and container are then exposed to ethylene oxide gas for controlled time and at a known humidity and temperature. The container is then reweighed. The weight gain of the container is a quantitative indication of the amount of exposure to ethylene oxide gas. The test system may be calibrated against its effect in known concentrations of ethylene oxide gas, so that the precise amount of exposure to ethylene oxide gas can be determined.

Abstract: A flexible composition comprises an intimate mixture of cork granules with a liquid organic polyol plasticizer for the cork in the granules, with the cork granules being dispersed and bonded together with a flexible, plasticized polyvinyl chloride resin.

Abstract: Equipment for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in which a solution container is coupled via flexible tubing to a patient's tube that communicates with the patient's peritoneal cavity by means of a catheter, usually a surgically implanted catheter. The equipment includes a flexible, foldable plastic dialysis solution container having a transfer port. A flexible tube having a luer connector at its distal end extends from the transfer port, for connecting to a luer connector carried by the patient's tube. The flexible tube carries a frangible member which normally blocks fluid flow but permits fluid flow after the frangible member is broken. A particulate filter and a manually-operable clamp are in series with the flexible tube.Peritoneal dialysis is accomplished by connecting the luer connector from a fresh dialysis solution bag to the patient's tube luer connector, breaking the frangible member, and opening the clamp on the flexible tubing.

Abstract: A diffusion membrane unit comprising: in a first embodiment, a planar arrangement of parallel separate capillary membrane tubes and junction lines of adhesive material extending continuously across said parallel membrane tubes and continuously along the entire length of said arrangement; and in a second embodiment a plurality of planar single-layered arrays of parallel capillaries defining out of phase sinuous paths.

Abstract: A contamination protector for a medical device, principally for use in surrounding and protecting a connection between a plastic dialysis solution container (10) and tubing (22) carried by a patient practicing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The protector is generally cylindrical in shape, and opens and closes much like a "clamshell." The inner wall surface (34) of the protector is adapted to carry a material (36) which holds a sterilizing agent in contact with a medical connection when the protector is in the closed position.

Abstract: A frangible or breakaway valve for use in a flexible tube. The valve comprises two parts: a tubular portion with a closed end and an elongated, generally rigid handle breakably attached to the closed end. The elongated handle has projections which frictionally contact the interior surface of the flexible tube and prevent the elongated handle from moving back into a closed position once the elongated handle has been broken. The valve may be used in conjunction with tubing and a plastic container of dialysis solution. The valve is opened by breaking away the elongated, generally rigid handle and moving "walking" the rigid handle down the tube by folding the tube back and forth upon itself. The projections on the rigid breakaway handle have sufficient frictional contact with the inside of the tube to assure that the handle will not move back into contact with the tubular portion, and the valve will remain open.

Abstract: The method of molding flexible, collapsible containers comprises extruding a tubular parison of material to be molded and sealing the outer, free end of the parison; ballooning the parison with relatively low pneumatic pressure; closing the mold about the ballooned parison to cause the edges of the parison to protrude out of the mold chamber; and sealing said parison to form said container, including the step of forming seal lines positioned laterally inwardly from the lateral edges of the parison. A novel container design is also covered.