Abstract: A blood bag or other container which is made of a flexible, hemocompatible, sterilizable plastic material free of blood-extractable plasticizer. The blood bag contains an insert member which comprises a non-toxic, sterilizable plastic formulation which contains from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer selected from the group consisting of the dioctylphthalates and dioctyladipates. Such a blood bag is capable of reducing the plasma hemoglobin in stored blood, when compared with similar blood bags without the insert member.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: Flexible coextruded tubing having an outer portion (14) of polyvinyl chloride plastic containing a minor amount of intimately mixed silicone oil and having an inner portion (12) of plastic free of silicone oil.

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: Sealed, flexible containers may be manufactured with a sterile, openable seal member by inserting part of a thermoplastic tube between a seal in such a manner as to permit the tube to communicate across the seal. In manufacture, the outer end of the tube may be enclosed with a thermoplastic pocket member having open inner and outer ends. A mandrel is inserted through the outer end of the pocket member and the tube. The thermoplastic sheet members, tube, and inner end of the pocket member are sealed together. Following this, the mandrel is withdrawn through the outer end of the pocket member which outer end is then also sealed, for a sterile seal, if desired. A novel design for a container seal is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a flexible tube, for example tubing for connecting blood bags, valve means are provided which comprises a tubular portion having a closed end, and an elongated, generally rigid member carried on the exterior of the closed end and positioned within the flexible tube. Frangible means are provided to permit the opening of the closed end by manual manipulation of the elongated member from outside of the flexible tube. The elongated, rigid member is adapted to fit in sealing relationship within the tubular portion after the opening of the closed end, to permit resealing of the valve.

Abstract: A blood dialyzer system which comprises a membrane dialyzer carried by dialysis solution delivery means and having blood and dialysis solution inlets and outlets. The membrane dialyzer is carried in a position whereby the blood inlet is vertically lower than the blood outlet, and the dialysis solution outlet is vertically lower than the dialysis solution inlet. Bubble trap means are provided in direct communication with the blood outlet and blood flow conduits, with the bubble trap means being preferably attached to and carried by the membrane dialyzer. The dialysis solution delivery means is adapted to permit intermittent reversal of the normal flow of dialysis solution through the membrane dialyzer to remove air bubbles trapped therein. Also, improved designs of integral bubble traps carried by dialyzers are shown.

Abstract: A method of making a elbowed end (coude) catheter which comprises: inserting an end of a flexible, thermoplastic tube into the bore of a closed-end, hollow, tubular die which defines the desired curve of the elbowed end catheter. The tubular die is heated to a temperature above the plastic melt temperature of the thermoplastic tube, while advancing the tube into the die, to cause at least about 0.5 cm. of the tube end to collapse into a generally solid, curved mass. The die and tube contained therein are then cooled to a temperature below the plastic melt temperature, and the tube is withdrawn having a closed, formed coude tip.

Abstract: A gate for a mold comprises a molding compound inlet conduit for communication of molding compound to the mold cavity. A plunger member is slidably mounted adjacent the inlet conduit and adapted to prevent flow through the conduit in a first sliding position and to permit flow through the conduit in a second sliding position. The plunger defines a slidable shaft and an enlarged end proportioned to prevent the flow through the conduit in the first position. The enlarged end defines a mold cavity-facing surface of larger area than the opposed surface on the enlarged end, which opposed surface communicates with the conduit. Accordingly, pressurized molding compound presses against the opposed surface, to spontaneously open the plunger into a second sliding position to admit molding compound to the mold cavity. Upon essential equalization of the pressures in the mold cavity at the conduit, the plunger is spontaneously moved hydrostatically to its first closed sliding position.

Abstract: A gate member for admitting plastic material into a mold which comprises a hollow member defining a bore having a longitudinal axis and an inner wall for separating the bore from a mold chamber positioned between mold halves. Aperture means extends through the inner wall, being peripherally spaced from the longitudinal axis and preferably defining an angle of essentially 30.degree. to 60.degree. to the longitudinal axis, diverging outwardly in the direction of the mold chamber. Also, preferably, the inner wall defines a centrally-positioned peak pointing toward the bore and having sloping sides, to assist in directing molten plastic toward the peripherally spaced aperture means. Also, rib means may be provided, pointing inwardly and extending radially from the central portion of the inner wall toward the periphery thereof, to reinforce the inner wall.

Abstract: A connection between a tubing and a container, for example a blood bag and donor tubing, may be made even if dissimilar materials are utilized which are incompatible for heat sealing together. A pair of inner and outer tapered, telescoping sleeve members retain between them a flexible tubing segment. The sleeve members carry a flange which is of a material adapted for sealing to said container. The tubing segment defines a different material which is less sealingly compatible with said container, and is adapted to be sealed at its outer end to the telescopically connected tubing which may comprise the donor tube of a blood bag or the like.

Abstract: A collapsible mold core comprises an inner core member defining opposed first and second ends. The inner core member tapers transversely to a reduced diameter from the first to the second end. A plurality of outer core members are attached to the lateral exterior of the inner core member in longitudinally slidable relation to it between first and second sliding positions. The outer core members define first and second ends corresponding in position to the first and second ends of the inner core member, with the outer core members tapering inwardly in transverse dimension from their second to their first ends to provide an opposite taper to that of the inner core member. The mold core is of lesser transverse diameter in the second sliding position than in the first sliding position. This permits the molding of an object such as a straight-walled bucket having an inwardly-projecting lip about the mold core while it occupies the first sliding position.

Abstract: A hollow fiber diffusion device comprises a bundle of hollow fibers disposed in a generally rigid, tubular housing having relatively diametrically enlarged manifold members adjacent opposite housing ends. In accordance with this invention, a relatively resilient plastic sleeve member is carried at each end of the housing and sealed to it. Each sleeve member carries an added inner sleeve of less inner diameter than the inner sleeve, being coaxially positioned with the housing to receive, hold, and center the ends of the bundle. Preferably, the sleeve is made of a material which sealingly adheres to the potting compound to facilitate the sealing of the system.

Abstract: An ear ornament comprises an elongated, curved rod member defining a central body of generally C-shape, proportioned to reside behind an ear. A lower portion of the ear ornament is attached to one end of the C-shaped central body, curving rearwardly from the central body in an arc and proportioned to curve about the front of an earlobe, to pass rearwardly along the outer face of the earlobe. An upper portion is attached to the other end of the C-shaped central body, to reside against the top of the ear and to curve toward the front of the ear in retentive relation thereto.

Abstract: A leukocyte filter for blood which includes a housing defining a blood inlet and outlet at respective ends thereof, with the housing enclosing and carrying a tubular, non-woven fiber filter element, with one of the inlet and outlet communicating with the interior of the tubular filter element, and the other of the inlet and outlet communicating with the exterior of the tubular filter element. In the tubular filter element, essentially all of the fibers define diameters of 10 to 100 microns, and have other diameter restrictions described herein, with the fibers being bonded together to define a generally fixed, average interstitial spacing which is less at the inner surface of the tubular filter element than at the outer surface thereof. The air permeability of the filter per square foot is preferably from essentially 15 to 45 SCFM at one half inch of water.

Abstract: A simultaneously molded threaded port and plug may be produced by a mold which comprises a first cavity for receiving molding compound to form a wall, a second cavity for receiving molding compound to form the threaded plug, and rotatable shaft means carrying external thread forming grooves and extending through the first cavity to define the threaded port. The shaft means terminates at the second cavity, with an end portion of the shaft being shaped to form a separable mechanical linkage between the end portion and the plug molded in the second cavity means. The shaft is rotated after molding to withdraw it from the molded, threaded port, and to rotate the molded, threaded plug into the threaded port for sealing thereof.

Abstract: A template for measuring and scribing tread and riser lines for the construction of a stairway, or similar purposes, which comprises: a plate member defining first and second straight edges which, in turn, define a square corner. First and second movable stop means are respectively carried by the first and second straight edges. The second edge is defined by a separate portion of the plate member carried by it and movable along a path of travel parallel to the second edge. Fulcrum arm means are pivotally attached to both the separate portion and the rest of the plate member, so that pivoting of the fulcrum arm means moves the separate portion and second stop means to predetermined positions along the path of travel.

Abstract: A unitary molded injection site comprising a central, needle-receiving portion and a skirt portion may be assembled onto a support tube by temporarily convoluting the skirt portion about the central portion to expose its inner surface; bringing the end of the support tube adjacent to the inner surface; and bringing the skirt portion back toward its original, unstressed configuration, to surround the end portion of the tube in telescoping relation. An advantage of this is that the injection site is positioned on the support tube in relatively unstressed condition. Furthermore, the skirt portion may define on its inner surface a plurality of sealing rings adapted to sealingly bear against the support tube.

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: The grinding machine comprises a frame having an upper portion in the form of a stationary table for supporting a grinding-wheel carriage, and a bed provided with slideways for supporting the headstock and tailstock between which is mounted the workpiece to be ground. In order to facilitate drainage of water from the surfaces of the machine, the top uncovered edge surfaces of the bed are downwardly inclined towards the interior of the bed in which ducts are provided for collecting the water within a discharge chute.