Abstract: An aqueous red cell storage solution for packed cells which permits removal of essentially all plasma from a unit of blood, followed by reconstitution of the packed cells of the unit in preferably about 80 to 150 ml. of solution for improved cell viability on long term storage. The red cell storage solution contains adenine, glucose or fructose, sodium chloride, and mannitol.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is disclosed which consists essentially of a major portion of a first poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer which contains from 22 to 30 percent by weight of vinyl acetate units and exhibits a melt index as defined herein of 0.5 to 10. A minor portion of a second poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) copolymer is included which contains from 25 to 40 percent by weight of vinyl acetate units, the second copolymer exhibiting a melt index of 20 to 1000. The resulting formulation exhibits numerous good properties for use in medical devices, coupled with the capacity for radiation sterilization.

Abstract: A controlled volume liquid meter comprises a liquid metering chamber defined between a rigid wall and an opposed flexible membrane wall. Inlet and outlet ports are positioned adjacent the ends of the chamber with the ports defining paths of liquid flow therethrough which are transverse to the direction of liquid flow in the chamber. A pair of plunger members are provided, along with apparatus for alternatingly pressing the plunger members against the membrane wall and inserting the plunger members into the inlet and outlet ports to alternatingly open and close them. In accordance with this invention, the plunger members permit variation of the length of each plunger member, with a spring urging the plunger members to occupy their maximum lengths. As a result of this, the force with which the plunger members press against the membrane wall is limited to a value governed by the spring.

Abstract: An improved connector member is provided for providing sealed and preferably sterile connection between a pair of conduits which each terminate in a hollow, transparent housing where some of the wall portion of each housing comprises an opaque wall portion sealed to the remainder of the housing. The opaque wall portions of each housing are positioned in facing contact with each other and are held in sealed, retentive relationship so that exposure to radiant energy causes them to fuse and open an aperture therethrough. In accordance with this invention, improved retention means are provided to permit the respective housings to be moved together in a path which is generally parallel to the opaque walls into sliding retaining relation. Also, the conduit communicating with the housings may be internally sealed, being openable from the exterior.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving pins into a printed circuit board and the like which comprises: table means for receiving and retaining a board into which the pins are to be driven; magazine means for holding a supply of the pins in a position parallel to the plane of the table, and receiver means, pivotally movable to receive the pin from the magazine means in one pivotal position and to pivot the pin into transverse relation with the table means in a second pivoting position. Loading means are provided for inserting the pins into the receiver means. Means are also provided for moving the receiver means while in the second pivoting position to drive the pin inserted in it into the board.

Abstract: A noninvasive pressure monitor for measuring the pressure in a hydraulic circuit, such as an extracorporeal blood circuit, includes an aperture sealed by a membrane which offers substantially no resistance to pressure and a pressure sensitive transducer in contact with the membrane for providing a more direct measurement of the pressure.

Abstract: A mast of simplified and standardized constructional design consists of a tubular section and ancillary components such as a masthead or boom support plates which are welded to the tubular section, the masthead being constituted by a casing and head-piece. The casing is provided with an incorporated anchoring member for the standing rigging, and with slots for receiving the axle-pins of sheaves and rollers. The casign head-piece has a central cheek for locking the sheave pins in position.

Abstract: A pivoting permanent-magnet armature of an electromagnet forming part of a controller to limit the flow of an intravenous solution through a casette to a patient. The electromagnet may have an E-frame with the permanent magnet pivoting between two positions about a point lying on the extension of the electromagnet's middle leg. In one position, one pole of the permanent magent contacts one side leg of the E-frame to open the casette inlet and maintain the outlet in a closed configuration. In the other position, the permanent magnet's other pole contacts the other side of the E-frame to close the inlet, open the outlet, and allow fluid to flow to the patient. A gap should remain between the permanent magnet and the E-frame's middle leg to avoid their grinding together and a concomitant increase of friction due to the presence of resulting particles. Preventing contact between the permanent magnet and the electromagnet's middle leg also avoids the formation of the magnetic shunt between the two at that point.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the dispensing of fluid from a source at a hydrostatic pressure involving the sequential measuring and dispensing of predetermined volumetric increments of fluid from the source of fluid during different ones of a series of time intervals. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the dispensing of fluid, including metering means for receiving a predetermined increment of fluid and for emptying the predetermined increment of fluid, conduit means for delivering fluid from a source of fluid to the metering means, and control means for actuating the metering means between a condition for receiving one predetermined increment of fluid and a condition for emptying the predetermined increment of fluid.

Abstract: A building heating system includes a plenum for distributing heated air and returning cool air to the heater. In accordance with this invention, additional heat pump means are provided comprising condenser or heat rejecter means positioned in the cold air plenum, heat absorber means which are preferably positioned in the attic of the building underneath the roof and/or in heat exchange relation with warmed gases from a chimney, and conduit and compressor means for providing heat transfer flow communication therebetween.

Abstract: A sealed, sterile connection may be provided between a pair or more of containers having transparent, flexible, thermoplastic sealed walls, each of which contains an opaque, relatively rigid, hollow sealing member in the general shape of a truncated cone, open at both ends. The containers are brought together into facing contact, and the hollow sealing members are nested together with portions of the transparent walls of the containers positioned therebetween. The nested, sealing member cones are irradiated with infrared or the like through the transparent container walls to heat the nested sealing members. As a result of this, heat is conducted to the portions of the transparent walls between the nested sealing members, to seal the portions of the transparent walls together in an annular area between the sealing means. A portion of the transparent walls retained in the nested sealing members may then be torn away to make a sterile connection between the two containers.

Abstract: Blood plasma is frozen in a sealed, flexible, collapsible container which defines an inlet at one end and a shoulder portion surrounding the inlet. The container tapers from the shoulder portion to a generally flat configuration at its end opposite the one end. After the freezing step, the shoulder portion is cut away from the container to define a cut end. Thereafter, the frozen plasma may be removed from the container in frozen form by squeezing the wall of the tapered container to expel the frozen plasma out of the cut end of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying connector terminals to a plurality of leads including tensioning means capable of individually tensioning the leads with a predetermined tension, while being gripped and advanced by clamping means for advancing the leads into a terminal. Also, the clamping means may define a forward end which carries a wire guide plate which, in turn, is adapted to be longitudinally slidable back and forth in the direction of advancement, and is spring-biased into an outward position. The leads pass through apertures of the guide plate for precise positioning, relative to the terminal or terminals. The guide plate is thus retractable to permit the free ends of the leads to project into the terminal. Also, a lead-lengthening probe may be provided.

Abstract: The method of repairing leaks in a bundle of hollow capillary fibers of a diffusion device disposed in a housing comprises temporarily sealing one end of the bundle of fibers, applying a curable sealant paste to the other end of the bundle of fibers, and then applying a suction pressure to the flow path which passes through the bundle on the exterior of the fibers. Wherever a hollow fiber has a leak, the suction pressure will be transferred to the interior of the fiber, to individually cause the fiber to suck the curable sealant paste into its interior, thus blocking the fiber and preventing flow through it.

Abstract: A reservoir for blood or the like in which a rigid casing, having a perforated tubular member positioned within the casing and extending between the ends thereof, carries filtering and blood defoaming means. An improved configuration of inlet aperture means is provided. Also, the reservoir may define an upstanding central hump at its lower end, surrounded by an annular trough positioned at an acute angle to the axis of the perforated tubular member, for improved recovery of blood from the reservoir and improved calibration of the amount of blood in the reservoir.

Abstract: An openable seal member for a container includes a tube extending across the sealed area of the container for flow communication between the interior and exterior thereof. A flexible plastic pocket member seals and encloses the outer end of the tube. Tear means are provided for opening the pocket member, comprising a circumferential line of tearing weakness positioned about the pocket member in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube. In accordance with this invention, a flexible, generally conical portion is positioned between the outer end of the tube and the tear means, with the conical portion diverging outwardly and constituting an inner portion of the pocket member, to define upon opening of the seal member, an enlarged, protective area surrounding the outer end of the bore of the tube.

Abstract: An electromagnetic switch which comprises an armature pivotally movable between first and second pivotal positions about a fulcrum positioned between its ends. Magnet means are positioned adjacent each of the armature ends and present opposite polarities outwardly from each end of the armature. Electromagnet core means define arms positioned adjacent the magnet means at each armature end, with the magnet means being each respectively movable toward and away from an arm when pivoting between the first and second pivotal positions. The armature can be moved between the first and second positions by changing the polarity of the electromagnet core means. In accordance with this invention, restraining means engagable with the armature for preventing the armature from pivoting into contact with the electromagnet core means are provided for prevention of noise and for preservation of the life of the magnet means.

Abstract: A sealed flexible container is disclosed with a sterile, openable seal member formed by inserting part of a thermoplastic tube between a seal in such a manner as to permit the tube to communicate across the seal. The outer end of the tube may be enclosed with a thermoplastic pocket member having open inner and outer ends. Tear means are provided on the pocket members to permit the pocket members to be manually torn, exposing the tubes. The tear means are further defined by a rupturable seal line which has an outwardly-pointing apex, facilitating the rupturing of said tear means and opening of the pocket member. A puncturable diaphragm at the inner end of the tube is also provided to preserve the sterility of the system.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container which container defines a chamber-defining body portion wall having an integral neck portion and shoulder portion at one end thereof. The container defines, in its normal, unstressed state, a transverse cross section which tapers from the shoulder portion progressively along a major portion of its length to a flat, sealed end portion at the end of the container opposite to the one end. In accordance with this invention, the shoulder portion is rectilinear in shape, with the wall circumferences of transverse cross sections preferably progressively decreasing in length along the container from adjacent the shoulder portion toward the opposite end. Opposed triangular gusset portions are preferably present in which the side of the gusset portion which is parallel to the shoulder edge is positioned directly against the shoulder edge, and the shoulder edge defines the shape of an enlarged, generally cylindrical section for ease of flexing.

Abstract: Improvements in infusion controlling apparatus used in limiting the flow rate of an intravenous solution to a patient. The improvements provide coarse and fine orientations of a casette through which the solution passes relative to a controller which valves the casette's inlet and outlet to provide measured volumes of fluid. The coarse alignment device includes spaced apart metal sections which grasp onto the casette and move it towards the controller's valving members. As the casette reaches the valving members, protuberances on the controller fit into indentations on the casette, as the fine adjustment. The indentations into which the protuberances fit form part of the casette's base section of plastic notwithstanding the location of a cover slip between these two items. The valving members couple to a rocker arm which pivots about a point located at its middle and has magnetic poles at its ends.