Abstract: A method of potting the ends of a bundle of hollow fibers positioned in a casing is provided, for example, in the manufacture of hollow fiber artificial kidneys. The bundle is inserted into the casing through an open end thereof and the casing ends are enclosed with sealed casing closure member means. The casing ends are spun, while curable liquid sealant is inserted through side apertures in the casing. Accordingly, the liquid sealant migrates by the centrifugal force of the spinning to the interior sealed ends of the casing. After the liquid sealant has cured, the closure member means, sealant, and hollow fibers are cut through at each casing end to expose the bores of the hollow fibers. Alternatively, the closure means can be removed prior to the cutting step.

Abstract: A gripper member comprises an openable and closable pair of handles interconnected by a hinge member. Each handle defines, adjacent its hinge member, an arcuate recess positioned to face the corresponding recess of the other handle and defining gripping projections therein. A wall member is positioned longitudinally on each handle to cross each arcuate recess, both wall members being positioned at the same side of their respective recesses. Accordingly, a plastic tube may be surrounded and gripped in the arcuate recesses of the handles for rotational retention thereof as a connector member is inserted into or withdrawn from the tube. At the same time, the wall members pinch the tube into closed, sealed relation with the handles in closed position.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus and method for preparing a continuous, hollow, and semipermeable filament for use in a dialyzer which includes a plurality of substantially-equal-length open-ended fibers.The apparatus includes a body having a supply spool of filament and a take-up reel having at least two radially-spaced support means about which the filament is wound. Drive means rotate the take-up reel and a filament guide is provided for laterally positioning the filament on the support member so as to prevent close packing of the filament windings. The take-up reel includes a winding plate for carrying the filament support means and hub-and-locking means for releasably mounting the winding plate on the machine.The method includes winding the filament from the spool onto the take-up reel; grasping each of the sections of filament between the support means; and cutting the filament adjacent the support means so as to form a plurality of bundles of open-ended fibers for use in a hollow fiber dialyzer.

Abstract: A copolyester compositon which exhibits good bonding characteristics to polyvinyl chloride, good impact resistance, and improved resistance to crazing or cracking in the presence of solvents such as alcohol. The composition consists essentially of (a) 80 to 95 percent by weight of a generally rigid poly(ethylene cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate) in which from 2 to 20 molar parts of ethylene units are present per one molar part of cyclohexanedimethylene units, and (b) from 5 to 20 percent by weight of a flexible copolymer containing alternating covalently bonded blocks of poly(butylene terephthalate) and poly(1,4-butylene ether).

Abstract: Valving configurations between the valve seat in a cassette and the valve members in a controller used to limit the flow rate of an intravenous solution to a patient. The configurations minimize the criticality of the alignment between the components. The cassette forms part of the flow path of the solution on its way to the recipient. The controller's valve member may stretch a membrane in the cassette and cause it to contact a flat surface surrounding the opening through which the fluid must flow. Alternately, the end of the valve member may be appreciably smaller than the opening, pass through it, and stretch the membrane until the latter contacts all of the opening's edge. The membrane meeting the edge of the opening in a closed loop prevents the flow of fluid through it. As a further possibility, the valve member may place the membrane in contact with one or more edges provided between two segments of a straight channel through which the solution flows.

Abstract: A multiple blood bag system comprising a donor bag for receiving blood from a donor, and one or more transfer bags, communicating by flexible tubing with the donor bag, for receiving a blood component from the donor bag. In accordance with this invention, the various bags may be made of differing materials to provide differing characteristics to the bags as desired. For example, the transfer bag or bags may be made of a translucent, flexible, sterilizable material which is free of blood extractable ester-type plasticizers, and may have a relatively high carbon dioxide diffusion capacity. The donor bag may be made of a translucent, flexible, sterilizable material which contains preferably at least five percent by weight of a specified ester plasticizer, sufficient to cause a substantial reduction in plasma hemoglobin produced by blood stored under normal conditions for 21 days in the donor bag, when compared with blood in a corresponding, plasticizer-free donor bag stored under equivalent conditions.

Abstract: The device comprises an element for rigidly fixing the articulated coupling device to a mast and a boom end-piece which are capable of pivotal displacement in perpendicular planes and each mounted on a common nut by means of a fork. Ribs and grooves formed respectively on the fork and in the nut remain in a position of interengagement after relative rotation through an angle of approximately 180.degree. with respect to a position of introduction of the fork into the nut.The invention is primarily applicable to the boom of a sailing boat which is pivotally coupled to a mast.

Abstract: A covered vehicle container body defining end walls and a flexible cover as an uncovering device, including a dependent framework supported by the end walls over which the flexible cover extends and is supported. The framework has a lower free end and an upper pivoted portion, pivotally mounted on the end walls, plus operating means for upwardly pivotally moving the framework about the pivot axis of the pivoted portion. Accordingly, the free end effects folding of the flexible cover and uncovering of one side of the body.

Abstract: An elongated, flat-sealed flexible, collapsible container comprises a pair of facing plastic walls and a peripheral, annular heat seal joining the walls together. Access ports are positioned at one end of the container. In accordance with this invention, the peripheral heat seal defines at the end opposite to the one end a first, straight end seal section extending generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the container, and a pair of second, straight end seal sections extending from adjacent each end of the first end seal section and defining an obtuse angle to it. The container, when filled and placed in a centrifuge cup, tends to form inwardly-extending creases in the second end seal sections which do not trap portions of the contents of the container.

Abstract: A multiple-layered, autoclavable, flexible plastic sheet comprises (a) at least one first layer consisting essentially of 30 to 90 percent by weight of a block copolymer having thermoplastic rubbery characteristics and having rubbery olefin blocks and blocks of a polystyrene; and from 10 to 70 percent by weight of a polyolefin derived principally from at least one of propylene, ethylene and 4-methylpentene-1, said polyolefin having a Vicat Softening Temperature of about 120.degree. C.; and (b) at least one second layer consisting essentially of a polyolefin derived principally by from at least one of propylene, ethylene, and 4-methylpentene-1 and being of semi-crystalline characteristics to exhibit low permeability to water vapor, the first and second layers being bonded together in alternating arrangement.

Abstract: A blood reservoir comprises a rigid casing and a perforated tubular member positioned within the casing and extending between the edges thereof. An inlet aperture is at a position at the upper end of the reservoir in communication with the bore of the tubular member while an outlet aperture is positioned adjacent the bottom of the casing exterior to the tubular member. The bore of the tubular member contains first blood-defoaming means, and the tubular member carries a blood filter. In accordance with this invention, second blood defoaming means are positioned about the exterior of the tubular member to dissipate the fine bubbles without interference from the larger bubbles, which have been previously removed by passage through the first blood defoaming means.

Abstract: A crystal-controlled low-frequency power-conserving circuit for use in a controller operating with a casette to limit the rate of flow of an intravenous solution to a patient. The circuit uses a crystal oscillator operating below the stray frequencies often present in a hospital environment. The CMOS components in the circuit respond to the low frequencies of the oscillator, display no sensitivity to the higher stray frequencies, and consume a minimum of energy. Binary rate dividers reduce the frequency obtained from the oscillator by a positive integral power of two. Cascaded variable binary rate multipliers selectively permit the absorbtion of a least half of the pulses received from the rate divider. The inverted pulses of the binary rate multipliers pass to the S input of a D-type flip-flop. The pulses from the binary divider pass to the C input of the same flip-flop.

Abstract: Improvements are provided in the sealing arrangment and in an inflatable shim for a membrane diffusion device which comprises a stack of membrane sections and means for defining interleaving flow paths for two different fluids, separated by the membranes.

Abstract: A rotary valve system for a motor and the like includes a flow conduit and rotary valve means interposed in the flow conduit. Intermittent sealing means are provided for preventing flow through the flow conduit, comprising a sealing surface intermittently positionable in stationary, sealing relationship across the conduit. Means are also provided for moving the sealing surface into such stationary sealing relationship with the flow conduit, and out of sealing relationship with the flow conduit in a manner correlating with the operation of the rotary valve means, to facilitate sealing as the valve operates.

Abstract: A catheter, preferably a balloon-type catheter, is disclosed in which the catheter shaft is made of a thermoplastic material and thus may be extrudable, the shaft consisting essentially of (a) from 40 to 70 percent by weight of an elastic composition which comprises: from 50 to 99.5 percent by weight of a block copolymer having thermoplastic rubber characteristics with a central, rubbery polyolefin block and terminal blocks of polystyrene, and optionally including up to about 45 percent by weight of polypropylene, plus from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of a cross-linked organic silicone elastomer; and (b) from 30 to 60 percent by weight of a hydrophobic oil-type plasticizer to provide the desired degree of softness to said elastic composition.

Abstract: A nebulizer for forming a liquid mist in a stream of gas. The nebulizing chamber carries a liquid suction conduit adapted to communicate with a supply of liquid below the nebulizing chamber. Accordingly, as suction is exerted on the nebulizing chamber, for example, by a patient breathing in, liquid is drawn upwardly into the nebulizing chamber through the suction conduit. When the liquid reaches a predetermined level it enters into the nebulizing apparatus of the device, with the result that nebulization only takes place at a predetermined minimum level of suction.

Abstract: An improved closed irrigation site in a urinary irrigation device. The site is characterized by a rigid lip defining a mouth at the distal end of an irrigation tube, a resilient, impervious membrane against the lip and covering the mouth and having a normally closed, resiliently deformable slit therethrough over the mouth, and a plug or other member securing the membrane against the lip. In preferred embodiments, the membrane is compressed against the lip thereby biasing the slit in a closed position. Other preferred embodiments relate to unique structure providing specific benefits.

Abstract: A telescoping-type connector comprising outer and inner telescoping members, the inner telescoping member defining an outer circumferential groove, and adapted to sealingly fit in telescoping relation within an aperture of the outer telescoping member. The outer telescoping member includes retention means for releasably projecting into the outer circumferential groove, to retain the inner and outer members in the desired sealing, telescoping relation. In accordance with this invention, the inner telescoping member defines, between the circumferential groove and the forward end of the inner member relative to the outer member, a recessed portion on its outer surface for facilitating molding and the like. Ribbed members are positioned within the recessed portion, to prevent the retention means from projecting therein and providing inadequate locking of the connector.

Abstract: A flexible composition which is preferably radiopaque comprises a plastic material which may be mixed with from 10 to 50 percent by weight of a radiopaque filler. The plastic material comprises the product of (a) a block copolymer having thermoplastic, rubbery characteristics, having a central rubbery olefin block and terminal blocks of a polystyrene; (b) low crystallinity ethylene polymers such as poly (ethylene-vinyl acetate); and (c) a silicone gum containing a small amount of a silicon-bonded olefin group such as vinyl. Optionally, the addition of 5 to 40 percent by weight polypropylene may be included in these materials to improve their heat resistance and strength without affecting their transparency, when transparent materials are formulated.

Abstract: A connection of a tubular member with a flexible plastic container includes an aperture in the wall of the flexible plastic container. The tubular member is positioned adjacent the aperture, with the axis of the tubular member being generally parallel to the plane of the aperture. Lateral apertures are defined in the tubular member in communication with the aperture, and an outer wall sealingly surrounds the portion of the tubular member adjacent the aperture to prevent leakage therefrom.