Abstract: A cap closure is provided for bonding to the neck of a container. The cap closure includes a base portion enclosed by a side wall, a peripheral rim extending outwardly from the side wall with the rim being adapted for bonding to the neck of the container, an administration port connected to the base portion, a medication addition port connected to the base portion, a resealable injection site connected to the medication addition port, and port protectors covering and hermetically sealing the administration and medication addition ports. In the illustrative embodiment, the base portion, side wall, peripheral rim, administration port and medication addition ports are molded as an integral, unitary member, and a method is provided for fusing a membrane to the medication addition port and for fusing port protectors with the base member.

Abstract: A sterile air vent is disclosed which permits the passage of gas but is substantially impervious to microorganisms. The vent may be used on a variety of medical apparatus and it is particularly suitable as a tip protector for the tip ends of medical fluid administration sets or the like. The filtering is provided by a solid micro-porous plug of selected material carried in an air passageway of the vent housing, which housing is adapted for attachment to the desired medical apparatus. The plug is sufficiently porous to permit gas to pass through while filtering out bacteria or other organisms which would impair the sterility of the medical apparatus.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which separates gas from liquid and vents the separated gas from the filter. The filter includes a vented housing through which the fluid stream passes. Liquid-wetting filter means carried in the housing in the path of the fluid stream permits the passage of liquid only. Gas separated from the fluid is vented through vent opening means which is covered by a liquid-repellent filter to permit the passage of gas only. An automatic, pressure sensitive control means may be used to seal the vent opening means against the entry of ambient air but to automatically release separated gas from the filter. The liquid-repellent filter may be secured to the housing by a mechanical bond between the housing and a fibrous backing carried by the filter, or a continuous band of medical grade tape may be used to attach the filter to the housing.

Abstract: In apparatus for indicating and regulating the pressure of a selected body fluid, an elongated indicator tube with pressure limiting opening means is carried in a vented chamber and mountable in a substantially vertical position. A drip platform circumscribes the indicator tube at a position below the pressure limiting opening means to channel fluid overflowing through the opening means away from the indicator tube and to permit the fluid to flow into the bottom of the chamber free of contact with the side of the indicator tube. The chamber in which the indicator tube is mounted may be defined by an elongated hollow member closed at each end with one-piece end closures which include integral attachment fingers for mounting the chamber and indicator tube in a vertical position.

Abstract: A molded glove defines a hand and wrist portion, with the wrist portion defining, in as-molded configuration, longitudinal channels positioned about its circumference. In accordance with this invention, a plurality of circumferential channels are defined on the wrist portion at the end remote from the hand portion, the circumferential channels crossing the longitudinal channels. The thickness of the glove along the longitudinal and circumferential channels is increased over the thickness of the glove in areas adjacent to the channels. The glove exhibits improved resistance to rolling down of the cuff while being worn, when compared with conventional gloves having longitudinal flutes or channels, gloves having beaded cuffs, and the like.

Abstract: A method of making a thin-walled tubular container. The container defines a head portion with access means to the contents of the container, and a tail portion defining a sealed line in the tail portion, joining sides of the container into a sealed end with a flat plastic piece being formed integral with the sealed line and extending away therefrom. In accordance with this invention, a pair of spaced rod members are formed as an integral part of the flat, plastic piece, the rod members extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of the container. The flat plastic piece also defines a portion thereof between the rod members which is thinner than any remainder of the plastic piece spaced from the rod members. Accordingly, the rod members and intermediate portion therebetween provide an improved and stronger tail seal.

Abstract: A parenteral liquid infusion set comprising flow tubing as an intermediate site for the potential access of air suitable for connection with another set or the like, and a drip chamber upstream thereof having a constricted drop-forming member. To avoid the possibility of suction of air through the air access site, a tubing section of constricted bore is provided downstream from the potential air access site and so proportioned as to cause the pressure drop of the portion of the set upstream from the potential air access site to be always less than the pressure drop of the portion of the set downstream from the potential air access site under conditions of normal use and specifically under a precise set of test conditions.

Abstract: A flexible, collapsible container defining a relatively rigid shoulder and neck portion at one end and a relatively rigid base at the other end, and having a flexible tubular wall between the shoulder and the base, utilizes first and second pairs of oppositely-disposed gusset portions defined in the flexible walls and positioned respectively adjacent the shoulder and the base. The gussets are adapted to fold outwardly from the shoulder and base as the container collapses.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container which defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and a semi-rigid shoulder portion at one end thereof, and is sealed at its opposite end. In accordance with this invention, transverse lines of folding weakness are defined along opposite edges of the shoulder portion to facilitate the collapse of the container.

Abstract: A molded glove defines a hand and wrist portion, with the wrist portion defining, in as-molded configuration, longitudinal channels positioned about its circumference. In accordance with this invention, a plurality of circumferential channels are defined on the wrist portion at the end remote from the hand portion, the circumferential channels crossing the longitudinal channels. The thickness of the glove along the longitudinal and circumferential channels is increased over the thickness of the glove in areas adjacent to the channels. The glove exhibits improved resistance to rolling down of the cuff while being worn, when compared with conventional gloves having longitudinal flutes or channels, gloves having beaded cuffs, and the like.

Abstract: A family of catalysts is disclosed for providing improved capacity for Limulus lysate solution to precipitate in the presence of extremely low concentrations of endotoxin. The catalyst family includes imidazole, manganese ions, Cleland's reagent, magnesium ions, strontium ions, barium ions, cysteine, lithium ions, and various combinations of the above materials. Solutions of the above catalysts may be used to advantage to reconstitute lyophilized Limulus lysate.

Abstract: A tubular sealing member defines a bore having an open mouth, plus several spaced, annular sealing members in the bore to grip and seal a tubular projection. In accordance with this invention, at least some of the spaced, annular sealing rings define, in cross section, flexible elongated projections which, in turn, define longitudinal axes which incline toward the open mouth in acute angle relationship to the axis of the bore. The longitudinal axes of the projections are at least 0.01 inch long. The average thickness of each of the flexible projections is less than the length of its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A one-piece hanger for a container comprises attachment means to a container and an elongated, flexible hanger member secured at both ends to the attaching means to define a closed loop. The elongated hanger member is positioned in generally longitudinal relationship to the attaching means and defines a pair of first flex sections positioned respectively adjacent the ends of the hanger members, and a pair of spaced second flex sections positioned more remotely from the ends of the flexible hanger member. Accordingly, the hanger member is generally approximately coplanar with the attachment means so that it does not project upwardly away from the container which carries it. However, the hanger can be bent into transverse relation to the attachment means to unfold and expose a large loop for hanging of the container.

Abstract: A container for storing and dispensing sterile liquids is provided with a hermetically sealed overcap. An outer ring fits over the overcap and the overcap and outer ring have interfitting threads. The outer ring defines a jacking member for moving the overcap axially upwardly on a bottle neck when the outer ring is rotated downwardly. Antibackoff means are provided for axially interlocking the outer ring and overcap, limiting upward rotational displacement of the outer ring with respect to the overcap.

Abstract: A ratchet mechanism is provided for preventing disassembly of an outer ring used to jack a hermetically sealed overcap from the neck of a container. The ratchet mechanism comprises a set of teeth on the outer ring which act in cooperation with a set of teeth on the overcap thereby providing a means for preventing rotation of the outer ring in a direction tending to unscrew the outer ring from the overcap, but permitting rotation of the outer ring in the jacking direction.

Abstract: A disposable electrode assembly for establishing electrical contact with an underlying skin surface includes a relatively thin transparent base member having a central hub portion and an adhesive-coated undersurface, a conductive gel-impregnated sponge contact contained in a downwardly facing recess located in the hub, and a relatively thick and inflexible cover member coextensive with the base member. In storage the cover member is attached to the undersurface of the base member by the adhesive and the sponge is confined within the recess. Prior to use the base member is peeled away from the cover member to expose the adhesive surface, which when applied to a skin surface holds the sponge contact in compression-contact therewith. The base is transparent to enable the user to detect skin irritation and incomplete adhesion of the base member, and may be provided with apertures to facilitate breathing of the underlying skin.

Abstract: A flexible, collapsible container having walls essentially 0.01 to 0.03 inch thick and defining relatively thin lines of folding weakness in the container to facilitate flat collapse. The thickness of the lines of folding weakness is less than that of the surrounding walls. The cross-sections of the lines of folding weakness define arcs, the outer surfaces of which have a circumferential length which is 40 to 60 percent greater than the direct width of the lines of folding weakness. Preferably, the container is made of a relatively stiff polyolefin plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers thereof of similar stiffness, particularly biaxially oriented materials.