Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. One form of a blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula, the locking member latches to the injection site and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula includes a tube having a tapered distal end region and having elongate discharge slots for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post, an annular barb, and axially oriented grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passive drug delivery apparatus which has a simplified structure. The present invention includes a junction member, disposed within the fluid conduit, for forming a first flow path to supply a medical liquid along the fluid conduit. A coupling member is provided, one end of which is to be coupled to the junction member, and the other end of which is to be inserted into a vial containing a beneficial agent. The coupling member includes structure to close the medical liquid flow path, a second flow path for introducing the medical liquid into the vial and a third flow path for delivering the mixed solution containing the medical liquid and agent.

Abstract: A flow adjusting tube clamp is used with a chamber in a solution administration device. The tube clamp is pivotally mounted to the cap at a second pivot element. The tube clamp includes first and second elongated tube passages that overly the cap inlet ports as the clamp is pivoted. The tube passages define varying cross-sectional open areas therethrough. The passages are arcuate so that they continuously overly the inlet ports as the clamp is pivoted. The inlet ports are configured to receive flexible tube portions that traverse through the tube passages in the clamp. Each tube passage includes at least one open area and at least one occluding portion to establish and terminate flow therethrough. The clamp is pivotable from a prime position to an intermittent flow position and from an intermittent flow position to a continuous flow position, to effect varying flow conditions.

Abstract: A detachable assembly for an apparatus (10) for the controlled heating of fluid is provided. The apparatus (10) has a general elongated heating core (16) with a exterior surface (36) formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity and frustoconically shaped to slidingly receive an assembly (14) so that the assembly envelops the surface along at least a portion of the length of the core. The assembly (14) forms a sealed passageway (46) for generally unidirectional unrestricted sheet like flow upward along the core (16). A control system (20) selectively operates the heating core (16) so that the fluid, under varying flow rates, is warmed to a desired temperature without overheating, before the fluid flows from the passageway (46).

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. One form of a blunt cannula, usable with the injection site, carries a locking member. When the pre-slit injection site slidably receives the blunt cannula, the locking member latches to the injection site and creates a mechanically coupled unit. Another form of the cannula includes a tube having a tapered distal end region and having elongate discharge slots for reducing contact surface area and for directing the flow laterally out of the cannula. The cannula may also include a rounded lead post, an annular barb, and axially oriented grooves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piercing member adapted for use with a flow channel. The piercing member has a penetrating member for piercing a solid closure, and is retained to the flow channel, but still allows fluid to flow through the flow channel while retained to the flow channel.

Abstract: A cannula and injection site coupling system comprising a cannula assembly having a blunt cannula or piercing member partially surrounded by a protective shield. The protective shield is spaced apart from the blunt cannula and includes a bayonet arm, a bayonet barb, a bayonet lock and an opening or gap. The injection site has a septum with a pre-slit opening and an arm. When the cannula assembly and injection site are coupled, the injection site arm is lodged within the cannula assembly lock opening.

Abstract: A receptacle (500) is provided for coupling an adaptor (10) having a vial (54) including a beneficial agent to an IV administration set (526). In an embodiment, the receptacle (500) includes an injection site (512) for receiving a cannula (26) from the adaptor (10). A resilient divider (516) separates the receptacle (500) into two sections defined by an upper fitment (508) and a lower fitment (510). A container (520) holding a solution is in fluid communication with the receptacle (500) via an inlet (502). A through bore (518) allows the solution from the container (520) to pass through the resilient divider (516) when the adaptor (10) is removed from the receptacle (500).

Abstract: The present invention provides an intravenous fluid flow regulator 10 for controlling the I.V. administration of medical fluid to a patient. The fluid flow regulator 10 provides a housing 12 having a top 18 and a bottom 20. A flexible diaphragm 14 is positioned within housing 12. A diaphragm holder 16 is provided inside housing 12 for holding a sealing edge 56 of flexible diaphragm 14 in fluid sealing engagement with diaphragm holder 16. The housing 12 and flexible diaphragm 14 define an inlet fluid reservoir 62 and an outlet fluid reservoir 64. The diaphragm holder 16 defines a by-pass fluid channel 54 from inlet fluid reservoir 62, around diaphragm 14, to outlet fluid reservoir 64. The flexible diaphragm 14 being flexible to alternatively move into inlet fluid reservoir 62 and outlet fluid reservoir 64 depending on a fluid pressure differential between inlet fluid reservoir 62 and outlet fluid reservoir 64. A fluid inlet 24 is connected to housing top 18 to provide an inlet fluid passage 27 from an I.V.

Abstract: A protective shield for a blood sampling unit that is movably engaged to an adapter having a needle attached. The shield attaches to a tube holder when the needle is covered by the shield. Longitudinal grooves on the adapter guide the shield between a first position, covering the needle, and a second, position, exposing the needle. The shield can be locked in either the first position or the second position. The blood sampling unit is safely disassembled or reassembled when the needle is covered by the shield. In an embodiment of the invention, a tip protector, removably attached to the adapter, extends through the length of the tube holder to prevent needlesticks. The blood sampling unit and the tube holder can be assembled and disassembled when the tip protector is attached to the adapter, covering the needle. The tip protector is removed during a clinical procedure and then replaced after the clinical procedure is finished.

Abstract: A drug delivery device (250) is provided for coupling a container (260) including a beneficial agent (262) to the device (250). The device (250) includes a substantially hollow member for housing a solution (256) wherein the hollow member includes an upper section (254) having flexible walls and a lower section (252) having substantially rigid walls. A spike (258) extends from the lower section (252) to provide fluid communication between an interior of the device (250) and the container (260). To this end, the beneficial agent (262) mixes with the solution (256) forming a mixture for administration to a patient. A cannula (266) and a plunger (264) are further provided for administration of the mixture (270) to the patient.