Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions finding particular utility for coating access systems, lead devices including shunts, cannulae, catheters, catheter adapters, wires and other solid or hollow tubular devices used for a variety of medical purposes is provided. The composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, mixtures thereof, polyesters, polyurethanes, styrene-block copolymers, natural and synthetic rubbers, polycarbonates, nylon and silicone rubber mixed with an oligodynamic material consisting essentially of compounds of physiological, antimicrobial metals.

Abstract: A humidifier (10) used in respiratory therapy is disclosed where the surface tension of a light probe (32) used therewith is maintained greater than the surface tension of the aqueous liquid used in the humidifier (10). Maintaining the surface tension of the light probe (32) greater than the surface tension of the aqueous liquid generally avoids erroneous indication of aqueous liquid level in the humidifier (10). Erroneous indications of liquid level can be caused by gas bubbles adhering to submerged portions of the light probe (32) or liquid droplets adhering to unsubmerged portions of the light probe (32).

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions finding particular utility for coating access systems, lead devices including shunts, cannulae, catheters, catheter adapters, wires and other solid or hollow tubular devices used for a variety of medical purposes is provided. The composition comprises a material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, mixtures thereof, polyesters, polyurethanes, styrene-block copolymers, natural and synthetic rubbers, polycarbonates, nylon and silicone rubber mixed with an oligodynamic material consisting essentially of compounds of physiological, antimicrobial metals.

Abstract: A nebulizer is provided which includes a liquid container and a cap attachable thereto. The cap includes a outlet port for delivery of a nebulized liquid/gas mixture to a patient, a gas inlet, a venturi in communication with the gas inlet, a conduit through which liquid may be circulated in the cap and heated by an external heater, a liquid outlet adjacent the end of the venturi, so that the gas flowing through the venturi draws out the liquid, and a dial rotatable on the cap. The dial has windows which may be positioned over openings in the cap to allow air from the environment to enter the cap and dilute the gas to a desired concentration. The dial engages the cap securely once its position is set on the cap, so the gas concentration is not inadvertently changed during use of the nebulizer.

Abstract: A collapsible medical agent container (10) is disclosed having walls (34, 36, 38) defining a plurality of chambers (12, 14) for containing selected quantities of one or more medical fluids or a dry or encapsulated drug or other reagent in separate sealed condition. Opening means which communicates between adjacent chambers (12, 14) for passage of fluid from one chamber to another, is normally closed by frangible closure (18) which maintains the chambers (12, 14) in separate hermetically sealed condition until flow between the chambers (12, 14) is needed. The frangible closure (18) has an elongated relatively rigid portion (20) which extends into one of the chambers and is disposed within a protective retentive tube (24), and a relatively weakened portion (22) adjacent the opening means.

Abstract: A closure system for a non-refillable container is provided. In the system, an internally threaded cap is carried in threaded cooperation on the neck of the container. Removal of the cap from a capped container is prevented through a combination of locking lugs and camming ramps having end stops. Locking lugs can be either on the cap or on the container neck with corresponding camming ramps located, respectively, on either the container neck or the cap. The locking lugs radially flex over the camming ramps as the cap is screwed onto the neck and radially snap back when out of camming relation with the camming ramp. Removal of the cap is prevented by contact of the locking lugs with the end stops of the camming ramps when the cap is attempted to be removed.

Abstract: A device for reducing the rate of flow from a reservoir as the reservoir empties requires only a single chamber having an input, for receiving fluid from a reservoir, and an output port. There is a provision for sensing fluid level in the chamber, and a separate provision for reducing the flow through the output port when fluid level in the chamber has fallen to a predetermined level. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, fluid level is sensed by a float, which, after falling to a predetermined level, actuates a plunger that reduces flow through an aperature at the bottom of the chamber.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing device, particularly useful for apparatus designed to humidify oxygen gas being administered to patients undergoing respiratory therapy is disclosed. The liquid level sensing device detects the liquid level in a canister having an optical probe therein. A bracket, rotatable on a frame of the device, carries a light source and a light sensing member for determining liquid level in the canister in conjunction with the probe. The hinged bracket engaging relation, and it also rotates out of probe-engaging relation and registry with the light probe. When the bracket is out of registry with the light probe, the canister may be removed and replaced. The bracket may be releasably retained out of probe-engaging relation by means of a snap fit structure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detector, particularly useful in the level detection of blood within an arterial reservoir, is provided. The detector includes a pair of opposed arms for connection to the arterial reservoir. One of the arms carries a transmitting transducer while the other arm carries a receiving transducer facing the transmitting transducer. A clamping ring is slidable on both arms for forcing the arms toward each other when the ring is moved in one direction and for enabling the arms to move apart from each other when the ring is moved in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining the amount of exposure of an object to ethylene oxide gas. A pre-weighed ethylene oxide-permeable container, which encloses a predetermined amount of catalyst for the reaction of the ethylene oxide gas to form a liquid, is placed adjacent to the object. The object and container are then exposed to ethylene oxide gas for controlled time and at a known humidity and temperature. The container is then reweighed. The weight gain of the container is a quantitative indication of the amount of exposure to ethylene oxide gas. The test system may be calibrated against its effect in known concentrations of ethylene oxide gas, so that the precise amount of exposure to ethylene oxide gas can be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining sealingly incompatible plastic materials is disclosed. A coextruded connector (10) with separate, telescopically related layers (12,14) is affixed to one of the materials. The outer layer (14) of connector (10) is composed of a polymer specifically selected to melt or deform at a temperature lower than that of inner layer (12). The connector is frictionally fit within a second material to be joined and the connection is heated to a temperature sufficient to melt or deform outer layer (14) without melting inner layer (12). Outer layer 14 is thereby securely fused to the second material or blood container.A secondary embodiment is disclosed for joining materials of similar composition. Two coextruded connectors (40,46), having telescopically related layers composed of different polymer materials, are formed, as above, but the layer sequence of each connector is opposite to the other.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tear-off port protector for a container comprises placing flexible, typically extruded tubing on a mandrel that fills the bore of the tubing, with the tubing preferably outwardly stretched by the mandrel. A cutting blade is spaced a predetermined distance of less than the tubing wall thickness from the mandrel. One then causes the cutting blade to form an annular cut about the tubing, while maintaining the predetermined distance, and thereafter one removes the tubing from the mandrel.

Abstract: A catheter is provided with an improved hub assembly. The catheter defines an end which, in turn, defines a relatively enlarged transverse dimension for the catheter wall and a thickened annular lip, when compared with an adjacent portion of the catheter. A catheter hub defines a bore portion, the bore portion in turn defining a relatively constricted portion and a relatively enlarged portion. The enlarged catheter end is positioned within the relatively enlarged portion of the bore, while the adjacent portion of the catheter is positioned within the relatively constricted portion of the hub. A rigid tubular funnel fits within the bore of the catheter. As a result of this the collapse and subsequent passage of the enlarged catheter end through the relatively constricted portion of the hub is prevented.

Abstract: An infusion needle attachment which, although covering the infusion needle protruding from below, so as to effectively and desirably mask it from view at the injection site, is nevertheless also effectively used to guide the unseen needle into position, since a flap finger grip thereof is in the same plane as the needle and the user is thereby readily able to judge the desired location at which the point of the needle should make physical contact preparatory to the subcutaneous administration of a medicament to a patient using said needle.

Abstract: Blood may be stored in vitro for a period of days at a reduced temperature in the container which also includes a sufficient quantity of an emulsion of anti-hemolytic agent to cause a reduction in the hemolysis of the stored blood, when compared with blood under similar storage conditions to the absence of the emulsion. Preferably, the emulsion may include a fatty ester containing at least two ester linkages each comprising a fatty hydrocarbon group, with the emulsion containing sufficient hemo-compatible surfactant to stabilize the emulsion.

Abstract: A method of making a curved-tip (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 curved-tip 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: Apparatus for applying a radiant beam against an opaque diaphragm (18) to melt an aperture in the diaphragm (18). Bracket means (12) are provided for positioning the diaphragm (18) at a predetermined position, along with a source of the radiant beam (20) and electric circuit means (21) for activating the source (20). Photocell means (52) may be positioned whereby a properly positioned diaphragm (18) initially shades the photocell (52) from the beam, and the beam strikes the photocell (52) when the aperture is formed. Means are provided to shut off the radiant beam responsive to the beam striking the photocell (52). The photocell (52) may be positioned in a pivotable switch arm (46), and the radiant beam source (20) may be a special filament-type light bulb (20) with a focusing reflector (24).

Abstract: A fluid flow control clamp for in-line insertion on flexible fluid tubing is disclosed. A flow-directing member (10) is positioned intermediate a source of sterilized water or other fluid and a medical humidifier. A blocking element (20) is provided within the flow directing member (10) and inlet and outlet ports (12, 14) are provided on either side of blocking member (20). Resilient tubing (16) is attached to inlet, outlet ports (12, 14) of an appropriate length such that it kinks or crimps (18) when relaxed and unactivated, preventing fluid flow through the clamp.The clamp is activated by insertion of fingers (24) or other opening means within the loop of resilient tubing (16), unkinking the tubing (16), and permitting fluid flow through the clamp. Release of the resilient tubing (16) causes it to resume its normal kinked position, thereby cutting off the fluid flow through the clamp.