Abstract: Improvements are disclosed in liquid level sensing apparatus having a liquid replenishment line so that as liquid is expended more may be added to keep the liquid at a desired predetermined level. The apparatus is contemplated for use in the humidification of gases, particularly for the administration of oxygen and the like to a patient.

Abstract: An automated system is provided for manufacturing flexible plastic blood containers (10) having closed ports (22, 24) and a donor tube (26) extending from one end (20) of the containers. First (12a) and second (12b) webs of plastic material are conveyed to a port sealing station. Mandrels (71-85) are provided intermediate the first and second webs at the port sealing station. The mandrels are moved forwardly through both webs so that the front ends of the mandrels extend past opposed ends of the webs to engage the closed ports and donor tubes. The mandrels are retracted to bring the closed ports and donor tubes intermediate the opposed ends of the webs, and the opposed ends are heat sealed to each other. The mandrels are retracted further to disengage from the closed ports and donor tubes. The webs are conveyed to sealing and cutting stations (64, 66) to seal the sides and other end of the webs and to cut the webs transverse their direction of conveyance.

Abstract: A method of quantitatively determining the amount of exposure of an object to ethylene oxide gas. A preweighed 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: Apparatus and method are disclosed for quickly, efficiently and with minimum human contact removing the contents of flexible or collapsible containers, for example, frozen blood from the plastic pouches in which it is collected from human donors. The container is positioned and retained between a pair of plates which are relatively movable to compress the container to discharge the contents. The plates are preferably mounted on a continuous conveyor for automatically moving the container from a loading station where the container is inserted between the plates, to an opening area where a portion of the container is removed to provide access to the contents, and from there to a compression position where the plates are forced together to discharge the contents from the container through the access opening. For frozen contents, the plates and container may also pass through a thawing area where the container is heated sufficiently to free it from the frozen contents.

Abstract: A luer cap for use on ports of medical devices such as cardiotomy reservoirs and blood sets. The cap comprises an outer wall (10) having a generally circular cross-sectional shape. An inner wall (12) and end wall (20) define an internal port receiving cavity (13). The inner wall (12) is threaded to mate with threads or a flange on a female luer port. The mating surfaces of the luer cap and the luer port can be sterilized through a hollow tubular portion (18), end wall (20), and outer wall (10) of the luer cap.

Abstract: The oxygenator is used for arterializing blood during open heart surgery. The oxygenator is factory-assembled and sterilized and is of economic and efficient design so that it can serve as a throwaway unit. Blood from the patient is oxygenated as it passes through the center of a tubular sparger with porous walls which supplies oxygen bubbles of the optimum size. The foaming blood is delivered to the top of the main oxygenator body where it is distributed by gravity flow downward across the heat exchanger tubing. The heat exchanger is wound as a flat coil with all connections outside of the oxygenator body. A silicone-coated sponge is located below the heat exchanger so that downwardly flowing foaming blood is defoamed as it passes through the sponge. Carbon dioxide and other gases are vented, and liquid blood gravitates into a tapered arterial reservoir.

Abstract: A plastic composition which may be molded into a connector which is capable of simultaneously sealing to both polyvinyl chloride plastics and polyolefin plastics. The plastic composition comprises from 50 to 75 percent by weight of an essentially polyolefin material which is sealingly compatible with the polyolefin plastic to which the composition is intended to be sealed, and from 25 to 50 percent by weight of a flexible block copolymer of covalently bonded polybutylene terephthalate units and poly(1,4-butylene) oxide units.

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 includes a fatty ester containing at least two ester linkages each comprising a fatty hydrocarbon group, emulsified with sufficient hemo-compatible surfactant to stabilize the emulsion.

Abstract: A connector member for a fluid flow path is provided which comprises a transparent housing enclosing an opaque barrier membrane or wall portion blocking flow through the flow path. The barrier membrane is adapted to be openable by exposure to radiant energy from the exterior through the transparent housing. In accordance with this invention, the barrier membrane is made of a predominantly crystalline plastic material, and, accordingly, exhibits a relatively sharp melting point for improved opening characteristics upon exposure to the radiant energy.

Abstract: A clear, flexible, sealed container may be made of first and second plastic sheets sealed together at their peripheries. The first plastic sheet defines a bulge to increase the inside volume of the container, and comprises a laminate of a layer of polyolefin and a blended layer of polyolefin and a block copolymer of polyolefin and polystyrene. The second plastic sheet is a bonded laminate of a layer of biaxially oriented polypropylene and nonoriented polypropylene, peripherally bonded to the layer of polyolefin of the first plastic sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a drainage bag from a patient's bed or other structure, so fluid can be drained from the patient into the bag. The apparatus includes a hanger to which the bag can be attached and a hook for securing the hanger with the attached bag to the bed rail. The hanger has a bag support spar, L-shaped arms depending therefrom, a clip on the free end of one of the arms, and a connector on the free end of the other arm, so that insertion of one of the arms into a slotted portion of the bag and then insertion of the connector into the clip secures the bag onto the hanger. The hook has an arm attachable to a tab on the hanger and other arms for securing the hook to the bed rail. The arms are constructed so that the hanger and hook can cooperate to suspend the bag in a vertical plane with respect to the ground. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the arm of the hook attachable to the hanger is semicircular.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a pressure-sensitive transducer in an extracorporeal blood system and for providing a sterile barrier while the apparatus transmits the blood pressure to the pressure-sensitive transducer. The apparatus (34) comprises a housing (40, 42) having first (40) and second (42) generally hemispherical members which symmetrically enclose a generally planar silicone membrane diaphragm (44). The membrane diaphragm (44) has a thickness that is less than 0.040 inch and a diameter that is at least twice as great as the intended total deflection distance. The membrane (44) is centered within the housing (40, 42) and greater pressure on either side of the membrane (44) will cause the membrane (44) to deflect to the other side by stretching.

Abstract: A cassette and controller for accurately controlling fluid flow through an administration set while maintaining a closed fluid system. Inlet and outlet conduits are defined in a body of the cassette and inlet and outlet valves control fluid flow through the respective conduits. A rigid internal cavity of predetermined volume is also defined in the cassette body with an impermeable and flexible diaphragm spanning the cavity. A control conduit communicates with the internal cavity on an opposite side of the diaphragm from the fluid to alternately exert negative and positive pressure on the diaphragm. Negative pressure causes the diaphragm to conform to the shape of the internal cavity when the inlet valve is open to fill the cavity-shaped diaphragm with fluid from the inlet conduit. Positive pressure against the diaphragm expels fluid from the cavity through the outlet conduit when the outlet valve is opened.

Abstract: A humidifier for gases, for example for medical administration, may be adapted for insertion into a well of a heater for warming liquid in the humidifier. A seamless metal can defines a cylindrical wall and a closed bottom end, containing wick means for absorbing water and presenting it in dispersed form to gases flowing through the can. Transparent probe means extend into the can and serve as a liquid level control for preferably automatically controlling the liquid level in the can to be maintained in the lower one third of the can.

Abstract: A container and hanger therefor are disclosed, wherein the container has a bottom wall portion with a recessed or indented area in which support shaft means are located. An elongated hanger element has an aperture at each end for receiving the shaft means to form a hanger loop pivotable about the shaft means for movement between a position adjacent the recessed portion and a hanging position.

Abstract: A blood bag or other container which is made of a flexible, hemocompatible, sterilizable plastic material free of blood-extractable plasticizer. The blood bag contains an insert member which comprises a non-toxic, sterilizable plastic formulation which contains from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer selected from the group consisting of the dioctylphthalates and dioctyladipates. Such a blood bag is capable of reducing the plasma hemoglobin in stored blood, when compared with similar blood bags without the insert member.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: A method of making a elbowed end (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 elbowed end 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: A suction catheter having a vacuum regulator is useful in withdrawing and eliminating undesirable or unwanted fluids from the body. The catheter, which is essentially tubular in shape, has a longitudinal bore extending through its length and is open ended. Also provided is an opening transverse to the longitudinal bore, generally passing through the upper surface of the catheter. The portion of the catheter about this transverse opening is surrounded by a flexible band, such as a rubber band or a plastic material capable of springing back to its original conformation after deformation. The band is preferably oval-shaped with its long sides abutting the sides of the catheter, so that its top, short side is positioned away from the top surface of the catheter when the catheter is not being used or after the band has sprung back to its original conformation.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexyladipate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.