Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming novel flexible, collapsible containers from a pair of facing sheet sections, and a stiffener bar positioned between the sheet sections, is disclosed. The pair of facing sheet sections are passed along a process path through a sealing die, with a continuous length of the stiffener bar being positioned between the sheet sections and passed along with process path with the sheet sections. The sealing die forms seal lines between the facing sheet sections to define a group of collapsible containers, each carrying the stiffener bar in transverse relation thereto. Then, at least one of the sheet sections and the stiffener bar is cut through at positions adjacent the edges of the collapsible containers, to permit the separation of the formed collapsible containers, carrying separated stiffener bar sections, from each other.

Abstract: A system is provided for injecting slaughtered animal carcasses with tenderizing solution. The carcasses to be injected are weighed and are conveyed to a plurality of sequential injection stations. A number of injection headers are energized for calculated energization time periods. Each carcass is injected by each injection header with solution that flows automatically for a calculated time period that is directly proportional to the carcass weight. A microprocessor is utilized to provide a separate data storage location for each injection station. Data is provided to each storage location in proper sequence as the side to be injected is conveyed to sequential injection stations. A separate timing means is provided for each injection station, and data from the storage location is transferred to the timing means in sequence as the carcass to be injected is conveyed to sequential injection stations.

Abstract: Lengths of tubing, especially that type of tubing suitable for use in medical equipment and devices, are weakly bound into a coil shape in order to facilitate handling and storage thereof while at the same time placing the tubing into a form that will make the full length thereof readily available by merely applying a slight pulling force to the ends of the coiled tubing. The solvent is applied in a very narrow uninterrupted stream, which stream tracks along one or more locations on a length of tubing that has been wound around a mandrel, which stream is dispensed by a mechanism that simultaneously carries out such tracking in a manner that is synchronized automatically with the dispensing of the stream and without the need for separate control mechanisms with the result that the tracking and dispensing are carried out at substantially the same ratio, with the same general consistency or inconsistency of travel, to the extent that the amount of solvent dispensed per turn of the coil is inherently uniform.

Abstract: A two piece roller clamp is disclosed for regulating the fluid flow rate through plastic tubing by defining the size of the tubing lumen. The clamp includes a U-shaped body with a base and two side walls and a longitudinally movable roller mounted in tracks formed in the side walls. The roller is biased against a roller bearing surface running along the length of the base. Adjacent to the roller bearing surface is a tube compression slot having a lower wall uniformly spaced below the roller. A channel of varying cross-section is provided in the lower wall of the tube compression slot. The roller exerts a uniform, but minimal force on the tubing compressing it against the lower wall of the slot permitting the formation of a lumen defined by the contours of the channel.

Abstract: Frangible valve means within a flexible tube. The valve means comprises a tubular portion having closed ends, and an elongated, generally rigid member carried on the exterior of the closed end and positioned within the flexible tube. Frangible means are provided to permit the opening of the tubular portion adjacent the closed end by rupture of an area of weakness by manual manipulation of the elongated member from outside of the flexible tube. In accordance with this invention, the flexible tube defines an inner end flange, while the tubular end portion of the valve means defines, at its end opposite to the closed end, a retention flange. The retention flange includes a cylindrical wall positioned generally coaxially to the tube and surrounding the periphery of the inner end flange. The cylindrical wall, in turn, carries an annular closure flange enclosing and retaining the inner end flange. A method of assembling the above structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: An aqueous red cell storage solution for packed cells which permits removal of essentially all plasma from a unit of blood, followed by reconstitution of the packed cells of the unit in preferably about 80 to 150 ml. of solution for improved cell viability on long term storage. The red cell storage solution contains adenine, glucose or fructose, sodium chloride, and mannitol.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are disclosed for closing and sealing a molded plastic article formed by expanding a heated plastic parison within a chamber or cavity defined by a plurality of mold sections. The article is closed and sealed by at least one movable sealing member which has a protruding pinch surface to weaken or sever the parison and recess surface portions selectively above or below the protruding pinch surface which provide plastic-receiving reservoirs that aid in the formation of an unobtrusive seal adjacent the surface of the article. The sealing member may also include parison engaging seat or heel portions which further aid in the sealing operation. The temperature of the mold sections adjacent the sealing operation is controlled to selectively retard the cooling of the parison, which is in direct contact with the cavity surface, to maintain the parison at a sufficiently elevated temperature to permit closing and sealing by the sealing member.

Abstract: A flow regulator is disclosed for controlling the intravenous infusion of parenteral solution or the like to a patient. The solution flows through passageways in a housing, including a fixed volume portion. Fluid control means upstream and downstream of the fixed volume portion alternately open and close inlet and outlet passageways to periodically fill and empty the fixed volume portion, which is vented to allow displacement air to enter or exit. Hydrophobic filter means are provided in the vent path to permit venting but to prevent the escape of liquid. Hydrophilic filter means are provided downstream of the fixed volume portion to prevent gas or air from passing to the patient. The alternate opening and closing of the fluid control means in the inlet and outlet passageways permits a maximum fixed volume of liquid to be dispensed to the patient.

Abstract: Improved valves for use within medical devices include a valve body having a plurality of fluid-passing openings, a resilient liner having raised portions defining flow paths, and a plug having a configuration generally complementary to that of the liner, at least a portion of the plug generally overlying the liner for maintaining raised portions of the liner in sealing engagement with the valve body in a manner that enhances valve integrity as to leakage while simultaneously improving valve operation by providing easy rotation of the plug and liner with respect to the valve body. The in-use illustrated embodiment of the valve is on a urine drainage device, the valve being interposed between a relatively rigid urine flow monitoring and measuring chamber and a flexible collection receptacle, the valve permitting flow path selections for retaining urine within the measuring chamber or for flowing urine therefrom into the flexible collection receptacle or through a sampling port.

Abstract: Blood plasma is frozen in a sealed, flexible, collapsible container which defines an inlet at one end and a shoulder portion surrounding the inlet. The container tapers from the shoulder portion to a generally flat configuration at its end opposite the one end. After the freezing step, the shoulder portion is cut away from the container to define a cut end. Thereafter, the frozen plasma may be removed from the container in frozen form by squeezing the wall of the tapered container to expel the frozen plasma out of the cut end of the container.

Abstract: A sealed, sterile connection may be provided between a pair or more of containers having transparent, flexible, thermoplastic sealed walls, each of which contains an opaque, relatively rigid, hollow sealing member in the general shape of a truncated cone, open at both ends. The containers are brought together into facing contact, and the hollow sealing members are nested together with portions of the transparent walls of the containers positioned therebetween. The nested, sealing member cones are irradiated with infrared or the like through the transparent container walls to heat the nested sealing members. As a result of this, heat is conducted to the portions of the transparent walls between the nested sealing members, to seal the portions of the transparent walls together in an annular area between the sealing means. A portion of the transparent walls retained in the nested sealing members may then be torn away to make a sterile connection between the two containers.

Abstract: A thermoplastic member such as a length of tubing for forming a catheter balloon is positioned on the thermoplastic shaft of a medical device. A length of shrink tubing is placed over each end of the balloon tubing and adjoins a portion of the shaft. Each length of shrink tubing may then be preshrunk to maintain its position. The shaft, balloon tubing, and shrink tubing are then inserted in an apparatus capable of supplying radiant heat in a narrow annular band. The apparatus automatically positions each portion of the shaft and balloon tubing covered by shrink tubing at a location at which it will intercept the narrow annular band of radiant heat. Radiant heat is supplied by the apparatus to cause further shrinkage of the shrink tubing and to seal the balloon tubing onto the shaft. The shrink tubing may be removed to complete the assembly of a balloon catheter. It is preferred that the shrink tubing be tinted so as to enhance the seal formed between the balloon tubing and the shaft.

Abstract: A plastic slide clamp for tubing is provided which includes a slightly bowed configuration to compensate for the phenomenon of cold flow when plastic tubing is crimped shut by the clamp. In one embodiment, the clamp is provided with an insert member of low friction surface properties which surrounds the crimping slot.

Abstract: Centrifugal processing apparatus in which a processing chamber is rotatably mounted with respect to a stationary base. An umbilical cable segment is fixed at one end substantially along the axis of the processing chamber at one side thereof, with the other end of the cable segment being attached substantially on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the processing chamber. The cable segment comprises flexible tubing which defines a plurality of parallel longitudinal channels, with the cable segment having been stretched in the central portion thereof so that the central portion is narrower in cross-sectional dimensional area than the ends of the cable segment. In this manner, the channels remain large enough for effective connection of tubing to the walls defining the channels and the load of the umbilical tubing becomes substantially reduced.

Abstract: Flow controlling apparatus for the administration of parenteral solutions or the like includes a casette in a controller member adapted to receive and hold the casette. In accordance with this invention, means are provided for indicating the correct position of the casette in the controller member.

Abstract: A nebulizer cap for oxygen therapy and the like includes a cap body, having attachment means for sealingly connecting the cap body to a container for liquid to be neubulized. A dip tube is carried by the cap body to extend into the container, with the one end of the tube being in flow communication with conduit means defined by the cap body. The conduit means communicates with the liquid inlet of a nebulizing venturi, while a gas port passes through the cap body to the exterior, and is in communication with a gas inlet of the nebulizing venturi. The conduit leading from the dip tube to the liquid inlet of the venturi is defined by open channels, positioned on an upstanding portion of the cap body. A thin metal heat exchange shell is sealingly positioned over the upstanding portion of the cap body to enclose the channels, which preferably define a zig-zag flow pattern. A toroidal heater can fit over the shell when heating is desired.

Abstract: An electrically heatable article containing a layer of wax and adapted to conform to the shape of a body surface, when the wax is melted, for thereafter treating the body surface with the heat of fusion of the wax. In an article, such as a head treatment cap, the wax is contained in a layer of modules arranged near the scalp side of the cap, a resistance heating element is provided for initially heating the wax to its melting point, and insulation is provided for preventing heat loss through the outside of the cap.

Abstract: An electrical connector for attaching an electrical cord to an electrical appliance is provided. The connector has an ejector which allows for one hand disengagement of the connector and cord from the appliance. The ejector has a first portion movable through and out of the connector and an integral hinge shaped second portion. By application of finger pressure on the second portion to flatten it, the first portion is moved out of the connector and against the appliance causing an oppositely directed movement of the connector, thereby disengaging the connector and cord from the appliance.

Abstract: An antiperspirant composition comprising a physiologically acceptable carrier e.g. ethyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol and a polyhydric compound of formula R(OR').sub.n OH and about 10 to 45% by weight of an aluminum hydroxybromide; R in said formula is H or lower alkyl, R' is polymethylene having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and n is 1 to 3.