Abstract: A thermometer for measuring the temperature of a living being comprises a housing having a hollow probe extending outwardly therefrom in a distal direction and a temperature sensing element located at the distal end of the probe. The housing holds a digital display and electrical means in electrical communication with the temperature sensing element for converting the temperature measured by the temperature sensing element into a readout on the display element. A resilient soft cover covers the probe and a portion of the housing to form a gripping surface for the user while allowing visualization of the display element. The resilient cover is softer than the probe.

Abstract: A parenteral fluid administration set includes a non-vented adapter having a frusto-conically shaped recess therein for removably engaging the tapered tip of a vented container. The adapter includes a bore therethrough communicating with the recess. A drip chamber having an upper portion with a conduit therethrough and a flexible transparent body portion extending downwardly from the upper portion and terminating in a lower end, is provided. The upper portion of the drip chamber is connected to the adapter so that the bore and the conduit are in fluid communication. A flexible tube includes a first end connected to the lower end of the body portion of the drip chamber and a second end. Fluid delivery means for facilitating the delivery of parenteral fluid from the tube to the patient is connected to the second end of the tube.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a barrel having an open proximal end, a chamber for retaining fluid and a tip portion extending from a distal end of the barrel having a passageway therethrough communicating with the chamber. A needle cannula having a distal end extends outwardly from the tip portion and includes a lumen in fluid communication with the passageway. A needle shield assembly includes a resilient needle sheath having an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a sidewall defining a receptacle therein and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the proximal end of the needle sheath. The needle sheath is positioned within an elongate rigid shield having an open proximal end, a distal end and a sidewall therebetween. Structure for holding the sheath within the shield includes a flange-receiving aperture in the needle shield sidewall adjacent to the open proximal end.

Abstract: A device for the separation of a separable component from a liquid sample for use with an evacuated receptable includes a housing having an interior cavity and a separator membrane dividing the cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The separator membrane has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacros. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. Communication structure is provided for allowing fluid communication between one of the portions of the cavity and the evacuated receptacle. A rigid receptacle is in fluid communication with the other of the portions of the cavity.

Abstract: An operable syringe assembly includes a barrel having an inside surface describing a chamber for retaining fluid, an open barrel end, and a distal barrel end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger rod includes an elongate body portion, a proximal end and a distal end with a stopper positioned at the distal end. The stopper slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement in the barrel. A locking element is positioned in the barrel between the plunger rod and the inside surface of the barrel. Locking element includes a proximally and outwardly facing locking barb, a distally and inwardly facing resisting edge and an inwardly facing driving edge. Driving edge interacts with the plunger rod to move the locking element along the barrel as the stopper is advanced distally along the barrel.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe assembly includes a barrel having an open proximal end, a chamber for retaining fluid and a tip portion extending from a distal end of the barrel having a passageway therethrough communicating with the chamber. A needle cannula having a distal end extends outwardly from the tip portion and includes a lumen in fluid communication with the passageway. A needle shield assembly includes a resilient needle sheath having an open proximal end, a closed distal end, a sidewall defining a receptacle therein and is positioned within an elongate rigid shield having an open proximal end, a distal end and a sidewall therebetween. Structure for holding the sheath within the shield is provided so that the sheath cannot be removed from the shield during normal use of the syringe assembly. The sheath includes cannula sealing means at the distal end of the receptacle.

Abstract: A syringe assembly includes a barrel having an inside surface describing a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end and a distal barrel end having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger rod includes an elongate body portion, a proximal end and a distal end with a stopper at the distal end. The stopper is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement in the barrel. A locking element is positioned in the barrel between the plunger rod and the inside surface of the barrel. The locking element includes at least two proximally and outwardly facing non-parallel locking barbs, a distally and inwardly facing resisting edge and an inwardly facing driving edge. The driving edge is adaped to interact with the plunger rod to move the locking element along the barrel as the stopper is advanced distally along the barrel.

Abstract: A parenteral fluid administration set includes a non-vented adapter having a frusto-conically shaped recess therein for removably engaging the tapered tip of a vented container. The adapter includes a bore therethrough communicating with the recess. A drip chamber having an upper portion with a conduit therethrough and a flexible transparent body portion extending downwardly from the upper portion and terminating in a lower end, is provided. The upper portion of the drip chamber is connected to the adapter so that the bore and the conduit are in fluid communication. A flexible tube includes a first end connected to the lower end of the body portion of the drip chamber and a second end. Fluid delivery means for facilitating the delivery of parenteral fluid from the tube to the patient is connected to the second end of the tube.

Abstract: A syringe having tamper evidence features includes a barrel having a chamber for retaining fluid, an open proximal end, and a distal end having a passsageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A needle shield having a longitudinal axis, a distal end and an open proximal end slidably engages the distal end of the barrel covering the passageway. The shield includes an outwardly projecting shield lug having a cam surface. A collar having an annular side wall, an open proximal end and a distal end having an aperture therethrough, is adjacent to the distal end of the barrel with the needle shield projecting distally through the aperture. The apreture is sized so that the proximal end of the needle shield cannot pass therethrough. The collar includes an inwardly projecting lug having a follower surface for contacting the cam surface.

Abstract: A reusable compress for cold therapy includes a flexible pack containing a gel wherein the pack and the gel are capable of remaining flexible to a low temperature of about -18.degree. C. The pack includes a patient contact portion for conforming to variations in surface contour of the patient's body. This patient contact portion includes an inner plastic layer, having a thickness of up to about 3.0 mils, in contact with the gel and an outer patient contacting fabric layer laminated to the plastic layer. The combined strength of the laminated structure is sufficient to contain the gel during normal use.

Abstract: A disposable glove for medical use and the like includes a closed distal end for containing the wearer's fingers, an open proximal end, and a cuff portion at the open proximal end. Adhesive is provided on a portion of the cuff for allowing the portion of the cuff to be removably secured to other portions of the cuff for tightening the cuff when the glove is on the wearer's hand. A method of making the glove is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for the separation of the lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.

Abstract: A container and needle assembly includes a container body portion having a proximal end, a distal end and a side wall therebetween defining a chamber for retaining fluid and a tip portion extending from the distal end of the body portion having a passageway therethrough. A projection extends outwardly from the tip portion. A pierceable barrier is provided for preventing fluid communication between the chamber and the passageway. A hub having a forward end, a rearward end and a conduit therethrough is movably positioned within the passageway. A first cannula extends outwardly from the forward end of the hub and a second cannula extends outwardly from the rearward end of the hub. A needle shield movably engaging the tip, covers the first cannula. This needle shield has an outer extension portion extending over a portion of the tip which is capable of contacting the projection for limiting the motion of the needle shield toward the proximal end of the body portion.

Abstract: A disposable glove for medical use and the like includes a closed distal end for containing the wearer's fingers, and open proximal end, and a cuff portion at the open proximal end. A tab having a free end is provided at the cuff portion. Adhesive on a portion of the tab is capable of removably securing the free end of the tab to the cuff portion for tightening the cuff portion when the glove is on the wearer's hand. A method of making the glove is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device for the separation of a lighter fraction from the heavier fraction of a liquid sample for use with two evacuated receptacles includes a housing having an interior cavity and a membrane separator dividing this cavity into a first portion and a second portion. The membrane separator has a porosity selected for the desired separation thereacross. An inlet structure is provided for fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the source of the liquid sample. First structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the first portion of the interior cavity and the first evacuated receptacle. This first structure is opposed from the inlet structure so that liquid passing from the inlet to the first structure travels in a direction along the surface of the membrane. Further structure is provided to allow fluid communication between the second portion of the interior cavity and the second evacuated receptacle.