Abstract: A plastic container and a three-piece closure system therefor are disclosed. The container has a threaded neck defining a dispensing outlet. A separate closure covers the dispensing outlet and is heat-sealed to the threaded neck, forming a frangible section which may be broken to remove the closure. An internally threaded jacking ring is threadedly received on the neck, and includes a plurality of inwardly directed flexible fingers, which snap into an annular groove in the closure when the jacking ring is threaded onto the neck. To break the frangible portion and open the container, the jacking ring is rotated in the direction to remove it, so that the jacking ring fingers press against the top edge of the recess in the closure and actually pry the closure away from the container neck.

Abstract: A slide clamp for flexible medical tubing is disclosed that includes a slot having receiving and crimping portions. A stabilizer projects into the receiving portion so that the slide clamp may be kept at any selected elevation along the tubing length when the tubing is in the receiving portion of the slide clamp. In the preferred embodiment, the slide clamp includes a channel extending from a first end of the clamp through the stabilizer, thereby forming stabilizer halves, each being capable of flexure toward and away from each other when the tubing is disposed within the receiving portion.

Abstract: A system for the preparation of parenteral nutrient solutions from two or more substrates such as amino acids and carbohydrates in a virtually aseptic environment. A closed system is formed with the substrate supply containers, incorporating conduit extending from each supply container and connected to the inlet of a multiple transfer valve, a dosing syringe secured to the inlet/outlet connection of the transfer valve and a flexible mixing container secured to the outlet of the transfer valve. Each conduit includes a tube clamp such that each conduit is individually communicable with the transfer valve. With the suction stroke of the syringe plunger, fluid is drawn from one of the supply containers into the syringe. As the solution is ejected from the syringe it exits the outlet of the transfer valve and enters the mixing container.

Abstract: A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.

Abstract: An administration set including a burette with an air valve communicating with the burette chamber. The air valve comprises a stationary port extending from a top portion of the burette chamber with a fitting closing the port except for a small passageway defined by a top portion of the fitting. A pivotable closure overlies the port and is pivotally connected therewith. The pivotable closure defines an opening for communication with the small passageway when the closure is pivoted to a predetermined open position. The closure opening and the passageway are segregated when the closure is not in the predetermined open position. A filter member is received within the port and directly underlies the small passageway.

Abstract: A plastic blow-molded container is disclosed having a penetrable wall portion or site which is sufficiently thin to permit piercing by a needle, spike or the like without coring or fragmenting, and a thicker recessed wall portion adjacent to the penetrable portion. The penetrable portion is formed during the blow-molding process by expanding the plastic parison over a projection in the mold cavity and into an adjacent recess in the cavity. The thin penetrable portion of the container is formed within the mold recess and the thicker recessed portion of the container is formed by the mold projection.

Abstract: Ultrasonic bubble detection apparatus utilizes a typically one-piece, rigid housing having a channel defined therein for receiving flow tubing in which bubbles are to be detected. First and second ultrasonic sending and receiving transducers are positioned on opposite sides of the channel, with an aperture communicating between each of the transducers and the channel, the aperture being filled with an elastomeric material capable of transmitting ultrasound energy between the channel and each transducer means. An air-containing slot may be positioned at the bottom of the channel to hinder the propagation of ultrasound energy through the housing from the first to the second transducer by a route other than one passing through the elastomeric material. Also, a novel shape for the apertures, and the elastomeric material filling them, is disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure pump for fluid in which tubing is wound about an orbitally movable pressure member inside of a sleeve member which is defined by a pair of pivotally mounted, substantially semi-circular jaws to permit opening and closing of the jaws about the pressure member to facilitate installation of tubing. Sliding gripper means may be carried by the pump and positioned to interact in one position with grippable means on the free ends of the jaws to hold them in closed relation, and for the sliding gripper means to be moved to a second position to permit the jaws to open. Simultaneously, the sliding gripper means can serve as a latch for a lid of the casing in which the pump is carried. Also the casing may have a partition with groove means having an enlarged portion for receiving joined connectors in the tubing, and a power source such as a battery may be attached to a removable portion of the casing in such a manner as to prevent accidental reverse installation of the battery.

Abstract: There is disclosed a battery-operated motor control circuit. An adjustable voltage reference (18, 26, 28) is coupled to the battery (10), with the output of the adjustable voltage reference being coupled to the positive input of an operational amplifier (34). The negative input of the operational amplifier (34) is coupled to ratio control means (60) for setting the gain of the operational amplifier (34) and thus setting the motor (54) to a selected speed. A transistor-pair amplifier (38, 40) is coupled to the output of the operational amplifier (34), with a negative feedback line (50) being coupled from the output of the transistor amplifier to the negative input of the operational amplifier. The motor is also coupled to the output of the transistor amplifier.

Abstract: A bypass valve assembly is provided in a medical fluid administration set to prevent rupture of a hydrophilic membrane valve of a burette in the administration set, eliminating the need for additional procedural safeguards by medical personnel during priming of the set.

Abstract: An improved injection site (18) for a medical fluid container (10) is provided, along with a procedure facilitating the automated assembly of the injection site (18). An oversized, compressible situs (22) is retained in compressive relation to a generally tubular port (20) in a manner which makes inadvertent removal of the situs (22) virtually impossible.

Abstract: An introducer catheter (22) through which a primary device (38) may be inserted having a slidable sleeve (16), which prevents premature disruption of the peelable catheter tube (14) and which also remains in position on the primary device (38) after the introducer catheter has been peeled apart. Also provided is an assembly (10) for the implantation of a peelable introducer catheter (22) the assembly comprising a needle (12), with an introducer catheter tube (14) telescopically disposed over the needle (12) which is provided with rupture means (20); a slidable sleeve (16) telescopically disposed over the needle and introducer catheter tube, which prevents premature disruption of the peelable catheter tube; and a securing means (26) which prevents rotation of the introducer catheter tube (14) relative to the needle (12) during implantation of the catheter (22) in the patient (40).

Abstract: A sterile coupling enabling the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between two separate receptacles. A preferably injection molded plastic junction is made about at least the end portions of access means to each of the separate receptacles. The junction provides a sterile coupling so as to selectively bring the access means into pathway communication and thereby establish a sterile pathway between the receptacles through the access means. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing a sterile coupling and methods for establishing a sterile pathway between the receptacles, as well as a method for low pressure injection molding.

Abstract: A spike connector (10) of the type in which a hollowed spike (14) extending from the main body portion (12) of the spike connector is inserted into the stopper of a fluid source in order to convey the fluid from the source through the spike (14) and main body portion (12). The main body portion (12) includes a pair of wings (32, 34) which extend upwardly in the direction of the spike and outwardly therefrom, with the tops of the wings serving to space the remaining top of the main body portion (12) away from the fluid source stopper to prevent collection of the solution on the top of the main body portion. The undersides (36, 38) of the wings (32, 34) form a convenient finger grip. The tip portion (30) of the spike is relatively polished to enable easy insertion of the spike into the stopper.

Abstract: A closed system for separately storing and selectively mixing two components, such as a drug and a diluent, under sterile conditions. The closed system can incorporate a drug vial of standard construction. A unique junction of the closed system permits a drug vial with a drug therein to be connected in a sterile manner with a compressible chamber having a diluent therein, after the drug and diluent have been separately sterilized. The junction encloses the end portions of access means to each of the receptacles, maintaining the end portions in sterile, spaced relation and providing for the selective establishment of a sterile pathway between the drug and diluent for mixing in a closed environment. The compressible chamber is of a unique design including gas-trapping and reservoir compartments in open communication. The compressible chamber is utilized with the junction to provide an efficient, sterile storage and mixing system.

Abstract: A flow regulating device and specifically an improved roller clamp with a length of conduit exhibiting low compression set properties disposed therein. The clamp includes an elongated box-like body having a fluid inlet at one end with a fluid outlet at the opposite end which are joined by the conduit to provide a flow lumen through the clamp. The roller is captured within a track in the body to selectively compress or release the conduit towards or away from a compression surface disposed at an angular variance to the track. The flow rate is regulated by appropriately positioning the roller. The conduit is captured within the body so as to be unaffected by external pulling or tugging forces.

Abstract: A check valve housing is rigidly attached to the first inlet of an injection site having a body portion, a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet. The check valve housing encloses a duckbill valve member and has an interior wall which securely and frictionally engages a portion of the external surface of the duckbill valve member.