Abstract: A fluid flow connector and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the fluid flow connector utilizes a valve having a plunger which is made by overmolding a soft exterior to a hard core. The soft exterior being overmolded to the hard core by either insert or multi-shot methods. The method also including attaching the soft exterior to the hard core mechanically and/or by molecular bonding.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spout having an evacuation structure for a flexible container. The evacuation structure ensures that the walls of the flexible container do not block the spout of the container during evacuation of fluid from inside the container. The evacuation structure additionally pivots away from the spout during the filling of the container so that the evacuation structure does not impede the fluid entering the container during filling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tap assembly including: (1) a first wall defining a valve chamber having a top surface and a pair of opposed tracks extending axially along an inner surface of the wall, and a fluid outlet; (2) a tap handle mounted to the top surface for rotational movement of the tap handle with respect to the wall, the tap handle having a second wall defining an annular chamber supporting a set of threads; and (3) a generally tubular valve member having a first end and an opposed second end, the first end having a pair of lugs circumferentially spaced from one another, the lugs being positioned within the threads, the second end of the valve member extending into the valve chamber, the valve member is responsive to movement of the tap handle to move from a first position where the fluid outlet is sealed by the second end of the valve member to a second position where the fluid outlet is not sealed by the second end of the valve member and fluid is allowed to flow through the fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing submicron sized nanoparticles of a poorly water soluble compound by lyophilizing a dispersion or microdispersion of a multiphase system having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the organic phase having the poorly water soluble organic compound therein. The method is preferably used to prepare nanoparticles of a poorly water soluble, pharmaceutically active compound suitable for in vivo delivery, particularly by parenteral routes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film. The film has a first layer of a blend of a first component selected from the group of: (1) ethylene and a-olefin copolymers having a density of less than about 0.

Abstract: A flexible polymeric container for storing and dispensing liquids includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected together to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The first sidewall and the second sidewall each have an inner surface facing the fluid chamber and an opposed outer surface. A fitment is attached to an outer surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The fitment has an opening therethrough which has an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surface. A plurality of objects on the inner surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall defines a plurality of pathways having at least a first pathway and a second pathway intersecting one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides a balloon assembly including a balloon, and a balloon weight. The balloon weight has a plate having a perimeter, and an annular outer flange disposed on the plate. The outer flange has an outer surface. The invention also includes a cup rotatably connected to the plate. The cup has a bottom opposite the plate, and an annular side wall. The side wall encompasses the outer flange. The side wall also includes a first opening. An umbrella-shaped hook extends from the plate perimeter. A ribbon is wrapped around the outer surface of the outer flange, and extends through the first opening in the side wall. The ribbon has a length including a distal end. A peg is attached to the distal end of the ribbon. The peg is insertable through a portion of the balloon to secure the distal end of the ribbon to the balloon.

Abstract: A spout for a flexible bag adapted to hold a liquid, the spout adapted for coupling with a connector having a rotatable spout adapter with an internal thread. The spout has a substantially cylindrical body with an outer surface, a spout opening, and a spout axis. The spout further has at least one flexible tab attached to and protruding radially distal from the outer surface of the cylindrical body of the spout. The tab has a top side that is substantially perpendicular to the spout axis, a bottom side opposing the top side, and a leading edge for engaging the thread. Additionally, the spout, has an undeformed tab length that typically deforms upon engaging the internal thread of the spout adapter.

Abstract: A container (10) having a plurality of panels (12-18) joined together to form a sleeve (64). The panels (12-18) each have an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane (P) at one end of the sleeve (64). The container (10) further has an end panel (20,22) connected to the panels (12-18) at the one end of the sleeve (64). The end panel (20,22) has at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane (P). The supporting box (100) is provided to support the container (10). A hanger system (150) is provided and is attached to the box (100). The hanger system (150) supports an upper portion of the container (10) within the box (100). The container (10) is also provided with a port closure (300) that provides both a sterile and gas permeable barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple layered non-PVC containing tubing structure. The tubing structure has a first and a second layer.

Abstract: An improved screw-on assembly for coupling line connectors with spouts has been invented. The invention can be used with bag-in-box packaging or with a variety of other applications requiring fluid coupling. In one embodiment, threading is accomplished by mating internal threads on a line connector with flexible tabs located on the spout. Deformation of the tabs during threading provides a restorative force that stabilizes the assembly during threading. Cooperation of the deformable tabs with structures near the end of the thread provides for self-locking of the assembly. In addition, the tabs are situated on a flange, providing compatibility of the present invention with prior art line connectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for using a polymeric cement to assemble medical devices. The method includes the steps of: (1) providing a first article of a low crystallinity polymer; (2) providing a second article of a low crystallinity polymer; (3) providing a cement composition having a first component of a cyclic olefin containing polymer or a bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymer and a second component of an effective amount of a solvent having a solubility parameter of less than about 20 (MPa)1/2; applying the cement composition to one of the first and second articles to define a bonding area; and (4) attaching the first article to the second article along the bonding area to fixedly attach the first article to the second article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bag-in-box packaging system having a paperboard box having sidewalls defining an interior chamber, and a flexible polymeric container positioned within the sidewalls of the box. The container having sidewalls sealed together along a peripheral edge to define a fluid chamber therebetween, the container having a dispensing fitment attached to a sidewall, the container further having a supplemental seam to direct fluid in an area proximate the fitment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing submicron sized particles of an organic compound, the solubility of which is greater in a water-miscible first solvent than in a second solvent which is aqueous, the process including the steps of (i) dissolving the organic compound in the water-miscible first solvent to form a solution, (ii) mixing the solution with the second solvent to define a pre-suspension; and (iii) adding energy to the pre-suspension to form particles having an average effective particle size of 400 nm to 2 microns.

Abstract: A device and method for inactivating pathogens in therapeutic fluids with sterilizing radiation in a continuous thin fluid flow arrangement that exhibits radiation dose uniformity for fluids having high optical densities. Radiation dose uniformity is achieved in part through a “carrying” mechanism that moves or carries the fluid, thereby eliminating a channel flow velocity profile where flow volumes near the channel walls run the risk of overexposure to the radiation due to very large residence times within the channel. The device comprises a relatively flat belt chamber (22) connected to a fluid flow through an inlet (24) and an outlet (26) on the belt chamber (22). The belt chamber (22) has a top surface (28) and a bottom surface (30). A radiation permeable plate (32) is disposed adjacent the top surface (28) of the belt chamber (22) and is in contact with the belt chamber (22). A radiation source (42) is provided adjacent to the plate (32) adjacent to a side opposite the belt chamber (22).

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer composition having: a first component selected from homopolymers and copolymers of cyclic olefin containing polymers and bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymers, the first component being present in an amount from about 1-99% by weight of the composition; and a second component is selected from homopolymers and copolymers of a diene having from 4 to 12 carbons, the second component being present in an amount from about 99% to about 1% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: A multilayered film exhibiting good transparency, welding resistance, puncture resistance and impact strength having an outer layer selected from the group consisting of: (1) homopolymers of polypropylene, (2) ethylene/propylene copolymers and (3) blends of (a) high density polyethylene and (b) propylene and ethylene block copolymers; an inner layer of a different composition from the outer layer and selected from the group consisting of ethylene and &agr;-olefin copolymers, and ethylene and &agr;-olefin copolymers blended with low density polyethylene; and a complex intermediate layer joining the outer layer to the inner layer, the complex intermediate layer having a plurality of sublayers defining an upper nucleus B1, a core B2 and a lower nucleus B3, the upper nucleus being a propylene and ethylene copolymer and the lower nucleus being an ethylene copolymer with an ethylene content greater than the upper nucleus.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for fabricating a medical tubing. The method includes the steps of: (1) providing a material selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers, wherein the ethylene copolymers are obtained by copolymerizing ethylene with a comonomer selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl olefins, lower alkyl esters of a carboxylic acid and lower alkene esters of a carboxylic acid, the lower alkyl and lower alkene each have from 3-18 carbons, or blends thereof; (2) providing an extruder with an extrusion die; (3) extruding the material into a medical tubing; (4) providing a surface modifier solution; (5) preheating the surface modifier solution to a temperature within the range of 50-80° C.; and (6) applying the preheated solution onto the tubing at it exits the extrusion die when the tubing is in a molten state or a semi-molten state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple layer thermoplastic structure of a (1) skin layer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, ethylene homopolymers having a density of from about 0.930 g/cc to about 0.960 g/cc, and ethylene homopolymers having a density of from about 0.930 g/cc to about 0.960 g/cc blended with an ethylene and a-olefin copolymers having a density less than about 0.930 g/cc, the skin layer having a thickness of greater than about 3.0 mils; (2) a radio frequency susceptible layer adhered to the skin layer, the radio frequency susceptible layer having a dielectric loss greater than 0.05 at 1-60 MHz and at temperatures of ambient to 250° C.

Abstract: This invention provides a medical device for delivering volumetric quantities of a first and a second biochemically reactive fluid comprising a first container having an opening, the first container being adapted to contain the first biochemically reactive fluid; a second container having a second fluid opening adjacent the first fluid opening, the second container being adapted to contain the second biochemically reactive fluid; a spray unit for separately atomizing the first and second biochemically reactive fluids into an aerosol with at least one energy source of a liquid energy, a mechanical energy, a vibration energy, and an electric energy; a fluid pressurizer for pressurizing the first and the second biochemically reactive fluids for delivery under pressure through the spray unit onto a surface; and wherein the first and second biochemically reactive fluids first mix on the surface.