Abstract: A container assembly includes a container body having a port or aperture adapted for use with a luer end of a needleless syringe. The aperture is sealed to a closure top by a first frangible seal. An overcap has a cap base sealed to the container body and an upper cap connected to the cap base by a second frangible seal, providing a sterile barrier surrounding the first frangible seal. The second frangible seal is broken by depressing the upper cap toward the container body. Alternatively, the second frangible seal is a removable tear strip broken by tugging on the tear strip. The upper cap includes a detent portion frictionally securing the upper cap to the closure top when the upper cap is depressed toward the container body. The upper cap and secured closure top are removed from container body by twisting the upper cap to break the first frangible seal and open the port.

Abstract: A medical pump for use with a tube set having a slack portion includes a pump housing and a pumping mechanism to meter fluid into the outlet line from the inlet line. A tube snap or a tube snap set is located on the pump housing remote from the pumping mechanism to gather and hold a slack portion between first and second tube snaps. In addition or alternatively, a tube hanger can be attached to the pump housing to allow insertion of a slack portion between the tube hanger and the pump housing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for obtaining flow rate measurements including a sensor assembly and a housing. The sensor assembly includes a body defining a first fluid flow passage having an inlet, an outlet, a flow restricting element in the first fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, an upstream fluid pressure sensor, a downstream fluid pressure sensor, an upstream signal contact connected to the upstream fluid pressure sensor, and a downstream signal contact connected to the downstream fluid pressure sensor. The housing has an upstream portion defining an upstream port, a downstream portion defining a downstream port, and a probe access port configured to provide access of a probe to at least one of the upstream signal contact and downstream signal contact. The housing can also define a second fluid flow passage in parallel with the first fluid flow passage. The device can be disposable.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for obtaining flow rate measurements including a sensor assembly and a housing. The sensor assembly includes a body defining a first fluid flow passage having an inlet, an outlet, a flow restricting element in the first fluid flow passage between the inlet and the outlet, an upstream fluid pressure sensor, a downstream fluid pressure sensor, an upstream signal contact connected to the upstream fluid pressure sensor, and a downstream signal contact connected to the downstream fluid pressure sensor. The housing has an upstream portion defining an upstream port, a downstream portion defining a downstream port, and a probe access port configured to provide access of a probe to at least one of the upstream signal contact and downstream signal contact. The housing can also define a second fluid flow passage in parallel with the first fluid flow passage. The device can be disposable.

Abstract: A method and system for automated remote microbial air sampling includes a sampling enclosure positioned outside an isolator. An infeed sample receiver passes sample containers into the enclosure. An atrium is located within the enclosure and exposes containers to a gas sample. A remote sampling device collects the gas sample from the isolator and passes it to the atrium. A load arm is located within the enclosure. The load arm intermittently permits containers to enter the enclosure and moves containers to the atrium. An outfeed sample receiver passes containers out of the enclosure. The system allows addition and removal of containers from the air sampling system without interrupting the processing of the containers within the enclosure, and allows the first container supplied to the air sampling system to be the first exposed container removed therefrom.

Abstract: A medicine delivery system (10) implantable into a human or animal body includes a medicine delivery unit (14) and a control unit (12). A membrane (26) seals the delivery opening (22) of a medicine compartment (18) and is pre-stressed by an amount less than the predetermined elastic deformation and rupture point limits of the membrane (26). A release element (28) associated with compartment (18) causes the membrane (26) to be stressed beyond the deformation and rupture point limits in response to a control signal (78). Release element (28) ruptures the membrane (26) along a predetermined rupture pattern to permit a first membrane portion (35), forming a hinged lid, to separate from a second membrane portion (37) along the predetermined rupture pattern while remaining attached to the second membrane portion at a hinge (39).

Abstract: A pump used to infuse a fluid into a patient is controlled in accordance with an algorithm that enables a microprocessor to monitor and adjust each pump cycle to compensate for a differential pressure between the pump's inlet and outlet. The algorithm defines a fluid delivery protocol that is applied in controlling the operation of the pump to achieve a desired rate, volume, and timing of the fluid infusion. Fluid is delivered by the pump when a plunger compresses an elastomeric membrane overlying a fluid chamber. Due to the small volume of the chamber, an incremental change in the plunger position before the delivery stroke produces a significant change in the delivery pressure. At the beginning of a pump cycle, the microprocessor determines the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet of the pump, and adjusts the plunger position before the delivery stroke to compensate for the differential pressure.

Abstract: A pump includes a housing defining a tube receiving portion and a blade mounted for reciprocating movement between first and second positions. In its first position, the leading edge of the blade compresses a length of tube against a first surface disposed in the tube-receiving portion, while in the second position, the blade does not compress the tube. The tube-receiving portion can receive the tube directly or indirectly through a tube set detachably mounted to the housing. The tube set includes a tube and a base having first and second end portions that respectively define first and second tube-receiving apertures for slidably receiving a length of the tube therethrough. The base has a first surface constructed to engage the length of tube between the apertures for compression by the pump blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microneedle incorporating a base that is broad relative to a height of the microneedle, to minimize breakage. The microneedle further includes a fluid channel and a beveled non-coring tip. Preferably arrays of such microneedles are fabricated utilizing conventional semiconductor derived micro-scale fabrication techniques. A dot pattern mask is formed on an upper surface of a silicon substrate, with each orifice of the dot pattern mask corresponding to a desired location of a microneedle. Orifices are formed that pass completely through the substrate by etching. A nitride pattern mask is formed to mask all areas in which a nitride layer is not desired. A nitride layer is then deposited on the bottom of the silicon substrate, on the walls of the orifice, and on the top of the silicon substrate around the periphery of the orifice. The nitride layer around the periphery of the orifice is offset somewhat, such that one side of the orifice has a larger nitride layer.

Abstract: An electro-acupuncture device for controlling nausea. The device includes a wristwatch like housing, circuitry for generating electro-acupuncture stimulus disposed within the housing, and a strap for securing the housing to the wrist. The device also includes a pair of D-shaped electrodes disposed on the bottom outer surface of the housing. A gasket made of an electrically non-conductive material is applied to the bottom outer surface of the housing. The gasket has apertures which are sized and shaped to receive the D-shaped electrodes. When the device is strapped to a patient's wrist, the electrodes contact the wrist and provide electric stimulation to the wrist.

Abstract: A method for providing noninvasive electrical stimulation of a single acupuncture site for treatment of menstrual cramps or treating dysmenorrhea.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anesthetic composition containing a fluoroether compound and a physiologically acceptable Lewis acid inhibitor. This composition exhibits improved stability and does not readily degrade in the presence of a Lewis acid.

Abstract: A multi-disc liquid metering and transfer valve includes a port switch valve disc that has at least two inlet connections. Each of the connections is coupled to different fluid samples, such as blood. The remaining discs of the valve are used to provide measured samples that can be selectively routed to mixing chambers by pumped diluent reagents. The port valve switch can be rotated about its axis to select a desired inlet connection.

Abstract: A valve (105) controls fluid flow in a microfluidic system (100). The valve (105) has an input port adapted to receive fluid exerting a predetermined level of pressure on the valve (105) and an output port. The valve (105) has a variable sized aperture disposed perpendicular to the flow of the fluid (119). The aperture varies in size between a relatively small aperture (137) and a relatively large aperture (151). The small aperture (137) prevents the flow of the fluid (119) through the valve (105) responsive to a relatively high level of capillary forces between the fluid (119) and the valve (105) in the small aperture (137). The large aperture (151) permits the flow of the fluid (119) through the valve (105) responsive to a relatively low level of capillary forces between the fluid (119) and the valve (105) in the large aperture (151).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical product. The pharmaceutical product includes a container constructed from a material containing one or more of polypropylene, polyethylene, and ionomeric resins. The container defines an interior space. A volume of a fluoroether-containing inhalation anesthetic is contained in the interior space defined by the container.

Abstract: A retention member and a feeding tube having a feeding lumen and an inflation lumen. The retention member including a sleeve section, an expandable section, and a shoulder section of decreasing wall thickness therebetween. The sleeve section sealingly engages the feeding tube distal end and the expandable section everts about the shoulder section to sealingly engage the feeding tube and define an expandable lumen in communication with the inflation lumen.