Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A thin film of white blood cells is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation predominately of a wavelength of 280 to 320 nanometers, and preferably at an intensity of 4 to 15 milliwatts per square cm. At such a radiation intensity it is not necessary to agitate the thin film of white blood cells to accomplish the purposes of this invention. The white blood cells so processed substantially lose their capability to set off an immune reaction in an alloimmunized patient. The white blood cells may preferably be placed into such film in a flat, flexible bag made of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) plastic, with the flat, flexible bag being stretched in a direction normal to the path of ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A mass transfer device (60) includes a hollow fiber bundle (10) comprising a generally cylindrical core (14) having opposed ends, a plurality of layers of hollow fiber (12) that have been wound around the core, and binding means (48a, 48b, 48c), such as double-sided pressure-sensitive tape that have been wound around the layers of hollow fiber in a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations along the core and intermediate the opposite ends of the core for providing longitudinally spaced support means for the hollow fiber bundle. The hollow fiber bundle is enclosed in a housing (62) having an inner wall (80) which defines a generally circular opening for receiving the hollow fiber bundle except that the inner wall adjust a fluid outlet manifold (74) includes an expansion volume (82) for the hollow fibers that are adjacent that fluid outlet manifold. A screen (88) is provided adjacent the fluid outlet manifold to prevent the fibers from migrating too far into the outlet and to provide a controlled expansion.

Abstract: An assembly for inhibiting microbial growth in collected body fluid includes a reservoir for collecting the fluid, and a tablet in the reservoir, which tablet dissolves in the collected fluid to produce hydrogen peroxide in an amount sufficient to inhibit microbial growth in the collected fluid. The tablet is partially coated with an insoluble coating which leaves a portion of the tablet uncoated to provide a constant surface area exposed to the collected body fluid, which surface area is of a size to provide sufficient hydrogen peroxide for inhibition of microbial growth.

Abstract: Hemoglobin solutions are purified by heating in the presence of a reducing agent or other deoxygenating conditions such that nonhemoglobin proteins are selectively precipitated and/or virus is inactivated while minimizing hemoglobin loss.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a web of film in a packaging machine. The apparatus includes a sealing bar for heating a web of film to a temperature sufficient to melt at least a portion of the web of film. The sealing bar includes a surface that directly contacts the web of film and does not include a release layer. The surface includes thereon a measuring member for measuring the temperature of the molten area of the film. The apparatus further includes a cooling member for cooling the melted portion of the film to its crystallization point during a cycle time of the packaging machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing and severing a web of film is provided. The apparatus includes a sealing bar having a body portion including first and second sidewalls and a top portion for melting and severing a portion of a web of film. A backup member is provided located on an opposite side of the film from the sealing bar for urging the film against a portion of the sealing bar. The apparatus also includes a holder for holding the sealing bar, the holder includes a first side and a second side that define a center region for receiving at least a portion of the body of the sealing bar, and first and second sides having shoulders. The shoulders and top portion of the sealing bar are so constructed and arranged that they deflect a bead generated at a molten area of the film when the film is sealed and severed and substantially limit the creation of a resultant bead in a final cooled product.

Abstract: Cuvette belts are manufactured from strips of plastic material formed with transverse pockets. Lengths of the formed strip material are spliced together to form continuous formed strips from which the cuvette belts are made. A particular feature is the separation of the strip forming process from the slitting and sealing of the continuous formed strips to produce the complete cuvette belts. Specific splicing techniques are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of wetting a plasmapheresis filter with anticoagulant in a plasmapheresis system having a venepuncture needle, a plasma separation device connected in series by a fluid conduit, including operating the system such that an initial limited volume charge of anticoagulant is introduced into the conduit (for wetting the filter of the separation device) in advance of whole blood flowing from the donor towards to the separation device (and pushing the anticoagulant charge ahead of the whole blood into the separation device).

Abstract: A tubing or harness set is provided having first and second portions sequentially applicable to a microprocessor-controlled hemapheresis instrument for generating platelet concentrate. The first portion includes a reservoir having dual compartments and a separator. The instrument and the first portion of the harness set alternately collect whole blood from the donor and reinfuse packed cells into the donor while simultaneously continuously separating whole blood into packed cells and platelet-rich plasma. Upon collection of a predetermined quantity of platelet-rich plasma, the donor is disconnected form the phlebotomy needle of the harness, the first harness portion is removed from the instrument and the second harness portion is applied to the instrument. The second harness portion includes a separator for receiving platelet-rich plasma from the collection container of the first harness portion and separating such plasma into platelet concentrate and platelet-depleted plasma.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system has a container with an integrally attached sample cell. A selected fluid can be accumulated in the container. The sample cell can be filled with part of the fluid in the container and then isolated from the container by heat or dielectric sealing. The fluid in the sample cell can be brought into contact with selected test reagents. The test reagents can provide a visual indicia of the presence of selected characteristics in the fluid.

Abstract: A system for generating substantially constant fluid pressure is provided for forcing fluid from a variable volume container. The system includes a roller that rotates in response to a constant applied torque to force fluid from the flexible container under a substantially constant pressure. Two spaced apart parallel rollers can exert force on both sides of the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automated transfer of contents between a rubber diaphragm port-type vial and a flexible, collapsible bag for medical solutions, which bag has at least one needle-pierceable access port. A double-pointed hollow needle is positioned so that the vial is held with its rubber diaphragm facing one pointed end of the needle and the medical solution bag is held with its needle-pierceable access port facing the other pointed end of the needle. Apparatus is provided for bringing the vial and bag into needle-penetrated relation, to provide flow communication therebetween through the hollow needle. Means are also provided for compressing the bag to force liquid from the bag into the vial, and for releasing the compression to allow the liquid to flow from the vial back to the bag. As a result of this, the original contents of the vial may be carried into the bag in automated manner.

Abstract: A flexible thermoplastic pouch having an easy-open tear strip means secured thereto is provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a tear strip is secured to an imperforate sidewall of a flexible pouch along two sawtooth securement lines arranged generally in the shape of an ellipse. The point where the two securement lines converge is give a W-shape, which provides two points of high stress concentration. When the user grasps and pulls the tear strip means, the securement lines rupture precisely at these two points of stress concentration and continue along the sawtooth securement lines, thereby providing the pouch with a dispensing opening of predetermined size, shape, and location. A sealing die apparatus for forming sawtooth, notched lines of securement between the tear strip means and the flexible pouch is alos disclosed.

Abstract: A port and closure assembly is provided. The closure includes a cap that cooperates with the port to produce a friction fit. The cap and port are hermetically sealed together by a coating. The coating provides a method of determining if the closure has been opened.

Abstract: Medical tubing carries on at least a portion of its length a water-activated lubricating coating of a hydrophilic thermoplastic resin which is adhesively compatible with the material of the medical tubing and polyvinyl pyrrolidone having a molecular weight of at least 200,000, in the form of a dispersed separate phase in the thermoplastic resin upon hydration. The polyvinyl pyrrolidone provides long-lasting lubrication when wet.

Abstract: A bearingless flowmeter having a ring rotor disposed in a vortex chamber having a plurality of jets spaced circumferentially around the chamber has the ring rotor unbalanced thereby producing a single wobble mode of rotation.