Abstract: The present invention provides a passive drug delivery apparatus which has a simplified structure. The present invention includes a junction member, disposed within the fluid conduit, for forming a first flow path to supply a medical liquid along the fluid conduit. A coupling member is provided, one end of which is to be coupled to the junction member, and the other end of which is to be inserted into a vial containing a beneficial agent. The coupling member includes structure to close the medical liquid flow path, a second flow path for introducing the medical liquid into the vial and a third flow path for delivering the mixed solution containing the medical liquid and agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides an infusion pump having a main body portion. The main body portion includes a display area for displaying user interface information. At least one pump module is provided which is removably secured to the main body portion and adapted to receive an IV tube. The pump module can apply pumping action to the IV tube. The pump module further includes an auxiliary display area for displaying supplemental user interface information. A microprocessor is contained in the main body portion for generating user interface information on the display areas.

Abstract: A bottle carrier including composite openings that include a round oversized opening to permit vertical entry of a bottle neck having a supporting flange therethrough, and an adjoining keyed opening wherein the bottle can laterally be slid into the keyed opening to be held therein. The supporting flange, being larger than the keyed opening, supports the bottle thereon. Each keyed opening is provided with retaining members which are arranged on either side of the keyed opening and which resiliently grip a backside of a diameter of the bottle neck or flange after the bottle neck is laterally slid into the keyed opening. Laterally arranged ribs are provided at each opening which provide the frame with sufficient thickness to resiliently compress between the flange of the bottle and a transition shoulder of the bottle to tightly grip the bottle into the keyed opening.

Abstract: A pump 10 for delivering a precise selected output volume has a rigid pump housing 12. A diaphragm 16 is in fluid right abutment with the pump housing 12 to define a pump chamber 40 therebetween. The diaphragm 16 is resiliently biased towed a selected metering position 46 wherein the diaphragm 16 assumes a cup-shaped configuration and the pump chamber 40 has a selected metering volume. The diaphragm 16 is drivable to a discharged position 52 wherein the pump chamber 40 has a selected discharge volume less than the metering volume by a selected output volume. The diaphragm 16 maintains the output volume substantially constant notwithstanding substantial variations in fluid pressure from the fluid supply of variations in ambient pressure. An inlet 32 selectively allows fluid to flow between a fluid supply 45 and the pump chamber 40 as the diaphragm 16 moves from the discharged position 52 to the metering position 46.

Abstract: An improved drug delivery system and method for reconstituting drugs are provided. The system allows the delivery of a medicament from a drug vial (40) directly into an intravenous line to a patient. The system provides a method and an apparatus that insures that the drug vial (40) is properly pierced and the vial (40) is locked into an activated position when it is desired to use the same. To this end, a vial retaining member (50) for coupling the vial (40) to a cartridge (12) including a cannula (22) is provided. The retaining member (50) includes a cannula centering member extending from an end thereof.

Abstract: A cannula assembly adapted to pierce a solid or unslit closure is disclosed and includes a blunt cannula and a piercing member held in cooperation with or contained within the flow channel of the cannula. Generally, the piercing member includes a tip capable of piercing an unslit stopper or closure and a means to temporarily retain the piercing member from the cannula and prevent inadvertent disengagement of the piercing member from the blunt cannula.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved, low cost method and apparatus for monitoring the intravenous metering of fluids to a patient. The present invention provides a strain gauge which is preferably a balanced metal beam. Conditioning circuitry is provided which has as input the strain gauge output. The output of the conditioning circuit is inputted into occlusion sensing circuit. The output of occlusion sensing circuit is inputted into an air sensing circuit. The output of both the occlusion sensing circuit and the air sensing circuit are inputted into an analog to digital convertor which is monitored by a microprocessor for abnormal signals.

Abstract: A closure for a tubular administration port is formed by inner and outer members having upper ends joined together in sealing relationship. The inner member has a sealed bottom end and is configured to fit within the administration port. The outer member is configured to engage about an exterior of the tubular port. The inner member includes radially outwardly extending ribs that engage against the interior of the administration port in an interference fit relationship.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided for coupling a first container including a beneficial agent to a second member. In an embodiment, the device includes a substantially hollow member having a cannula mounted within a wall that divides the substantially hollow member into a first and second section. The first section includes means for receiving at least a portion of a first container. The substantially hollow member includes a wall that defines an exterior of the first section that is substantially flexible. A number of different cannula and flow path structures within the hollow member are possible pursuant to the present invention.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided comprising a cartridge body including an upper portion defining a vial receiving area and terminating in a wall, the cartridge body including a cannula extending from the wall. A vial including a beneficial agent is coupled by a retaining member to the cartridge body in an inactivated position. The retaining member allows the vial to move to an activated position. The retaining member including an outer member and an inner member, the inner member separating from portions of the outer member as the vial moves from the inactivated position to the activated position.

Abstract: A method and system for staging drugs dispensed from a drug dispensing apparatus including an accumulator operative to temporarily accumulate drugs for later dispensing into vials. The accumulator includes one or more staging containers positioned to receive dispensed drugs that fall freely under the influence of gravity, each container having an outlet that is selectively openable so that the drugs retained therein can be delivered to a vial at a later time. Several orders can be staged in parallel if several such staging containers are provided. The drugs are staged in the accumulators for dispensing before vials are positioned so that dispensing of all the drugs for each vial may be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for driving a plunger 134 of a syringe 16 includes a plate 48 on the top 38 of a frame 36 and a structure 62 on the plate 48 for releasably attaching the cylinder 130 of the syringe 16 to the frame 36 and securing the cylinder 130 against lengthwise movement relative to the frame 36. A lever 76 is pivotably attached to the top 38 of the frame 36 a selected distance from the plate 48. A pair of pivot pins 108,110 releasably pivotably attach the distal end 150 of the plunger 134 of the syringe 16 to the lever 76. In this manner, pivotable movement of the lever 76 is translated into lengthwise movement of the plunger 134. An apparatus 10 for transferring a measured amount of fluid from a first fluid supply 14 to a fluid reservoir 170 includes a syringe 16, the syringe driving apparatus 12 and a two-way check valve 18. The fluid supply 14, the fluid reservoir 70 and the syringe 16 are maintained in fluid communication through the two-way check valve 18.

Abstract: The device of the present invention includes a flexible container having an administration port and a flexible tube extending therefrom. The administration port includes an access membrane through which a spiked cannula can be inserted to gain access to the interior of the flexible container. The flexible tube contains a frangible or breakaway valve therein. Permanently secured to the end of the flexible tube is a sheath having a substantially circular base and an open-ended skirt including an inner surface depending from the base. The skirt includes a plurality of inwardly projecting bumps intermittently spaced around the inner surface to sealingly engage a standard drug vial. A sharp cannula is mounted within the skirt to pierce the stopper of the standard drug vial to establish fluid communication between the cannula and the interior of the drug vial. A peelable closure is provided covering the skirt opening prior to use to maintain a sterile condition of the device.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising an unbuffered iso-osmotic aqueous formulation containing an effective amount of ranitidine for the treatment of conditions mediated through histamine H.sub.2 receptors. The formulation has a pH of greater than or equal to 5.0 and less than 6.5 and preferably includes an osmotic adjusting agent chosen from the group consisting of dextrose and sodium chloride.

Abstract: A container for housing a beneficial agent that can be removably coupled to a structure defining a fluid flow path. The container comprises a body defining a first and second interior area separated by a wall that terminates at an opening providing fluid communication between the first and second interior area. A cannula is provided that extends from the body for being removably received by the structure defining the fluid path. The cannula includes an inlet opening and inlet fluid flow path and an outlet opening and outlet fluid flow path. The inlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the first interior area, and the outlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the second interior area. The second interior area houses the solid beneficial agent and allows fluid that flows through the inlet fluid flow path to pass by at least a portion of the beneficial agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a casing having a plurality of sources of pressurized liquid. The sources of pressurized liquid are preferably contained in at least one elastomeric bladder. Housing is provided to establish fluid communication between the sources of pressurized liquid. Additionally, at least one flow restrictor is provided to regulate the flow of pressurized liquid. A single or a plurality of flow restrictors can be used to regulate the flow of liquid between the sources of pressurized liquid. The plurality of sources of pressurized liquid can be contained under different pressures which can be provided by varying the size of the elastomeric storage area. The casing further contains an inlet port and an exit port in fluid communication with the sources of pressurized liquid to provide for filling and dispensing of the fluid.

Abstract: A system for evaluating the physical compatibility of two or more pharmaceutical chemicals in solution mixes chemical solutions in predetermined relative quantities in a test well and, under the direction of a control mechanism, measures the absorption of the mixture at two different wavelengths. The first wavelength is within the visual spectrum in the range of 400 to 500 nm and detects both changes in color and changes in physical properties caused by mixing the chemical solutions. The second wavelength is above the visual spectrum in the range of 610 to 650 nm to detect only changes in physical properties caused by mixing the chemical solutions. The control mechanism further compares the absorption measured at the two different wavelengths to differentiate between solely color changes and physical property changes (with or without color changes) caused by the mixing. The control mechanism also provides an output of the differentiated results.

Abstract: A method of determining the critical vapor pressure of a hygroscopic material, such as a drug. A drug sample is placed in a substantially isothermal environment. A vapor, such as water vapor, at a given pressure is then placed in the ambient air over the drug. The rate of heat production from this sample at the given water vapor pressure, or the humidity of the air above the sample, is then measured. The water vapor pressure over the drug is gradually increased. Simultaneously, the rate of increase in heat production from the drug sample, or the rate of change of the relative humidity of the air above the drug sample, is measured. A marked increase in the rate of heat production generated by the drug, or a marked change in the relative humidity of the air over the sample, signals the attainment of the critical water vapor pressure.