Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprising a housing (19), including a base (21), a resilient tube (27) and a peristaltic pumping fingers (31) carried by the supporting structure. The tube (27) is positionable on the base (21) in a proper position and an improper position. In the proper position, the peristaltic pumping fingers (31) can properly progressively squeeze the tube to pump a fluid through the tube and in an improper position. A door (23) is mounted on the housing (19) for movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch (25) includes a pivotable latch member (51) on the door (23) and a fixed latch member (55) on the housing (19). The pivotable latch member (51) is movable between a latching position in which the door (23) is locked in the closed position and a releasing position in which the door (23) is not locked in the closed position. If the tube (27) is in the improper position, the pivotable latch member (51) is prevented from being placed in the latching position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for automatically reconstituting a drug in-line and delivering the drug to a patient. Pursuant to the present invention, a system is provided that allows fluid entry into a vial, that houses the drug to be reconstituted, with concurrent air elimination. Mixing via different fluid entry levels is provided. Due to the unique fluid flow path of the present invention reconstitution of the drug is ensured. The system, method, and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized with a computer controlled pump. When so utilized, a completely automated procedure can be achieved.

Abstract: An intravenous metering device is provided which includes an air retention chamber in downstream fluid communication with a source of fluid and in upstream fluid communication with a pumping chamber. A first valve is provided between the air retention chamber and the pumping chamber to control access to the pumping chamber. A second valve is provided to control the exit of fluid from the pumping chamber. The valves include a shared diaphragm portion.

Abstract: The problem of providing a medical face mask 10 that may be quickly, easily, securely and adjustably mounted to the head of a wearer 72 is solved in a medical face mask 10 of the type having a panel 12 for covering the nose and the mouth of a wearer 72 and at least one complimentary pair of spaced apart straps 30 and 32 attached to the panel 12 and extending therefrom by the straps 30 and 32 being joined by a slidable fastener 54 forming a loop 62 comprising the straps 30 and 32 and the top 16 of the panel 12, the slidable fastener 54 holding the straps 30 and 32 in a loop 62 of desired length until the slidable fastener 54 is forcibly slidably adjusted to increase or decrease the size of the loop 62.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drive signal for a peristaltic pump motor. A first circuit is provided which generates a first series of pulses at a given frequency. A second circuit is provided which generates a second series of pulses having a frequency higher than the frequency of the first series of pulses. A third circuit is provided which generates a third series of pulses having a frequency between the frequency of the first and second series of pulses. Finally, a circuit is provided which combines the three series of pulses into a drive signal. The drive signal length is determined by the frequency of the first series of pulses. The drive signal further is divided into two sections, an initial pulse stage determined by the frequency of the third series of pulses, and a modulated pulse stage being a series of pulses determined by the frequency of the second series of pulses.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A second end of the housing carries a coupling component to adapt the site to standard vials. The coupling component, a vial adapter, includes an adapter spike with openings allowing for the drainage of fluid in the vial through the spike and into the injection site. The vial adapter is provided with a skirt housing unit which protects the adapter spike in manufacturing and use. The skirt housing unit also provides features to lockingly engage the adapter with injection site to standard vials, despite dimensional variations in vial closures. Another embodiment of the coupling component is a spike having a barb feature capable of insertion into a standard vial or port and resisting disengagement.A blunt cannula is usable with the injection site combined with the coupling components.

Abstract: A web of film capable of being constructed into a flexible container is provided. The web of film comprises: a first layer of polyester; a second layer of polyvinyl chloride that does not include a DEHP plasticizer or epoxidized oil; a third gas barrier layer; a fourth layer of polyvinyl chloride that does not include a plasticizer; and a fifth layer of polyester. A container made from the film is also provided.

Abstract: A disposable infuser is provided having a source of pressurized liquid contained in a liquid chamber (14). The liquid chamber (14) includes housing (20) defining an access aperture (83). A one-way duck-bill valve (80) is contained in the access aperture (83). A separate outlet conduit (84) is provided having a blunt cannula (98). When the outlet conduit (86) is attached to the housing (20), the blunt cannula (98) extends into the duck-bill valve (80) sufficiently to open the duck-bill valve (80) to establish fluid communication between the source of pressurized liquid (14) and the outlet conduit (84).

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprising a housing (19), including a base (21), a resilient tube (27) and a peristaltic pumping fingers (31) carried by the supporting structure. The tube (27) is positionable on the base (21) in a proper position and an improper position. In the proper position, the peristaltic pumping fingers (31) can properly progressively squeeze the tube to pump a fluid through the tube and in an improper position. A door (23) is mounted on the housing (19) for movement between an open position and a closed position. A latch (25) includes a pivotable latch member (51) on the door (23) and a fixed latch member (55) on the housing (19). The pivotable latch member (51) is movable between a latching position in which the door (23) is locked in the closed position and a releasing position in which the door (23) is not locked in the closed position. If the tube (27) is in the improper position, the pivotable latch member (51) is prevented from being placed in the latching position.

Abstract: A port and closure assembly for a container is provided. The port and closure assembly includes a port having a tubular portion that extends from a base and terminates at an end including an opening. The tubular portion is divided into an upper and lower section by a pierceable membrane. The upper section including an end that terminates at the opening and including a resealing injection site. A closure member for removably surrounding at least a portion of the end of the port including the opening is provided. The closure includes a sleeve that circumscribes at least a portion of an outer surface of the upper section of the tubular portion. The sleeve is so constructed and arranged as to cause portions of the upper section to contact the resealing member during a sterilization step that softens the portions and further causes the portions of the upper section to retain the resealing injection site within the tubular portion after the portions have hardened.

Abstract: A medical fluid administration set is disclosed which may be used for the passive reconstitution and delivery of a drug or other beneficial agent with liquid flowing through the administration set. A receptacle mounted in the administration set is adapted for receiving a cartridge containing the beneficial agent. Also disclosed is an adapter for connecting the cartridge and the receptacle and an air flask within the administration set.

Abstract: A sterilizable, plastic medical container has a body section formed of thin, multi layer film. The film has a first layer formed of cross-linkable plastic free or essentially free of extractable plasticizers, such as poly(ethylene vinyl acetate), and a second layer formed of a substantially non-cross-linkable plastic having a higher melting temperature than the first layer, such as high density polyethylene. The first layer is inwardly oriented in contact with the contents of the container. A port formed of the same plastic can be heat sealed to the body section. The container is irradiated to effect cross-linking, filled with fluid, and the port sealed. The fluid filled container can then be heat or steam sterilized.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and system (20) are disclosed for the patient-controlled delivery of an analgesic or other beneficial agent 142, while preventing administration of a toxic quantity of the beneficial agent. The invention permits delivery of fractional doses to a patient in quantities which are directly proportional to the time period since the last dose or fraction thereof was delivered to the patient. In the preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a housing (58) including a casing (88) and a back plate (86), the housing containing a control switch (84) for opening and closing downstream conduit (62) and for depressing a floating plate (100) that thereby compresses a dose reservoir (90) with the beneficial agent (142) therein. A spring (124) biases the control switch (84).

Abstract: A medical fluid administration set is disclosed which may be used for the passive reconstitution and delivery of a drug or other beneficial agent with liquid flowing through the administration set. A receptacle mounted in the administration set is adapted for receiving a cartridge containing the beneficial agent. Also disclosed is an adapter for connecting the cartridge and the receptacle and an air flask within the administration set.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow control system well suited for use in intravenous fluid delivery systems comprising a flow restrictor wafer having one or more flow limiting flow restrictor paths formed thereon. The system provides fixed flow rate control. The system also provides means for selectively orienting at least two flow restrictor paths relative to the main fluid passage to varying the flow rate.