Abstract: The present invention provides an intravenous administration set 10 having a primary container 22 and a secondary container 24, each containing fluid, and a pump 20. The primary container 22 and secondary container 24 are joined into a single flow path by a Y-site 50. A check valve 42 is provided between the primary container 22 and the Y-site 50. A fluid capacitor 60 is provided on the single flow path between the Y-site 50 and the pump 20 to repenish displaced fluid in the pump 20.

Abstract: An ampule defines a pair of opposed, flexible sides, sealingly enclosing a space which contains a mass of beneficial agent which is soluble in aqueous solution. Inlet and outlet ports communicate between the space and the exterior. Flow promoting means are positioned between the mass of beneficial agent and at least one opposed, flexible side to facilitate the formation of a fluid flow path along the mass of beneficial agent.

Abstract: A vacuum biased disposable infuser is provided having a liquid chamber (14) and at least one vacuum chamber (44). The liquid chamber (14) includes a liquid plunger (26) contained therein while the vacuum chamber (44) includes a vacuum plunger (48). The plungers (26, 48) are connected by an arm such that when liquid under pressure is provided to the liquid chamber (14), the vacuum plunger (48) is drawn back in the vacuum chamber (44). The device is further preloaded such that at the end of infusion, the vacuum plunger (48) does not abut against the vacuum chamber (44).

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a port within an aperture of a web of film, including a chain loop having a plurality of forks for releasably retaining ports. The chain loop is fed around a first, a second, and a third rotatable sprocket. The first and second rotatable sprockets are coupled to a frame and located in a substantially aligned relationship to each other, perpendicular to a portion of the film, the third sprocket is located at a position offset from a plane defined by the first and second sprockets. The first and second sprockets can be moved from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. During operation, the rotation of the third sprocket is releasably prevented, to accurately regulate the rotation of the first sprocket an indexer is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the safe, passive reconstruction of a drug or other beneficial agent, without requiring manual reconstitution steps. The apparatus includes a housing, preferably having a receptacle "in-line" in an administration set and forming part of an intravenous delivery system, and a cartridge adapted for receiving a beneficial agent or beneficial agent and carrier. The cartridge is plugged into the receptacle to initiate reconstitution of the agent. The apparatus creates first and second delivery modes, in which the delivery rate of the agent to a patient is independent from and dependent upon, respectively, the fluid flow rate through the intravenous delivery system.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for infusing a fluid into a patient via a tubing. A peristaltic pumping apparatus is provided which applies a pumping action to the tubing. A linear variable differential transformer measures the diameter of the tubing subject to the pumping action. The diameter of the tubing is measured at various times and changes in the diameter of the tubing are utilized to adjust the pumping action on the tubing.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a continuous dose and a bolus dose of fluid or beneficial agent to a patient. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with a continuous flow path for providing the patient with a continuous source of the beneficial agent. The source of beneficial agent is also connected to a bolus dose apparatus which provides patient control of a bolus dose of the beneficial agent, up to a preselected maximum.

Abstract: An encoder wheel (60) is provided for monitoring a peristaltic pump (20). The encoder wheel (60) provides a plurality of equispaced sectors (62) and a reference sector (66) provided at the outer radius of the encoder wheel (60). A vane slit (68) is provide radially offset from the sectors (62,66). A pair of optical couplers (72,74) are provided to read the sectors (62,66) and the vane slit (68).

Abstract: A mounting for a stepping motor (42) in a peristaltic pump (20) is provided. The mounting includes a first bracket (81) which rigidly scures stepping motor housing (58) in a radial direction while providing a bearing assembly (96) connecting the first bracket (81) and the stepping motor housing (58) to allow for free rotational movement. A second bracket (62) is also secured to the stepping motor housing (58) which includes at least one spring (72) which dampens tangential forces.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a web of material is provided that automatically changes the roll of material from an exhausted roll to a new full roll of material. The apparatus includes a plurality of spindles for supporting a plurality of rolls of material, the spindles being coupled to a rotatable carousel, a locking member for selectively preventing the rotation of the carousel is provided as well as a mechanism for selectively rotating the carousel. The apparatus also includes a member for splicing an end of a first roll of material to an end of a second roll of material.

Abstract: A device for positioning fitments in a perforated film. The device according to the invention includes a transporting member that brings the fitments into the vicinity of a perforated film, preferably below the latter, a member for positioning the fitments perpendicular to the perforations in the film, and an engaging member for pushing the ports through the perforations of the film so that at the exit of the device the film is equipped with fitments.

Abstract: An infusion system includes fluid-delivery components for delivering a fluid from a separate source of the fluid into a patient, transducer components for producing a signal related to the pressure of the fluid in the fluid-delivery components, and identification components responsive to the signal for identifying pressure artifacts characteristic of patient activity. Gravity-fed infusion may be employed as well as infusion with a flow control device, and identification may be accomplished with a microprocessor for examining the waveform of the signal and identifying pressure artifacts characteristic of patient activity amidst pressure changes caused by fluid-delivery components so that site checking can be conducted during quiet periods, i.e., times of little patient acitivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides film structures for creating two identical webs of film. Preferably, the so created webs of film include a sterile surface. The webs of film are suitable for being processed into flexible containers.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing and severing a web of film. The apparatus includes a first jaw located on one side of the web of film and a second jaw located on a second side of the web of film. The first and second jaws cooperate to grip the web of film. Located within the first jaw is a heater member for sealing and severing the web of film. The heater member is secured so that the time and/or pressure at which the heater member engages the web of film may be varied independent of the first jaw.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stand-alone, in-line device and method for detecting whether a fluid is being properly supplied to a patient, including means for delivering a test pulse of the fluid through conduit means to the patient with the test pulse being distinguishable from the normal delivery pattern and with the test pulse creating a pressure wave response in the conduit means. The device and method also includes means for determining the area between a baseline and at least a portion of a pressure versus time curve representing the pressure wave response, and means responsive to the magnitude of the area for detecting whether the fluid is being improperly supplied by the conduit means to the patient. Preferably, the device and method also includes means for diverting and accumulating a predetermined volume of the upstream flow from the infusion source for use as the test pulse.

Abstract: The invention consists of a device for welding and perforating a thermoplastic film folded back on itself. The device consists of a support for supporting two electrically heated welding strips and a perforation device. The perforation device is movably supported between the welding strips. The support is transversely movable with respect to the film. The welding strips consists of a non-heating portion and a heating portion. The non-heating portion is at least equal in length to the heating portion.

Abstract: A cartridge for introducing a beneficial agent into a medical fluid conduit is disclosed. The cartridge includes a pierceable stopper having a hollow, open ended protrusion extending into the cartridge chamber and having the beneficial agent retained therein by a liquid pervious barrier. The hollow, open ended protrusion creates a directed flow path within the cartridge.

Abstract: Device for continuous cleaning and/or decontaminating a band of a thermoplastic film comprising a housing (1) where the band (7) follows a sinuous trajectory between return cylinders (8, 10, 40, 41, 9) and is subjected to the action of demineralized and/or distilled water jets projected by nozzles, (20, 43, 45, 22) mounted on spraying ramps (19, 42, 46, 21), the direction of jets being preferably opposite to the feed direction of the band (7).

Abstract: A device for guiding a web of flexible film that has been folded back upon itself so as to maintain the edges of the web of film precisely positioned for subsequent sealing. The device includes a smooth support plate positioned so as to be received between two folds of the web of film with pressure being applied to hold the folds against the plate by means of rollers. The rollers are mounted to maintain the folds against the support plate and to assume different orientations relative to the direction of movement of the web.