Abstract: A porous membrane is coated with a composition which includes a reconstituted and aggregated extracellular matrix derived from the Englebreth-Holm-Swarm mouse tumor, a polyol and a pH 7.8-8.2 buffer. The coated membrane is dried, affixed to an insert portion of an assembly and received in a well of a multiwell tissue culture plate. The invention includes a method to make the coated membrane.

Abstract: A sharps disposal assembly has a recessed unwinder opening in a container lid. The recess has a vertical wall portion integral with a horizontal platform for locating the bottom wall of a tube holder. Another vertical wall portion depending downwardly from the platform has a width congruent with the nose portion of the tube holder.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a tube having an open end with a puncturable stopper therein. A thixotropic gel for separating blood components is in the tube and a layer of additive particles is spray dried from an air nozzle onto the inside tube wall. The invention includes a method to make the tube.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly designed for one-time use includes a microcollection tube and an adapter for the tube which is sized to fit into the tube slot of an automated analytical instrument. The adapter includes structure which forms a tight and permanent interference fit with the microtube so that the tube, once inserted into the adapter, cannot be removed by hand, and the assembly, after sampling and analysis, must be discarded in one piece.

Abstract: An assembly for collection of a blood sample includes a hydrophobic plastic tube and a non-exudable block or graft copolymer having a hydrophobic domain compatible with and interpenetrated in the matrix of the tube plastic and a hydrophilic domain which provides a hydrophilic interior wall surface to the container. The invention includes a method to make the container.

Abstract: A kit containing all the materials needed to take a blood sample from a neonatal patient, a pediatric patient, a juvenile patient or an adult patient. The materials are supplied in a plastic package suitable for sterilization.

Abstract: A sharp disposal assembly includes a receptacle, lid therefor and an unwinder having three flanges on each side of a slot opening in the lid. A substantially cubical compartment formed by the six flanges receives a needle-hub-safety shield unit in a loose non-binding immobilization which provides firm support to the unit during unwinding and yet precludes any hangup which might necessitate manual separation.

Abstract: A method for immunoassay of a viral antigen is performed on a membrane precoated with an inert protein. Nonimmunological capture of antigen takes place by absorption onto the coated membrane. Captured antigen binds to a tracer which includes a label conjugated to a specific antibody, the inert protein concomitantly inhibiting nonspecific binding of tracer. The label may be an enzyme which converts a substrate to a detectable product or converts a blocked inhibitor to an inhibitor whereby a second enzyme is inhibited from converting a substrate to a product. The invention includes a kit of materials for performing an assay in accordance with the method of the invention.

Abstract: An assembly for collection of a blood sample includes a hydrophobic plastic tube and a non-exudable block or graft copolymer having a hydrophobic domain compatible with and interpenetrated in the matrix of the tube plastic and a hydrophilic domain which provides a hydrophilic interior wall surface to the container. The invention includes a method to make the container.

Abstract: A thermoset composition comprises a crosslinked blend of a metallocene copolymer of ethylene and an alpha olefin and a block copolymer of styrene and a diene. A medical article is made from the composition. The invention includes a method to make the composition and the article.

Abstract: A medical article is molded from a silane-grafted polyolefin copolymer and crosslinked to have improved compression set and sealability so that the crosslinked article can be sterilized with substantially no changes in size or shape.

Abstract: A process for making a closure assembly includes placing a closure cap portion in a compression mold, introducing a melt of elastomer, pressing the melt into a septum against the cap and applying a foil barrier against the septum. The process may be performed in a rotary compression molding apparatus.

Abstract: An anti-infective medical article comprises a hydrophilic polymer having silver chloride bulk distributed therein. The hydrophilic polymer containing silver chloride may be a laminate over a base polymer. A method for making the article includes contacting the hydrophilic polymer with a solution of a soluble silver salt followed by a solution of a soluble chloride to give silver chloride bulk distributed throughout the polymer matrix. The polymer containing silver chloride may then be melt processed, such as by extruding or coextruding with the base polymer.

Abstract: A molding process includes flowing a polymer melt into the cavity of a mold which includes a core pin. After the mold is filled and skin layers of solidified polymer have formed adjacent the mold wall and core pin wall, the core pin is spun transversely to the direction of polymer melt flow. The invention includes hollow articles of improved mechanical properties made by the process.

Abstract: A medical article of a polymeric nonthermoplastic material and method therefor is made by a continuous compression molding method in which a predetermined quantity of the polymer is added sequentially to a series of molds on a track.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes an evacuated container having an open end with a puncturable stopper therein. A liquid impermeable receptacle in the container contains an additive and is removably immobilized in the stopper. In a method for preparing a blood sample for analysis, the stopper is punctured by a cannula connected to a blood supply. The cannula is then advanced until it contacts and dislodges the receptacle from the stopper causing the additive to be released directly into the container where it mixes with incoming blood.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene is blended with isotactic polypropylene and the blend melt processed into medical articles. The blends have molding cycle times which are up to 12 times shorter that for pure syndiotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A needle holder assembly for taking a blood sample with an evacuated tube includes a needle affixed to a hub and a tubular needle holder removably affixed to the hub. A thermoplastic elastomeric sleeve fits snugly over one end of the needle and is punctured by the needle during sampling and is resealed upon withdrawal of the evacuated tube. The invention includes a method to mold the sleeve.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly includes a tube, preferably plastic, an elastomeric stopper and a siliceous insert immobilized in the tube under the stopper. In a method for taking a blood sample using the assembly, the stopper is punctured and the sample is discharged onto the insert to initiate clotting.

Abstract: Syndiotactic polypropylene is blended with isotactic polypropylene and the blend melt processed into medical articles. The blends have molding cycle times which are up to 12 times shorter that for pure syndiotactic polypropylene.