Abstract: A multiple sample needle assembly for determining fluid access when collecting fluid samples from a source of fluid into a vacuum collection device. The assembly includes a housing with a chamber therein having first and second access openings in fluid communication with the chamber. The housing is preferably translucent to provide for the viewing of the contents of the chamber. A cannula is associated with the first access opening, while the second access opening is adapted for fluid communication with the vacuum collection device. An operable, resilient valve member is positioned in the chamber and is normally closed against a gas permeable, liquid impermeable plug member mounted in the valve member. This valve member is adapted to open away from the plug member when the pressure at the second access opening is less than the pressure at the first access opening.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved method and apparatus for humidifying medical gases. The apparatus improved is of the type which comprises a portable housing enclosing a water reservoir, a gas chamber, gas inlet and outlet conduits to carry the gas through the water reservoir and gas chamber. The improvement comprises an audible pressure relief valve in association with the gas chamber. When a predetermined pressure within the gas chamber has been exceeded, the pressure relief valve opens to relieve the excess pressure and to simultaneously warn the operator than the predetermined pressure level has been exceeded. The alerted operator may then check to determine if there has been a malfunction in the apparatus or ancillary apparatus.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a roller bottle for cell growth production includes tissue culture treating the interior surface of a substantially cylindrical center portion having an open first end, an open second end and interior and exterior surfaces. A first end cap having a serrated circumferential surface is attached to the first end of the center portion. A second end cap also having a serrated circumferential surface is attached to the second end of the center portion. These end caps are attached so that their serrated surfaces protrude from the exterior surface of the center portion.

Abstract: A needle cannula comprises a hollow tubular member having a first portion and a second portion terminating in a sharp point. The outside diameter of the second portion is less than the outside diameter of the first portion, while the inside diameter of the second portion is not less than the inside diameter of the first portion.

Abstract: A portable mechanical light generating device includes an electrical generator located in a portable housing. The generator is activated by way of a rotatable shaft which rotates an armature within a magnetic field in order to produce electricity. A coil spring is adapted to be wound tightly and then slowly unwind. While unwinding, the spring turns a succession of gears in order to rotate the shaft associated with the generator. As a result, the slow unwinding of the spring allows the generation of electricity over sustained periods of time.

Abstract: A device for stirring liquid in a rotating container includes a movable stirrer adapted to be positioned inside a rotatable container and to impart stirring movement to liquid placed therein. A gravity-induced stirring mechanism is associated with the container and the stirrer for moving the stirrer with the container for only a portion of a revolution of the container when rotating. This mechanism permits the increasing gravitational force thereon due to rotation to discontinue the movement of the stirrer and cause a gravitational rotation of the stirrer in a counter-direction to that of the rotating container whereby liquid inside the container is stirred.

Abstract: A dialysate bag assembly suitable for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis includes a plurality of unfilled, expansible dialysate bags. An expansible container includes a plurality of compartments, each bag being removably positioned in one of those compartments. A filling feedline is detachably connected to each bag for providing dialysate from a source to each bag. The bags and the container are adapted to expand as the bags are being filled with the bags being engageable against the walls of the compartments to maintain the bags in relatively tight engagement. Each bag includes an opening for emptying dialysate which has been delivered to the same from the source.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device for use with an evacuated blood collection container comprises a substantially rigid body. Two needle cannulae are connected to the body with a space therebetween. A resilient, collapsible passage member lies in the space and connects the two cannulae in fluid communication with each other. The passage member contacts the body only at its ends with its central portion positioned to remain free of contact with the body during use. This passage member is accessible to finger grip from at least two different directions to allow an operator of the device to apply pressure with the fingers to control fluid flow through the passage member.Another embodiment of the present invention substantially as described above includes an operable collapsing element connected to the body for collapsing the passage member during use to control fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: A valved multiple sample needle assembly for use with a vacuum collection device in obtaining fluid samples, particularly from a patient. The assembly comprises a housing with a chamber therein and having first and second access openings in fluid communication with the chamber. A valve seat associated with the first access opening faces the chamber, while a needle cannula extends outwardly from the first access opening. A resilient, collapsible valve member is positioned in the chamber and normally contacts the valve seat to serve as a closed valve. This valve member is adapted to resiliently collapse and operatively break the sealing engagement with the valve seat when the pressure at the second access opening is sufficiently negative with respect to the pressure at the first access opening so that fluid can flow into the chamber and then out of the second access opening. Backflow is prevented into the first access opening, since the valve member will close should fluid flow in that direction.

Abstract: A roller bottle for cell growth culturing comprises an outer housing defining a hollow chamber therein. At least one annular member is inside the chamber spaced a short radial distance inwardly from the housing. The space between the annular member and the housing is in fluid communication with the chamber. The surfaces of the annular members and the interior surface of the housing are adapted to grow cells thereon.

Abstract: A needle assembly preferably suitable for single sample blood collection and for determining vein entry when collecting a blood sample from a patient into a vacuum collection device. This assembly includes a housing with an interior chamber with a blood inlet needle on one side of the housing and a blood outlet needle on the other. The outlet needle extends interiorly into the chamber, is closed at the end and includes a pair of holes each spaced preferably along an axial line. A slidable plug is operatively positioned in the chamber to prevent liquid from flowing into the side holes while allowing gas to flow into at least one of the side holes at a first position in the chamber whereby the prevented liquid may be viewed by a user through a transparent portion of the housing. The operative plug is movable to a second position in the chamber to allow liquid to flow into at least one of the side holes whereby liquid may be collected from the outlet needle of the assembly.

Abstract: A needle assembly for use in preventing backflow of blood being collected from a patient comprises a housing with a chamber therein, and including first and second access openings through the housing in fluid communication with the chamber. A cannula extends outwardly from the first access opening and is adapted for insertion into a patient. The chamber has a volume sufficiently large to store blood therein collected from the patient and to delay blood from backflowing from the second access opening into the first access opening under normal patient blood flow conditions due to the large amount of blood which must first be displaced from the chamber.In another embodiment of the present invention, the chamber includes flow resistance elements positioned in the chamber to provide flow resistance in the flow of blood from the chamber toward the first access opening. These objects may include tapered cones to favor flow of blood in one direction but not the other direction.

Abstract: A syringe package includes a hollow barrel and a slidable plunger inside the barrel extending out of its proximal end. A needle cannula extends from a distal end of the barrel. A shield covers the cannula and is connected to the barrel to provide a seal thereto. The shield has a frangible portion adapted to be ruptured so that a first portion of the shield is removable and a second portion remains connected to the barrel as evidence of a broken seal. A cap covers the proximal end of the plunger and is connected to the barrel to provide a seal. The cap has a frangible portion adapted to be ruptured so that a first portion of the cap is removable and a second portion is adapted to remain connected to the barrel as evidence of a broken seal at this end of the syringe.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly for use with a blood collection container which includes a cannula-penetrable closure with a lip element associated therewith. Included in this assembly is a receptacle having a closed end and an open end for the receipt of the blood collection container, and a peripheral surface between the ends. A cannula extends from the closed end into the receptacle and also extends outwardly from the closed end of the receptacle. A spring-resilient valve sheath may cover the inwardly extending cannula for control of fluid through the cannula. A spring-depressible tongue is connected to the peripheral surface of the receptacle and is inwardly depressible for engaging the lip element on the blood collection container to prevent outward movement of the container during the blood collecting procedure.

Abstract: An evacuated article-containing package assembly with a vacuum integrity indicator comprises an air-impervious package having an access opening and having at least a flexible portion. An article is included inside the package. A member is included inside the package which is compressible under the influence of pressure less than atmospheric pressure. A closure seal is on the package for sealing the access opening, with the sealed package being air-evacuated. The compressible member is adapted to expand against the flexible portion of the package to outwardly expand the flexible portion if the pressure inside the package equalizes with the pressure outside the package. When this occurs, the expanded flexible portion serves as a visual indicator that there is no vacuum condition inside the package.

Abstract: A readily penetrable vacuum indicator closure for sealing an open end of an air evacuated blood collection tube. The closure comprises a flexible tubular body with an open first end and a closed second end formed by a penetrable, flexible end wall, with the end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. When pressure on the inner and outer surfaces is substantially equal, the outer surface is convexly curved and the inner surface is concavely curved. This end wall is sufficiently flexible to deflect under the influence of a pressure differential on the end wall, such as may be perceived when the closure seals an evacuated blood collection tube. The outer surface of the flexible end wall is readily visible, thus serving as an indicator of relative pressures on opposite sides thereof. A flange is annularly disposed about the periphery of the tubular body adjacent to the second end.

Abstract: A syringe with pressure-limited delivery capacity includes a barrel having a chamber for retaining fluid and a passageway through the distal end of the barrel communicating with the chamber for delivering fluid to a fluid receiving device. A plunger is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement inside the barrel and is adapted to force fluid from the chamber through the passageway upon its distally directed movement. A hollow fluid by-pass is connected to the barrel near its distal end with the lumen of the by-pass communicating with the chamber in a permanently open condition. The opposite end of the by-pass is adapted to vent to atmospheric pressure level conditions. The flow resistance of the by-pass is selected so as to pre-determine the pressure level inside the chamber required for fluid to flow out of the opposite end of the by-pass upon distal movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A switching device for preventing prolonged depression-action type activation includes a housing and a depressible plunger mounted in the housing. This plunger includes an upper portion and a lower portion, with the lower portion being movable with respect to the upper portion. The plunger is adapted to be filled with fluid and has a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port. An operable stopper valve is associated with the outlet port for maintaining it closed, with the valve being operatively responsive to depression of the plunger for allowing fluid to escape from the plunger. A first spring associated with the lower portion retracts the same inwardly toward the housing when sufficient fluid has escaped from the plunger and while the upper portion is depressed inwardly. A second spring associated with the upper portion urges the same outwardly from the housing when there is no depression force on the upper portion.

Abstract: A tablet dispensing device comprises a substantially flat support having a single tablet dispensing aperture therein. A tray is adapted to rotate on one surface of the support and has a plurality of openings therein disposed in a circular orientation. The openings are arranged to individually align in registration with the aperture upon rotation of the tray. The tray is adapted to receive a tablet dispensing package containing a plurality of tablets. A tablet is dispensed by pressing it from the package through its corresponding opening in the tray and then through the aperture in the support for collection by the operator thereof. Rotation of the tray sequentially places each opening over the aperture in alignment therewith so that the remaining tablets can be individually dispensed.