Abstract: A container for housing body fluids. The container comprises a body defined by flexible walls having an interior for housing the body fluid. An elongated tube extends from the body for housing a fluid to be added to the body fluid. The tube includes means for allowing selective fluid flow from the interior of the tube to the interior of the body allowing the fluid to be added to the body fluid. Additionally, the means for allowing selective fluid flow allows the body fluid to be expressed from the body of the container into the elongated tube. The present invention also provides a method for storing and treating blood.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical port tubing. The medical port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a coextruded medical grade port tubing comprising: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer comprising polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A multiple chamber container for mixing and administering a plurality of products. The container has at least two chambers separated by a seal line. A frangible connector is situated between the two chambers for mixing the products contained within the chambers as desired. Each chamber has at least one port for filling of product into the chamber. The ports are located on the same exterior side of the container such that the chambers can be filled without folding the bag and by using existing filling equipment.

Abstract: A non-invasive technique and system is provided for measuring flow of liquid driven by a flexible diaphragm of a membrane pump (18). Flow, pressure and/or temperature of a gas, such as air, used to drive the pump (18) is continuously monitored. Instantaneous volume of liquid being pulled into or out of a chamber of the pump (18) can be calculated from measured values of the gas used to drive the pump (18). Sensors (10, 12 and/or 14) are used to measure values relating to the gas. The sensed parameters are concurrently monitored and continuously determine the amount of gas flowing to and from the diaphragm of the membrane pump (18) utilized to move liquid within a liquid pathway. The measurements may then be used to calculate the instantaneous flow rate of the liquid.

Abstract: A connector having an occluder which transposes between a first position and a second position is provided for maintaining a sterile environment during connection and disconnection of fluid communication between a container and a fluid line. The occluder is in the form of a spherical ball integrally formed with a length of tubing. The occluder has a diameter slightly larger than an end of the connector such that the occluder rolls into the end upon disconnecting from the system. An interface may be provided to receive a single connector or a pair of connectors to assist in fluid control between the container and the fluid line.

Abstract: A method and device for stabilizing and storing bicarbonate solutions is provided. In an embodiment, a device is provided having a container and carbon-dioxide generating substances that include a solid material which upon contact with water generates carbon-dioxide gas. The device may be packaged together with the bicarbonate or in a separate overpouch. The present invention also provides a method for the stabilization of bicarbonate solutions utilizing a means that generates high pressure carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A blood sampling system including a sampling device located in line is provided. The sampling device provides an access port that allows undiluted blood to be sampled automatically by insertion of a luer. The sampling device can have a number of different structures, for example, a swing valve, a ball valve, or a breakable seal for normally closing the sample port until a nozzle of the luer blood collector is forcibly inserted into the sample port.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved coextruded medical grade port tubing. The medical grade port tubing provides characteristics that are desirable in the medical industry and therefore can be used as a medical port tubing in, for example, renal therapy or blood donor tubes. To this end, the present invention provides a non-PVC coextruded medical grade port tubing including: an outer layer comprising a blend of polypropylene copolymer and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer; a tie layer; and a core layer including a blend of polyamide and ethylene vinyl acetate.

Abstract: An automatic means and method for preventing and/or treating hypotension in hemodialysis patients. To this end, a system is provided wherein the patient or healthcare practitioner can cause the hemodialysis machine to automatically deliver sodium to the patient through the dialysate so as to increase blood and extracellular osmolarity, increase blood volume from vascular refilling, and raise blood pressure. This would thereby alleviate any clinical symptoms caused by hypotension during hemodialysis.

Abstract: An apparatus for proportioning solutions from at least first and second constituent solutions connected to separate inlet ports of the apparatus first detects which constituent solution is being supplied to which port and then properly proportions the finished solution from the constituent solutions irrespective of which constituent solution is connected to which inlet port.

Abstract: A frangible seal for a fluid path including a frangible seal member secured within a tube defining the fluid path. The frangible seal member having a tubular seal member and a stem extending from the tubular seal member which, upon bending back and forth, breaks away from the seal member thereby to rupture the tubular seal in the fluid path. The tubular seal member and stem are integrally formed of a non-PVC material. The tubular seal member will bond to PVC tubing during steam heating thereof. The tubular seal member and stem are constructed to provide uniform non-reclosable rupturing. The stem includes vanes with spurs that frictionally engage the inner walls of the tube to maintain separation of the stem and ruptured tubular seal member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and container for filtering a body fluid. The method comprises the steps of isolating a volume of solution in a first chamber of a container; collecting a body fluid in a second chamber of a container; passing the body fluid through a filter; and rinsing the filter with an isolated volume of solution.

Abstract: A label for a blood pack comprising a microporous plastic film including a matrix of interconnected pores for allowing gas to flow into and out of the blood pack through a labeled area. The pores allow ink to be absorbed at least on an outer surface of the label allowing the label to be printed and/or written on. The labels of the present invention have breathability with respect to gas that is similar to paper. However, the label is more durable than a paper label in that it can tolerate moisture, abrasion, temperature extremes, dimensional changes, and the like. Accordingly, the labels do not crack or wrinkle as easily as paper labels.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for separating mononuclear cells from red blood cell depleted plasma in a centrifuge blood cell separator. The device includes an inlet for receiving plasma, an area for receiving mononuclear cells, and an outlet for receiving mononuclear cell depleted plasma. The distance and flow path between the inlet and outlet being so constructed and arranged as to cause mononuclear cells to sediment out into the area for receiving the mononuclear cells and causing at least 66% of the platelets contained in the plasma to flow to and through the outlet.

Abstract: A web of film for use in manufacturing flexible containers is provided. In an embodiment, the film comprises a first layer constructed from a non-RF responsive material and a second layer constructed from a RF responsive material. The second layer has a sufficiently greater thickness than the first layer that when sufficient RF energy is applied to the second layer, the first layer is sealed to a second film surface. In an embodiment, the film has three layers. A container constructed from the film is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a large volume flexible container capable of containing a fluid to be maintained under sterile conditions. The container comprises an inner liner constructed from a polyolefin that defines an interior of the container and an outer liner constructed from a three-layer laminate. The laminate includes an inner layer constructed from a polyolefin that will, upon the application of sufficient energy, bond to the polyolefin of the inner liner, a middle layer constructed from a barrier material, and an outer layer; the inner liner and outer liner being sealed together along edges of the container. At least one tube member, for accessing the container, extends from a face of the container, and includes an end that is secured to the container, a length of flexible tubing for defining a channel through which fluid can flow, and a connector at a second end. A structure for housing the container is also provided.

Abstract: A device is described for accurately transferring multiple individual fluids from multiple source containers into a single receiving container. Fluid flows from the multiple source containers through individual fluid conduits to a chamber having a single fluid outlet conduit. The fluid outlet conduit is in fluid communication with a single receiving container. A pressure conduit is in communication with the chamber for alternately creating positive and negative pressures in the chamber to cause fluid to flow from the individual source containers into the chamber, and to cause fluid to flow from the chamber into the receiving container in response to commands from a control means in the device.

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: An adherent cell culture flask is provided. The flask includes a body constructed from a first side wall and a second side wall, each side wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The first and second side walls are sealed together to define a chamber. The first side wall is constructed from flexible film and includes on its interior surface a charged surface for facilitating the attachment of cells thereto. The second side wall is constructed from flexible film and includes a non-smooth interior surface for preventing the first side wall interior surface from sticking to the second side wall interior surface.