Abstract: A fluid collection, storage and infusion apparatus particularly adapted for collecting, storing and infusing or reinfusing a substance such as blood taken from a patient including a flexible bag-like device having an opposed inlet and outlet, a fluid storage compartment communicating with the inlet and outlet for the collected fluid and a compartment into which a source of fluid such as a gas under pressure can be introduced to exert pressure on the collected fluid to force the fluid out of the fluid storage compartment through the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an improvement to a syringe having a syringe housing and a plunger slidably positioned therein and extendable therefrom, and includes a novel locking member mounted on the plunger externally of the housing and angularly movable thereon between a first position in which the locking member can move longitudinally along the plunger and a second position in which the locking member becomes engaged with the plunger to hold the members together in fixed condition for movement in concert. The locking member is also shaped to move into abutment with the syringe housing where the plunger is moved to limit movement of the plunger when in its locked position.

Abstract: An enteral feeding bag apparatus comprising an open-mouth flexible bag which is maintained in open condition by means of an opening maintaining plate member, is sealable by means of a liquid tight zipper lock closure means and is suspendable by a reinforced hanger portion for filling and/or administration of an enteric feeding composition.

Abstract: A cannula, such as commonly used for introduction of a catheter through the cannula into a body cavity, includes a plastic tube and an adaptor at one end of the tube. For easy removal of the cannula from around the catheter, the tube and adaptor are splittable along two or more longitudinal grooves or induction lines in the tube and adaptor. The induction lines are circumferentially spaced apart by an angle of 45.degree. to 180.degree.. Near the end of the tube opposite the adaptor, the induction lines in the tube are twisted, or extend circumferentially, providing increased stability of the induction lines to minimize premature splitting during manipulation of the cannula.

Abstract: A sterile closure device for a stoppered container which includes a cover member positioned over the top portion of the stopper, a shrinkable band member enclosing a peripheral portion of the cover member and the top portion of the stopper and having a pull tab portion by which the band member can be fractured and a spot of adhesive connecting the peripheral portion of the cover member to the band member such that upon fracture of the band member the cover member and tab portion will be removed together.

Abstract: A collapsible and flexible urethral drainage catheter having a flexible tubular body portion containing a drainage lumen and an inflation lumen and having a distal tip portion with a flexibility different from the body portion with a distal end closed by an elongated cylindrical plug member sealed thereto having a segment of the wall thereof adapted when inserted into the distal end of the body portion to mate in intimate contact with the inner wall of the body portion and extending a sufficient distance into the body portion to stiffen the distal tip portion thereof, said drainage lumen communicating with drain ports in the elongated plug member and the distal tip portion of said body member and said inflation lumen communicating with an inflation cuff surrounding a portion of said distal tip portion of the body member.

Abstract: A device for automatically administering predetermined amounts of medication from a syringe through a conduit to a patient is described. This device includes an automatic flushing mechanism which flushes the medication from the conduit after the completion of the medication dosage using a flush syringe containing a flush solution. A force derived from a spring is used to expel the medication and the flush solution from their respective syringes. Thus, the patient is insured a full dosage of prescribed medication without the need of continuous attention by hospital staff.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device usable with a chest drainage unit includes a collapsible fluid collection bag assembly having pliable fluid collection bag, a pair of stiffener members adjacent the opposed sides of the bag, and an enclosure sealingly connected to the bag securing the stiffeners in place. A fluid inlet, gas outlet, and a blood outlet are connected to the bag. A holder is dimensioned to compress the opposed edges of the bag assembly to cause the stiffeners to bow outwardly in opposite directions and expand the collection bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for obtaining test results from microbiological test trays and strips includes an inspection station of which test trays may be inspected to determine the results of microbiological tests, a video camera disposed to form images of the test trays at the inspection station, and an image processor for receiving the images from the video camera and processing them to determine test results. Only predetermined areas of interest in the image made by the camera are electronically analyzed. Each well of a given tray is assigned a positive or negative partial result based upon the electronic analysis of the area or areas of interest within that well.

Abstract: The angiographic catheter includes a long generally flexible portion of a first material, an intermediate portion of the first material and a second material that is more flexible then the first material and a tip portion of the second material. The long body portion has a first exit opening having a stream trajectory directed toward the exit stream trajectory from the tip member exit for stream breakup and mixing at. A reaction exit is directed in the opposite direction of the first exit opening.The generally long body portion with a curved end portion with a first end curve of generally circular shape about a center that is connected to the end of the long body with a compound curve connected to the end of the first end curve and having a member positioned generally parallel to the long body portion with the distance between parallel members generally less than to the radii of the generally circular shape.

Abstract: An essentially leak proof urine collection device to be worn by a female which can be easily and comfortably positioned. The device is basically a receptacle, essentially semi-ovoid in shape, having an ovoid-shaped opening defined by a rim portion to which is attached an encapsulated deformable polymer gel ring which, when in use, substantially conforms itself to the contours of the vulvar tissue contacted by the gel, thus forming an essentially leak proof seal.

Abstract: An intercavity catheter having a distal end portion with serrations on the inner wall thereof.

Abstract: An autotransfusion device for a chest drainage unit is provided that includes a collapsible blood collection and reinfusion bag assembly that includes a collapsible bag with pliable walls and stiffener members, and a holder which receives the assembly. The holder maintains compressive forces on the sides of the stiffener members so they bow outwardly and, in turn, maintain the bag assembly in an expanded conditions for collecting blood while suction is applied to the bag during drainage operations. The collapsible bag assembly can be removed from the holder for reinfusion of the collected blood.

Abstract: A catheter and stylet assembly is provided which includes a silicone rubber catheter for insertion into the left ventricle of the heart. A stylet of malleable metal covered by a plastic cover is inserted into the catheter to permit the catheter and stylet to be manually shaped into a desired form before insertion into the patient. The stylet is removable from the catheter after the catheter is in the patient.

Abstract: A pair of medical tube connectors are interconnected in fluid tight relation. A tamper-evident indicator of breakable material, such as paper, has a pair of strips respectively encircling said connectors, and at least one breakable strip having a width substantially less than the circumference of the tube connectors extending between the strips to provide an indication if the connectors have been separated.

Abstract: A suction tube is adapted to receive an enteral feeding catheter through its lumen and has a longitudinally splittable wall to allow the suction tube to be removed from a patient while leaving the feeding catheter in place. In a modified embodiment, the suction tube has a second longitudinally extending lumen in the wall thereof which may be used for air bleed, sample aspiration and delivery of medication.

Abstract: A nasal cannula harness is provided which includes a pair of sheet members in facing relation and holding the distal end portions of a pair of narine tubes in position for insertion into the nares of a patient. The nasal cannula harness may be made by folding a molded sheet member and securing the sections of the folded member together with the distal portions of the narine tubes between the sections and with portions extending outwardly for insertion into the nares of a patient.

Abstract: An incubation chamber for incubating a number of microbiological test trays such as susceptibility trays and identification trays holds a number of tray carriers in a pair of stacks. An elevator is provided to move any given carrier to a position at which it can be removed from the incubation chamber and moved to an inspection station at which the trays thereon may be inspected to determine the results of the microbiological tests. The image of the test tray at the inspection station is processed to determine test results.