Abstract: A wireless communication system from an IV medication infusion pump to a hospital information management system (HIMS) is disclosed. The system includes an IV pump having pump operation circuitry for monitoring pre-selected characteristics of pump operation indicative of IV administration of medication to a patient. A transmitter or transceiver is connected to the pump operation circuitry for receiving a wireless pump signal representing instructional data to the IV pump and for transmitting a wireless pump signal representing the pre-selected pump operation characteristics. The wireless pump transmitter or transceiver communicates with a hospital information management system (HIMS). The HIMS includes a receiver or transceiver capable of transmitting and receiving the pump signal representing the pump operation characteristics and also includes a computer processor capable of storing and displaying the pump operation characteristics that are represented by the received wireless pump signal.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for programming infusion systems are disclosed. A system comprises an infusion device and a mock pump set. The infusion device is programmable with at least one infusion protocol. The infusion device includes a pathway adapted to receive a pump set and at least one pump adapted to pump fluid through the pump set when the pump set is received in the pathway. The mock pump set is sized to be received in the pathway of the infusion device, and is not configured to receive fluid from the fluid container. A kit comprises the mock pump set. A method comprises inserting a mock pump set in a pathway of an infusion device and programming the infusion device with at least one infusion protocol while the mock pump set is received in the pathway.

Abstract: Systems, kits, and methods for programming infusion systems are disclosed. A system comprises an infusion device and a mock pump set. The infusion device is programmable with at least one infusion protocol. The infusion device includes a pathway adapted to receive a pump set and at least one pump adapted to pump fluid through the pump set when the pump set is received in the pathway. The mock pump set is sized to be received in the pathway of the infusion device, and is not configured to receive fluid from the fluid container. A kit comprises the mock pump set. A method comprises inserting a mock pump set in a pathway of an infusion device and programming the infusion device with at least one infusion protocol while the mock pump set is received in the pathway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present safety needle assembly include a slidable needle shield. Digital pressure applied to a leaf spring retention latch removes a compressive force from a biasing member and automatically moves the needle shield from a ready-to-use configuration to a protected configuration in which the needle shield covers the sharp needle tip. In the protected configuration the needle shield is prevented from sliding proximally along the needle a sufficient distance to expose the needle tip.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves incorporating a piston comprising slit along an upper piston section for accommodating fluid flow. The slit is closed by the relative geometry of the piston and the valve housing, which acts to terminate fluid flow from between the inlet and outlet of the valve assembly.

Abstract: A flexible container for fluid administration is provided having a body defining a cavity, a base, and at least one port comprising a flange in contact with a flange of a terminal port having a punctureable membrane layer. The body has a cross-sectional configuration including a lower body section of a first dimension, a middle body section of a second dimension, and an upper body section of a third dimension, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension and the third dimension. The flexible container may also include a base having a plurality of creases that are foldable to form two folded ends each including an extension having a base of a first dimension and a tip of a second dimension.

Abstract: A flexible container for fluid administration is provided having a body defining a cavity, a base, and at least one port comprising a flange in contact with a flange of a terminal port having a punctureable membrane layer. The body has a cross-sectional configuration including a lower body section of a first dimension, a middle body section of a second dimension, and an upper body section of a third dimension, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension and the third dimension. The flexible container may also include a base having a plurality of creases that are foldable to form two folded ends each including an extension having a base of a first dimension and a tip of a second dimension.

Abstract: A flexible container for fluid administration is provided having a body defining a cavity, a base, and at least one port comprising a flange in contact with a flange of a terminal port having a punctureable membrane layer. The body has a cross-sectional configuration including a lower body section of a first dimension, a middle body section of a second dimension, and an upper body section of a third dimension, wherein the second dimension is smaller than the first dimension and the third dimension. The flexible container may also include a base having a plurality of creases that are foldable to form two folded ends each including an extension having a base of a first dimension and a tip of a second dimension.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a resilient piston. The valve includes a valve housing having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an interior cavity with an upper shoulder and a lower shoulder. A resilient piston made of a homogeneous material is positioned within the interior cavity and is compressed by the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder of the valve housing.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical administrative system with a pharmacy and a service center network for preparing and dispensing medication. The pharmacy network prepares orders for medication from various customers for various patients. By retrieving information from a global database in the service center network, the pharmacy network conveys patient, customer and formulary information to users of the pharmacy network. Also, the pharmacy network prepares medication specific labels to identify and verify the contents of the medication. Furthermore, the pharmacy network provides additional safeguards and information, including balancing orders and displaying and/or generating hardcopies of solubility curves, to a health care provider using the pharmacy network with the additional ability to customize the medication.

Abstract: A catheter switch comprising a first electrical connector for connection to a first medical device, a second electrical connector for connection to a second medical device, and a third electrical connector for connection to a signal source. The catheter switch further includes an electrical switch coupled to the first, second, and third electrical connectors. The electrical switch is configured to include at least two selectable positions, a first position in which the first electrical connector is electrically coupled to the third electrical connector and a second position in which the second electrical connector is electrically coupled to the third electrical connector. A catheter switch assembly system is also provided. The catheter switch assembly system is for selectively coupling a nerve stimulator to a needle assembly or to a catheter assembly to deliver electrical pulses thereto.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve housing interacting with an inlet connector assembly. The pliant valve housing has an integrally formed valve stem and one or more ports. The valve stem cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus for a stimulating catheter has a conductive wire wound within a reel dispenser. The reel dispenser has a base portion and a rotating portion that are coupled at the axle with the rotating portion rotatable relative to the base portion. The proximal region of the conductive wire is in electrical connection with the axle of the dispenser. A method for delivering a stimulating catheter includes introducing the distal regions of the conductive wire and catheter into a subject, rotating the rotating portion of the reel dispenser relative to the base portion whereby the catheter and conductive wire are advanced into the subject, providing an electrical current to the conductive wire through the axle, and rewinding the rotating portion of the reel dispenser relative to the base portion whereby the conductive wire is retracted in a proximal direction through the catheter.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve piston and/or plug that exudes silicone oil when stressed or squeezed while providing antimicrobial agents within and on the surface of the piston and/or plug. The pliant valve piston may have an integrally formed plug and one or more ports or a separately formed plug located inside a plastic housing. The plug cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port or a Luer inlet, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a pliant valve piston and/or plug that exudes silicone oil when stressed or squeezed while providing antimicrobial agents within and on the surface of the piston and/or plug. The pliant valve piston may have an integrally formed plug and one or more ports or a separately formed plug located inside a plastic housing. The plug cooperates with a nozzle on the inlet connector assembly to form a slip port or a Luer inlet, which can open when exerted by force to permit flow or closes when the force is removed.

Abstract: A device and method of making a peel-away introducer sheath adapted for use in transcutaneous insertions of medical instrumentation according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, forming at least two anchor apertures in an end portion of a peel-away sheath tube, molding a fitting around the end portion by passing molten resin into a fitting mold and through the at least two anchor apertures, and cooling the resin within the mold and the at least two anchor apertures to thereby fasten the fitting to the sheath tube.

Abstract: Needleless access port valves are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needleless access port valves having a stretchable or flexible band. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the band is held in between a flange section of an inlet connector assembly and a shoulder section of the valve body. A plunger integrally formed with the band is movable inside a nozzle to control fluid flow through the inlet of the valve. When the plunger is urged by a medical implement to open the valve inlet, the band flexes to accommodate the moving plunger.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a fluid carrying connector comprising a luer lock connector is provided. At least one projection is defined on, or extending from, a surface of the luer lock connector. A shroud is moveably positioned with respect to the luer lock connector. The shroud comprises at least one projection that is rotatably positionable with the projection of the luer lock connector. In one rotational direction of the shroud, the projection of the shroud rotates the projection of the luer lock connector in the rotational direction. In an opposite rotational direction of the shroud, the projection of the shroud does not rotate the projection of the luer lock connector in the opposite rotational direction.

Abstract: A bypass used for selectively dispensing fluid components includes a fluid passage with an inlet, a first outlet for fluid communication with a first collecting container, and a second outlet for fluid communication with a second collecting container. A method for dispensing fluid components using the bypass includes the steps of providing fluid components to be dispensed, with one fluid component isolated from the other fluid components, blocking the first outlet of the bypass, and dispensing the isolated fluid component through the second outlet and into the second collecting container.

Abstract: A bypass for a tube set for directing the flow of a fluid component includes an inlet passage for fluid connection with a source of said fluid component, an outlet passage for fluid connection with a first bag compartment, and a bypass passage for fluid connection with a second bag compartment. A flow control device in the bypass passage is operable in a first position in which the flow control device seals the bypass passage, and a second position in which the flow control device unseals the bypass passage to receive a tubing line connected with said second bag compartment.