Abstract: A disposable diagnostic plasma filter dispenser includes a low cost disposable container and a rotor drive for rotationally energizing a rotor within the container. The disposable container is particularly suitable for drawing and dispensing blood samples for clinical analysis and includes a tube shaped outer wall having a frangible dispenser outlet cover, a close fitting inner tube supporting a filter membrane and a unitary rotor disposed for axel free rotation and axial translation within the inner tube in response to energization from the rotor driver. The rotor produces vortex enhanced filtration while maintaining a flow of filter fluid through the filtration gap and creating a transmembrane pressure.

Abstract: A system for measuring first and second fluid pressures within a patient comprising a valve having first and second positions, first and second conduits for providing communication between a fluid source and the valve, a pressure transducer coupled to the first conduit upstream of the valve, and third and fourth conduits for providing communication between the valve and first and second fluid pressures, respectively. When the valve is in the first position, it couples the first conduit to the third conduit, and the second conduit to the fourth conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the first fluid pressure. When the valve is in the second position, it couples the first conduit to the fourth conduit and the second conduit to the third conduit so that the pressure transducer can measure the second fluid pressure. In both positions of the valve, fluid flows through the transducer.

Abstract: An electrical connector for providing electrical connection between a pair of electrical conductor leads, each having a ring terminal, and an electrically conductive connection tab of a medical electrode, including a pair of engagement holes, includes upper and lower connector portions which are permanently secured together, as by sonic welding, to hold the ring terminals in contact with the connection tab. The ring terminals are secured on posts where extend from one of the connector portions through engagement holes in the tab. Ribs on the posts hold the ring terminals in position during assembly of the connector. The connector includes outwardly curved surfaces adjacent an access opening for the conductor leads so as to transmit a portion of a force, which may be applied to the leads, to the connector and to relieve the terminals of a portion of such force.

Abstract: A pair of separate conduits, each having an internal seal zone, may be joined by the method which comprises sealingly joining the ends of the conduits together; thereafter adding an antiseptic into the area of the joined conduits between internal seals formed in the zones; and then opening said internal seals without separating the conduits to permit internal fluid flow through the joined conduits.

Abstract: An improved method of recovering antihemophilic factor (AHF) from cryoprecipitated blood plasma is provided. The improved method incorporates the addition of a calcium ion source during the step of cold precipitation of fibrinogen and fibronectin contaminants, as well as the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) at one of various stages of the recovery process. PEG may be added during the cold precipitation of fibrinogen and fibronectin, during the precipitation of AHF, or prior to the filtration of AHF solution. The method of the present invention results in a final AHF product having greatly increased solubility, higher specific activity, and lower fibrinogen and fibronectin content.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (38) is provided which may be used in a mass transfer device (20), such asn an oxygenator or a dialyzer. The heat exchanger comprises a core (40) formed of a corrugated metal having a high thermal conductivity. Each of the corrugations of the core comprises substantially parallel side walls (70, 72). A first fluid, such as blood, is introduced onto the outside of the core. A second fluid, such as water, is introduced into the inside of the core. The first and second fluids will be in heat exchange relationship with each other and the flow of the fluids is substantially uniform resulting from the substantially parallel side walls of the corrugations. The core is formed by providing a flexible metalhose, annealing the flexible metal hose, compressing the annealed hose and expanding the compressed hose to a length that is substantially less than its original length but greater than its length during compression.

Abstract: A centrifugal blood processing system is disclosed having a rotor drive assembly that is rotatably mounted to a stationary base for rotation along a predetermined axis. A rotor assembly, which includes a blood processing chamber, is rotatably mounted with respect to the base for rotation about the axis. A flexible umbilical cable segment is provided for establishing fluid communication with the blood processing chamber. One end of the cable segment is fixed with respect to the base along the axis at one side of the rotor assembly while the other end of the cable segment is attached on the axis in rotationally locked engagement to the rotor assembly. Guide means are provided for causing the umbilical cable to rotate about the axis with the motor drive assembly. Means are provided for rotating the rotor assembly and the rotor drive assembly in the same direction with a speed ratio of 2:1 to prevent the umbilical cable from becoming completely twisted during rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A process for selectively incorporating biocompatible polymers in the interstices of implantable biological tissue while leaving the outer surface of the tissue substantially free of bonded polymer. The process involves covalently binding a monomer to the tissue, contacting the tissue with a free-radical initiator, then contacting the tissue with a solution containing a second monomer and a free-radical scavenger, thereby promoting selective polymerization of the second monomer with the portion of covalently-bound first monomer which is located in the interstices of the tissue.

Abstract: A thin film of white blood cells is irradiated with ultraviolet radiation predominately of a wavelength of 280 to 320 nanometers, and preferably at an intensity of 4 to 15 milliwatts per square cm. At such a radiation intensity it is not necessary to agitate the thin film of white blood cells to accomplish the purposes of this invention. The white blood cells so processed substantially lose their capability to set off an immune reaction in an alloimmunized patient. The white blood cells may preferably be placed into such film in a flat, flexible bag made of poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) plastic, with the flat, flexible bag being stretched in a direction normal to the path of ultraviolet radiation.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprising a frame which includes outer and inner bands and a plurality of wire-like members interlocked with the bands and forming the tip portions of commissure supports. The bands are covered with outer and inner jackets, and valve leaflets are attached to the frame and extend over a distal edge of the bands. The ends of the jackets form flexible, resilient fingers which extend between the distal edge and the valve leaflets to shield the valve leaflets from the distal edge.

Abstract: A combination anti-reflux valve and gas venting device for use in a urinary drainage bag is described. In the preferred embodiment, the device is made of a flapper valve having a gas venting portion inside the urinary drainage bag. The flapper valve is connected to a gas venting connector means for passage of gas between the outside and inside connector means.

Abstract: In a container defining a flexible wall, means for sealingly receiving a puncture member through the wall which comprises an insert member positioned within the container. The insert member defines an aperture for sealingly receiving the puncture member after penetration through the wall. The aperture provides flow communication between the container interior and a puncture member received in the aperture. Thus, access may be provided to a container which has no conventional tubular port carried on its exterior. Optionally, tape means may be removably adhered to the flexible wall so that removal of the tape means exposes a clean surface through which the puncture member can penetrate.

Abstract: An injection site may be made of a disc of puncture-resealable rubber in which the periphery carries a coating of thermoplastic material which is bonded to a sealingly compatible surface to retain the injection site in position. The injection site may be made by coating a rod of puncture-resealable rubber with a plastic material, followed by transversely slicing the coated rod into discs, which may then be sealed to the sealingly compatible surfaces.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus is provided for acquiring velocity information off of an internal rotating housing of an Adams-type centrifuge. The apparatus includes a bidirectional transmitter of radiant energy, such as a fiber-optic member, positioned at the axis of rotation of the exterior rotatable housing of the centrifuge. An inner end of the fiber-optic member is positioned adjacent a lower surface of the inner rotatable housing. A ring of reflective, spaced-apart, members is formed on the lower surface of the rotatable housing adjacent the end of the fiber-optic member. Radiant energy from an exterior, fixed, light source is transmitted through the fiber-optic member and is incident upon the rotating ring. Radiant energy reflected off of the reflecting members of the ring passes back through the fiber-optic member and can be sensed in an externally located, stationary optical sensor. The optical sensor generates a train of electrical pulses in response to the incident pulses of reflected radiant energy.

Abstract: A disposable container is provided that has a semi-rigid generally concave body and a collapsible panel sealing an open mouth of the semi-rigid body. An access assembly is mounted to the outside surface of the semi-rigid body. Liquid sealed within the semi-rigid body by the collapsible panel is removed through the access assembly, during which removal the collapsible panel collapses to generally conform to the generally concaved shape of the body. Space efficient assemblies of these disposable containers are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a hemodialysis technique employing a dialyzer having a blood flow compartment separated from a dialysate flow compartment by a semi-permeable membrane. According to the invention, this technique is improved by providing for the osmolarity of the dialysate to be increased as a function of time during at least a portion of the total treatment time, whereby dialysis disequilibrium syndrome problems can be alleviated.

Abstract: A method of making an electrosurgical patient electrode includes the steps of initially providing an electrode body having a recess defined therein with an electrically conductive bottom surface, and then casting a quantity of uncured hydrogel material into the recess. The gel material is sufficient in volume to fill the recess and is subsequently cured in situ.

Abstract: A specimen tray assembly for use in an automatic analyzing system for analyzing a plurality of specimen within the tray. The assembly includes a container tray having a plurality of microcuvettes arranged in a spaced apart grid-like pattern. A cover member is adapted to seat over the top surface of the container tray, the cover member including a system for automatically centering the container tray relative to the cover member to provide proper seating of the cover member on the container tray.

Abstract: A novel technique of connecting two or more pumping modules under a laminar flow hood is described. The technique includes the use of a novel manifold which is specifically designed to enhance laminar air flow across the outlet port of the manifold when connected to one of the pumping modules. The manifold includes a cylindrical housing having an axially extending outlet port, and two or more sets of radially extending inlet ports eminate from the cylindrical housing. The inlet ports of each set are closely spaced with respect to one another to minimize the length of the cylindrical housing. A common fluid channel extends substantially through the length of the cylindrical housing to connect each of the inlet ports to the single outlet port.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for attaching fitments to filled flexible containers. A series of interconnected filled flexible containers are conveyed between a pair of belt conveyors which limit lateral movement of the containers. A third conveyor urges fitments against the bottoms of the containers and the fitments are sealed to the containers.