Abstract: The tubular unit with vessel engaging cuff structure is a unitary unit including a tube having a compressible cuff surrounding the outer surface thereof. The cuff includes a resilient, porous inner material surrounding the tube and an outer liquid impervious layer which may be bonded to or integrally formed with the inner material. The tube may include means to evacuate fluid from the cuff or, alternatively, separate means are directly connected to the cuff to accomplish such evacuation and contraction of the cuff. Vessel engaging appendages may be incorporated on the cuff.

Abstract: A closure member for pierceable access ports of flexible containers of the type adapted for effective safe storage and use of parenteral fluids and similar sterile solutions, the access port having a pierceable access closure diaphragm, wherein the closure member includes a base portion in sealed engagement over the neck of the access port on the container, with a rigidifying and strengthening portion or an insert in sealed engagement therebetween, and a free-standing portion extending from the base portion and having a sealed end, the free-standing portion being connected to the base portion by a fragible thinned material section adapted to be ruptured to permit the free-standing portion to be removed, thereby providing access to the pierceable diaphragm for insertion therethrough of a parenteral solution administration spike.

Abstract: Apparatus for selective controlled volume and rate administration of parenteral solutions, blood and the like, wherein sight and flow control problems caused by splashing and foaming of fluids having high surface tension such as blood are substantially diminished, and flow rates during different time phases of operation are optimized due to an arrangement of structure providing an increased head pressure on flow of fluid to a measuring chamber.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAdministration sets for delivery of parenteral solutions, blood and the like, have been heretofore available to the medical profession, which included volumetric chambers that allowed accurately measured volumes of solution to be administered to a patient. Volumetric sets of this type are especially essential for delivering discrete small volumes to infants and young children who could not tolerate larger, unregulated volumes of fluids. Volumetric control sets of this type are disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,216,418 and 3,216,419.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is disclosed relating to the use of a plasma receiving assembly including a container and closure cap adapted to permit aseptic handling, storage and shipment of blood plasma. One aspect of the method is to form the plasma receiving assembly by placing a plasma receiving container within an overwrap having a gas permeable bacterial filter such that the container and overwrap may be gas sterilized followed by mechanical sealing of the container while still in the overwrap. The method further provides for use of the overwrap to lessen the chances of contamination during handling and transfer of the blood plasma including the steps of forming the container in a rigid standardized cylindrical form and limiting the volume of plasma placed in each container so that the plasma may be frozen and removed automatically.

Abstract: The plasmapheresis assembly includes a novel Y connector valving structure to replace conventional tube clamps. This valving structure eliminates dead spaces for blood to collect and clot and provides a fluid tight seal during heat sterilization without causing deformation of the tubing for the assembly. Possible erroneous connection of assembly components with resultant contamination is eliminated by the use of unique mating connectors in place of spikes or needle connectors. These mating connectors are employed in a simple and efficient blood bag construction to provide substantially rigid access ports to facilitate rapid manual manipulation of the blood bags.

Abstract: A two-way ball valve including a housing having an open interior chamber or space with opposed inlet and outlet openings, apertured ball seats operatively positioned in the housing at the junctures of the inlet and outlet openings, a ball in the chamber floatingly seated between the ball seats and in liquid sealing engagement therewith, an axial flow bore through the ball, the ball being rotatably positionable to open and closed positions, and a large bore or opening in the body of the ball in the nature of a side channel intercommunicating the axial flow bore and the interior space in the housing, and with the valve in open position permitting fluid to circulate freely within the housing to flush the housing space and thereby prevent formation of contaminated dead spaces in the valve.

Abstract: A prosthesis for replacement of a damaged joint or load-bearing structure in an animal or human body comprises a shaped structural member, a relatively thick or cushioning coating of a physiologically inert elastomer over the surfaces of the structural member in load-bearing relationship with the skeletal structure of the body, and an open-pore, tissue-ingrowth-receptive fabric coating the elastomer, all elements being firmly bonded to each other. In many embodiments, a stem of the prosthesis comprising the above elements is adapted to be inserted into a bone cavity, and is eventually affixed firmly thereto by fibrous tissue and bony ingrowth. Stability of the stem portion is enhanced by buttresses integral with the base of the stem.