Abstract: A releasable coupling connector apparatus for catheter applications is provided wherein the connector is partially filled wtih anti-infective solution during manufacture and capped so that a patient or medical technician does not have the task of opening the fluid pathway and introducing the anti-infective solution at point of use into the connector apparatus. The connector apparatus being partially filled with anti-infective solution and capped during manufacture is further sterilized by Gamma radiation in order to eliminate any organism resistant to the anti-infective solution. The releasable coupling connector apparatus provides the first practical double seal connector means wherein a double seal connector defining dual sterilant liquid containing chambers for use with catheter applications and particularly with CAPD whereby sterilization is assuredly and easily achieved by an impaired, unskilled patient even under adverse conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bagless continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis comprising a valve having first, second and third fluid ports. The first and second fluid ports are secured to first and second fluid containers, respectively, through tubing and respective first and second connector assemblies. The third fluid port is connected through tubing to a catheter implanted in the abdominal wall of a user, also through a connector assembly. The valve includes an actuator moveable at least between four positions, a first position in which all of the fluid ports are blocked to prevent the flow of fluid through the valve, a second position in which the second and third fluid ports are interconnected, a third position in which the first and second fluid ports are interconnected, and a fourth position in which the first and third fluid ports are interconnected.

Abstract: A semi-rigid sterilizable biomedical article for use in handling vital fluids comprising a blend of about 20-50% medical grade radiation-stabilized polypropylene by weight, the balance being a copolymer of ethylene and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of (i) vinyl esters of saturated carboxylic acids having up to 8 carbon atoms in the acid moiety, and (ii) alkyl esters of .alpha.,.beta. ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the acid moiety and from 2 to 8 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety said comonomer comprising about 1-15 mole percent of the copolymer, said article having been irradiated to a dose of ionizing radiation ranging from about 1 to 35 Mrad.

Abstract: A medical fluid flow rate controller and method for its use are disclosed. The controller is particularly suited for intravenous liquid administration and comprises three chambers in series between the intravenous liquid source and the patient. The first and second chambers are movable vertically with respect to each other and are gas phase pressure-equalized. Accordingly, the pressure differential available for flow from the first to the second chamber through the flow restrictor employed is known. Thus, the device may be precalibrated and marked with flow rates corresponding to different relative heights of the first chamber. Liquid entering the second chamber is pulled through a hydrophilic membrane into the third because the third operates at a lower pressure than the second. That configuration prevents the patient's movements from affecting the pre-set flow rate between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: An indicator/controller for dispensing medical fluids (e.g., intravenously) is disclosed. The device has vented chambers that are movable vertically with respect to one another, thin-plate orifices, capillary chambers, and membrane valves, in addition to other features. The device need be set only once to the desired flow and it will maintain that flow rate regardless of changes in temperature or the height of fluid in the supply.

Abstract: Viable fluids such as blood components are rapidly frozen in plastic or the like pouches for transportation and/or storage by placing a flat pouch slack filled with fluid between two substantially planar parallel restraining surfaces such as metal plates of greater perimeter than the flattened slack filled pouch which are rigid enough to prevent sagging of the pouch when it is vertically disposed and flexible enough to accommodate expansion of the pouch flat sides during the freezing operation. The restraining surfaces are retained against separation by retaining means applied against at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each pouch restraining means and the entire assembly is immersed in a cryogenic medium to rapidly freeze the fluid.