Abstract: A fluid handling device, such as a needlefree access device, includes a housing having an inlet and an inlet channel; and a flow control member comprising a combination outlet, biasing and piston member. The flow control member includes a piston section moveable between a closed position in which the piston section is in the inlet channel and an open position in which the piston section is inside the housing below the inlet channel but allows fluid to flow through the inlet channel; a biasing section connected to the piston section that normally biases the piston section into the inlet channel; and an outlet section connected to the biasing section having an outlet fitting in fluid communication with the inside of the housing. The piston section, biasing section and outlet section are connected together such that they can be handled as one piece when assembled with the housing to make the needlefree access device.

Abstract: According to various aspects, exemplary embodiments are provided of valve apparatus and combination filter valve assemblies. One exemplary embodiment provides a combination filter valve apparatus suitable for filtering objectionable particulate matter from a fluid and for selectively occluding a fluid flow opening. In this exemplary embodiment, the apparatus generally includes an outer member, a sealing member, and filtration media disposed generally between the outer member and the sealing member. The filtration media may be configured to generally support the sealing member for resilient movement relative to a fluid flow opening between open and closed positions. In the open position, the sealing member may be spaced apart from the fluid flow opening. In the closed position, the sealing member may be in sealing engagement with and substantially blocking the fluid flow opening, thereby inhibiting the ingress of fluid into or egress of fluid out of the fluid flow opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a respiratory device with a patient is provided, including a breathing tube for insertion into a patient's trachea, an inflatable cuff positioned around the breathing tube, a connection tube connected to the cuff for providing inflating air flow thereto, a pressurized air reservoir, and a valve connected to the pressurized air reservoir and to the proximal end of the connection line. The valve includes an entry port associated with an entry differential force chamber, a first exit port associated with a first differential force chamber and coupled with the connection line, a second exit port associated with a second differential force chamber and coupled with the pressurized air reservoir, and a flexible membrane selectively sealingly separating the differential force chambers. The flexible membrane is configured to selectively connect the first and second differential force chambers to maintain a substantially constant air pressure in the cuff.

Abstract: A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage extending into an entry space at least partially defined by an annular valve seat, a second hose connector housing coupled with the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, and a generally flexible perforated membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings such that the membrane disk selectively engages the valve seat.

Abstract: A fluid handling device, such as a needlefree access device, includes a housing having an inlet and an inlet channel; and a flow control member comprising a combination outlet, biasing and piston member. The flow control member includes a piston section moveable between a closed position in which the piston section is inside the housing below the inlet channel but allows fluid to flow through the inlet channel; a biasing section connected to the piston section that normally biases the piston section into the inlet channel; and an outlet section connected to the biasing section having an outlet fitting in fluid communication with the inside of the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for the introduction of air into enteral containers (2). A valve (14) is provided in a connection member (4) connecting the enteral set with the container (2) containing the enteral liquid and controls the introduction of air corresponding to the consumption of the enteral liquid. The valve (14) may include an oleophobic filter material that covers the air inlet (16) projecting into the connection member (4). The valve (14) on the side facing the container (2) is provided with a cutting device (20) for the foil closure of aluminum or plastics closing the container (2) in its initial delivered state. The cutting device (20) may be a circular or partly circular projection (28) rising from a low side (30) to a high side (32).

Abstract: A check valve is provided, including a first hose connector housing defining an entry passage and a first valve seat, a second hose connector housing engaging the first hose connector housing and defining an exit passage, a generally flexible, perforate membrane disk positioned between the first and second hose connector housings and pretensioned against the first valve seat to selectively sealingly separate the first and second hose connector housings, and a one-way relief valve fluidly connected with the exit passage and configured to permit venting of the exit passage upon overpressurization thereof.

Abstract: A multiple retainer bridge device is provided for securing a utility member (e.g., a magnet or bracket) to posts on a housing member (e.g., a filter housing). When assembled, the utility member is staked onto the posts. A single retainer member prevents the utility member from sliding off of the posts. The retainer member has at least two ends. Each end has a recess, and each recess has a securing portion and a receptacle portion. The securing portion is fixed to the posts by, for example, sonic welding. Flash created by the fixing process is confined within the receptacle portion of the recesses.

Abstract: A filter assembly for medical and laboratory use includes a housing. The housing includes a cover comprising an inlet and a bottom part comprising an outlet. The housing also includes a plurality of spring levers distributed around the circumference of the cover. The spring levers include hook-shaped projections, the hook-shaped projections connectable with the bottom part. The filter assembly can clamp a filter membrane or media sheet between the cover and the bottom part in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: A sump filter assembly wherein a filter element that may or may not be removably disposed in a filter housing is sealingly engaged with the filter housing by way of a sealing member to separate the filter housing cavity between dirty and clean spaces. The filter element is provided with filtration material with a portion thereof embedded in the filter element, the filter element is further provided with a sealing member retaining shoulder to ensure proper placement of the sealing member in the assembly, with the sealing member being an O-ring or gasket member, among other things, and a bypass valve for cold flow of transmission fluid is optionally provided.

Abstract: A filter for filtering intravenous fluid includes a base member having one or more vent holes and a fluid inlet chamber; a cap member having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid outlet chamber; hydrophilic filtration media captured between the base member and the cap member, separating the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber; the filter having a flow path such that fluid passing into the filter housing through the inlet passes through the hydrophilic filtration media before passing out the outlet; one piece of hydrophobic vent media positioned over the vent hole and secured to the base member; and the base member having a center section and side sections forming the inlet chamber, the side sections extending from the center section towards the perimeter of the base member and being formed with sloped walls so as to encourage any air in the inlet chamber to flow towards the vent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a filter comprises the steps of assembling multiple layers of filtration material on top of one another to form an assembly; holding the assembly between an ultrasonic weld horn and a weld nest so that the assembly has a marginal area outside of an edge formed on either the nest or the weld horn; and operating the weld horn so as to cause the marginal area to be cut off from the assembly at the edge and to simultaneously seal together the layers of filtration material of the remaining assembly at the edge. A filter made by the process and an apparatus used to practice the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A filter ring includes a first filter member including a first end portion and a second filter member including a second end portion. The filter ring also includes at least one snap latch mechanism for detachably engaging the first end portion with the second end portion such that the first and second filter members cooperate to define a generally annular shape having a central opening. The first end portion includes at least one key configured to be positioned within at least one keyway defined by the second end portion for inhibiting disengagement of the snap latch mechanism when the snap latch mechanism is detachably engaging the first end portion with the second end portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a unidirectional valve appliance, in particular a low pressure check valve for use for an infusion comprising a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and with at least one gasket in a pressure chamber. To prevent air entry into the infusion fluid circuit, the appliance includes an interruption of the flow by means of a static vacuum to the inlet and/or outlet or excess pressure at the outlet. This ensures in reliable manner that a flow of the infusion fluid in a reliable manner only when a static excess pressure differential is exposed to the inlet.

Abstract: A normally open check valve, incorporating a bell-shaped check valve member, and filter assembly incorporating same, wherein the specific gravity of the bell shaped member volume as defined by the throat, and exterior wall of the bell shaped member is less than one, and the bell shaped member is disposed adjacent a valve seat in a chamber with the throat opening thereof generally facing a liquid source, among other things. The low specific gravity for the bell shaped member volume may be attained by way of example, by the bell shaped member interior capturing and retaining a gas bubble when the throat of the member is exposed to a liquid-gas interface, or by a thin member covering the throat of the bell shaped member to encapsulate a gas bubble, or by a foamed synthetic resin material in the interior of the bell shaped member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A method of making a head for a semisolid product dispenser, such as a gel deodorant dispenser, comprises the steps of: providing a piece of porous media having a desired shape with a perimeter and openings through the media in the area inside of the perimeter, compressing at least the portion of the media inside of the perimeter between two parts of a hard tool so as to crush the media, thereby reducing the size of the openings, and affixing the porous media to a head frame to form the semisolid product dispenser head. Preferably the porous media is affixed to the head frame by an insert injection molding process, and the media is crushed in the same mold tool as is used to mold the head frame.

Abstract: A normally open check valve, incorporating a bell-shaped check valve member, and filter assembly incorporating same, wherein the specific gravity of the bell shaped member volume as defined by the throat, and exterior wall of the bell shaped member is less than one, and the bell shaped member is disposed adjacent a valve seat in a chamber with the throat opening thereof generally facing a liquid source, among other things. The low specific gravity for the bell shaped member volume may be attained by way of example, by the bell shaped member interior capturing and retaining a gas bubble when the throat of the member is exposed to a liquid-gas interface, or by a thin member covering the throat of the bell shaped member to encapsulate a gas bubble, or by a foamed synthetic resin material in the interior of the bell shaped member, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A filter for filtering intravenous fluid comprises a base member having an outer perimeter, one or more vent holes and a fluid inlet chamber; a cap member having an outer perimeter, an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid outlet chamber; generally planar hydrophilic filtration media captured between the base member and the cap member, separating the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber; the perimeters of the base and cap members being sealed together to form a filter housing, and the filter having a flow path such that fluid passing into the filter housing through the inlet passes through the hydrophilic filtration media before passing out the outlet; one piece of hydrophobic vent media positioned over the at least one vent hole and secured to the base member; and the base member having a center section and side sections forming the inlet chamber, the side sections extending from the center section towards the perimeter of the base member and being formed with sloped walls so as to encourage any air in the inlet cha