Abstract: A method of radio frequency (RF) welding of a flexible PVC sheet to a rigid copolyester carrier by holding a flexible PVC sheet and a rigid copolymer carrier together between heated RF dies. A predetermined temperature differential is maintained between the RF dies, with the flexible sheet side at a higher temperature than the rigid carrier side and adjusted so that a weld plane is established along the interface between the PVC and the copolyester. An RF weld signal is passed through the first and second RF dies and the PVC and copolyester therebetween, so that the flexible PVC sheet and the copolyester rigid carrier partially melt and become welded together at the weld plane.

Abstract: A linear peristaltic pump of the type for removable engagement of a portion of a flexible tubing and having a plurality of sequentially actuated pumping elements which act along the engaged portion of the flexible tubing, with the pumping elements reciprocated in a first direction to collapse adjacent segments of the tubing and then in a second direction to release the adjacent segments of the tubing, each pumping element reciprocated in a sequence so that fluid in the flexible tubing is moved along the engaged portion of the tubing. The linear peristaltic pump further comprises a plurality of reshaping fingers, with each of the reshaping fingers interposed adjacent to one of the pumping elements in sequence along the engaged portion of the flexible tubing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the treatment of an impaired human immune response or to reduction of the severity of degradation of the human immune response by the administration of arginine or ornithine, or a functional analog of arginine or ornithine, or mixtures thereof, to humans suffering from an impaired immune response or at risk of suffering an impaired immune response. Such treatment is provided by enterally administering compositions supplemented with arginine or ornithine, or functional analogs of arginine or ornithine, or parenterally administering amino acid solutions supplemented with arginine or ornithine, or functional analogs of arginine or ornithine, to the patient.

Abstract: A fluid infusion pump includes a disposable cassette having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet. There is a fixed wall of the fluid chamber and a movable wall of the fluid chamber. A pump body receives the cassette in a fixed operating relationship such that an actuator in the pump body is activatable for reciprocal advancement and retraction with respect to the cassette and is adapted to confront the movable diaphragm when the cassette is received in the pump body. There is a detachable coupling between the actuator mounted in the pump body and the movable wall so that fluid is expelled from the fluid chamber on advancement of the actuator and positively drawn into the fluid chamber upon retraction of the actuator.

Abstract: A binary connector intercouples a plugged drug vial and a plugged, flexible-walled diluent container so that the diluent can pass to the vial from the container only after the latter has been pressurized by squeezing. Sharp-tipped, hollow spikes with intercommunicating axial bores extend in diametrically opposite directions from a disk-shaped base, with jaws having circularly arrayed flexible arms extending in diametrically opposite directions from the base, coaxially around respective ones of the spikes. A compressible rubber plug is wedged in one of the bores. A vial is engaged to a container for liquid communication by snapping the connectors' jaws around their respective inlets, causing the connectors' hollow spikes to pierce their respective plugs. However, not until the container is squeezed is the plug expelled from the blocked bore and communication established between vial and container.

Abstract: A flexible, sterile container is provided for sterile storing and mixing of medicaments and liquids which includes a shell with at least one compartment. At least one sterile liquid-containing pouch is in one of the compartments, and a medicament is in the compartment with the pouch or is in a different compartment. The liquid and medicament are mixed together by squeezing the shell and pouch to rupture the pouch to release the liquid for mixing with the medicament just prior to dispensing the mixture.

Abstract: A flow limiter mechanism for use with an infusion pump of the type operating upon a disposable cassette held by the infusion pump and having a flow tube connected to the cassette. The flow limiter includes a receiving channel located on the infusion pump adjacent to the disposable cassette held by the infusion pump. A tube pincher is operatively associated with the receiving channel to pinch the flow tube in a clamped position and mechanically retractable to an unclamped position to allow the flow tube to open. Electrical controls are connected for selectably operating the tube pincher from the clamped closed position to the unclamped opened position while the disposable cassette is held by the infusion pump. A flow clip is attached to the flow tube and is manually operable between opened and closed clipping positions prior to inserting the disposable cassette into the infusion pump.

Abstract: A fluid infusion pump includes a disposable cassette having an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid chamber between the inlet and the outlet. There is a fixed wall of the fluid chamber and a movable wall of the fluid chamber. A pump body receives the cassette in a fixed operating relationship such that an actuator in the pump body is activatable for reciprocal advancement and retraction with respect to the cassette and is adapted to confront the movable diaphragm when the cassette is received in the pump body. There is a detachable coupling between the actuator mounted in the pump body and the movable wall so that fluid is expelled from the fluid chamber on advancement of the actuator and positively drawn into the fluid chamber upon retraction of the actuator.

Abstract: An injection set with a slit septum held in place in the inlet of a housing by a cap affixed to the inlet. A concave end of the septum is exposed through an aperture in the cap, and a peripheral flange portion of the septum is squeezed between the housing inlet and the cap, causing the septum's concave end to bulge and flatten, thus improving the sealing of the septum's slit. Extending through the septum slit is a drug transfer spike having a ball-shaped tip sharp enough to penetrate the diaphragm of a drug vial but not so sharp as to puncture the skin of a user.

Abstract: A flexible container is provided for the storage and mixing together of diluents and medicaments. The container incorporates multiple compartments, separated by frangible seals, in which the diluents and medicaments are stored. The seals are ruptured by manipulation of the container to thereby mix the contents together for delivery through a standard IV arrangement to a patient.

Abstract: A quick attach/release pole clamp is mounted on the side of a medical instrument case. A stationary clamp member is secured to the case and a movable clamp member slides in a slot oriented at a slight acute angle to the vertical, so that it moves toward and away from the stationary clamp member as it moves up and down the slot. A spring biases the movable clamp member toward the top of the slot so that the clamp is moved to the closed position. The user may support the instrument case in two hands while depressing the sliding clamp member to permit the clamp members to be positioned around a pole. When the pressure is released, the spring causes the clamp to close on the pole. A camming lever permits the user to provide positive latching of the clamp member from movement, and to engage an anti-rotation element with the pole. An interlock prohibits activation of the camming lever while the movable clamp member is being depressed.

Abstract: A medical solution container includes a bag portion for storing solution and a header portion which incorporates an improved outlet port in communication with the bag portion for receiving and holding a spike from an administration set. The outlet port has, at a distal end from the bag portion, a generally inwardly inclined tapered annular collar which, at its widest diameter portion, joins a substantially cylindrical coaxial bore section. The cylindrical bore section has a first section with a reduced diameter which adjoins a second section having an enlarged diameter. The second section is located at an end of the outlet port proximate the bag. A pierceable diaphragm for sealing the outlet port is supported at the junction of the reduced and enlarged diameter bore sections and lies substantially in a plane which is at an angle to a normal to the insertion direction of the spike or the axial direction of the cylindrical bore. By providing the diaphragm at an angle, which is preferably between about 5.degree.