Abstract: Lubricant composition formulations comprising at least one biodegradable plastic, such as polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polybutylene succinate, and at least one lubricant, such as a vegetable oil.

Abstract: Lubricant composition formulations comprising at least one biodegradable plastic, such as polyhydroxyalkanoate and/or polybutylene succinate, and at least one lubricant, such as a vegetable oil.

Abstract: A cushioning device for a body support such as a mattress, seat, sofa, or the like where support is obtained from a fluid. The cushioning device is self-inflating, self-adjusting, and provides a low interface pressure under the entire contact surface of a patient. Shear force scraping damage is prevented by a sleeve apparatus. A support system apparatus provides separately adjustable pressure support zones. For physical therapy, an alternating pressure system provides alternating lifting and lowering pressure zones under a patient.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispensing apparatus for use with a precision-controlled fluid placement device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reservoir fillable through a circular port closeable by a removable cap. The reservoir is adapted to receive a plunger and communicates with a first check valve to provide compressed air to dispense fluid from the reservoir through a discharge channel into the fluid placement device. A control is provided on the fluid placement device to regulate the flow of the liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a vacuum chuck for retaining a planar workpiece. The chuck comprises a support member (1) providing a planar surface (2) for supporting a workpiece (3). Passages (4a, 4b), extend through the support member (1) from said planar surface (2) thereof, said passages each being connected to a source of vacuum at a particular pressure. Valves (5, 5a), are provided for closing each said passage (4a, 4b), when the passage is subjected to both atomspheric pressure and said vacuum pressure simultaneously, said valves (5, 5a) remaining open when subjected to either atmospheric pressure or said vacuum pressure alone. By this arrangement the workpiece (3) can be cut or apertured without interfering with the vacuum pressure acting on the workpiece (3).

Abstract: A pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly of the kind comprising an open-top vial covered by a cap with a depending peripheral skirt, the inner surface of the cap skirt and the outer surface of the vial having complementary mating interlock elements that preclude manual removal of the cap, the cap including an integral tear member, defined by one or more weakened junction lines, such that pulling away the tear member allows ready manual removal of the cap; the cap top includes a fill hole that for filling the vial with the cap in place, and the fill hole is closed, after filling, by a resilient stopper having a configuration effectively precluding manual removal, so that post-filling tampering and contamination are precluded. The stopper is preferably molded together with the cap, being connected to the cap by an integral strap.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical vial and cap assembly of the kind comprising an open-top vial covered by a cap with a depending peripheral skirt, the inner surface of the cap skirt and the outer surface of the vial having complementary mating interlock elements that preclude manual removal of the cap, the cap including an integral tear member, defined by one or more weakened junction lines, such that pulling away the tear member allows ready manual removal of the cap; the cap top includes a fill hole that for filling the vial with the cap in place, and the fill hole is closed, after filling, by a resilient stopper having a configuration effectively precluding manual removal, so that post-filling tampering and contamination are precluded. The stopper is preferably molded together with the cap, being connected to the cap by an integral strap.

Abstract: A closure for a unit dose vial for oral administration of medication, comprising an elastomer stopper which seals the vial and affords a rim covering the lip of the vial, and a metal sealing ring crimped onto the vial, covering the stopper rim but exposing a self-venting self-sealing linear slit valve in the stopper, the sealing ring including an integral release tab allowing quick, convenient removal of both the ring and the stopper for oral administration of the vial contents.

Abstract: A blood sampling and culturing kit for use with blood culture bottles containing a culture media under vacuum and evacuated specimen tubes. The kit includes a sterile blood collector tube assembly for transferring a blood sample from a patient into the blood culture bottles and evacuated specimen tubes; the tube assembly comprises a venipuncture needle having first and second cannulas projecting in opposite directions from a first hub and a bottle connection needle including first and second cannulas projecting in opposite directions from a second hub, with a valve in the second hub that is opened and closed by movement of one cannula. A flexible plastic tube receives the second cannula of each needle, completing a sealed passage between the needles. The kit also includes two vent control devices; each device includes a tubular housing having a central bore open at its opposite ends.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for elongated, flanged syringe dispensers such as hypodermic syringes, oral syringes, and nebulizer injectors of the back-fill type; the dispensers are arranged in a row with the flanges aligned and an elongated plastic connector grips the flanges on each side of the row of dispensers, each connector having a pair of resilient fingers which engage opposite surfaces of the flanges in tightly clamping relationship. The fingers of each connector are formed integrally with a connecting rib, preferably as a plastic extrusion; the tips of the fingers are spaced from each other, before installation on the flanges, a distance less than the thickness of the flanges. The connected row of syringe dispensers is covered by a sealed film to protect them against contamination. The row package may be supported on an open rack for filling dispensers without disturbing the package.

Abstract: A valving mechanism for an automatic filling machine for transferring liquid pre-measured doses to receptacles such as oral dispensers, nebulizer injectors, vials and hypodermic syringes. The automatic filling machine includes a piston type pump which is connected to a supply reservoir for the liquid and to an individual receptacle to be filled by flexible, compressible tubing. Alternately energized alternating current solenoids reciprocate a pivotally mounted lever which alternately closes one of the flexible tubes and opens the other to permit the piston pump to draw liquid from the reservoir and pump it to the receptacle. The valving mechanism includes two adjustable screws, one for each flexible tubing, to pre-compress each tube. Over-compression of the tubes is precluded by an audible warning afforded by the solenoids themselves.

Abstract: A dual-ingredient dispenser for medication and other applications, comprising two syringes joined by a releasable connecting sleeve; one syringe, used for mixing and dispensing the medication, comprises a housing with inlet and outlet valve-seal members at its opposite ends, containing a first medication ingredient in a mixing chamber between the valve-seal members, with the inlet valve-seal member being actuatable from closed to open condition by a fill needle; the other syringe is a carrier syringe filled with a second medication ingredient and equipped with a fill needle held in alignment with the inlet valve-seal member of the first syringe.

Abstract: A syringe-type dispenser for medication and like applications, comprising a housing with a piston and an outlet seal at its opposite ends, containing a liquid medication or other liquid subject to deterioration from exposure to actinic light; the syringe housing is clear and transparent (preferably clear glass) but is covered with a thin resin film which inhibits the transmission of actinic light while passing other light in the visible spectrum. At least part of the protective film is readily removable to afford improved inspection of the syringe contents at the time of dispensation.