Abstract: A medical valve includes a housing having an interior forming an inlet and an outlet. A longitudinally movable member is secured within the interior of the housing. External to the movable member and within the interior is a fluid path. Movement of the movable member controls fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet via the fluid path. The outlet produces no greater than a negligible drawback or positive push during withdrawal of a nozzle.

Abstract: A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and a rotating member with a member channel. The rotating member is rotatable to cause the valve to transition from the closed mode to the open mode after insertion of a medical implement into the inlet. The member channel fluidly communicates the inlet and the outlet when in the open mode. The medical valve also has a resilient member biasing the rotating member toward the closed mode. The rotating member slides along the resilient member when rotating between the open mode and closed mode.

Abstract: Light transmission devices, such as lenses and windows for portable electronic devices, are produced using an injection/compression molding technique in which a light transmission device mold includes an integral runner in substantially the same plane and with substantially the same wall thickness as the light transmission device to be produced. The finished light transmission devices are mechanically separated from the molded product. Molding equipment and processes traditionally used to produce information discs can be leveraged to produce light transmission devices. Various processes can be performed to add metallization, coatings, and printing to the light transmission devices.

Abstract: A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: A medical valve has an interior flow path having a volume that is substantially the same when in either the closed mode (when the valve is closed) or the open mode (when the valve is open). To those ends, the medical valve has a housing forming an interior, and a valve mechanism (within the interior) having a substantially rigid translating member with a bore. The interior of the housing has a flow path that includes at least a portion of the bore of the translating member. As noted above, the open mode volume is substantially equal to the closed mode volume.

Abstract: A device includes an elastomer component that has a molecular scaffold. The molecular scaffold defines interstitial spaces. The component is impregnated with a vegetable oil carrying a fatty acid amide to impart a lubrication to the component and thereby impart a resistance to adhering to a surface of the component. In an illustrative device, a valve includes an elastomeric member that includes a vegetable oil and a fatty acid amide. A method for manufacturing such a device and a precursor for use in manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A portable fixture for supporting a vacuum filtration device includes a cradle portion and a clamping portion. The cradle portion supports the vacuum filtration device. The clamping portion removeably attaches the portable fixture to a support in order to secure and support the filtration device above a workspace. The portable fixture may also provide a vacuum to the filtration device. To that end, the portable fixture may have a vacuum inlet port which may be connected to a vacuum source and a vacuum outlet port that is fluidly connected to the vacuum inlet port.

Abstract: A method of removing a filtrate storage bottle from a water bath includes inserting at least two finger underneath a radially protruding lip of a filtrate storage bottle sealing cap and raising the at least two fingers to lift the bottle from the water bath. A side wall portion of the filtrate storage bottle sealing cap is smaller in perimeter than a circle surrounding the radially protruding lip. The cap creates a liquid tight seal with the filtrate storage bottle.

Abstract: Liquid filter assemblies including an upper sample reservoir, a sample filter and a lower storage bottle are supported by a vacuum base. The base has a vacuum inlet port and, for connection to the liquid filter assembly, a vacuum outlet port. A vacuum is provided through the base to below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. The base may include an auxiliary vacuum outlet port for connection with additional devices. The bases may be connected from one to another through auxiliary vacuum outlets and the vacuum inlets to make a chain of liquid filter assemblies supplied from one vacuum source. Alternatively, one base may include multiple vacuum outlet ports so that it may support and supply vacuum to a plurality of liquid filter assemblies.

Abstract: A flow diverter, vacuum control and tilting of the liquid filtering system are used alternatively or in conjunction to reduce foam production in a filtered liquid sample. A liquid filtering system includes an upper sample reservoir, a filter and a lower storage bottle. A vacuum is applied below the sample filter to draw sample liquid through the sample filter into the storage bottle. A flow diverter may be used to direct flow of the filtered liquid sample onto a sidewall of the storage bottle or guide flow to a bottom of the storage bottle. The vacuum may be regulated to reduce foaming. The liquid filtering system may be tilted to direct fluid to the sidewall of the lower storage bottle and reduce foaming.

Abstract: A medical valve has a resilient member that is forcibly expanded to an expanded volume from a normal volume. Specifically, the valve operates in a closed mode that prevents fluid flow, and an open mode that permits fluid flow. To these ends, the valve has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and the noted resilient member within the housing. The resilient member and housing form a fluid channel between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel at least in part extends through the resilient member. The fluid channel has a given portion formed by a variable volume portion of the resilient member. The variable volume portion has a normal volume when in the closed mode, and an expanded volume when the open mode. The expanded volume is greater than the normal volume.

Abstract: A medical valve has a resilient member that is forcibly expanded to an expanded volume from a normal volume. Specifically, the valve operates in a closed mode that prevents fluid flow, and an open mode that permits fluid flow. To these ends, the valve has a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and the noted resilient member within the housing. The resilient member and housing form a fluid channel between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel at least in part extends through the resilient member. The fluid channel has a given portion formed by a variable volume portion of the resilient member. The variable volume portion has a normal volume when in the closed mode, and an expanded volume when the open mode. The expanded volume is greater than the normal volume.

Abstract: A medical valve having an open mode to permit fluid flow and a closed mode to prevent fluid flow has a body and a valving element within the interior of the body. The body also has a valving element within its interior, and a proximal port and a distal port. The valving element controls fluid flow between the proximal and distal ports. Moreover, the valving element includes a resilient member and a plug. The resilient member forms a variable sized fluid chamber within the interior of the body, while the plug cooperates with the gland to provide an internal seal (within the interior of the body) that is spaced from the proximal port. The plug is capable of radially expanding the resilient member when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The fluid chamber has a larger volume when in the open mode than when in the closed mode.

Abstract: A medical valve transitions between an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. To that end, the valve has a housing with an inlet and an outlet, and actuator moveable distally within the housing. The medical valve also has a resilient member with an aperture. The distal movement of the actuator opens the aperture within the resilient member, thereby transitioning the medical valve from the open to the closed mode.

Abstract: A normally closed valve that may be opened upon insertion of a nozzle permits two-way flow when opened by a luer-taper nozzle. The valve also is able to resist large back pressures. The valve includes a substantially rigid housing that defines a passageway having an inlet section and an outlet section. The housing has an exterior inlet face to which the inlet section opens. The inlet section preferably has tapered and expanding zones. The tapered zone is adjacent to the exterior inlet face and is shaped to receive the nozzle. The expanding zone is adjacent to the tapered zone and has a larger inner diameter than the tapered zone's inner diameter. The exterior of the inlet section of the housing may have threads to accept luer-lock threads that may surround the nozzle.

Abstract: A medical valve has a translating member that enlarges the volume of the interior of the valve when the valve is in an open mode (permitting fluid flow), and decreases the volume of the interior when the valve is in a closed mode (preventing fluid flow). This varying volume should substantially eliminate drawback into the valve. To that end, the valve includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel includes a variable volume region. The valve further includes the above noted translating member, which is secured to the housing and at least partly bounds the variable volume region. The translating member has at least a portion that moves distally when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The distal movement of the translating member enlarges the volume on the variable volume region.

Abstract: A medical valve has a first housing portion and a second housing portion capable of mating with the first housing portion to form an interior. The medical valve also has a valving element within the interior. The first and second housing portions have mating longitudinal snap-fit structures for longitudinally mating the first housing portion to the second housing portion. The first and second housing portions also have mating rotational snap-fit structures for substantially preventing the first housing portion from rotating relative to the second housing portion when the longitudinal snap fit structures are mated.

Abstract: A medical valve for valving fluid includes a housing defining a chamber having an inlet, an outlet, and an interior wall, a compressible member within the chamber, and a fluid channel defined by the interior wall. The fluid channel directs fluid received from the inlet toward the outlet.

Abstract: A medical valve has an open mode that permits fluid flow, and a closed mode that prevents fluid flow. Among other things, the medical valve includes a housing forming an interior having a fluid chamber, and a valve mechanism within the interior. The valve mechanism has a movable member that includes a needle (e.g., a hypetube). The needle may extend into the fluid chamber when the valve is in the open mode.

Abstract: A medical valve has a translating member that enlarges the volume of the interior of the valve when the valve is in an open mode (permitting fluid flow), and decreases the volume of the interior when the valve is in a closed mode (preventing fluid flow). This varying volume should substantially eliminate drawback into the valve. To that end, the valve includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a fluid channel extending between the inlet and the outlet. The fluid channel includes a variable volume region. The valve further includes the above noted translating member, which is secured to the housing and at least partly bounds the variable volume region. The translating member has at least a portion that moves distally when the valve transitions from the closed mode to the open mode. The distal movement of the translating member enlarges the volume on the variable volume region.