Abstract: A damper seal for providing a seal between a housing and a tube extending through the damper seal. The damper seal includes a body portion having an exterior surface and opposing first and second ends, the body portion defining a longitudinal axis. An interior surface in the body portion defines an opening extending through the body portion along the longitudinal axis. In addition, a plurality of conically shaped apertures extend axially into the body portion from each of the ends toward an opposing end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular housing. The housing is provided with a threaded portion for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position. The housing includes a flange extending radially inwardly over the diaphragm and defining a diameter for frictionally engaging a male luer in locking engagement. In addition, an exposed surface of the diaphragm is formed with surface texturing to define a roughened surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The valve element is formed of a resilient material having greater than that of the retainer, and has a diaphragm including a concave surface with a slit extending diametrically across the surface. The valve element is provided also with biasing means extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element into a passage in the valve element such that the biasing means act to bias the slit to a closed position. In a preferred form, the retainer has an outer wall with a maximum outer diameter of approximately 7 mm and an inner wall of the valve element has a minimum inner diameter of approximately 4 mm.

Abstract: An article is provided manufactured by an ion-beam-assisted-deposition process. The article includes a polymeric element adapted to releasably engage a contact surface. The polymeric element is provided with a surface layer bonded to a surface of the polymeric element through an ion-beam-assisted-deposition process in order to reduce the tackiness of the polymeric material.

Abstract: A non-stick treated valve including a pair of cooperating elastomeric surfaces positioned to engage each other to control fluid flow through the valve. A non-stick coating is applied to the cooperating surfaces to facilitate separation of the surfaces from each other during opening of the valve. The non-stick coating is in the form of an oily substance such as a fluid lubricant for forming a fluid film coating on the cooperating surfaces. In addition, the coating material is formed of a material which is dissimilar from the material forming the cooperating surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a damper seal which is used in sealing a tube, such as a fuel nozzle, into a housing, such as a fuel canister. The damper seal provides increased sealing capabilities as the pressure inside the housing increases and further dampens vibrations which may occur between the housing and the tube. The damper seal includes a damper portion having outer and inner longitudinally extending scallops to define outer and inner contact surfaces for the damper seal. The inner and outer scallops are circumferentially offset from each other to enhance the vibration dampening characteristics of the damper seal. In addition, inner and outer seals having a U-channel located therebetween are provided for sealing against a tube and a housing, respectively, wherein the U-channel facilitates a positive biasing of the inner and outer seals into engagement with cooperating surfaces in the presence of a fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously sterilizing and lubricating a medical coupling site prior to insertion of a male luer into the site. A fiber pad is provided containing a liquid composition including a sterilizing agent and a lubricating agent. The sterilizing and lubricating agents are preferably isopropyl alcohol and silicone oil, respectively, such that application of the lubricating agent to the medical coupling site results in the alcohol evaporating to leave behind a coating of silicone oil. The silicone oil lubricates an area on the coupling site contacted by the end of a male luer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The retainer is provided with outwardly extending lugs for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position. In addition, the valve element is formed with biasing means for engaging an inner wall of the retainer whereby the slit is further biased to a closed position.

Abstract: A system for cleaning molds within presses is disclosed wherein the system utilizes a light source including a laser to clean surfaces within the mold. The light source is aligned with an opening in the mold and light from the laser is directed onto the mold surfaces to vaporize residual material thereon to thereby clean the surfaces. The light source may be formed as a portable unit movable between different presses, or the light source may be in the form of a single laser with a plurality of light paths leading from the laser to individual presses such that light may be selectively conveyed along the light paths to clean the molds within the presses.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-whistling duckbill check valve for use in a fluid flow path for permitting relatively free flow of fluid in the path in a first direction from a first to a second end of the valve and for preventing fluid flow in the path in a second opposite direction. The check valve includes first and second lips extending in converging relationship to each other from a base portion of the valve. A vibration dampening rib is located on each of the lips wherein the ribs are configured to have a natural frequency substantially equal to the lips. The ribs vibrate out of phase with the lips such that the vibration of the lips is dampened.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site including an elastomeric valve element defined by a tubular body portion and a diaphragm extending diametrically across an end of the body portion. The diaphragm includes a slit having opposing slit ends which terminate in spaced relation to an inner wall of the body portion. First and second elastomeric stiffening ribs are formed integrally with the diaphragm and the body portion adjacent to the ends of the slit, and the stiffening ribs act to prevent the diaphragm from tearing adjacent to the slit ends and facilitate alignment of adjoining surfaces in the diaphragm defining the slit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The retainer is provided with outwardly extending lugs for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position.

Abstract: A cap is provided for resealably sealing the end of a cannula to allow the insertion and removal of a tube or surgical instrument such as a needle into the cannula. The cap includes a valve body having a plurality of radially extending lip members arranged to form a pair of intersecting duckbill valves and a sleeve is provided for mounting the cap member to the end of a cannula.

Abstract: A miniature valve is provided for use in a medical administration set wherein the valve is designed to be fit into very small areas while operating with performance characteristics comparable to those provided by larger valves. The valve is formed as a duckbill valve having very thin substantially planar lips extending in converging relationship to each other. A slit is defined by the lips at an outlet end of the valve wherein the slit is movable to an open position as the lips pivot about a pivot point located on the lips in spaced relation to the outlet end. A support structure in the form of a sleeve is provided for ensuring that the contact surfaces remain in alignment with each other during operation of the valve and to prevent the thin, delicate lips from inverting when a large back pressure force is applied and for improving the inherent sealing characteristics of duckbill valves.

Abstract: The present invention provides a medical coupling site which is adapted to be attached directly to a standard male luer lock fitting. The coupling site includes a valve element contained within a tubular retainer. The retainer is provided with outwardly extending lugs for engaging the threaded locking collar of a male luer lock whereby the male luer lock will be held in positive mechanical locking engagement with the coupling site. The valve element is provided with rib members extending inwardly from an inner wall of the valve element toward a slit formed in a diaphragm such that the rib members act to bias the slit to a closed position.

Abstract: A bi-directional vent and overpressure relief valve is disclosed including a housing enclosing a regulator member. The regulator member is biased into contact with a wall of the housing to prevent flow of gasses through the housing. A centrally located diaphragm on the regulator provides a venting function for permitting gasses to flow in either direction through the housing when predetermined minimum pressure differentials are produced across the housing. In addition, the regulator is adapted to move out of contact with the housing in the event that an overpressure condition exists in order to provide a pressure relief function permitting a high flow of gases through the housing.

Abstract: A suction metering and mixing device is disclosed for collecting body fluids such as blood and simultaneously mixing an anticoagulant therewith. The device includes a suction passage having an inlet end and an opposite end for connection to a vacuum supply. A chamber is provided for controlling the flow of anticoagulant and includes a movable passage for conveying anticoagulant into the chamber and a diaphragm dividing the chamber into first and second portions wherein the movable passage may be moved from a position spaced from the diaphragm to a use position in contact with the diaphragm to prevent flow of anticoagulant into the first chamber portion. A fluid connection is provided between the suction passage and the second chamber portion whereby a vacuum may be supplied to the second chamber portion from the suciton passage and the diaphragm is drawn away from the movable passage to allow anticoagulant to flow into the first chamber portion.

Abstract: A suction metering and mixing device is disclosed for collecting body fluids such as blood and simultaneously mixing an anticoagulant therewith. The device includes a suction passage having an inlet end and an opposite end for connection to a vacuum supply. A chamber is provided for controlling the flow of anticoagulant and includes an inlet port defining a passage for entry of anticoagulant into the chamber and a diaphragm dividing the chamber into first and second portions wherein the diaphragm is in contact with the inlet port to prevent flow of anticoagulant into the first chamber portion. A fluid connection is provided between the suction passage and the second chamber portion whereby a vacuum may be supplied to the second chamber portion from the suction passage and the diaphragm is drawn away from the inlet port to allow anticoagulant to flow into the first chamber portion.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided for permitting fluid in one direction through the valve and preventing fluid flow in an opposite direction. The valve includes a plastic valve body having inwardly extending spokes for supporting a central hub member. The hub member supports an umbrella valve regulator member formed of a resilient material. A cap member is provided for attachment to the valve body wherein the cap member extends over and surrounds the resilient umbrella valve member. The cap member includes radially extending passages whereby fluid flowing into a first end of the valve may flow through the spoke portions to open the umbrella valve and pass out of the valve through the radially extending passages.

Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for controlling fluid flow in a first direction and a second direction. The valve assembly includes a housing for enclosing a substantially circular regulator assembly which extends diametrically across the housing. The regulator assembly comprises a hub portion which is positioned centrally within the housing and connecting members which extend radially toward a rim portion which is supported by the housing. The hub portion supports a disk-shaped substantially inflexible portion of the regulator assembly which extends over the connecting members to engage the rim portion and thereby prevent fluid flow in a reverse flow direction through the regulator assembly. The connecting members of the regulator assembly are adapted to flex and allow the disk portion to move off of the rim and thereby allow fluid flow through the valve in the first direction.