Abstract: A device and method of use thereof for the drainage of fluids includes a cap, a rigid vessel and a plate-shaped top component fitted to a disposable bag. The bag with its top component is secured to a drainage aperture to form a seal with the undersurface of the plate and the rigid top component has an additional aperture fitted with a gas-permeable membrane. When a vacuum is applied, the bag opens first, followed by the creation of a vacuum inside the bag whereby the fluid is drained off via a drainage tube.

Abstract: A medication dispensing system and method utilizing a hollow ring applicator disposed on a therapist's finger for receiving medicated and non-medicated fluids, lotions and gels from a reservoir to be disposed onto a patient by manual contact by the therapist is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for irrigating a wound with wound irrigation fluid and for preventing substantial splashback of the wound irrigation fluid. The system comprises: (i) fluid delivery device for delivering wound irrigation fluid; and (ii) a flexible wound irrigation shield configured such that the shield prevents substantial splashback of the irrigation fluid upon irrigation of a wound. The shield is configured to be disposed, preferably removably, on the fluid delivery device. The flexible shield is substantially conformable to a desired wound area, enabling the practitioner to irrigate awkward, uneven, and hard to reach areas. The shield can be folded into a compact position, then opened into a larger shield. The fluid delivery device comprises (i) a fluid source for providing wound irrigation fluid; and (ii) an adaptor for transmitting fluid from the fluid source to the wound.

Abstract: A method of treating glaucoma in an eye utilizing an implant is disclosed. The implant comprises an elastomeric plate having first and second surfaces and an non-valved elastomeric drainage tube. The plate is positioned over a sclera of said eye beneath Tenon's capsule, such that a portion of the plate extends into the anterior segment of the eye. The first end of said elastomeric drainage tube is open to said second surface of said plate. The second end of said drainage tube is tunneled through the sclera and cornea and inserted into the anterior chamber of said eye. Fluid communication is provided between said anterior chamber and a scar tissue bleb which forms around said implant. Preferably, a portion of the scar tissue bleb extends into the anterior segment of the eye and a portion of the scar tissue bleb extends into the posterior segment of the eye.

Abstract: A housing is secured to an area of skin to allow suction to be applied to a local area of skin through an aperture. After formation of a suction blister, a blade is actuated to sever a suction cup thereby detaching the means for creating suction at the aperture and at the same time removing the roof of the suction blister to expose an area of dermis from which the skin's epidermis has been removed. A rotatable portion of the apparatus is then moved into a position in which a port communicates with a compartment within the rotatable portion. The compartment may contain a reservoir of fluid substance to be transdermally absorbed or may contain means for taking a sample of exudate produced at the exposed dermis. A modified apparatus has means for applying suction to the exposed dermis to enhance the rate at which exudate is formed and for handling a sample of exudate for analysis. Transdermal delivery and sampling are thereby achieved non-invasively and without the impediment of the skin's epidermis.

Abstract: A needleless injection site comprising a housing which defines an interior chamber and a central opening which communicates with the interior chamber. The housing further comprises an elongate, proximally extending dilator projection portion which defines a fluid passage. Disposed within the central opening and the interior chamber is a reseal member which has an elastically openable and closable aperture disposed therein and defines an expandable and collapsible internal reservoir. The reseal member normally resides in a first position within the housing wherein the aperture is in a closed configuration and the reservoir is collapsed. The reseal member is deformable such that the application of distally directed pressure thereto will cause the reseal member to distally advance within the housing to a second position wherein the aperture assumes an open configuration and communicates with the fluid passage and the reservoir.

Abstract: A device for taking up a fluid present on a flexible surface includes a support member and a fluid-passage member; the support member includes an opening portion having an end surface defining an abutment surface adapted to be held in abutment with the flexible surface; the fluid-passage member includes an aperture and is disposed within the opening portion of the support member; the fluid-passage member has an opening end defining an inlet, and is constructed to permit the fluid to flow thereinto by capillarity; the opening end having an end face is disposed inside with respect to the abutment surface of the support member and is positioned such that, when the abutment surface of the support member is brought into abutment with the flexible surface, only the fluid present thereon is brought into contact with the end face.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for collecting, processing, and storing blood components, such as plasma. The method involves collecting the blood component in a flexible storage bag manufactured from ethylene vinyl acetate EVA, having a composition of between about 9% and about 18% vinyl acetate by weight of total EVA co-polymer. The EVA bag is sealed, and the sample is frozen in the bag at a temperature of at least as low as -30.degree. C. to form a substantially solid pellet contained in the storage bag. The bag then is fractured and the pellet is removed in its intact, frozen form. The co-polymer bag may have an inner surface with an etched or embossed pattern of sufficient dimensions to permit removal of the plasma in a frozen state from the storage bag.

Abstract: A container for a sterile medical solution comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, and a rigid top border having a central portion and peripheral portions. At least one separation line joints the upper and lower surfaces of the container to form first and second compartments. The top border of the container includes lines of weakness in the central portion thereof to form a hinged connection between the peripheral portions of the top border so that solutions in the first and second compartments are more quickly mixed when openable connectors between the compartments are broken.

Abstract: A collection vessel (20) is connected with inlet fitting assemblies (12, 14) for receiving waste fluids. The collection vessel is connected by a valve (74) with a drain (70) for selectively draining collected fluids. A fluid inlet (84) that is connected with an exterior water source supplies water through interconnecting tubing to rinse waste residue from the collection vessel. The water flows through a housing member (200) that surrounds a tubular member (214) of the inlet assembly. The housing member is spaced by spacers (216) from the bottom surface (220) of a well (210) surrounding the tubular member such that trapped water is drained through a drain outlet (222). Powdered reagent (166, 168) is received in a cup (26) that is carried by a drawer (160) to a position above a fluid mixing reservoir (124). A mechanical actuator (172) lifts a mechanical assembly (174) which defines the reservoir, forcing a cutting blade (180) to pierce and cut open the cup.

Abstract: A container for enclosing a sterile medical solution and method for mixing the same, such as a peritoneal dialysis solution. The container comprises a first compartment comprising the major part of the solution, such as an electrolyte solution comprising NaCl, CaCl.sub.2, etc., and two separate compartments, each comprising glucose in a high concentration. The entire container is autoclaved including the solutions as separated, thereby minimizing the formation of toxic products. During preparation for use, the second compartment or the third compartment, or both, are connected to the first compartment by breaking pins in a connection tube for each compartment. Depending upon the compartments connected to the first compartment, a different concentration of glucose results. Thus, all three of the usually employed glucose concentrations may be provided in a single container.

Abstract: A system, a method and administration lines are provided for self-priming of a solution delivery system. The administration lines are arranged such that resultant forces acting on the lines create different forces applied on each lumen resulting in solution flowing in one of the lumen undergoing a higher isostatic pressure. The lumens forming the administration line may be formed from concentric tubings or formed from separate tubings extending varied lengths into the solution container. As a result, automatic priming of the administration line and the solution delivery system is provided.

Abstract: A bag for securing an irrigation syringe to an IV pole includes a first sheet of flexible material having four sides, and a second sheet of flexible material having four sides which are sealingly attached to the first sheet along three sides thereof. The unsealed side of the second sheet defines a mouth for accessing the interior of the bag. The interior region is sized for receiving the irrigation syringe therein. A flap which is sealingly attached to the first sheet at the top of the sheet extends over the mouth in such a manner that it closes the mouth of the bag to prevent airborne particulates from entering the bag, thus protecting the syringe. A slot formed in the first sheet is provided for securing the bag to an IV pole. The inner surfaces of the first and second sheets and the flap are treated with anti-microbial material for substantially inhibiting bacteria on the syringe.

Abstract: An eye medicament dispensing device utilizing a container having a chamber for storing air. The container possesses an outlet for passing the air from the container. A cup structure, connected to the container, is fitted over the eye and has an open cavity formed by a base, a wall portion extending from the base, and a terminal continuous edge portion. The terminal continuous edge portion is intended for contacting and holding open the upper and lower eyelids. The eye cup structure also is formed with an outer surface, an inner surface, and an opening or bore therebetween. The opening is positioned at the base of the eye cup and is surrounded by indicia on the inner surface of the eye cup at a selected distance from the base opening. The indicia essentially surrounds the base and may take the form of a continuous design or an interrupted design. Medicament is guided from the container through the opening in the base of the eye cup toward the eye held in the eye cup by the use of an orifice.

Abstract: An apparatus and method apply a hemostatic agent onto a tissue. The apparatus includes a tube having a first end and a second end. A lumen of the tube is tapered from the first end to the second end. A hemostatic agent source is within the tube. A plunger is included for directing the hemostatic agent from the tapered tube through an opening at the second end. The hemostatic agent can be directed from the tube through the opening of the second end onto the tissue.

Abstract: A low vacuum wound drainage system comprising a high vacuum bottle having an on/off switch to allow/prevent release of the vacuum from the bottle, and a connector for connection of a wound drainage line such that a vacuum path is provided between the bottle and the wound drainage line when the on/off switch is in the on position. The wound drainage line is adapted to be detachably connected to the vacuum bottle via the connector to apply suction at a patient end of the line and includes a regulating valve incorporated in the detachable wound drainage line, the valve acting to continuously regulate the vacuum in the line, when the line is attached to the bottle, to provide a reduced vacuum at the patient end of the line. Also a wound drainage line including a regulating valve for use with a high vacuum bottle.

Abstract: Method and systems for separating a first material, e.g., cholesterol or fat, from lymphatic fluid flowing through a duct within the body of a living being, so that the material is removed from the being's body or recirculated. The system includes a filter for separating that material, and an elongated conduit implanted within the vascular system and having a distal end in fluid communication with the duct and a proximal end in fluid communication with the filter. An implantable pump may be provided to enhance the operation of the system.

Abstract: A connector device is disclosed for establishing fluid communication between a diluent container having sidewalls and a drug vial. The connector has a piercing member having a first end and a second end and a central fluid pathway. The piercing member is mounted to the liquid container and has fluid accessing portions hermetically sealed from an outside environment. A vial receiving chamber is associated with the piercing member and is dimensioned to connect to the vial. The vial may be selectively attached to the device without piercing the closure of the vial and without breaching the hermetic seal of the fluid accessing portions of the piercing member. Means are provided for connecting the vial receiving chamber to the liquid container.

Abstract: A system for non-invasively withdrawing and monitoring bodily fluids from the skin of a user is provided. The system apparatus includes a portable hand-held housing (16) having an internal chamber (9). Fluid displacement mechanism (1) is removably coupled to the housing (16) for directing the fluid from the skin into the internal chamber (9). The fluid displacement mechanism (1) has a first end (20) adapted to be located on an outer surface of the skin and an opposing second end (21) located internal the housing (16). Vacuum pump (10) in the housing (16) non-invasively extracts the fluid from the skin and draws the extracted fluid into the internal chamber (9) through the fluid displacement mechanism (1). A monitoring mechanism within the internal chamber (9) monitors the fluid drawn into the chamber (9).

Abstract: The present invention provides a septum for sealing an end of a medical connector. The connector has an end to attach to a closure of a container, the closure of the container having a target site, the connector further having a piercing member therein for piercing the target site of the closure. The septum comprises a disk having opposing first and second surfaces, a sheath extending axially from the first surface of the disk, and an annular ridge extending from the second surface of the disk, the annular ridge having a flared distal end, the distal end being dimensioned to form a fluid tight seal with the target area of the closure.