Abstract: Devices and methods for testing the brake system of a vehicle. Embodiments of the invention generally include an extendable rod that is adapted for removable installation between the steering wheel and brake pedal of a vehicle whose brake system is to be tested. Manual depression of the brake pedal with the device in place causes an extension of the extendable rod, the magnitude of which is measured by an associated sensor as brake pedal travel. A force sensor is provided to detect the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by a user's foot during testing. A controller receives signals from the sensors and determines whether the brake system passes the test. The controller may be coupled to an on-board diagnostics connector of the vehicle to receive and analyze other vehicle data, and to read the VIN of the vehicle.

Abstract: Devices and methods for testing the brake system of a vehicle. Embodiments of the invention generally include an extendable rod that is adapted for removable installation between the steering wheel and brake pedal of a vehicle whose brake system is to be tested. Manual depression of the brake pedal with the device in place causes an extension of the extendable rod, the magnitude of which is measured by an associated sensor as brake pedal travel. A force sensor is provided to detect the amount of force applied to the brake pedal by a user's foot during testing. A controller receives signals from the sensors and determines whether the brake system passes the test. The controller may be coupled to an on-board diagnostics connector of the vehicle to receive and analyze other vehicle data, and to read the VIN of the vehicle.

Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.

Abstract: The present invention provides a receptacle (30) for a therapeutic fluid susceptible to deterioration on exposure to a gas such as oxygen or carbon dioxide. The receptacle (30) has walls of sheet material each including at least one layer forming a barrier essentially impermeable to such gas, and a seal sealing the walls together in a region thereof. A transfer tube (40) is sealed in the seal having a proximal end in the receptacle (30), a distal end accessible from outside the receptacle (30), a flow passage (56) extending between said proximal and distal ends, and a closure (54) blocking flow through the flow passage (56) adapted to be pierced by a tubular needle for transfer of therapeutic through the needle. The transfer tube (40) and closure (54) are essentially impermeable to said gas.

Abstract: A method for mixing a solution includes positioning a collapsible container within a chamber of a substantially rigid tank. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container. Two or more components are fed into the compartment of the container. At least one of the components is a liquid. The mixer is raised and lowered within the compartment of the container so as to mix the components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a receptacle for a therapeutic fluid susceptible to deterioration on exposure to a gas such as oxygen or carbon dioxide. The receptacle has walls of sheet material each including at least one layer forming a barrier essentially impermeable to such gas, and a seal sealing the walls together in a region thereof. A transfer tube is sealed in the seal having a proximal end in the receptacle, a distal end accessible from outside the receptacle, a flow passage extending between said proximal and distal ends, and a closure blocking flow through the flow passage adapted to be pierced by a tubular needle for transfer of therapeutic through the needle. The transfer tube and closure are essentially impermeable to said gas.

Abstract: A mixing tank assembly includes a side wall having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber. A floor is disposed within or at the base of the chamber. The floor can be either fixed to the side wall or movably disposed within the chamber thereof. A collapsible container is disposed within the chamber so as to rest on the floor. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container.

Abstract: The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components 10, 12 having at least one terminal end 14 each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components 10, 12 together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field 60. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument 54, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends 14 of the multiple components 10, 12 remain within the sterile field sphere 60 until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards.

Abstract: A mixing system includes a flexible mixing bag having an interior surface bounding a compartment, the compartment being adapted to hold a liquid solution. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the mixing bag. A shaft has a first end and an opposing second end. The first end of the shaft is connected to the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag. The second end of the shaft is disposed outside of the compartment. A seal is formed between the mixing bag and the shaft or the mixer to enable the shaft to raise and lower the mixer within the compartment of the mixing bag while preventing leaking of the liquid solution.

Abstract: A method for mixing a solution includes positioning a collapsible container within a chamber of a substantially rigid tank. The collapsible container bounds a compartment. A mixer is disposed within the compartment of the container. Two or more components are fed into the compartment of the container. At least one of the components is a liquid. The mixer is raised and lowered within the compartment of the container so as to mix the components.

Abstract: A container (10) having a plurality of panels (12-18) joined together to form a sleeve (64). The panels (12-18) each have an end edge that cooperate to define an imaginary plane (P) at one end of the sleeve (64). The container (10) further has an end panel (20,22) connected to the panels (12-18) at the one end of the sleeve (64). The end panel (20,22) has at least one portion extending beyond the imaginary plane (P). The supporting box (100) is provided to support the container (10). A hanger system (150) is provided and is attached to the box (100). The hanger system (150) supports an upper portion of the container (10) within the box (100). The container (10) is also provided with a port closure (300) that provides both a sterile and gas permeable barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple layer structure (10) for fabricating medical products. The layer structure (10) has a core layer (14) of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent, a solution contact layer of a polyolefin positioned on a first side of the core layer, an outer layer (12) positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer (16), the outer layer (12) being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters and polyolefins; two tie layers (18)—one of each adhered to the first and second sides of the core layer (14) and positioned between the solution contact layer (16) and the core layer (14) and between the outer layer (12) and the core layer (14), and wherein the structure (10) is produced in a cast coextrusion process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple layer structure for fabricating medical products. The layer structure has a core layer of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content of about 25-45 mole percent, a solution contact layer of a polyolefin positioned on a first side of the core layer, an outer layer positioned on a second side of the core layer opposite the solution contact layer, the outer layer being selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyesters and polyolefins; two tie layers--one of each adhered to the first and second sides of the core layer and positioned between the solution contact layer and the core layer and between the outer layer and the core layer, and wherein the structure is produced in a cast coextrusion process.

Abstract: A container is disclosed comprising a first sidewall having a first layer and a second layer. The second layer overlaps a portion of the first layer to define an overlap area. A sealing flange extends from the first layer outward of the overlap area. A second sidewall is connected to the first sidewall along the sealing flange to define an inner chamber therebetween. The second sidewall and the sealing flange define a first layered structure having a first number of layers along the sealing flange. The overlap area and the second sidewall define a second layered structure having a second number of layers. The second number of layers is greater than the first number of layers. The container is sealed by positioning peripheral edges of the first and second sidewalls into registration so that the overlap area is substantially centrally disposed over the second sidewall and applying sealing energy to the first number of layers to define a peripheral seam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for connecting rounded members between planar members comprising the steps of providing a rounded member having an outer layer having a first melting temperature range and an inner layer concentrically disposed within the outer layer and having a second melting temperature range, the second melting temperature range being warmer than the first melting temperature range, providing a pair of opposed planar members, the planar members each having a melting temperature within the first melting temperature range, positioning an end portion of the rounded member between perimeter edges of the pair of planar members to define an interface area, applying pressure to the interface area to collapse the end portion of the rounded member to essentially a flattened position, applying sealing energy to the interface area to heat the rounded member to a temperature within the first melting temperature range but below the second melting temperature range, thereby forming a weld between

Abstract: A toy balloon has an inflation valve secured thereon to selectively fill a chamber of the balloon with a fluid, such as helium. The valve comprises a stem defining a filling passage therethrough for communicating a pressurized fluid source with the inflatable chamber of the balloon and an elastomeric plug reciprocally mounted in the passage for movement in a first direction towards the chamber to openly communicate the passage with the chamber to permit filling thereof and for further movement in a second, opposite direction away from the chamber to seal the passage to prevent escape of the fluid from the balloon. The inner surface of the stem and/or the outer surface of the elastomeric plug may be suitably sized and tapered to permit the sleeve to compress the plug for sealing purposes when it is moved in its second closing direction. An annular bead may be formed internally on the sleeve to compress the plug to form an annular static seal between the sleeve and the plug.