Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump and a fluid container for expelling a fluid from the fluid container to a patient. The pump comprises a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A spring-actuated infusion syringe includes a housing having an open distal end, with a spring-loaded piston disposed for axial translation in the housing. The piston is biased toward the distal end of the housing. The syringe also includes a barrel for containing a liquid medicament, the barrel having a distal end having a fluid passage therethrough and an open proximal end. A plunger is disposed in the barrel for axial translation therein. The proximal end of the barrel is axially insertable into the distal end of the housing, whereby the piston enters the proximal end of the barrel and engages the plunger. In use, the barrel is filled with a medicament through the fluid flow passage, and the flow of medicament from the syringe is obstructed. The proximal end of the barrel is inserted into the distal end of the housing, whereby the piston enters the proximal end of the barrel.

Abstract: A PCA device includes a fluid conduit having an upstream portion and a downstream portion, a first flow-restricting orifice in the upstream portion, a second flow-restricting orifice in the downstream portion, a pressure-responsive check valve in the downstream portion in parallel with the second flow-restricting orifice, and a bolus dose delivery mechanism including a chamber in fluid communication between the upstream portion and the downstream portion. Continuous flow is provided through the first flow-restricting orifice, the chamber, and the second flow-restrictive orifice, the continuous flow serving to fill the chamber at a controlled rate through the first flow-restrictive orifice. The bolus dose delivery mechanism is manually actuable to express the contents of the chamber through the check valve to supplement the continuous flow through the downstream portion. The bolus dose delivery mechanism includes a resilient diaphragm that forms a sealed closure for the chamber.

Abstract: A syringe actuation device includes a housing containing a spring-biased piston that applies an actuation force to a syringe plunger inserted into the housing. A pivoting mechanism causes the piston to pivot with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing as the piston moves along that axis to actuate the plunger, whereby the axially-directed component of the force applied by the piston to the plunger remains substantially constant throughout the stroke of the piston. In one embodiment, the device comprises an internally-threaded outer sleeve having a longitudinal opening for receiving a pre-filled syringe with an extended plunger and a distal opening through which the syringe barrel extends, and an externally-threaded cylinder, containing the piston, that threads into the proximal end of the sleeve so as to bring the piston to bear against the plunger. The pivoting mechanism comprises a tapered internal diameter of the cylinder, and a sloped spring seat on the piston.

Abstract: An infusion pump for providing a pressurized liquid flow from a collapsible, deformable reservoir bag includes a magnetically actuated pressurizing member that applies a pressure to the bag in response to the force of magnetic attraction applied by a magnet. In several embodiments, a bag is seated on a platen of magnetizable metal, and a magnet with a compressing surface is mounted for movement toward and away from the platen. As the magnet is moved toward the platen by the force of magnetic attraction, the bag is pressurized between the magnet and the platen. The magnet may be spring biased either toward or away from the platen to alter the relationship between the decreasing volume of the bag and the pressure applied to it, by compensating in a known manner for the change in the magnitude of the magnetic force with the distance between the magnet and the platen.

Abstract: A syringe actuation device comprises an elastomeric element that is removably attachable to the outlet tip of a syringe, and to a grip member that allows the elastomeric element to be pulled distally along the syringe barrel to seat against the distal end of the syringe plunger. In first and second embodiments, the elastomeric element is attached between a grommet that fits around the outlet tip, and an end cap that engages the distal end of the plunger. When the grommet is seated around the outlet tip, and the end cap engages the distal end of the plunger with the plunger in its withdrawn position, the elastomeric element is stretched along the syringe, biasing the plunger toward its inserted position. As the elastomeric element restores itself to its unstretched configuration, it pushes the plunger into the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A syringe actuation device comprises an internally-threaded hollow outer sleeve with an open proximal end, and an externally-threaded hollow cylinder with a tapered internal diameter, that encloses a spring-biased piston, and that threads into the open distal end of the sleeve. The outer sleeve has a longitudinal opening parallel to its axis for receiving the fully-extended plunger of a pre-filled syringe, and a distal wall portion through which the barrel of the syringe extends. The cylinder contains a coil spring extending axially within its hollow interior, the spring having a proximal end seated against a proximal end wall of the cylinder, and a distal end attached to the proximal side of the piston. The piston is attached to the distal end of the spring so as to be pivotable from a canted orientation with respect to the cylinder's axis when the spring is compressed, to a substantially coaxial orientation with respect to the cylinder's axis when the spring is extended to a less compressed state.

Abstract: A syringe actuation device comprises an elastomeric element that is removably attachable to the outlet tip of a syringe, and to a grip member that allows the elastomeric element to be pulled along the syringe barrel, so as to seat against the distal end of the syringe plunger. In first and second embodiments, the elastomeric element is attached between a grommet, that fits around the outlet tip, and an end cap, having a finger grip, that engages the distal end of the plunger. When the grommet is seated around the outlet tip, and the end cap is engaged against the distal end of the plunger with the plunger in its withdrawn position, the elastomeric element is stretched along the syringe, thereby biasing the plunger toward its inserted position. As the elastomeric element restores itself to its unstretched configuration, it pushes the plunger into the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A binary connector intercouples a plugged drug vial and a plugged, flexible-walled diluent container so that the diluent can pass to the vial from the container only after the latter has been pressurized by squeezing. Sharp-tipped, hollow spikes with intercommunicating axial bores extend in diametrically opposite directions from a disk-shaped base, with jaws having circularly arrayed flexible arms extending in diametrically opposite directions from the base, coaxially around respective ones of the spikes. A compressible rubber plug is wedged in one of the bores. A vial is engaged to a container for liquid communication by snapping the connectors' jaws around their respective inlets, causing the connectors' hollow spikes to pierce their respective plugs. However, not until the container is squeezed is the plug expelled from the blocked bore and communication established between vial and container.

Abstract: An elastomerically-actuated syringe actuation device comprises a grommet that fits around the outlet tip of a syringe; an end cap, having a finger grip, that engages the distal end of the plunger of the syringe; and an elastomeric element that connects the grommet and the end cap. When the grommet is seated around the outlet tip, and the end cap is engaged against the distal end of the plunger with the plunger in its withdrawn position, the elastomeric element is stretched along the syringe, between the grommet and the end cap, thereby biasing the plunger toward its inserted position. As the elastomeric element restores itself to its unstretched configuration, it provides a driving force against the plunger to push the plunger into the barrel of the syringe, thereby expressing the fluid contained in the barrel out of the outlet tip.

Abstract: An injection set with a slit septum held in place in the inlet of a housing by a cap affixed to the inlet. A concave end of the septum is exposed through an aperture in the cap, and a peripheral flange portion of the septum is squeezed between the housing inlet and the cap, causing the septum's concave end to bulge and flatten, thus improving the sealing of the septum's slit. Extending through the septum slit is a drug transfer spike having a ball-shaped tip sharp enough to penetrate the diaphragm of a drug vial but not so sharp as to puncture the skin of a user.

Abstract: A drug dispenser comprising a drug vial to whose neck a hollow spike is attached for insertion into a diluent container, with a jaw around the spike grasping the inlet port of the container. A stopper seals the vial's throat, and a two-way value covers its mouth. The valve is opened, and the stopper is blown from the vial's throat by squeezing the diluent container, thereby sending diluent under pressure through the hollow spike, the open valve, and the unobstructed throat into the vial.

Abstract: A medical solution container includes a bag portion for storing solution and a header portion which incorporates an improved outlet port in communication with the bag portion for receiving and holding a spike from an administration set. The outlet port has, at a distal end from the bag portion, a generally inwardly inclined tapered annular collar which, at its widest diameter portion, joins a substantially cylindrical coaxial bore section. The cylindrical bore section has a first section with a reduced diameter which adjoins a second section having an enlarged diameter. The second section is located at an end of the outlet port proximate the bag. A pierceable diaphragm for sealing the outlet port is supported at the junction of the reduced and enlarged diameter bore sections and lies substantially in a plane which is at an angle to a normal to the insertion direction of the spike or the axial direction of the cylindrical bore. By providing the diaphragm at an angle, which is preferably between about 5.degree.

Abstract: A holder for food pouches of the type in which foods are commonly sold and stored, usually in frozen condition, and in which such foods are later cooked by microwave energy or in boiling water by consumers. The holder is formed of hard, transparent, flexible, plastic material and has a base and a pair of side walls defining an open-topped channel for receiving and retaining such a pouch. Slits formed in the side walls permit a user to squeeze end sections of such side walls together for gripping a hot food pouch as it is moved about in the kitchen and during opening of the pouch and serving of the food.

Abstract: A hanger especially adapted for supporting washed garments for rapid drying. The hanger includes a garment-supporting hoop having a central hub with a suspension hook capable of being detached and/or folded for storage and travel.

Abstract: A connector including a base and first and second tubular members projecting in generally opposite directions from the base. Each of the tubular members has a longitudinal passage therein, and the passages are communicable with each other. The base can be coupled to first and second containers to place the first and second tubular members within the first and second containers, respectively, so that communication between the containers can be established. The connector includes a plurality of pointed projections extending away from the base to accommodate certain production tolerances in the containers.

Abstract: A wallet or billfold of exceptionally thin construction having a limited number of folds, pockets, and thickness of material, yet being capable of holding both bills and credit cards in separate pockets. Access to the card pocket may be achieved without unfolding the wallet or exposing the currency carried in it.

Abstract: A medical solution container having an outlet port with a neck that includes a tapered annular collar for slidably and sealingly engaging the hollow spike of an administration set. The inner and outer surfaces of the tapered collar slope inwardly, the collar defining an opening that is smaller (when the collar is unstretched) than the reduced portion of the bore of the neck communicating with that collar, thereby helping to assure effective contact between the collar and an inserted spike.