Abstract: A bone marrow biopsy needle assembly includes an elongated tubular cannula having an axially extending lumen therethrough, and a cannula handle attached to the proximal end of the cannula, the cannula handle extending transversely to the axis of the cannula and having a cavity aligned with and open to the proximal end of the cannula. The handle is provided with a cover connected to the cannula by means of a living hinge. A stylet having a knob affixed to its proximal end which knob is sized to fit within the cavity with the stylet slidably received within the cannula lumen. The cavity is provided with projections that engage the knob to prevent relative rotation between the stylet and the cannula. A guide is provided to facilitate insertion of a stylet into the cannula for sample removal.

Abstract: A precise fluid flow meter fabricated by micromachining techniques measures a wide range of fluid flow rates. Two serial portions of an enclosed channel have different cross-sectional areas, and therefore different flow velocities. The fluid carries the thermal pulse through the flow channel to two sensor elements spaced apart along the channel downstream from the heating element. The transit time of the thermal pulse between the two sensor elements measures the fluid flow velocity.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow control system well suited for use in intravenous fluid delivery systems comprising a flow restrictor wafer having one or more flow limiting flow restrictor paths formed thereon. The system provides fixed flow rate control. The system also provides means for selectively orienting at least two flow restrictor paths relative to the main fluid passage to varying the flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus (60) and system (20) are disclosed for the patient-controlled delivery of an analgesic or other beneficial agent 142, while preventing administration of a toxic quantity of the beneficial agent. The invention permits delivery of fractional doses to a patient in quantities which are directly proportional to the time period since the last dose or fraction thereof was delivered to the patient. In the preferred embodiments the apparatus includes a housing (58) including a casing (88) and a back plate (86), the housing containing a control switch (84) for opening and closing downstream conduit (62) and for depressing a floating plate (100) that thereby compresses a dose reservoir (90) with the beneficial agent (142) therein. A spring (124) biases the control switch (84).

Abstract: The invention provides a flow control system well suited for use in intravenous fluid delivery systems comprising a flow restrictor wafer having one or more flow limiting flow restrictor paths formed thereon. The system provides fixed flow rate control. The system also provides means for selectively orienting at least two flow restrictor paths relative to the main fluid passage to varying the flow rate.

Abstract: The invention provides a flow control system well suited for use in intravenous fluid delivery systems comprising a flow restrictor wafer having one or more flow limiting flow restrictor paths formed thereon. The system provides fixed flow rate control. The system also provides means for selectively orienting at least two flow restrictor paths relative to the main fluid passage to varying the flow rate.

Abstract: The present invention provides both a continuous dose and a bolus dose of fluid or beneficial agent to a patient. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with a continuous flow path for providing the patient with a continuous source of the beneficial agent. The source of beneficial agent is also connected to a bolus dose apparatus which provides patient control of a bolus dose of the beneficial agent, up to a preselected maximum.

Abstract: An infusor (10) is disclosed for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined flow rate. The infusor (10) includes a housing (12) containing an elastomeric bladder (16) for receiving the liquid under pressure. The liquid is delivered from the bladder to a patient through tubing (36). A non-adjustable, preselected flow regulator (38) includes a capillary bore (48). The flow regulator (38) is disposed at the distal end of the tubing (36), such that the tubing may be primed quickly, in a time period virtually unaffected by the flow regulator (38). Distal placement of the flow regulator (38) results in a more constant temperature, and thus a more constant flow rate, of fluid flowing through the flow regulator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making containers (40) in which a sheet of thermoplastic material (10) that is adapted to be formed into a pouch is introduced into a mold cavity (14). A molding compound (22) is also introduced into the mold cavity (14). The molding compound (22) is permitted to be bonded with the thermoplastic sheet (10) inside the mold cavity (14) to form a container port (20) in situ. The thermoplastic sheet (10) and bonded molding compound (22) are removed from the mold cavity (14) and the sheet carrying the port (20) formed from the bonded molding compound is folded and cut to form a container (40).

Abstract: An infusor (10) is disclosed for dispensing a liquid under pressure at a predetermined flow rate. The influsor (10) includes a housing (12) containing an elastomeric bladder (16) for receiving the liquid under pressure. The liquid is delivered from the bladder to a patient through tubing (36). A non-adjustable, preselected flow regulator (38) includes a capillary bore (48). The flow regulator (38) is disposed at the distal end of the tubing (36), such that the tubing may be primed quickly, in a time period virtually unaffected by the flow regulator (38). Distal placement of the flow regulator (38) results in a more constant temperature, and thus a more constant flow rate, of fluid flowing through the flow regulator.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming, filling and hermetically sealing a blowmolded container having a sterile integral inner dispensing outlet, all in a single sterile operation. The method is directed toward establishing a preferably hermetic seal between the inner dispensing outlet and the container neck, by establishing the seal early in the blowmolding cycle. This is accomplished by mounting the dispensing outlet-defining tubular member about a unique fluid supply mandrel. The supply mandrel thereby also serves as a check and the tubular member of the to-be-formed container serves as a tool in blowmolding. The dispensing outlet/container neck seal is thus formed before the blowmolding step.

Abstract: A one-piece integral plastic container is disclosed which has an outer closure or overcap removable along a frangible line of weakness, and a separately-formed inner closure that is maintained in sterile condition by the outer closure until the container contents are dispensed. The inner closure comprises a tubular member inserted in fluid-tight relationship within the container neck after the container body and neck are molded, but prior to formation of the outer closure. The tubular member thus provides the dispensing outlet for the container and is maintained in sterile condition by the overcap which encloses it.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided for organs during transplant surgery. A disposable receptacle (10) has a sterilizable interior and is formed of a material that is sufficiently rigid to maintain its shape normally without collapsing but sufficiently flexible to be squeezable manually. A disposable flexible container (16) is located inside the receptacle. The flexible container (16) contains a liquid solution that is adapted to be chilled in a freezer. The flexible container (16) and its contents are sterilizable and useful for providing cooling for organs during surgical transplants. The disposable receptacle (10) has a peelable lid (14) that is sealed to a tray portion (12) to enable the sterilizable container (16) to be aseptically removed from the receptacle (10).

Abstract: A plastic container and a three-piece closure system therefor are disclosed. The container has a threaded neck defining a dispensing outlet. A separate closure covers the dispensing outlet and is heat-sealed to the threaded neck, forming a frangible section which may be broken to remove the closure. An internally threaded jacking ring is threadedly received on the neck, and includes a plurality of inwardly directed flexible fingers, which snap into an annular groove in the closure when the jacking ring is threaded onto the neck. To break the frangible portion and open the container, the jacking ring is rotated in the direction to remove it, so that the jacking ring fingers press against the top edge of the recess in the closure and actually pry the closure away from the container neck.

Abstract: A plastic blow-molded container is disclosed having a penetrable wall portion or site which is sufficiently thin to permit piercing by a needle, spike or the like without coring or fragmenting, and a thicker recessed wall portion adjacent to the penetrable portion. The penetrable portion is formed during the blow-molding process by expanding the plastic parison over a projection in the mold cavity and into an adjacent recess in the cavity. The thin penetrable portion of the container is formed within the mold recess and the thicker recessed portion of the container is formed by the mold projection.

Abstract: A one-piece integral plastic container is disclosed which has an outer closure or overcap removable along a frangible line of weakness, and a separately-formed inner closure that is maintained in sterile condition by the outer closure until the container contents are dispensed. The inner closure comprises a tubular member inserted in fluid-tight relationship within the container neck after the container body and neck are molded, but prior to formation of the outer closure. The tubular member thus provides the dispensing outlet for the container and is maintained in sterile condition by the overcap which encloses it.

Abstract: A closure system for a container having a neck with a cap support flange extending radially outwardly around the neck. A resilient gasket encircles the neck and overlies the cap support flange, to be compressed by a closure cap which is attached to the neck for sealing. Annular rib means project from the support flange against the gasket to retain the gasket in its sealing position. A method is also described for the manufacturing of such a closure system.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container which defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and a relatively stiff shoulder portion and sealed at the opposite end, with gusset portions defined in the body portion adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite sides thereof. The shoulder portion extends outwardly from the neck portion and also extends axially rearwardly away from the neck portion in tapered manner. Sections of the shoulder portion adjacent the gusset portions normally extend in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, being connected to the remainder of the shoulder portion by an angular crease line and being flexible to permit axially forward bending of the sections about the crease line as the container collapses by draining. Also, the tail seal at the opposite end may define a convex, arcuate seal for improved strength.

Abstract: A thermoplastic pharmaceutical solution container includes a neck portion having at least one port through the neck portion. A thermoplastic port protector or closure covers the port and defines a frangible section. The closure has a length to diameter ratio providing good mechanical advantage leverage to rupture the frangible section when the closure is pushed sideways.

Abstract: The method of molding flexible, collapsible containers comprises extruding a tubular parison of material to be molded and sealing the outer, free end of the parison; ballooning the parison with relatively low pneumatic pressure; closing the mold about the ballooned parison to cause the edges of the parison to protrude out of the mold chamber; and sealing said parison to form said container, including the step of forming seal lines positioned laterally inwardly from the lateral edges of the parison. A novel container design is also covered.