Abstract: A blood bag comprises a plastic polyvinyl chloride formulation in which the polyvinyl chloride formulation contains from 5 to 30 percent by weight of a first plasticizer material which is essentially nonextractable by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.; and from 10 to 25 percent by weight of a second plasticizer which is significantly extracted by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing chlorofluorocarbon compositions thereby is provided. The stabilized composition comprises a chlorofluorocarbon and a sufficient amount of an epoxidized, generally high molecular weight stabilizer having an oxirane content sufficient to effectively stabilize the chlorofluorocarbon. The stabilizer is preferably an epoxidized oil having a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about 1,500 and an oxirane content of at least about 4%. The method includes the step of adding a sufficient amount of such a stabilizer to the chloroflurocarbon composition. The chlorofluorocarbon composition typically comprises chlorofluoromethane, chlorofluoroethane, mixtures thereof or a chlorofluorocarbon-alcohol azeotropic solution. Also provided is an improved continuous dialyzer cleaning method utilizing the stabilized chlorofluorocarbon composition.

Abstract: A method of storing a quantity of red blood cells uses a blood bag which comprises a plastic polyvinyl chloride formulation which contains from 5 to 30 percent by weight of a first plasticizer material which is essentially nonextractable by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C.; and from 10 to 25 percent by weight of a second plasticizer which is significantly extracted by blood plasma stored in the bag up to 35 days at about 4.degree. C. and which, upon leaching, is capable of suppressing the formation of plasma hemoglobin.

Abstract: A method of storing blood components uses a blood component storage container which is made of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride formulation which includes a heat stabilizer system selected from the group consisting of salts of C.sub.10 to C.sub.26 saturated fatty acids present in an amount of less than about one percent by weight of the composition. Surprisingly, use of only minimal amounts of these higher molecular weight fatty acids results in an effectively heat stabilized product suited for mass production techniques. As a result, the total amount of the heat stabilizer which can possibly leach into blood plasma is significantly reduced. The material from which the container is made preferably includes an effective amount of a plasticizer which is also essentially nonextractable in blood plasma.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexyladipate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: A catheter, preferably a balloon-type catheter, is disclosed in which the catheter shaft is made of a thermoplastic material and thus may be extrudable, the shaft consisting essentially of (a) from 40 to 70 percent by weight of an elastic composition which comprises: from 50 to 99.5 percent by weight of a block copolymer having thermoplastic rubber characteristics with a central, rubbery polyolefin block and terminal blocks of polystyrene, and optionally including up to about 45 percent by weight of polypropylene, plus from 0.5 to 10 percent by weight of a cross-linked organic silicone elastomer; and (b) from 30 to 60 percent by weight of a hydrophobic oil-type plasticizer to provide the desired degree of softness to said elastic composition.

Abstract: A balloon-type catheter is disclosed having a catheter shank made of a block copolymer having thermoplastic rubber characteristics with a central block of ethylene-butylene copolymer and terminal blocks of polystyrene. The inflatable balloon member, and preferably the distal Y-member, of the catheter are made of an elastic composition which includes the same or a similar block copolymer, in the presence of polystyrene or equivalent material as a tackifying agent, polypropylene, and an oil-type plasticizer.