Abstract: A heating piping device for heating a fluid provided from the gas reservoir unit and introducing the heated fluid into a piping system includes at least one heating unit and a control module. The heating unit includes a mounting cylinder defining a heating space therein, a spiral channel in fluid communication with the gas reservoir unit, a heater member for heating the fluid in the spiral channel into the heated fluid, a flow control valve and a check valve. The control module controls the amount of the fluid flowing into the spiral channel, and the temperature of the heater member. The temperature of the heater member and the amount of the fluid can be adjusted to meet different manufacturing requirements. Unnecessary energy and flow consumption is avoided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Inserts can be formed with elution characteristics to cause the inserts to elute an antimicrobial agent when subject to a fluid within a medical device. An insert can be formed with a desired geometry to allow the insert to be compression fit within a medical device to prevent the insert from moving or becoming dislodged once inserted into the medical device. The material may also be hygroscopic so that the insert swells when subject to a fluid thereby enhancing the compression fit of the device within the medical device. In some cases, the material can be reinforced using an internal structure. Inserts can be formed in many ways including by casting, thermoforming, or extrusion. In some cases, the inserts can be formed using a peel-away sleeve or material. The peel-away sleeves can be formed of a non-sticky material which facilitates removal of the inserts once the inserts have cured.

Abstract: Ports, such as the ports of ported catheters or of female luer fittings, can be configured to include an antimicrobial septum for disinfecting devices that are attached to the ports. The antimicrobial septum can be positioned within the lumen of the port. The lumen can include an annular recess for securing the antimicrobial septum in place during use. The antimicrobial septum can include an antimicrobial lubricant which transfers onto a device, such as a male luer, as the device passes through the septum thereby killing any microbes that may be present on the surfaces of the device. The antimicrobial septum can be configured in various shapes including a continuous disk shape, a ring shape, or an elongated ring or tube shape. When configured as a ring or tube shape, the inner surfaces of the antimicrobial septum may contain slits or grooves.

Abstract: A pipe coupler includes a first jaw member, a first jaw extension, a second jaw member defining an open channel, a mounting board, a ratchet, and a first biasing member. The first and second jaw members are hinged to each other. The mounting board extends outwardly from the open channel of the second jaw member. The first jaw extension extends from the first jaw member, and is configured to extend into the open channel. The first jaw extension has a plurality of rack teeth. The ratchet is rotatably mounted on the mounting board, and has a plurality of ratchet teeth configured to mesh with the rack teeth. The first jaw extension is permitted to drive the ratchet to rotate unidirectionally against a first biasing force of the first biasing member.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial stopcock medical connector is provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to a stopcock tap having fluid channels provided on portions of the outer surface of the stopcock tap, whereby fluid bypasses the stopcock through the fluid channels by flowing between the outer surface of the stopcock tap and the inner surface of the stopcock housing. Some embodiments further comprise an antimicrobial coating or insert that is provided in the one or more fluid channel, whereby fluid flowing through the fluid channels contacts the antimicrobial coating or an antimicrobial agent that is eluted from the antimicrobial coating. Further still, some embodiments of the present invention comprise an antimicrobial groove that is positioned opposite the fluid channel, whereby when the stopcock is in an “off” position, the antimicrobial groove contacts fluid within a blocked port thereby preventing microbial growth therein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.

Abstract: A pipe coupler includes a first jaw member, a first jaw extension, a second jaw member defining an open channel, a mounting board, a ratchet, and a first biasing member. The first and second jaw members are hinged to each other. The mounting board extends outwardly from the open channel of the second jaw member. The first jaw extension extends from the first jaw member, and is configured to extend into the open channel. The first jaw extension has a plurality of rack teeth. The ratchet is rotatably mounted on the mounting board, and has a plurality of ratchet teeth configured to mesh with the rack teeth. The first jaw extension is permitted to drive the ratchet to rotate unidirectionally against a first biasing force of the first biasing member.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions and methods are disclosed. The antimicrobial compositions are particularly useful in providing antimicrobial capability to a wide-range of medical devices. In one aspect the invention relates a UV curable antimicrobial coating comprising a UV curable composition comprising an oligomer, a momoner, and a photoinitiator which are together capable of forming a UV curable polymer composition. The compositions also include insoluble antimicrobial agents, which may be selected from a wide array of agents. The insoluble antimicrobial agents include a particle size less than 15 ?m. Representative insoluble antimicrobial agents include chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine base, alexidine(dihydrochloride), silver sulfadiazene, silver citrate, triclosan, octenidine(dihydrochloride), and rifampicin.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an antimicrobial insert for a stopcock medical connector are provided. More specifically, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial insert that is seated within at least a portion of the annular bore of the connector's tap, wherein fluid within the annular bore contacts the antimicrobial insert, thereby preventing microbial proliferation within the stopcock medical connector.