Abstract: A disposable container closure assembly, comprises a wall defining a circular opening for a substantially rigid container, a closure adapted to fit and close the opening, the closure having a first position for releasably engaging the wall and closing the opening, and a second position for engaging the wall and permanently closing the opening, and a flexible tether secured at a first end to the frame and detachably secured at a second end to the closure for retaining the closure in the first position, the tether being detachable from the closure for enabling positioning the closure in the second position.

Abstract: A quick release needle holder, comprises a tubular barrel having a needle receiving socket on one end, the needle receiving socket having a segmented wall defining a plurality of annular jaws having internal threads, a device for normally biasing the jaws into an inner position for threadably receiving a needle hub, and a device for releaseably biasing said jaws to a needle hub releasing position.

Abstract: A needle removal apparatus, comprises a support member having a throughbore, a tubular sleeve reciprocally mounted in the throughbore for movement from an outermost position to an innermost position, a spring normally biasing the sleeve to the outermost position, a helical slot for constraining the sleeve to rotate during movement between the outermost position and the innermost positions, and a coupling at an inner end of the sleeve for coupling to a needle hub for unthreading the needle hub from an end of a tubular barrel during movement with the sleeve to the innermost position.

Abstract: A geared slot needle remover for engaging and rotatably removing a needle from a holder, comprises a support member having an elongated slot for receiving a disposable hypodermic needle, a plurality of gear teeth along one side of the slot for engaging splines on a needle hub for rotating the needle hub and unthreading it from a holder when the gear teeth and the axis of the needle hub are moved transverse to one another, and an elongated lip overlying a substantial length of the slot for engaging and holding the needle hub against removal from the slot. In an alternate embodiment the gear slot is formed in a flexible arm having an inner end secured to the support member, and a needle hub guide for guiding the needle hub along the gear teeth upon movement of the needle holder along the axis of the needle.

Abstract: A sensor for use with instruments that non-invasively measure blood constituents, particularly oxygen saturation of arterial blood from the patient's tissue. The sensor has two rigid housings adapted for arrangement in opposition and secured about a patient's tissue. Each housing has a deformable pad adapted for receiving, conforming to, and securely gripping the patient's tissue without significantly affecting arterial blood flow. In one embodiment, the housings are pivotally mounted and biased closed under tension, one pad contains a light source for illuminating the tissue in its tissue contacting surface, and the other pad contains the light detector for use in measuring the amount of light absorbed by the blood constituent. In a second embodiment one or the other pad contains both the light source and light detector. The detected light can then be correlated to the amount of blood constituent present in the blood.

Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly is disclosed for directly monitoring pressure in a fluid which flows through the assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a chamber therewithin and having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid-flow communication with the chamber. An electrically insulated body element is sealed within the chamber dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a fluid-tight seal such that any fluid present in the first chamber cannot enter the second chamber. A pressure transducer sensor is secured in the insulated body and exposed to the first chamber such that the sensor can determine the pressure in a fluid in the first chamber and convert the pressure into electric impulses. The sensor is separated from the fluid in the first chamber by an insulating medium across which fluid pressure can be determined.

Abstract: A valve for an arterial monitoring set which continuously supplies a small flow of parenteral liquid, such as normal saline, into a patient's artery while arterial pressure is being continuously monitored. The valve has a flow restrictor providing a normally slow continuous flow rate and an elastically distortable tube which is manually squeezable to provide a fast flush rate. The valve is convenient for one hand operation.

Abstract: A valve for an arterial monitoring set which continuously supplies a small flow of parenteral liquid, such as normal saline, into a patient's artery while arterial pressure is being continuously monitored. The valve has a flow restrictor providing a normally slow continuous flow rate and an elastically distortable tube which is manually squeezable to provide a fast flush rate. The valve is convenient for one hand operation. A method for assembling the valve by twisting the tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of flushing a medical liquid into a system that is continuously monitoring a patient's blood pressure. A parenteral liquid, such as saline, is flushed through a valve that has an elastic tube encasing a flow restrictor having a flow passage. The method includes passing the liquid through the flow passage at a predetermined rate, squeezing the tube to temporarily create an enlarged flush passage, and then releasing the tube to seal off the flush passage to force liquid through only the flow passage of the restrictor. This method of flushing can be conveniently carried out with one hand.

Abstract: A valve for an arterial monitoring set which continuously supplies a small flow of parenteral liquid, such as normal saline, into a patient's artery while arterial pressure is being continuously monitored. The valve has a flow restrictor providing a normally slow continuous flow rate and an elastically distortable tube which is manually squeezable to provide a fast flush rate. The valve is convenient for one hand operation. A method for assembling the valve by twisting the tube is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for continuously administering parenteral liquid, such as normal saline, to a patient while blood pressure fluctuations are continuously monitored. The system includes a flushing valve with a manually squeezable and distortable elastic tube surrounding a flow restrictor. The flushing valve is connected through a flexible tube segment to a T-connector of the system to provide for convenient one hand flexible operation. The flushing valve, flexible tube segment, and T-connector are joined as a unit for assembling into the system.

Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly is disclosed for directly monitoring pressure in a fluid which flows through the assembly. The assembly includes a housing defining a chamber therewithin and having an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid-flow communication with the chamber. An electrically insulated body element is sealed within the chamber dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is in fluid-flow communication with the inlet and outlet ports. The second chamber is separated from the first chamber by a fluid-tight seal such that any fluid present in the first chamber cannot enter the second chamber. A pressure transducer sensor is secured in the insulated body and exposed to the first chamber such that the sensor can determine the pressure in a fluid in the first chamber and convert the pressure into electric impulses. The sensor is separated from the fluid in the first chamber by an insulating medium across which fluid pressure can be determined.