Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a large volume of blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment are shown and described. A housing having an inner region adapted to retain an umbilical cord in a desired location is provided, the housing having an opening through which the cord extends from the inner region of the housing to a region external to the housing. The cord is cut by a blade coupled to the housing, either by the motion of the blade from a first position to a second position, or by the movement of two portions of the housing from a first extended position to a second collapsed position. The newly cut end of the umbilical cord falls and hangs freely in the inner region of the housing, blood flowing from the placenta and umbilical cord via gravity into a blood collection region of the housing. The blood collection region may be flexible, and may be coupled to a conventional blood collection bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a large volume of blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment are shown and described. A housing having an inner region adapted to retain an umbilical cord in a desired location is provided, the housing having an opening through which the cord extends from the inner region of the housing to a region external to the housing. The cord is cut by a blade coupled to the housing, either by the motion of the blade from a first position to a second position, or by the movement of two portions of the housing from a first extended position to a second collapsed position. The newly cut end of the umbilical cord falls and hangs freely in the inner region of the housing, blood flowing from the placenta and umbilical cord via gravity into a blood collection region of the housing. The blood collection region may be flexible, and may be coupled to a conventional blood collection bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting a large volume of blood from an umbilical cord in a sterile environment are shown and described. A housing having an inner region adapted to retain an umbilical cord in a desired location is provided, the housing having an opening through which the cord extends from the inner region of the housing to a region external to the housing. The cord is cut by a blade coupled to the housing, either by the motion of the blade from a first position to a second position, or by the movement of two portions of the housing from a first extended position to a second collapsed position. The newly cut end of the umbilical cord falls and hangs freely in the inner region of the housing, blood flowing from the placenta and umbilical cord via gravity into a blood collection region of the housing. The blood collection region may be flexible, and may be coupled to a conventional blood collection bag.

Abstract: A jet injector, and a method, for injecting fluid medicament into a patient in a two-stage process. During the first stage fluid is expelled from the injector under relatively high pressure, to create a hole through the skin of the patient. During the second stage, fluid is infused through the hole into the patient at a much lower pressure, and for a much longer period of time. The jet injector includes a syringe unit, and a drive mechanism which is selectively connectable with the syringe unit. Specifically, the drive mechanism includes two springs which are positioned to urge against a push rod as they elongate. When the drive mechanism is engaged with the syringe unit, the push rod is positioned longitudinally co-linear with a plunger in the chamber. When the springs are released, they push the push rod which, in turn, pushes the plunger, causing the fluid to be expelled through an injection tube connected to the chamber.

Abstract: An adapter plug clip is provided for convenient and secure temporary support of an electrical plug associated with an electronic instrument, particularly wherein the plug is formed as part of a relatively heavy AC/DC plug-in power supply adapter. The adapter plug clip is designed for clip-on mounting to a support structure, such as a bracket arm of a clamp fixture having an electronic instrument such as a medical fluid infusion pump mounted thereon. The adaptor plug clip includes a face plate having a visually identifiable pattern of holes formed therein for seated reception of the conductive prongs of the electrical plug, thereby providing a stable temporary plug mounting site.

Abstract: An improved battery pack is provided for short term battery power operation of a medical instrument such as an infusion pump. The battery pack comprises a substantially closed and compact housing one or more rechargeable batteries inaccessibly encased therein, with the battery pack housing being adapted for mounting directly onto the casing of an electronic medical instrument. The batteries are mounted on a base plate beneath a foil shield and a housing cap, both of which are attached to the base plate in a manner precluding nondestructive removal thereof and thereby substantially preventing access to the batteries. The assembled battery pack housing includes seal members for preventing passage of any gases discharged from the batteries into the medical instrument casing, and further defines at least one vent for exhaust passage of such gases to the exterior of the battery pack and medical instrument.

Abstract: An ultrasonic air-in-line detection system for use in detecting air bubbles in the fluid line of a disposable cassette mounted on a main pump unit is disclosed which utilizes an innovative construction used to attach electrical connectors to the ultrasonic transducers. Rather than wires, a thin flex circuit having a plurality of arms is used, with the flex circuit having a circular conductive pad located at the end of each arm. A circular segment of conductive transfer tape is used to attach each of the conductive pads to the thin layer of conductive metal located on each side of the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A device for use as an attachment for use with a main pump unit containing a prime mover and a control system for controlling the operation of a disposable cassette containing a fluid pump which is mounted on the main pump unit is disclosed which includes both a compartment for securely storing the medication supply and means for preventing either the cassette or the fluid line between the storage compartment and the cassette from being removed or tampered with. The device is locked onto the main pump unit with a single key operated lock which also locks the cassette in position on the main pump unit, the compartment for storing the medication supply, and a cover sealing the fluid line. The system is compact, and is capable of being used with a variety of fluid sources including both syringes and bags.

Abstract: An ultrasonic air-in-line detection system for use in detecting air bubbles in the fluid line of a disposable cassette mounted on a main pump unit is disclosed which automatically loads the outlet tubing at the bottom of the cassette into a slot in an ultrasonic sensor housing when the cassette is installed on the main pump unit. The system uses a tubing adapter mounted on the outlet tube below the cassette, with the tubing adapter having a tapered top end. The tubing adapter interacts with a pair of ramps located on the bottom and front of the ultrasonic sensor housing around the slot to draw the tubing adapter into a recess located on the bottom of the ultrasonic sensor housing, thereby drawing the outlet tubing fully into the slot between an ultrasonic transmitter and an ultrasonic receiver in the ultrasonic sensor housing when the cassette is installed.

Abstract: A unitary piston cap and boot seal for use in a medication infustion system is disclosed which is mounted on a rigid piston contained in a cylinder disposed in a cassette. The piston cap and boot seal, which are made of a flexible, elastomeric material, effectively both form the pumping element disposed in the cylinder, and prevent contamination of the pump through use of a rolling seal. The device may be sterilized by gas, since a tortuous path affording passage to gas is included in the retaining skirt mounted around the outer diameter of the pump cylinder.

Abstract: A disposable cassette containing a fluid pump for use with a main unit including apparatus for driving the pump is disclosed which cassette utilized a piston-type pump in conjunction with active valves to pump fluid. The inlet and outlet channels in the cassette are formed by a diaphragm covering open channels in the cassette body, and the same diaphragm is used to form the active valves, which are actuated by valve actuators in the main pump unit. Additional features of the cassette include an air trap upstream from the pump, and an integral clamp which allows priming of the cassette.

Abstract: A multiple channel medication infusion system is disclosed which has a plurality of disposable pump cassettes mounted on a single main pump unit, thereby making the system compact and resulting in an economic system. The system has a printer which may be connected to the main pump unit to provide a printed record of system operation. Several modes are accessible to set up and program the system, to monitor actual system performance, and to test the system or display warnings indicating system malfunctions or that new cassettes should be installed.

Abstract: An improved clamp fixture is provided for supporting a medical instrument or the like in a selected orientation relative to a variety of different support structures, such as an upright pole, a tabletop edge, a bed rail, etc. The clamp fixture comprises an open-sided base bracket for receiving the selected support structure to extend through the base bracket along a first axis. A clamp screw is carried by the base bracket and is adjustable to securely retain the support structure against an inner support surface of the base bracket. A frame member is mounted on the base bracket for rotation generally about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, with a spring-loaded lock pin releasably securing the frame member in one of several preset rotational positions. At least one frame arm extends outwardly from the frame member for connection to the medical instrument or the like in a manner permitting rotation of the medical instrument about a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes.

Abstract: A medication infusion system having a disposable cassette including a piston pump and active valves for installation on a main pump unit including a mechanical drive system for operating the cassette is disclosed which has a unique system for loading the cassette onto the main pump unit and latching the cassette in place on the main pump unit. The cassette includes a slide latch which closes the fluid path when the cassette is to be installed, the slide latch only being opened when the cassette is properly installed on the main pump unit with the valve actuators of the main pump unit preventing fluid freeflow. Latching the cassette in place causes a latch head on the main pump unit to grasp the piston on the cassette in a driving relationship.

Abstract: A valve for use in medical applications is disclosed which is a highly precise, passive, one-way valve which makes an excellent inlet valve or outlet valve in a drug infusion pump. The valve operates with a very small forward pressure, requires only a small amount of fluid in the valve chamber, and operates in a positive and predictable fashion, even after an extended shelf life. The valve, may be inexpensively molded in one piece, thereby facilitating construction of a disposable pump, and may be installed with the portion of the pump housing contacting the top surface of the valve being flat, thereby further reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A valve, suitable for use in small medical devices and which can readily be made of medical grade materials, comprises an elastic diaphragm stretched over a protruding surface, preferably of spherical or convex shape. The diaphragm has a ring of holes concentrically around a hole in the protruding surface. A mating recess, connected to a conduit, fits over the protruding surface. The elastic material is held in place at or near the opening of the recess. The holding structure may also serve to seal the valve. A dual arrangement provides an input and an output valve in combination.