Abstract: A needleless access device includes a housing having a fluid pathway and an inner chamber. A biased plunger is disposed within the inner chamber and movable between a first position and a second position, and a main seal seals the inner chamber from the fluid pathway. A vent between the inner chamber and the outside of the housing allows air to pass out of and into the inner chamber when the plunger is moved between the first and the second positions.

Abstract: In preferred aspects, the present invention comprises a self-priming needle-free “Y”-adapter for use with intravenous delivery systems. The “Y”-adapter comprises a “Y”-shaped housing having an inlet passageway, an outlet passageway, and an injection access passageway. Each of the three passageways has an interior end and an exterior end. An inlet port is located at the exterior end of the inlet passageway. An outlet port is located at the exterior end of the outlet passageway. An injection access port is located at the exterior end of the injection access passageway. A needle-free access device is also located in the injection access passageway adjacent to the injection access port. The interior ends of the passageways are in fluid communication and intersect with each other. In addition, the injection access passageway comprises a non-circular cross-section near its interior end.

Abstract: A valve includes an inlet and outlet housing, a flexible one-way valve, and a collar. The flexible valve is locked between the housings. The collar is attached to the inlet housing and extends into the flexible valve. As fluid flows through the valve, the collar supports the flexible valve and prevents collapse due to back flow pressure.

Abstract: A filter-adapter for filtering amalgam and attaching multiple sizes of disposable aspirator tips to the suction line of a dental aspirator system is disclosed herein. The filter-adapter incorporates a filter for preventing amalgam from contaminating the suction line and significantly reducing the amount of amalgam that reaches the central amalgam separator in the system. The filter-adapter fits between the aspirator tip and the suction hose of the aspirator system. In particular, one embodiment of the filter-adapter comprises a substantially cylindrical, hollow body with a flowpath defined through the body, an outer surface diameter at one end sealably fitting one size aspirator tip and an inner surface diameter of the same end sealably fitting another size of aspirator tip, and a second end having an outer surface diameter sealably fitting the suction hose from the aspirator system.

Abstract: A saliva ejector having a hollow tube including a cylindrical wall, a first end for placement within an oral cavity, and a second end for attachment to a suction hose. A flowpath is defined within the tube. The ejector includes a first corrugated portion defined in the cylindrical wall, a second corrugated portion defined in the cylindrical wall, and a filter element secured across the flowpath. The bending qualities of the first corrugated portion differ from the bending qualities of the second corrugated portion, thus allowing for a wide variety of bendable configurations.

Abstract: A needleless access device and method of using the device is disclosed. The needleless access device has a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a channel formed therethrough. Movably friction fitted in the channel adjacent the inlet opening is a piston. The piston is biased upwardly by a stretchable element. The stretchable element allows the top of the piston to be depressed by a syringe to a level adjacent internal flow channels to permit injection and aspiration of fluids through the device.

Abstract: An automatic cycler for performing Continuous Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CCPD) and Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (IPD) is provided. The apparatus of the present invention is a safe and convenient cycler apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis in either home or clinical environment. The apparatus provides a stable base by storing dialysate at a relatively low position. Tubing administration set length is reduced to a minimum by the use of individual, separated valves and by the elimination of redundant, duplicate tube sections. Administration set complexity is reduced by the use of a conventional design dialysate container for heating and weighing of an infusing dialysate dosage. The apparatus allows for gravity feed to a patient with an optional capability of adjusting the pressure head for the gravity feed.