Abstract: A portable breast pump has a suction unit (1) and a collecting unit (A) which is connected to this suction unit via a flexible suction line (5). The collecting unit (A) comprises a breast shield (2), a milk-receiving container (4) and a coupling element (3) which connects the breast shield (2) to the milk-receiving container (4). The suction unit (1) has a housing (10) with an operating means (14) for operating the pump and a fastening means (15) for fastening the housing (10) on a carrying means (G, S), which can be fastened on the mother's body. This breast pump is easy to operate, allows the milk to be expressed even in confined areas with no set-down surfaces and, in addition, does not hinder the mother's mobility.

Abstract: The thorax drainage system consists of reusable containers, drainage line and connecting lines, and a vacuum pump with a battery for operating it, in which system at least the drainage line is a disposable line and all the components can be arranged on a mobile trolley.

Abstract: An adapter for use in connecting a vacuum source with a breast shield is disclosed including a housing with at least one female coupling component formed therein, at least one male coupling component that is adapted to attach to a tube at one end for conveying pressure from the vacuum source, while the other end is sized and shaped to be received in the female coupling component. A passageway extends between the first end and the second end of the male coupling component for conveying the pressure. The female coupling component is defined therein by an interior sidewall that has a channel formed therein open to the female coupling component at least somewhere along the interior sidewall. When the male coupling component is inserted in the female coupling component, a sealing portion of the male coupling component engages the interior sidewall surface. A stopper is provided to effectively permit the use of only one of a pair of female coupling component.

Abstract: An adapter for use in connecting a vacuum source with a breast shield is disclosed including a housing with at least one female coupling component formed therein, at least one male coupling component that is adapted to attach to a tube at one end for conveying pressure from the vacuum source, while the other end is sized and shaped to be received in the female coupling component. A passageway extends between the first end and the second end of the male coupling component for conveying the pressure. The female coupling component is defined therein by an interior sidewall that has a channel formed therein open to the female coupling component at least somewhere along the interior sidewall. When the male coupling component is inserted in the female coupling component, a sealing portion of the male coupling component engages the interior sidewall surface such that ambient air is prevented from entering the channel and disrupting optimal vacuum pressure.

Abstract: An improved drug delivery system and method for reconstituting drugs are provided. The system allows the delivery of a medicament from a drug vial (40) directly into an intravenous line to a patient. The system provides a method and an apparatus that insures that the drug vial (40) is properly pierced and the vial (40) is locked into an activated position when it is desired to use the same. To this end, a vial retaining member (50) for coupling the vial (40) to a cartridge (12) including a cannula (22) is provided. The retaining member (50) includes a cannula centering member extending from an end thereof.

Abstract: A high speed data acquisition system which acquires an analog signal, converts it to digital data, and compresses the large volume of accumulated data into a format that can be handled in a microcomputer environment. The data acquisition system of the present invention can rapidly and continuously acquire and process large volumes of data. Included is an averaging circuit which allows the present invention to efficiently process and store large amounts of data uninterruptedly. The present invention is thus well suited for applications that require uninterrupted high-speed sampling over long periods of time.

Abstract: A container for housing a beneficial agent that can be removably coupled to a structure defining a fluid flow path. The container comprises a body defining a first and second interior area separated by a wall that terminates at an opening providing fluid communication between the first and second interior area. A cannula is provided that extends from the body for being removably received by the structure defining the fluid path. The cannula includes an inlet opening and inlet fluid flow path and an outlet opening and outlet fluid flow path. The inlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the first interior area, and the outlet fluid flow path being in fluid communication with the second interior area. The second interior area houses the solid beneficial agent and allows fluid that flows through the inlet fluid flow path to pass by at least a portion of the beneficial agent.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A second end of the housing carries a coupling component to adapt the site to standard vials. The coupling component, a vial adapter, includes an adapter spike with openings allowing for the drainage of fluid in the vial through the spike and into the injection site. The vial adapter is provided with a skirt housing unit which protects the adapter spike in manufacturing and use. The skirt housing unit also provides features to lockingly engage the adapter with injection site to standard vials, despite dimensional variations in vial closures. Another embodiment of the coupling component is a spike having a barb feature capable of insertion into a standard vial or port and resisting disengagement.A blunt cannula is usable with the injection site combined with the coupling components.

Abstract: The drawroll unit has a heatable galette in which the shaft of the gallette is mounted in bearings which, in turn, are mounted via vibration damping devices in a stationary housing. The vibration damping devices may be in the form of bodies of interlaced wire, O-rings or the like. The vibration damping devices serve to damp vibrations of the shaft in a critical speed range within the normal speed range of the rotor so that the galette can be operated at any speed within the normal speed range.

Abstract: A port/spike assembly including an enteral spike having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of a standard parenteral spike. The assembly also includes a port having a tube with an outer wall which defines a generally cylindrical elongated bore. A frangible membrane is disposed inside the elongated bore, and divides the bore into upper and lower bore sections. A selector ring is provided in the upper bore section for permitting insertion of the reduced diameter enteral spike and for preventing the insertion of a standard parenteral spike through the membrane. The assembly prevents inadvertent insertion of a parenteral spike into an enteral feeding system.

Abstract: A pre-slit injection site includes a housing with a flow path therethrough. A first end of the housing carries a pre-slit septum. A second end of the housing carries a coupling component to adapt the site to standard vials. The coupling component, a vial adapter, includes an adapter spike with openings allowing for the drainage of fluid in the vial through the spike and into the injection site. The vial adapter is provided with a skirt housing unit which protects the adapter spike in manufacturing and use. The skirt housing unit also provides features to lockingly engage the adapter with injection site to standard vials, despite dimensional variations in vial closures. Another embodiment of the coupling component is a spike having a barb feature capable of insertion into a standard vial or port and resisting disengagement.A blunt cannula is usable with the injection site combined with the coupling components.

Abstract: A large bore tubing roller clamp assembly for regulating the flow rate of a liquid through large bore tubing is disclosed. The roller clamp assembly comprises a substantially rigid elongated plastic frame, a generally cylindrical roller, and a length of a large bore tubing disposed within the frame. The flow rate through the tubing is controlled by moving the roller along an inclined roller track and over the tubing, thereby selectively compressing tubing to attain the desired flow rate.

Abstract: A medical fluid administration set and a drip chamber (10) for use on the administration set are disclosed. The drip chamber (10) may be used with conventionally available drop counters whereby fluid flow can be monitored. The drip chamber (10) is intended for incorporation into a medical fluid administration set. At least a portion of the inside surface of the drip chamber (10) has a matte or satin finish (20) as distinguished from a glossy finish. The matte finish (20) alters the surface characteristics between solution residing in the drip chamber (10) and the drip chamber (10) itself, thereby preventing substantial upward splash back or bounce back of liquid drops impacting the surface of the fluid in the drip chamber (10) which splash back or bounce back can result in erroneous flow rate indications.

Abstract: A hollow fiber separation device is made having a blow molded housing and at least one laterally extending side port which defines a seamless outer end portion having an annular outwardly extending seamless shoulder portion. Additionally, the side port may have first and second annular encircling channels, the first channel being proportioned to receive retention members from a mating connector that sealingly locks with the side port. The second annular channel is provided to stiffen the side port, which may be made of substantially semiflexible plastic.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a universal clamp assembly for use in supporting and grasping medical appliances. The assembly includes a housing having means at one end for securing the assembly to a pole or other support. A pair of replaceable opposed arms extend outwardly from the other end of the housing and define a jaw for grasping the appliance. Each of the arms includes pivot means for pivotally securing the arms to the housing and permitting the arms to be moved between open and closed positions. Biasing means are positioned in the housing to cooperate with the arms to resiliently bias the arms toward a closed or grasping position which gives the jaws a snap action.The arms and biasing means are mounted for rotation about the longitudinal axis of the housing so as to permit positioning of the appliances at various attitudes which is desirable in debubbling a dialyzer. Furthermore, each of the arms is replaceable so as to permit use of the assembly with various types of appliances.