Abstract: A closed-loop vacuum control system for a powered breast pump is the subject of the present disclosure. The vacuum control system includes a source of vacuum for applying a vacuum to a milk collection kit. It also includes a device for setting the vacuum level to be produced by the source of vacuum to a preselected vacuum level. The vacuum control system further includes a sensor for sensing the actual vacuum level being produced by the source of vacuum during operation. A controller continuously compares the preselected vacuum level with the actual vacuum level. A proportional valve is also provided for adjusting the actual vacuum level to correspond to the preselected vacuum level. In this manner, the proportional valve can adjust the actual vacuum level in response to a signal from the controller.

Abstract: The invention provides a syringe and a method for using the same. The syringe includes a housing having a reservoir disposed therein and a plunger to be received by the reservoir, the plunger being moveable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position. The syringe also includes a plunger spring to urge the plunger toward the second plunger position and an actuator to deploy the plunger spring. The syringe also includes a needle proximate the distal end of the housing displaceable from a first needle position to a second needle position, and a shroud coupled with the housing. The shroud is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the shroud surrounding at least a portion of the needle when in the extended position. The syringe also includes an interlocking assembly, a shroud spring, and a locking assembly configured to inhibit movement of the shroud.

Abstract: The invention provides a syringe and a method for using the same. The syringe includes a housing having a reservoir disposed therein and a plunger to be received by the reservoir, the plunger being moveable between a first plunger position and a second plunger position. The syringe also includes a plunger spring to urge the plunger toward the second plunger position and an actuator to deploy the plunger spring. The syringe also includes a needle proximate the distal end of the housing displaceable from a first needle position to a second needle position, and a shroud coupled with the housing. The shroud is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, the shroud surrounding at least a portion of the needle when in the extended position. The syringe also includes an interlocking assembly, a shroud spring, and a locking assembly configured to inhibit movement of the shroud.

Abstract: A syringe system requires a decreased vertical travel for sealing during a lyophilization process and therefore provides for increased utilization of space in a lyophilization chamber. The syringe system is provided with a sterility maintenance sleeve including a stopper affixed thereto for sealingly engaging the syringe barrel to define a drug chamber. The sterility maintenance sleeve is provided with a venting passage to permit egress of vapor from the drug chamber during lyophilization. A plug cap cooperating with the sterility maintenance sleeve includes an occluding tip which is adapted to occupy the venting passage and seal the drug chamber after lyophilization. The plug cap is provided with a support structure in the form of flexible fins for supporting the plug cap in a venting position in which the occluding tip is removed from the venting passage to permit egress of drug solution vapor from the drug chamber during lyophilization.

Abstract: A cap and Luer connector arrangement with an improved external seal is provided for a fluid transfer connector or fitting that has a nozzle with a surrounding annular collar located coaxially within a surrounding sealing lip. The cap includes a structure of resilient material which defines an end wall, an annular, inner sleeve extending from the end wall, and an annular, outer skirt extending from the end wall to define an annular receiving channel between the outer skirt and the inner sleeve. At least a portion of the inner sleeve has an inner surface for sealingly engaging the nozzle. A distal end of the outer skirt includes a seal region having a V-shaped cross-sectional crevice. The Luer connector sealing lip and seal region are distorted when the sealing lip is received into the crevice during initial screwed-on installation of the cap to the Luer connector, forming an external seal.

Abstract: A container for holding a concentrated drug for a mixing system includes a barrel with a cover structure including a delivery passage at a first end and a closing structure at an opposite, second end. A female Luer lock fitting defines the delivery passage at the first end. The closing structure and the female Luer lock fitting can each be formed integrally with the barrel, or the closing structure can be a slidable stopper. The closing structure may also include a holder. The holder is constructed to move between two positions. In the first position, the holder is in a elevated position on the second end of the barrel. The barrel can vent vapor around the cover piece. In the second position, the holder is depressed onto the barrel and it cannot vent vapor. The cover structure may include a snap-on cover piece to fit over the first end. The cover piece includes the female luer lock fitting. The cover piece functions similar to the holder.

Abstract: A system is provided for draining an anesthetic agent from a reservoir of an anesthetic vaporizer. The system includes an anesthetic agent container having an inlet into which the agent can drain. The vaporizer has a draining station that defines an outlet and that defines a drain passage between the vaporizer reservoir and the outlet. A valve is operable to open and close the drain passage. A connector is provided with a receiving end for connecting to the draining station at the outlet. The connector has a discharge end for connecting to the container inlet. The connector holds the container below the draining station outlet and defines a transfer passage between the receiving end and the discharge end for draining the agent from the draining station into the container. Structural key configurations, uniquely associated with a specific anesthetic, are preferably provided at the connection of the container and connector and at the connection of the draining station and connector.

Abstract: A prefilled, two-constituent system is provided with first and second containers or barrels. The first barrel includes a first chamber having a dispensing end or delivery end. The delivery end defines a dispensing passage or delivery passage communicating through the delivery end to accommodate the dispensing of fluid from the first chamber. A movable seal or reciprocable stopper is slidably disposed in the first chamber, and a first constituent is provided in the first chamber between the delivery end and the stopper. A second container or barrel is sized to be disposed in the first barrel and has a discharge end defining a discharge passage communicating through the discharge end to accommodate the discharge of fluid from the second barrel. A plunger is slidably disposed within the second barrel. A liquid second constituent is provided in the second barrel between the discharge end and the plunger.

Abstract: The injection molded luer cap of the present invention includes a stiff body having a circumferential sleeve extending downward from the body. The sleeve has an inner circumferential surface for sealingly fitting over the exterior surface of the fitment. A solid stem extends downward concentrically within the sleeve. The stem has an outside surface for a slip fit within the bore of the fitment and supports the male luer fitment during heat sterilization.

Abstract: The syringe system of the present invention includes a first or primary syringe barrel having a substantially closed end defining a delivery passage and an opposite open end. A removable closure seals the delivery passage of the first syringe barrel so as to define a container for containing a medical solution. A plurality of longitudinal channels are positioned on the inner surface of an enlarged diameter venting portion of the syringe barrel at the open end. A reciprocable stopper is provided for sealing the open end of the barrel so that the reciprocable stopper has a first position abutting the channels of the inner surface of the barrel so as to allow the medical solution to be lyophilized through the channels. The reciprocable stopper can then be longitudinally moved to a second position in the barrel in the in the direction of the delivery passage and beyond the channels to seal the lyophilized drug within the barrel.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical container having a body defining a chamber therein. The body includes a first end portion and a second end portion. A terminal end is included on the second end portion. A plug is positioned in the chamber defined by the body such that the plug is spaced from the terminal end. The plug and the body define a first chamber portion of the chamber between the plug and the first end portion of the body. The plug and the body define a second chamber portion of the chamber between the plug and the terminal end of the second end portion. The plug substantially fluidly seals the second chamber portion from the first chamber portion. The body is frangible at a position on the second end portion between the plug and the terminal end.

Abstract: A reusable connector is provided for mounting on an anesthetic vaporizer to connect the vaporizer with an anaesthetic container and hold the container in an inverted orientation. Cooperating engaging structures are employed to pull the container and connector together. In a preferred form, the container has a closure defining at least one port occluded by a recessed, pierceable membrane. A screw thread is provided on the container. The connector has a base provided with a first coupling for connecting the base to the vaporizer.

Abstract: A prefilled, two-constituent system is provided with first and second containers. The first container includes a first chamber having a dispensing end. The dispensing end defines a dispensing passage communicating through the dispensing end to accommodate the dispensing of fluid from the first chamber. A movable seal is slidably disposed in the first chamber, and a first constituent is provided in the first chamber between the dispensing end and the seal. A second container includes a barrel that is sized to be disposed in the first container and that has a discharge end defining a discharge passage communicating through the discharge end to accommodate the discharge of fluid from the barrel. A plunger is slidably disposed within the barrel. A liquid second constituent is provided in the barrel between the discharge end and the plunger.

Abstract: A drug reconstitution and administration system includes a container for a concentrated drug or other medicament, a syringe assembly which can be pre-filled with a liquid diluent, and a mixing adapter assembly which facilitates mixing of the medicament with the liquid diluent. The adapter assembly includes inner and outer concentrically arranged, relatively movable sleeves, which together define an expandable mixing chamber within the adapter assembly. The container and pre-filled syringe are respectively fitted to the adapter assembly, with the contents of the container and the contents of the syringe transferred into the internal mixing chamber. A diluted drug mixture is formed in the mixing chamber, and the mixture is transferred into the syringe assembly for subsequent patient administration.

Abstract: A system is provided for the delivery of a liquid anesthetic agent ti ab anesthetic vaporizer. The system includes a supply container having a spout defining an outlet through which the agent can be discharged. A reservoir is provided in the vaporizer for holding the agent, and a receiving station is provided on the vaporizer for receiving the container spout. The agent flows from the container through the spout by gravity into the reservoir. The container spout is located at the station to define the maximum liquid level of the agent in the vaporizer when gas flow into the container is blocked by the rising level of the liquid agent. In one embodiment, a frangible seal is provided in the container, an outlet valve is provided in the container, and an inlet valve is provided in the receiving station. The valves open automatically as the container is inserted into the receiving station of the vaporizer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for assembling two, mating, threaded containers. The threaded end of the first container is disposed in the threaded port of the second container. The second container is clamped to prevent rotation of the second container. A cam is rotated to engage a torque-applying assembly to produce relative movement between the clamp assembly and the torque-applying assembly. This effects sequential engagement and disengagement of the torque-applying assembly and the first container. The torque-applying assembly is rotated relative to the clamp assembly while engaged with the first container to effect threaded engagement of the containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for use in the delivery of an inhalation anesthetic to a patient while employing a closed loop or re-breather gas recirculation system. The method and apparatus control the system temperature to minimize heat buildup, including heat buildup resulting from an exothermic reaction between a patient's exhaled breath and a scrubbing substance that removes a selected constituent from the patient's exhaled breath. The apparatus includes an enclosure containing a scrubbing substance. The enclosure defines an influent opening for admitting the exhaled breath along a first path into the scrubbing substance and defines an effluent opening through which gases can be discharged from the enclosure. The apparatus also includes a second path adjacent the first path between inlet and outlet openings whereby a coolant fluid can flow along the second path to remove heat from the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A connector is provided for mounting on an anesthetic vaporizer to connect the inlet of the vaporizer with a discharge port of a container of liquid anesthetic. The connector includes a first coupling attachable to the vaporizer and defining a first passage communicating at one end with the vaporizer inlet. A second coupling is attachable to the container and defines a second passage communicating at one end with the container discharge port. A third passage defined by one of the couplings and communicates with one of the first and second passages. A combination valve and mounting structure is cooperatively defined by the couplings to accommodate pivoting of the second coupling to a closed position occluding the first and second passages, to a raised fill position establishing communication between the first and second passages, and to a lowered drain position in which the first and second passages communicate through the third passage.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a reseal member made of a resilient material used for sealing a fluid access port. The reseal member is inserted into the fluid access port and prevents fluids from passing therethrough. The reseal member is provided with a slit or recess, or both, that allows a user to exert-minimal force to insert a blunt cannula into the reseal member to create a passage to pass fluids through the reseal member. Upon withdrawal of the blunt cannula, the reseal forms a generally fluid-tight seal so that fluids cannot pass through the reseal.

Abstract: An irrigation solution re-circulating system comprises a reservoir of irrigation solution, a solution supply line for joining the reservoir in fluid communication with a surgery site for delivering a controlled volume, pressure, and temperature of the irrigation solution to the surgery site, and a return line for further joining the surgery site in fluid communication with the reservoir. A pump, which is preferably non-hemolyzing, is connected to the return line for returning a controlled volume of the irrigation solution from the surgery site to the reservoir. The system further comprises at least one filter connected to the return line for removing contaminants from the irrigation solution prior to return to the reservoir to permit re-circulation of the solution without impairing endoscopic visualization of the surgery site, while providing solution for expanding the surgery site to permit performance of the attendant surgical procedure.