Abstract: A portable drug delivery device for delivering a drug in liquid or fluid form at a constant and self-regulated rate to a patient comprises a syringe having spring loaded piston reciprocal in a cylinder having a reverse taper to pressurize the drug to be dispensed. The reverse taper on the cylinder results in decreasing friction on the piston as the piston moves in the cylinder during a dispensing cycle, and is designed to compensate for the decreasing force exerted on the piston by the expanding spring. A length of tubing connected to the syringe conveys the drug to a needle or other device for administering the drug to a patient, and a restrictor in the length of tubing impedes flow of the drug to achieve a desired flow rate. The restrictor may be sized to achieve any desired flow rate, and in a preferred form of the invention comprises a laser-burned hole in a fitting attached to the outlet end of the length of tubing.

Abstract: An IV chamber flow controller includes a plug integrally connected to the chamber and a flexible tube extending through the plug. A plunger rod is moved by a skirt which is rotatably mounted on the chamber and pinches off the tube to stop flow from the chamber. The skirt includes a crescent shaped groove for controlling movement of the plunger rod. A flow path from the IV chamber to an IV tube is straight and uninterrupted so that leakage and sterility problems are reduced.

Abstract: A mold is described including at least one flexible mold member fabricated from thermoplastic polymeric materials. Desirably, the flexible mold member is placed within a circular torque ring and pressure is applied to flex the mold member into a selected toric configuration, a polymerizable mixture is inserted, the mold closed and the mixture is hardened into the desired lens. Lenses so produced, which may be either flexible or rigid, have at least one surface which is toric in configuration.

Abstract: A chamber assembly for infusion and transfusion apparatus comprising a drip chamber having a pump chamber and an observation chamber connected together and connecting a tubing adaptor to a piercing device assembly. The cross-sectional area of the observation chamber is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the pump chamber and the observation chamber is short relative to the pump chamber. Changes in pressure in the pump chamber are transmitted through the observation chamber faster than such pressure changes are transmitted through the pump chamber because of the difference in length of the two chambers. The difference in cross-sectional areas of the two chambers causes the pressure wave in the observation chamber to be more uniform than that wave is in the pump chamber. The assembly including the observation and pump chambers accurately controls the flow rate of fluid into the tubing, so that only a single drop is present in the observation chamber at any one time.

Abstract: An intravenous accumulator tube for storing fluid being administered through an intravenous administration set patient includes an expansible chamber connected inline in the intravenous administration set for accumulating and storing fluid being administered when flow stoppage or restriction is encountered, whereby the stored fluid may be administered to the patient when the flow stoppage or restriction is removed.

Abstract: A dual valve assembly for intravenous infusions from multiple parenteral fluid sources, the assembly controlling both forward and reverse flow through a flow line includes normally seated first and second valves mounted for movement toward and away from respective valve seats to control flow in a first direction, one of said valves being opened in response to opening movement of the other valve and said one valve including a second seat and movable into closing relationship on its second seat in response to reverse flow to thus prevent reverse flow through the assembly.

Abstract: A system for the reconstitution of a food and beverage concentrate comprising combined knife and nozzle means selectively movable between a retracted position and an extended position, in which latter position the combined knife and nozzle means pierces the removable lid of a container of concentrate and is operative automatically to inject a predetermined amount of heated water into the container to reconstitute the concentrate. Upon movement to retracted position means is automatically operative to rinse the combined knife and nozzle means.

Abstract: Electronic control apparatus for controlling the administration of a plurality of separate fluids independently and consecutively, includes electrical circuitry connected with a plurality of valve operators to operate valves in a plurality of sets to control flow therethrough.

Abstract: An electronically controlled, gravity-feed, intravenous infusion set in which a length of intravenous tubing is connected with a drip chamber to convey a fluid to be administered intravenously, the improvement comprising a normally closed internal valve in said set operable to prevent flow of fluid through the set and operated to open position to enable passage of a drop of fluid through the set, and an electrically controlled actuator operatively associated with the valve to operate the valve to its open position at a predetermined frequency of operation and to hold the valve open until a drop forms and falls to thus determine the drip rate of fluid through the set, said internal valve thus enabling control of flow of fluid through the set without necessitating crimping or other deformation of the set and thereby resulting in dependable and accurate control of the flow rate of the fluid to be administered intravenously.

Abstract: An electronically controlled intravenous infusion set of the gravity feed type having a flow path including a drip chamber and an internal valve for regulating flow through the set. Electromagnetic valve operating structure, positioned outside the IV set, controls the internal valve in response to an electronic control system. The electronic control system serves to open the valve to allow a drop to fall, and includes a control circuit. The control circuit includes an optical drop detector, associated with but positioned outside the drip chamber, which senses the falling drop and signals the control circuit to close the valve. The control circuit also includes a variable frequency clock and associated digital selectors for affording an attendant the ability to precisely select a desired drip rate. An alarm system, operating on digital principles, senses high drop rate or low drop rate conditions and, in response thereto, puts the control system into an alarm condition.

Abstract: A parenteral administration set, particularly for intravenous infusion of fluids, includes a drip chamber and a length of flexible intravenous tubing connected therewith. A flow controlling valve is in the length of tubing and is operable between open and closed positions from exteriorly of the tubing to obtain a desired drip rate corresponding directly with the frequency of valve operation. A fixed flow restrictor is in the length of tubing to impart a predetermined back pressure to flow through the set, whereby the rate of drop formation in the drip chamber is controlled to a value to insure that only one drop will form and fall for each valve opening.