Abstract: A method for applying a radio frequency identification tag to an object, e.g., a container, by means of an insert molding process or in-mold decorating process. Such a method can be utilized to simplify the manufacturing processes for applying a radio frequency identification tag to an object, e.g., a container. The molding process can be a conventional molding process, such as, for example, injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, transfer molding, and rotational molding. However, the conventional molding process is modified by inserting a radio frequency identification tag into the cavity of the mold prior to forming the molded article. The modified molding process results in a molded article having a radio frequency identification tag encapsulated by the polymeric material of the molded article.

Abstract: A method for applying a radio frequency identification tag to an object, e.g., a container, by means of an insert molding process or in-mold decorating process. Such a method can be utilized to simplify the manufacturing processes for applying a radio frequency identification tag to an object, e.g., a container. The molding process can be a conventional molding process, such as, for example, injection molding, blow molding, compression molding, transfer molding, and rotational molding. However, the conventional molding process is modified by inserting a radio frequency identification tag into the cavity of the mold prior to forming the molded article. The modified molding process results in a molded article having a radio frequency identification tag encapsulated by the polymeric material of the molded article.

Abstract: A fluid pumping mechanism in one embodiment includes a fluid reservoir, and a multiple layer film extending over a portion of the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid is moved through the reservoir by movement of the film from a first position to a second position, the film including first and second layers, each of first and second layers comprising a blend of a polypropylene and a styrene ethylene butadiene block copolymer. Peritoneal dialysis systems are also provided and may include a peritoneal dialysis machine and a disposable cassette defining at least one pump chamber and having a multiple layer film extending over a portion of the at least one pump chamber, the film including first and second layers, each of the first and second layers comprising a blend of a polypropylene and a styrene ethylene butadiene block copolymer.

Abstract: A peritoneal dialysis system includes a disposable cassette including a flexible sheet; a hardware unit including (i) at least one pump actuator and piston head moved by the pump actuator, (ii) at least one valve actuator, (iii) at least one sensor, and (iv) a disposable cassette interface for interfacing with the disposable cassette, the disposable cassette interface including: (a) at least one pump aperture, the at least one piston head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to move a corresponding pumping portion of the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette, the piston head moving within a vacuum chamber, the vacuum chamber enabling a vacuum to be pulled around the piston head to the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette; (b) at least one valve aperture, at least a portion of the at least one valve actuator located in the valve aperture to move a valve portion of the flexible sheet of the disposable cassette; and (c) at least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: a hardware unit including at least one pump actuator, at least one valve actuator and a cassette interface, the cassette interface including: (i) a plate that abuts the cassette; (ii) at least one pump aperture defined by the plate; (iii) at least one pump head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to operate a pumping portion of the cassette; (iv) at least one valve aperture defined by the plate; (v) at least one valve apparatus moveable out of and retractable into the at least one valve aperture to operate a valve portion of the cassette; (vi) at least one sensor aperture defined by the plate; and (vii) at least one sensor located in the least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor operable with a sensor portion of the cassette.

Abstract: A method for separating, or removing, particulate material, e.g., blood cells, from a sample of fluid, e.g., whole blood of a patient, in which the particulate material is suspended. In the case of separating blood cells from blood plasma or blood serum, the resulting samples of blood plasma or blood serum can be used for in vitro diagnostic applications. In normal practice, a whole blood sample of a patient are provided and then introduced into an apparatus that contains a flow channel. An acoustic field, which contains acoustic standing waves from external ultrasonic transducers, is located within the flow channel. Laminar flow is maintained in the flow channel. Blood cells and platelets are separated from blood plasma or blood serum at the end of the flow channel and collected. The method described herein allows fluid components to differentially migrate to areas of preferred acoustic interaction.

Abstract: A container having a radio frequency identification tag attached thereto by means of a stud or a radio frequency identification tag retainer_projecting from the exterior surface of the container. The container can be used to contain medical products, and the container can be of various types, such as, for example, a bottle, a micro-well plate, a cartridge, a tube. In one embodiment, the container has a radio frequency identification tag affixed thereto. The container comprises a mouth, a neck, a body, and a bottom. The container can also have a closure, a septum, or an adapter for other components of an automated clinical analyzer. The neck is capable of receiving a closure. A stud or a radio frequency identification tag retainer projecting from the bottom of the container, preferably the center of the bottom of the container, serves to retain the radio frequency identification during the attachment of the radio frequency identification tag to the container.

Abstract: A container comprising a body having embedded therein a plurality of chipless radio frequency identification elements. The chipless radio frequency identification elements comprises a plurality of categories of resonant elements. The resonant elements can be utilized in a system having a binary code feature. The combination of different resonant elements can be read and translated to identify the features of a particular product. The container can be prepared by compounding moldable compositions with the resonant elements and molding the moldable compositions containing the resonant elements into the final product. The invention also provides a system and a method for reading the binary code provided by the chipless radio frequency identification elements.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A fluid pumping mechanism in one embodiment includes a fluid reservoir, and a monolayer film extending over a portion of the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid is moved through the reservoir by movement of the film from a first position to a second position, the film including a first polyolefin. In another embodiment the fluid pumping mechanism includes a fluid reservoir; and a multiple layer film extending over a portion of the fluid reservoir, wherein fluid is moved through the reservoir by movement of the film from a first position to a second position, the film including an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer including an ethylene containing polymer.

Abstract: A closure for a container, e.g., a container for holding reagents for an automated analyzer. The closure comprises a cap having an opening, the opening capable of communicating with the mouth of a container. The invention also provides an assembly comprising the closure of this invention and a container. The invention also provides a method for preparing the closure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend having: a first component of a propylene containing polymer in an amount by weight of the blend from about 25% to about 35%; a second component selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyester elastomers, and polyurethanes, the second component present in an amount by weight of the blend of from about 35% to about 45%; and a third component of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer in an amount by weight of the blend from about 25% to about 35%.

Abstract: A dialysis machine includes: a hardware unit including at least one pump actuator, at least one valve actuator and a cassette interface, the cassette interface including: (i) a plate that abuts the cassette; (ii) at least one pump aperture defined by the plate; (iii) at least one pump head moveable out of and retractable into the at least one pump aperture to operate a pumping portion of the cassette; (iv) at least one valve aperture defined by the plate; (v) at least one valve apparatus moveable out of and retractable into the at least one valve aperture to operate a valve portion of the cassette; (vi) at least one sensor aperture defined by the plate; and (vii) at least one sensor located in the least one sensor aperture, the at least one sensor operable with a sensor portion of the cassette.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flowable materials container. The container has a first sidewall and a second sidewall sealed together along a peripheral seam to define a fluid chamber. At least one sidewall is a film having at least one layer of blend of a first component selected from the group of: (1) ethylene and ?-olefin copolymers having a density of less than about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and apparatuses for medical fluid delivery systems that employ a pumping cassette. In particular, the present invention provides systems, methods and apparatuses for cassette-based dialysis therapies including hemodialysis, hemofiltration, APD (including tidal modalities) and CFPD. The embodiments described include a combined pump/valve housing, a fail safe pump/valve arrangement, a cassette auto-alignment feature, a pumping membrane material, a multiplexing valve arrangement, an expert fluid pumping management system, an integral port vent and an in-line air separation chamber and combinations of each of these.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tubing assembly having a sidewall having a first layer. The first layer is fabricated from a first polymer blend comprising a first component of a material not thermally responsive to laser beam and selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, ethylene and lower alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene and lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylate copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutadienes, polyesters, polyamides, and styrene and hydrocarbon copolymers. A second component of the blend is a laser responsive material having low solubility in aqueous medium; and the blend being sufficiently thermally responsive to exposure to a laser beam having a wavelength within a range of wavelengths from about 700 nm to about 1500 nm to melt upon exposure to the laser beam for a short period of time. The assembly also has an end cap film covering the fluid outlet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer blend for fabricating monolayer films or a layer within a multilayer film. The blend has a first component and a second component. The first component is selected from the group of: (1) an ethylene and ?-olefin copolymer having a density of less than about 0.915 g/cc, (2) lower alkyl acrylates, (3) lower alkyl substituted alkyl acrylates and (4) ionomers. The first component should be present in an amount from about 99% to about 55% by weight of the blend. The second component in an amount by weight of the blend from 45% to about 1% and consists of one or more polymers of the group: (1) propylene containing polymers, (2) polybutene polymers, (3) polymethylpentene polymers, (4) cyclic olefin containing polymers and (5) bridged polycyclic hydrocarbon containing polymers.

Abstract: A monolayer film of a polymer blend of a first component selected from the group consisting of an ethylene containing polymer, the first component present in an amount by weight of the film from about 60% to about 1%, the first component having a first melting point temperature determined by DSC, a second component selected from the group consisting of propylene containing polymers and methyl pentene containing polymers, the second component being present in an amount by weight of the film from about 99% to about 40%, the second component having a second melting point temperature determined by DSC; and the film being capable of withstanding steam sterilization at a temperature from about 100° C. to about 130° C.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for performing peritoneal dialysis are provided. To this end, in part, a film is provided. The film includes a layer of a polymer blend having from about 90% to about 99% by weight of a first component containing a styrene and hydrocarbon copolymer and from about 10% to about 1% of a high melt strength polypropylene.