Abstract: An adapter for enabling use with bags or bottles of an intravenous administration set having a proximal syringe venting connector with an air cannula. The adapter has a hollow body with threads for engaging the connector, and a spike for piercing an I.V. container, the spike having spaced fluid paths one of which is adapted to receive the connector air cannula.

Abstract: Three embodiments of a metering unit (10, 140, 200) are provided for metering fluid from a container (14) for infusion into a patient. The first embodiment of the metering unit (10) includes a cassette (26) formed of halves (28, 30). The halves (28, 30) each have a concave reservoir portion (36) formed on the inner face (32) thereon. Entry and exit channels (38, 42) extend from the reservoir portions adjacent entry and exit orifices (40, 44). Entry and exit port portions (46, 50) are formed in each half (28, 30). Flexible entry and exit valves (58, 64, 86 and 88) are movable between an open position, permitting fluid to flow through the orifices, to a closed position, preventing fluid from flowing through the orifices. The halves are separated by a flexible diaphragm (70) which divides a reservoir (76) into first and second compartments (78, 80).

Abstract: An intravenous assembly includes a needle extending through a hub and a catheter or cannula secured at its proximal end to the hub. The cannula includes a side port near the distal end thereof in fluid communication with an annular flashback chamber formed between the cannula and needle to provide visual indication of venous entry of the cannula. In another embodiment, a longitudinal slot in the internal wall of the cannula defines the cannula flashback chamber. In accordance with the preferred construction, the needle is hollow, and a plug is secured thereto defining another flashback chamber to provide a separate indication of venous entry of the needle.

Abstract: The specification discloses a self venting plug for a venous entry unit which is a porous plastic body adapted to be removably seated in a hollow flashback chamber. The plug comprises an open pored plastic having a pore size on the order of 10-15 microns, and provides a flow path for venting air from the flashback chamber while inhibiting flow of blood from the chamber. The plug may be used, for example, with over-the-needle and through-the-needle catheter units employing piercing needles, and may be used to anchor a stylet for stiffening a catheter to be forwarded into the body.

Abstract: An obturator plug is provided with a thin circumferential deformable sealing skirt integrally formed on and protruding from the plug, engaging the inwardly facing wall of a female catheter fitting to form an improved obturator-catheter assembly having a catheter secured to its proximal end in a female catheter fitting and receiving an obturator having a shaft secured to a plug, the obturator plug including locking means engaging a predetermined portion of the female catheter fitting to lock the plug to the fitting after a specific degree of insertion of the plug into the fitting.