Abstract: A pre-charged prophy angle having a (a) housing that includes a paste chamber, a rotatable head, a drive shaft, and a tube defining in part the paste chamber, the housing and paste chamber configured such that paste within the paste chamber can be dispensed without contacting the drive shaft; (b) a cup secured to the rotatable head, and (c) a paste dispensing assembly having a plunger movably secured to a push rod configured to reciprocally move linearly within the housing, the plunger including a clip for gripping the push rod such that linear movement of the push rod in a first direction causes the plunger to move in the first direction, while the clip precludes movement of the plunger in a second direction when the push rod in directed in the second direction.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: A pre-charged prophy angle having a (a) housing that includes a paste chamber, a rotatable head, a drive shaft, and a tube defining in part the paste chamber, the housing and paste chamber configured such that paste within the paste chamber can be dispensed without contacting the drive shaft; (b) a cup secured to the rotatable head, and (c) a paste dispensing assembly having a plunger movably secured to a push rod configured to reciprocally move linearly within the housing, the plunger including a clip for gripping the push rod such that linear movement of the push rod in a first direction causes the plunger to move in the first direction, while the clip precludes movement of the plunger in a second direction when the push rod in directed in the second direction.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: A prophy angle is provided that includes a paste-dispensing assembly that includes an actuator at the proximal end of the housing, and a push rod linked to the actuator and supporting a plunger on the push rod, where the push rod is supported by the housing in a biased manner to permit longitudinal movement within the housing in a reciprocating manner as actuated by the actuator, to dispense a controlled quantity of paste out of the prophy angle.

Abstract: A prophy angle is provided that includes a paste-dispensing assembly that includes an actuator at the proximal end of the housing, and a push rod linked to the actuator and supporting a plunger on the push rod, where the push rod is supported by the housing in a biased manner to permit longitudinal movement within the housing in a reciprocating manner as actuated by the actuator, to dispense a controlled quantity of paste out of the prophy angle.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located between injection ports. A two-way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use, the plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located at an upstream end of the manifold. However, the check valve may alternatively be located between injection ports. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite a first seal. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings. Alternatively, two way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use the Plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: A fluid control device for directing fluid flow comprising a needleless access device for transferring fluids and methods of directing fluid flow. The fluid control device may have a first port, a second port, a third port and a connecting portion joining the first, second and third ports. A first valve element may be positioned within the first port and a fluid director may be positioned within the connecting portion. The first valve element may move between an opening position, where fluid may flow past the first valve element, and a closed position, where fluid may be prevented from flowing past the first valve element. The fluid director may have at least one passageway for connecting at least two of the first, second and third ports such that fluid may flow therebetween. An actuation mechanism may be used to orient the fluid director and, consequently, the at least one passageway within the connecting portion.

Abstract: A connector comprising a needless access device and a backflow check valve for transferring fluids and method therefor. The connector may have a first port, a second port, and a third port. A first valve element may be positioned within the first port and a second valve element may be positioned within the second port. The first valve element may be in a first position as a first fluid flows between the first and third ports. The second port may be used to introduce a second fluid into the connector. Upon introduction of the second fluid to the connector, the first valve element may move from the first position to a second position. In the second position, fluid may be prevented from flowing past the first valve element.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located at an upstream end of the manifold. However, the check valve may alternatively be located between injection ports. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite a first seal. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings. Alternatively, two way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use the Plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports including a needleless access port (NAC). A check valve included in the manifold is generally located at an upstream end of the manifold. However, the check valve may alternatively be located between injection ports. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite a first seal. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings. Alternatively, two way aspiration can be provided by the NAC having a single elongate valve element including a plug at one end. The elongate valve element has properties for resiliently and sealingly biasing the plug into an aperture of the NAC. In use the Plug is mechanically displaced by insertion of a male Luer for injection or aspiration.

Abstract: An IV manifold includes a plurality of injection/aspiration ports and has an elongate configuration with a width greater than the diameter of the ports. A flow channel is formed between mating members of a housing and provided with a U-shaped configuration. Projections along the flow channel direct fluid flow into valve cavities associated with the ports to clear dead spots around the valve elements. A check valve included in the manifold tends to direct high pressures against the valve elements which respond by forming surface seals thereby avoiding deformation. An aspiration port can be formed with a second seal disposed on the side of the valve element opposite the first seal. Opening this second seal by negative pressure in the lumen of the port provides for the aspiration of fluids in the flow channel. Two-way aspiration can be provided by a valve having a cage with or without compressible characteristics to accommodate low tolerance fittings.

Abstract: A protective cap for use with a luer lock system. The protective cap includes a tubular body having an inner surface and a closed end. Internal threads are formed on the inner surface which are sized and shaped to engage with an external threads on the associated luer component. A crush thread is formed adjacent to a portion of the inner threads and protrudes radially inward from the inner surface of the protective cap. The crush thread is configured for engagement with the external threads on the luer component such that when the protective cap is threaded onto the luer component, the crush threads frictionally interfere with the external threads. This frictional interference resists decoupling and thus removal of the protective cap from the luer component.