Abstract: A post-injection needle sheath for enclosing the sharpened end of a needle used with a syringe is shown with and without spring actuation. This sheath is initially in a compact and secured condition on the needle hub and has a substantial portion of the needle exposed for insertion into a patient or vial. Two embodiments employ a compression spring. Three embodiments avoid a spring per se, but have a corrugated portion and a flange portion that are manipulated by the attendant to urge the sheath forward to enclose the sharpened end of the needle. In all embodiments, the forward end includes a transverse wall in which is formed an aperture that is slightly larger than the shank of the needle. Protection to the exposed needle before use is provided by a conventionally removable shield which is removed at time of use. After withdrawal of the needle from the patient, the sheath, with the cap or end portion, is moved forward to enclose the sharpened needle.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a medicator securing device for use in an I.V. administration in which a needle is inserted into a resilient cap member to add drugs and the like to an infusion procedure. This inserted needle is retained in inserted condition and position in this cap by this securing device. A flexible, substantially transparent plastic film having one surface coated with a self-stick adhesive is applied tightly to a frame of semi-rigid material. This frame provides at least one window-like opening which is covered by the adhesively-coated film. A release sheet member is applied to the window-like area until a time of use and application of the securing device, at which time the release sheet is removed and the adhesive surface of the film within said window is brought to and around the connection, with a fold made of the device so that the film is engaged tightly around the connection.

Abstract: The composite intubation tube has an outer pliable outer layer of plastic material and an inner concentric layer made of a hydrophilic polymer which becomes very soft and flexible in a wetted state. After intubation in a patient, a flow of gastric fluids or an inflow of nutrient solution wets the inner layer to become very soft so that pressure points on the tissue of the patient are eliminated.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a molded vent needle housing which is adapted to retain a hydrophobic filter that removes unwanted impurities from the outside air and feeds air to and from the interior of a stoppered vial. This assembly includes a needle and a hub portion in flow communication therewith, this hub adapted for attachment to a syringe. The hydrophobic filter is secured in the molded housing and may be a disc or a cylindrical configuration. The housing has a bore in which the needle shank passes and a rigid sleeve member is secured to provide a small passageway for air flow. Several embodiments are shown, with some having a resilient seal and one having a shrink-wrap protector for both the exposed filter portions and providing a retaining member for an inserted O-ring. The outer sleeve member is removed so that the injecting needle and filled syringe are now ready for use.

Abstract: A post-injection needle sheath for enclosing the sharpened end of a needle used with a syringe is shown with and without spring actuation. This sheath is initially in a compact and secured condition on the needle hub and has a substantial portion of the needle exposed for insertion into a patient or vial. Two embodiments employ a compression spring. Three embodiments avoid a spring per se, but have a corrugated portion and a flange portion that are manipulated by an attendant to urge the sheath forward to enclose the sharpened end of the needle. In all embodiments, the forward end includes a transverse wall in which is formed an aperture that is slightly larger than the shank of the needle. Protection to the exposed needle before use is provided by a conventionally removeable shield which is removed at time of use. After withdrawal of the needle from the patient, the sheath, with the cap or end portion, is moved forward to enclose the sharpened needle.

Abstract: This suction needle device is used to transfer liquids such as cytotoxic drugs from a stoppered container to a syringe. This device has a sharpened needle which is conventionally attached to a hub. A thin-walled tubular sleeve is mounted on the shank of this needle and is disposed in a telescope fashion around this shank. One end of the sleeve is disposed a short distance from the sharpened end of the needle so that the stopper may be entered by the sharpened needle and sleeve and provides a seal when so penetrated. A crimping tool provides opposed and longitudinally displaced localized crimps to deform the sleeve to the extent that a positive engagement with the shank of the needle is made. The crimps are limited enough to provide positive securing of the sleeve without bending or distorting the interior capacity of the needle to draw fluids into the syringe. The thin-walled sleeve may have an aperture in the side and in flow communication with the air passage between the needle shank and sleeve.

Abstract: The multidose syringe is provided with two pistons which are attached by a string to move simultaneously. A groove in the barrel for delivering fluid into and from the innermost fluid chamber is provided with baffles to create turbulence in the fluid flow to preclude entry of air into the fluid chamber between the pistons during filling of the syringe.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a medicator securing device for use in an I.V. administration in which a needle is inserted into a resilient cap member to add drugs and the like to an infusion procedure. This inserted needle is retained in inserted condition and position in this cap by this securing device. A flexible, substantially transparent plastic film having one surface coated with a self-stick adhesive is applied tightly to a frame of semi-rigid material. This frame provides at least one window-like opening which is covered by the adhesively-coated film. A release sheet member is applied to the window-like area until a time of use and application of the securing device, at which time the release sheet is removed and the adhesive surface of the film within said window is brought to and around the connection, with a fold made of the device so that the film is engaged tightly around the connection.

Abstract: The wire guide is formed of a flexible stranded wire having a coating extending from the proximal end to rigidify the wire from the proximal end to an intermediate point. The wire remains flexible from the intermediate point to the distal end and a nose is fused to the distal end to prevent fraying of the filaments of the wire.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the construction and use of a sterile securement device for retaining an inserted and placed catheter and a connected tubular conductor in an assembled condition. This securement device in retaining condition maintains this assembly by this adhesively-coated film which is tightly pressed to the skin of a patient. A frame of sheet material has at least three outer-edge portions providing therebetween a determined interior space or area. This retaining film is a bottom member of film adhesively coated on one side and is attached by the adhesive to one side of this frame. The film within the frame has a flexible release sheet applied to the adhesive surface of this film. An additional protector sheet having a sealable surface is configured to be secured to both the frame and release sheet and has a tab means for removal of this protector and release sheet at time of use. The assembled package is sterilized before shipment and storage.

Abstract: A catheter system is provided for the introduction and placement of a flexible catheter into the lumen of an artery or vein. A guide wire is provided and is kept in a sterile condition within a flexible bag-like enclosure attached to the hub of a needle. The needle is hollow and is sharpened in the usual manner and is secured in a hub to provide a needle assembly. This hub is provided with a skirt and extends through this hub and into flow communication with a "flashback" chamber. In one embodiment, the needle is connected to a tubular member having a transverse hole near its interior end, and in another embodiment the needle's inner end is in flow communication with a channel or annular groove in a centering plug. In every embodiment, there is a centering plug which provides a guideway for the guide wire which is positioned in this guideway to prevent fluid flow.

Abstract: A catheter system is provided for the introduction and placement of a flexible catheter into the lumen of an artery or vein. A guide wire is provided and is kept in a sterile condition within a flexible bag-like enclosure attached to the hub of a needle. The needle is hollow and is sharpened in the usual manner and is secured in a hub to provide a needle assembly. This hub is provided with a skirt and extends through this hub and into flow communication with a "flashback" chamber. In one embodiment, the needle has a side transverse hole in its interior end, and in another embodiment the needle's inner end is in flow communication with a tapered recess in the needle hub which provides a guideway for the guide wire which, when it enters the needle, prevents blood flow. The guide wire is manipulated forwardly by grasping the wire through the bag-like enclosure and advanced forwardly by "feel" and into the lumen after penetration has been made as indicated by the "flashback.

Abstract: The needle patch has a Huber needle which is encased between a pair of flexible transparent discs. The needle has a depending angled portion which extends through an aperture in the lower disc for insertion in an implanted vascular access device. The lower disc also has an adhesive layer for securement to the skin about the injection site while the upper disc has a projection defining a reservoir above the aperture of the lower disc for dispensing of an antiseptic ointment to the injection site. A rigid housing is integrally formed with the discs to provide a finger gripping portion for insertion of the needle.

Abstract: There is shown and described a tubular flexible filter membrane disposed within a flexible conductor such as IV tubing. This flexible filter membrane is sufficiently smaller in its outer diameter than the inner diameter of the flexible conductor so that a space is provided for the flow of fluid. This flexible filter is hydrophilic and has one end closed to exclude fluid flow to the interior of the filter. The other end of this filter membrane is secured to a tubular conductor and at this secured portion is made non-conductive as to gas and fluid flow through the filter wall. A method of attaching this filter membrane end by heating the thermoplastic filter membrane so as to cause thinning of the wall of the filter membrane and making this thinned portion non-conductive as to gas flow is shown. Potting, using polyurethane compounds, may be used but is time-consuming and costly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and improved intubating device and more particularly to an intubating device wherein it can be determined that the metal stylet is properly positioned by the aspiration process without removal and subsequent reinsertion of the metal stylet. The intubating device consists of an assembly of a feeding tube in assembled relationship with a tube connector. A stylet holder having a stylet attached thereto is adapted to be assembled in telescoping relationship with the flexible feeding tube. The metal stylet is made of twisted metal wire so as to provide a rough exterior. The metal stylet is embedded in a blind hole in the hub of the stylet holder and is offset from the liquid passageway.

Abstract: This connection apparatus shows two arrangements for receiving a connector assembly of effluent and influent halves, with this apparatus providing for the transfer and alignment of the connected halves. These assembled halves are brought to the apparatus and the halves are manipulated to effect separation, after which the effluent connector half is moved to bring the effluent connector half into alignment and axial coincidence with a new and sterile influent connector half. By and through manipulation, the halves are secured into a fluid-tight condition whereat the fluid may be caused to flow through the connected halves. In a first arrangement, the apparatus includes a sliding action, with the apparatus having a tongue-and-groove construction. The other arrangement utilizes a rotary action, with a disc-like member associated with a cup-like member. Relative movement of the two members is made to effect the transfer and alignment of the effluent and influent halves.

Abstract: This suction needle device is used to transfer liquids such as cytotoxic drugs from a stoppered container to a syringe. This device has a sharpened needle which is conventionally attached to a hub. A housing is adapted and is mounted on the shank of this needle and a tubular sleeve is disposed in a telescope fashion around this shank and one end of the sleeve is secured in this housing. The stopper is disposed to be entered by the sharpened needle and sleeve and provides a seal when so penetrated. A crimping tool provides opposed and longitudinally displaced localized crimps to deform the sleeve to the extent that a positive engagement with the shank of the needle is made. The crimps are limited enough to provide positive securing of the sleeve without bending or otherwise affecting the interior capacity of the needle. The shank of the needle is sealed against exterior air reaching the conduit between the outer diameter of the needle and inner diameter of the sleeve.

Abstract: The extension set has two lumen for conveying an intravenous liquid and a drug through a common connector to a catheter for direct infusion of the drug to a patient. The lumen are connected in common to the connector or may be separated by a partition wall. In other embodiments, the drug carrying lumen can be disposed within the intravenous tube and may be of micro-bore size.

Abstract: A method is described for coating a hydrophobic filter membrane so as to render said membrane hydrophilic. This method is particularly for treating polypropylene or polytetrafluoroethylene in which the filter membrane is contemplated to have a pore size not larger than two (2) microns. The treating solution has Triethanolamine Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) as the active ingredient. This treatment may use heated air (125.degree. to 200.degree. F.) as a drying assist which renders the membrane to have a substantially instantaneous "wet-out".