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 cannula 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 the cannula extends through this hub and into flow communication with a "flashback" indicator. In one embodiment the cannula is formed with a transverse hole near its interior end and in the other embodiment the cannula's inner end is in flow communication with a channel and then to a longitudinal 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. The guidewire is manipulated forwardly into the lumen after penetration has been made as indicated by the "flashback".

Abstract: This invention shows a sterile connection device as made in several embodiments but with a common purpose in which a protector may be pierced, penetrated or opened by pressurized fluid flow by means carried on a influent connector member but with the withdrawal of this means the protector is closed to the passage of unwanted contaminents. The influent connector may be conduit, a syringe or a like member with or without a needle, or a influent connector made as a molding and with or without a needle. The protector, if resilient, may be a secured diaphragm; a duckbill valve, or a slit in a resilient wall of a tubular member removably mountable on an extending tubular end of a effluent connector. The influent connector and the effluent connector are formed of plastic with molding processes providing the desired tolerances.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly for receiving a blood sample from a patient but for preventing the blood from flowing out once it has been received. This assembly includes an evacuated receptacle, such as a blood collecting tube, for the reception and retention of a sample of blood. An opening is included in the receptacle into which a penetrable stopper is sealably positioned to maintain the evacuated condition inside the receptacle. Located inside the evacuated receptacle is a unidirectional flow valve through which blood entering the receptacle must pass. When the stopper is penetrated by a sharp cannular instrument carrying blood the pressure on the side of the valve facing the stopper is greater than the pressure in the evacuated receptacle, thereby causing the valve to open so that blood flowing from the instrument flows through the valve and into the receptacle.

Abstract: A seal for limiting access of bacteria through a side arm of a stopcock such as that used in apparatus for monitoring pressure in a human blood vessel. The seal has a generally cylindrical body, an open end of which slides over the side arm. A portion of the body seals against the side arm exterior wall. The other end of the seal forms a cap through which a syringe nose may penetrate to establish fluid communication between the syringe and the side arm lumen. The interior of the seal body includes a recess for a Luer lock fitting which may exist on the end of the side arm, and an annular spacer projecting from the inside of the body to provide a surface against which the end of the side arm can abut to prevent the inserted syringe nose from bottoming on the end of the stopcock arm during use. A slit in the capped end of the seal facilitates insertion of the syringe nose. The slit is surrounded by a recess to guide the syringe nose into the slit.

Abstract: A liquid infusion catheter assembly comprises a hub and a first hollow catheter connected at its proximal end, and being in fluid communication with, the hub. This catheter has at least one fluid outlet opening. A second hollow catheter, extending from, but being out of fluid communication with, the hub surrounds the first catheter with a space therebetween. This second catheter extends distally farther than the first catheter and has at least one hole through its surface where it surrounds the first catheter, and has a fluid outlet opening in the portion extending beyond the first catheter.

Abstract: A vented filtration device comprising a closed, flexible and compressible housing having a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The housing includes an internal passage connecting the inlet and the outlet. A liquid filter assembly is disposed within the passage between the inlet and outlet thereby defining an upstream pressure section between the inlet and the filter and a downstream pressure section between the filter and the outlet. This assembly includes a flexible, porous bacteria retentive filter membrane, a flexible, porous support material overlying one surface of the filter membrane and a frame having at least one large central opening overlying the opposite surface of the filter membrane. A gas vent located in the housing communicating with the upstream pressure section of the passage is adapted to allow gas but not liquid to pass from the upstream section out of the housing.

Abstract: A catheter placement unit for use with an introducer needle and an introducer catheter including a hollow tube and a fitting at one of its ends. The placement unit comprises a connector having an internal bore and including a male fitting member for mating with the catheter fitting to provide a connection. A protective sheath is secured to the connector and it includes a hole, closable elastic member or the like in its periphery for allowing insertion of the needle therethrough and into the bore of the connector. A length of flexible, hollow catheter tubing is movably positioned within and enclosed by the sheath.A method of placing a catheter into a patient includes the steps of mating a connector of a catheter placement unit, substantially as described above, to a fitting on an introducer catheter. A needle is inserted through the periphery of the sheath and through the connector into the lumen of the introducer catheter so that the tip of the needle extends slightly beyond its end.

Abstract: A hub assembly for use in the filtration of fluids comprising a hub with a tapered bore extending therethrough, and a filter membrane in the bore. The filter membrane has a first portion extending across the bore and a second portion extending from the first portion in substantial contact with the hub around the bore. Means within the bore presses the second portion into tight contact with the hub around the bore to secure the filter membrane therein.A method of fabricating a filter membrane and inserting the same into a hub having a bore extending therethrough, the bore being substantially circular in cross section and tapered to define a large opening at its proximal end and a small opening at its distal end, includes forming a substantially flat, circular filter membrane from a filter medium, the membrane having a diameter larger than the large opening of the bore.