Abstract: A method for making a medical instrument from vinyl chloride resin. The method comprises forming two vinyl chloride members and adhering the vinyl chloride resin members together. The adhering of the vinyl chloride members together comprises applying to one or both surfaces of portions of the vinyl chloride resin members to be adhered together a liquid lubricant, which is compatible with vinyl chloride resin and which dissolves vinyl chloride resins and then joining the portions to be adhered together in close adhesion with each other. This method produces vinyl chloride resin medical instruments in a safer fashion than those produced by using an organic solvent.

Abstract: An emesis head appliance is made of clear flexible plastic or disposable material. The appliance includes a two-piece basin sized and configured to receive discharge from a patient and to fit snugly under the chin with side panels reaching upward to the temple area. A drainage tube of sufficient length is attached to the lower end of the basin to act as an outlet for disposing of the discharge waste. A slide clamp is attachable to the tube and closes the tube to prevent leakage until it is desired to discharge the waste material in the basin.

Abstract: A surgical tissue bag for percutaneously debulking large volumes of tissue contained within the bag. The tissue bag comprises two layers of material, an inner layer of a puncture-resistant material and an outer layer of moisture-proof material for containing cells and fluid therein. The bag material is foldable and flexible for insertion through an access sheath into the surgical site and for forming a gas-tight seal when extended through the access sheath or puncture site. A drawstring is attached to the open end of the bag to close the bag when the tissue is contained therein and pulled through the puncture site in the outer surface of the skin. After the closed open end of the bag is pulled through the puncture site, the closed end is fanned out against the outer layer of the skin, and a morcellator is inserted into the bag for debulking the large volume of tissue. The open end of the bag is continually fanned out to maintain a compact and tight containment of the tissue and fluid remaining in the bag.

Abstract: Method for storing, preserving and transporting concentrates of human platelets under blood bank conditions prior to transfusion by compressing plastic walled platelet bags with the use of a grid to permit gas circulation to the bag with the bag positioned for storage in a desired position. A grid aids in storing and preserving platelets and has a rigid body with a substantial open area configured to substantially compress a side of a plastic walled platelet bag to form a substantially uniform layer of fluid in the bag to maximize gas transfer capacity and permit long storage life at atmospheric conditions without the need for conventional agitation of the bag.

Abstract: A liquid transfer assembly comprises a drug container and a syringe. The container has a bag of a flexible polymer with spines forming channels internally of the bag. The container is closed by a valve which has a valve member that is urged outwardly to a closed position by a helical spring. A luer taper bore in the valve is engaged by the nose of the syringe which, when inserted, depresses the valve member and opens the valve. Withdrawing the plunger of the syringe causes liquid drug in the bag to be sucked through the valve into the syringe and the bag to collapse about the remaining contents. The valve reseals the remaining contents on withdrawal of the syringe.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a body organ during surgery includes a flexible enclosure having at least one opening large enough to permit the body organ to pass through and including means for limiting closure of the opening such that injury to the body organ is minimized.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing emergency treatment to a burns patient. The apparatus includes a bag (11) having a wall (15) which defines a space (16) for receiving the burns patient so as to provide a protective environment about the patient. The bag (11) comprises a first portion (21) constructed of flexible waterproof material and a second portion (22) constructed of fluid permeable material. The second portion is so arranged as to be upwardly facing when the bag is in use and is detachable from the first portion to provide access to the space within the bag.

Abstract: A support stand, particularly suitable for use in securing an article against overturn, being coupled to the article in a locked article stabilizing position. Preferably, the stand is rotatively coupled to the article for selective location of the stand in either an inoperative position or in a locked operative article stabilizing position.

Abstract: A protective cover for sealing ports mounted to a plastic bag is disclosed. The ports can be observed through the protective cover and the protective cover can be easily removed from the port with one hand. A tab is welded on one side of the protective cover and is tapered toward the hub of the port. The tab is welded to the protective cover by heat and has a flat, smooth surface so that it becomes transparent or semi-transparent.

Abstract: Laminated sheet material 9 comprises a laminate of a polyvinyl alcohol or other water-disintegratable film 12 with a thin coextruded film comprising a melt-bondable layer 15 and an impermeable layer 14. The laminate is odor impermeable but water disposable and so can be used to form a toilet-disposable ostomy bag by melt-sealing around the edges 10 between the facing melt-sealable surfaces 15.

Abstract: A urinary collection bag and tubing support system intended for use in combination with a folding wheelchair. The system includes a tubing support mounted immediately below the wheelchair seat and a folding collection bag support removably attached to the wheelchair frame below the tubing support. The support system does not interfere with nor hinder the normal folding of the wheelchair, and need not be removed prior to folding the chair.

Abstract: A medical instrument formed of a wall of flexible vinyl chloride resin and enabled to be flattened is disclosed. In this instrument, the inner wall whose opposed surfaces come into mutual contact when the instrument is flattened is made of a flexible vinyl chloride resin composition containing cross-linked vinyl chloride resin particles and, therefore, enabled to form minute protuberances and depressions in the inner wall surfaces. This instrument is useful as bags for holding medical fluids and blood.

Abstract: A front entry, flexible urinary collection bag with an inlet opening at a front wall thereof is connected with a fluid source through a rigid header attached to the flexible bag adjacent the inlet opening at the front of the bag and a fluid conductive connector held in coupling engagement by the header and having an elongate portion which makes fluid connection with the front of the bag through the inlet opening. The portion extends at an acute angle relative to the back of the bag when empty and makes connection with the front of the bag at a location laterally offset from the plane of symmetry, so that the back wall will not asymmetrically bulge away from the central plane of symmetry relative to the front of the bag.

Abstract: A container suitable for storing and dispensing parenteral fluids comprises a flat member 2 inserted into a pouch 1 of plastics material. The member has two ports 9, 10 passing therethrough which are protected by removeable tabs 14, 15 having passageways 19, 20 which are coaxial with the ports. The port 9 is sealed after filling by a cup-shaped closure (25, FIG. 4 not shown). The port 10 is closed by a ruptureable membrane and may have a resilient plug (29, FIG. 5 not shown) and needle guide (30, FIG. 5 not shown). The tabs may be connected to the member by portions 16, 16a, 17, 17a and 18 of reduced thickness. The outer ends of the passageways are sealed by covers 21, 22 or by flattening and sealing the ends of the passageways.The member, ports and tabs may be integrally formed by injection moulding (FIG. 1).

Abstract: In apparatus for receiving and reinfusing a patient's own blood, a rigid container encloses a readily deformable inner container, blood being drawn into the readily deformable container by suction and being displaced therefrom by pressure applied between the outer container and the inner container, for pressure reinfusion. Alternatively, the apparatus has a concertina-like container which is held in its expanded condition by a support structure during the blood-intake suction phase, the blood being displaced from the container back into the patient by compression of the container. In another alternative form, the container is a concertina-like container with a high degree of resiliency adapted to expand it into an expanded condition, the container drawing blood from the patient by being compressed before being connected to the patient and then sucking the blood into the container by expansion under the effect of the resiliency.

Abstract: A separable fastening device is disclosed to support a medical device such as a catheter tube or the like to a limb of a patient. The device includes a first and a second strap member. The first strap member includes a flexible first strap section formed of a knitted textile material having upstanding from one surface a plurality of multifilamentary loop-like elements and a polyurethane foam substrate secured to the opposite surface. The first strap member also includes a second strap section which is formed of a flexible tape member having upstanding from one surface a plurality of hook-like elements which matingly engage with the upstanding filamentary loop-like elements of the first section so as to be attachable thereto at the respective end portions to form a complete flexible first strap member. The second strap member includes a third strap section formed of a flexible tape member having an adhesive coating on one surface and a plurality of hook-like engaging elements on the opposite surface.

Abstract: A support for suspending a body fluid drainage bag from a structure includes a generally planar one-piece body having first and second opposed ends including a hanger at the first end to which a drainage bag can be attached. A support arm depends from the second end and is connected via a living hinge to the body, the body, the living hinge and the support arm being of one piece. The support arm is movable from a first position in the plane of the body to a second position perpendicular thereto. The support arm and body include cooperating locking members to lock the support arm in the second position while at the same time removing the load from the living hinge. The support arm is configured to accomodate two different sizes of standard hospital bed frames and auxiliary string support attachments are provided to allow the drainage bag to be supported a continuously variable distance below the structure from which it is suspended.

Abstract: Heat-sterilizable films are made from a polymer blend of about 10 to about 60 wt % random propylene-ethylene copolymer containing from about 1 to about 6 wt % ethylene-derived units and about 40 to about 90 wt % linear low density polyethylene. The films are especially useful in the manufacture of collapsible parenteral solution bags and overwraps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage bag, in particular for medical purposes for storing blood or infusion solutions, comprising a thermoplastic polymer material and having at least one outlet comprising a tube member.

Abstract: A method of storing blood components uses a blood component storage container which is made of a plasticized polyvinyl chloride formulation which includes a heat stabilizer system selected from the group consisting of salts of C.sub.10 to C.sub.26 saturated fatty acids present in an amount of less than about one percent by weight of the composition. Surprisingly, use of only minimal amounts of these higher molecular weight fatty acids results in an effectively heat stabilized product suited for mass production techniques. As a result, the total amount of the heat stabilizer which can possibly leach into blood plasma is significantly reduced. The material from which the container is made preferably includes an effective amount of a plasticizer which is also essentially nonextractable in blood plasma.

Abstract: A bag suitable for the storage, deep-freezing and transfusion of blood and blood components formed of a calendered or extruded foil of plasticizer-free polyurethane of a thickness of about 0.1-0.5 mm, a Shore hardness A of about 60-85, temperature resistance up to about 160.degree. C. and down to about -196.degree. C. without change of properties. The bag can be used in combination with fittings and tubings of the same material to provide an overall plasticizer-free polyurethane system. The bag can be sterilized, is capable of low temperature storage, and exhibits other desirable properties without affecting the quality of its contents.

Abstract: Medical bags composed of plastic sheets jointed at their edges and a fluid charging/discharging tube sealed between the edges of the sheets have suffered, due to the use of a mold having smooth and straight land conforming with the surface of the tube, various problems such as formation of burrs by the displaced molten plastic material on the inner side of the product bag, weakening or generation of pinholes around the free end of the tube attributable to excessive thinning of the sheets and so forth. According to the invention, these problems are overcome thanks to the use of a mold which has a central first land of an inside diameter slightly smaller than the sum of the tube diameter and thicknesses of sheets and at least one additional land provided at each side of the first land, the additional lands having inside diameters increasing successively and slightly greater than that of the first land.

Abstract: A medical utensil having a portion to contact body fluid or liquid medicine is provided in which at least the contact portion is formed of a copolymer cross-linked by electron beam irradiation and/or .gamma.-ray irradiation.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a flexible plastic container having a filling inlet in the upper portion thereof and a feeding outlet in the lower portion thereof with a control valve to control flow from the outlet. The container is provided with a first hanger member for hanging the container on a first hanging axis. The container is further provided with a second hanger member for hanging the container on a second hanging axis which extends at right angles to the first hanging axis. The container is provided with an internal barrier means which extends from one edge of the container to a point spaced from the opposite edge of the container along a line parallel to the second hanging axis.

Abstract: A surgical collection bag for post operative use having two opposed walls, secured together by a perimeter weld. One of the walls has an inlet opening through which the contents of the intestine of a patient can flow into the interior of the bag. The same wall also has a vent which is impervious to solid material and liquid from the intestine of the patient but which is pervious to gases. Welds inside the bag together with the perimeter weld define a pathway through which gases can flow from the interior of the bag to the vent. This pathway includes one or more vents through which gases must pass before they reach the vent. These gateways are sufficiently narrow at least substantially to prevent the passage of solid materials and liquids. If desired, the welds can be discontinuous to provide a multiplicity of gateways.

Abstract: An aseptically pure dispensing anticoagulant device adapted to be connected to a blood collection set and which may be aseptically treated by ethylene oxide or other high diffusivity sterilant without deleterious effects upon the anticoagulant. Various embodiments are shown; in one, a collapsible pouch is provided which includes a barrier against diffusion of water vapor and ethylene oxide. In another embodiment, a rigid anticoagulant container is employed which necessitates a secondary volume of air in a surrounding pouch to provide air to displace liquid in the rigid container as it passes into the set.

Abstract: A urine receptacle comprising, a container having a chamber for collection of urine, and a pocket on an outer surface of the container, with the pocket having an open end. The receptacle has a tubular section having an inner end attached to a lower portion of the container and communicating with said chamber, and an outer end. The receptacle has an elongated projection extending from the container in the pocket and being removably receivable in a lumen of the tubular section in the outer end in a storage position of the tubular section in the pocket. The projection has a device for contacting an inner surface of the tubular section and for retaining an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improvement in an ostomy bag which permits undesirable gases to escape only after passing through a separate deodorant filled chamber. The chamber is located at the top of the bag and an interconnecting tube provides for the passage of the gases from the bag to the deodorant chamber. A similar tube connected to the deodorant chamber allows the deodorized gases to pass into the atmosphere. A single use or renewable use design is disclosed.

Abstract: A platelet freezing bag made of pliable plastic material has two needle ports designed to accept a syringe needle for transferring platelet concentrate and diluent plasma into the bag and a large draining port. The ports are protected and closed by pull-apart seals. The draining port is separated from the platelet receiving compartment by a push-apart seal which can be opened by exerting gentle pressure on the contents of the bag.

Abstract: A synthetic bag-type container for human blood and its fractions, and perfusion solutions in general, is constituted by an envelope welded on three sides, with the fourth side configured as a bellows to generate the base of the container, from which the delivery nozzles project, each end of the bellows being defined by two inclined welds which converge into the adjacent lateral weld of the envelope, so as to give the base a concave configuration which ensures perfect emptying of the contents.

Abstract: An article for storage and transport of biogenic fluids such as blood, blood fractions, intravenous feeding solutions and liquid phase-delivered drugs is formed of an additive-free uncharged thermoplastic polymer of vinylidene fluoride copolymerized with a monomer.

Abstract: A flexible, flat-collapsible bag containing parenteral solution may be adapted for aseptically receiving and mixing the contents of another container, with the flat-collapsible bag preferably initially containing, prior to receiving said contents, a liquid for parenteral administration in a volume of 30 to 70 percent of the holding capacity of said flat-collapsible bag. The bag defines at least a pair of access ports, one of the ports being sealingly connected to flexible, crimpable, thermoplastic tubing of a length of at least 11/2 inches, and a sealed connector member carried on the outer end of the flexible thermoplastic tubing, in which the seal connector member defines a sleeve including a sealing diaphragm in the bore thereof, with the sleeve constituting an extension of the flexible thermoplastic tubing. Accordingly, a piercing spike may sealingly enter the sleeve to rupture the diaphragm.

Abstract: A unit for rapid priming and flow of liquid through the unit is disclosed. The unit comprises a connector for communicating with liquid in a sealed container, the connector having an exit orifice around which is secured one end of a primer tube. The other end of the primer tube is joined to a pooling conduit. The diameter of the primer tube is greater than the diameter of a drop of liquid released from the orifice and the diameter of the pooling conduit is no greater and preferably slightly less than the diameter of the drop of liquid. Multiple units can be joined to a common tube of enlarged diameter which leads into a pooling and dispensing container.

Abstract: A urine receptacle comprising, a container having a chamber for collection of urine, and a tubular section having an inner end attached to a lower portion of the container and communicating with the chamber, and an outer end. The receptacle has a member for contacting a surface of the outer end of the tubular section and for retaining an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A drainage receptacle comprising, a container having a chamber for receiving body fluids and a pair of spaced apertures adjacent an upper portion of the container. The receptacle has a support member having a pair of spaced openings and a hook. The receptacle also has an elongated cord passing through the apertures with an end portion extending from each of the apertures and a central portion extending between the apertures. The end portions of the cord are received in the openings of the support member and the cord central portion is received on the hook.

Abstract: Medical apparatus for parenteral liquids wherein at least the surfaces coming into contact with said liquids consist of or contain a chlorinated polyolefin as specified and additionally contain a glycerol ester of an aliphatic fatty acid. The apparatus is characterized by a very good blood tolerance.

Abstract: A dialysate bag assembly suitable for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis includes a plurality of unfilled, expansible dialysate bags. An expansible container includes a plurality of compartments, each bag being removably positioned in one of those compartments. A filling feedline is detachably connected to each bag for providing dialysate from a source to each bag. The bags and the container are adapted to expand as the bags are being filled with the bags being engageable against the walls of the compartments to maintain the bags in relatively tight engagement. Each bag includes an opening for emptying dialysate which has been delivered to the same from the source.

Abstract: A molded collapsible solution container which defines a body portion having an integral neck portion and a relatively stiff shoulder portion and sealed at the opposite end, with gusset portions defined in the body portion adjacent the shoulder portion at opposite sides thereof. The shoulder portion extends outwardly from the neck portion and also extends axially rearwardly away from the neck portion in tapered manner. Sections of the shoulder portion adjacent the gusset portions normally extend in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container, being connected to the remainder of the shoulder portion by an angular crease line and being flexible to permit axially forward bending of the sections about the crease line as the container collapses by draining. Also, the tail seal at the opposite end may define a convex, arcuate seal for improved strength.

Abstract: A compliant O-ring seats on the abdomen surrounding the stoma and contacting the stoma. A pouch sealing ring having an annular flange fits over the O-ring to form a sealer therewith. A waste collection pouch is secured to this sealing ring and has an opening aligned with the washer and the O-ring and a belt attached to the sealing ring secures the appliance to the body of the user.

Abstract: The invention describes surgical drainage bags suitable for receiving body fluids and wastes. One aspect of the invention is a self-sealing bag of flexible film in which the opening may be sealed by stretching, relaxing and pressing the sides of the opening together. Another aspect of the invention is the incorporation of an absorbent product into surgical bags. The preferred embodiment embraces both these aspects. Suitable materials for the bag and the absorbent products are described.

Abstract: An openable seal member for a container includes a tube extending across the sealed area of the container for flow communication between the interior and exterior thereof. A flexible plastic pocket member seals and encloses the outer end of the tube. Tear means are provided for opening the pocket member, comprising a circumferential line of tearing weakness positioned about the pocket member in transverse relation to the longitudinal axis of the tube. In accordance with this invention, a flexible generally conical portion is positioned between the outer end of the tube and the tear means, with the conical portion diverging outwardly and constituting an inner portion of the pocket member, to define upon opening of the seal member, an enlarged, protective area surrounding the outer end of the bore of the tube.

Abstract: A flexible bag for dispensing medical liquid, such as intravenous solutions, to a patient. The bag has an improved additive port for periodically injecting medication or other liquid into the bag through a puncturable, resealable plug. The additive port includes a flexible support tube segment sealed between opposed walls of the bag and a substantially stiffer puncture tube sealed to an outer end of a port tube segment, which substantially stiffer puncture tube is in turn sealed to a tear-off closure. A puncturable, resealable plug is held against an integral puncturable (nonresealable) diaphragm of the puncture tube by the retaining member sealed within the puncture tube. This construction provides more reliable, leak proof sealing between components of an additive port of a medical liquid bag.

Abstract: A blood bag or other container which is made of a flexible, hemocompatible, sterilizable plastic material free of blood-extractable plasticizer. The blood bag contains an insert member which comprises a non-toxic, sterilizable plastic formulation which contains from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer selected from the group consisting of the dioctylphthalates and dioctyladipates. Such a blood bag is capable of reducing the plasma hemoglobin in stored blood, when compared with similar blood bags without the insert member.

Abstract: Blood-compatible, chlorine-free polymers such as a flexible, non-toxic, sterilizable polyester plastic formulation may contain from 5 to 70 percent by weight of a blood-extractable plasticizer such as di-2-ethylhexylphthalate, to cause blood which is stored in contact with the polymer to exhibit a surprisingly low hemolysis rate when compared with corresponding polymers which are free of the plasticizer. Accordingly, blood bags, tubing and other medical blood-contacting devices may be advantageously made from these polymers.

Abstract: A flexible plastic bag is suspended from the lid of a rigid cylindrical vessel. In the side wall of the bag, near its top, is an aperture covered by a gas-permeable liquid-impermeable membrane. Suction is applied to space between the vessel and the bag so as to draw liquid into the bag. The membrane shuts off fluid flow therethrough when the liquid drawn into the bag covers the membrane. The lower portion of the vessel closely surrounds and supports the lower portion of the bag, whereas the upper portion of the vessel side wall is enlarged so as to provide clearance outwardly of the membrane.

Abstract: A system for a flexible container for liquids in which a socket is fixed to one wall and the container is filled through this socket. A flap being heat sealable on one surface is attached to one wall of the container and this flap underlies the socket so that after filling the socket can be closed by the flap and the filled container is sealed for transportation. Subsequently the socket can be fitted with a tap which breaks the flap seal and enables the contents of the flexible container to be dispensed.

Abstract: A urine collection bag with a folded over top sealed to a stiffening panel in a generally horizontal plane. This panel shapes the folded bag top to define a ventable gas pocket immediately below the panel. The panel has a handle flexibly connected to it for suspending the bag with its gas pocket upright. The bag construction also discloses an inverted J-shaped opaque wall structure sealed to a transparent wall.

Abstract: A disposable urethral catheter assembly includes a flexible bag in which a number of chambers are defined by barriers. In an upper chamber, a catheter is contained in a sterile environment. When the catheter is inserted through the urethra into the bladder, the fluid flows into the bag through the upper chamber and into a lower sample chamber, excess fluid being collected in the upper chamber. After catheterization, a one-piece element which provides a sealable passageway through the first barrier between the upper and lower chamber can be readily closed by manipulation through the wall of the bag and thus isolate the sample in the lower chamber. The upper chamber, its contents and the catheter are separated from the sealed lower chamber and discarded. The lower sample chamber which provides a sterile environment for its contents can then be sent to a laboratory for analysis and culture.

Abstract: A bag-like liquid container especially intended for medical use is formed from flexible material and includes at least one closable spout for filling or emptying the container, having its center line substantially in the plane of the flat container, the spout being provided with a flange formed integral therewith, said flange being weldably unitable to the container material for providing a completely impervious attachment of the spout to the container as well as a separation of the sides of the container so that liquid flowing into and out of the container is always guaranteed a free passage.

Abstract: The method of molding flexible, collapsible containers comprises extruding a tubular parison of material to be molded and sealing the outer, free end of the parison; ballooning the parison with relatively low pneumatic pressure; closing the mold about the ballooned parison to cause the edges of the parison to protrude out of the mold chamber; and sealing said parison to form said container, including the step of forming seal lines positioned laterally inwardly from the lateral edges of the parison. A novel container design is also covered.