Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Garry L Carter

Daniel B Granzow

Edward L Bayham

David W Ammann

In a flexible tube, for example tubing for connecting blood bags, valve means are provided which comprises a tubular portion having a closed end, and an elongated, generally rigid member carried on the exterior of the closed end and positioned within the flexible tube. Frangible means are provided to permit the opening of the closed end by manual manipulation of the elongated member from outside of the flexible tube. The elongated, rigid member is adapted to fit in sealing relationship within the tubular portion after the opening of the closed end, to permit resealing of the valve.

Frangible, resealable closure for a flexible tube

A connection may be formed between sealed conduits in which each conduit carries an opaque, thermoplastic wall portion preferably having a melting range above essentially 200.degree. C., preferably with the opaque thermoplastic wall portions being carried on the conduit about their periphery by transparent wall portions of the conduit. The opaque wall portions of the conduits are brought together into facing contact, and then exposed to sufficient radiant energy to cause the opaque wall portions to fuse together, and to open an aperture through the fused wall portions. This provides sealed communication between the interiors of the conduits.

Method of forming a connection between two sealed conduits using radiant

A sealed fluid conduit, closed with a diaphragm, contains a spike having forward and rear ends and adapted for moving to rupture the diaphragm with the forward end. A transversely-enlarged, flexible, axially collapsible portion of the conduit is positioned adjacent to the spike and adapted to permit manual movement of the spike from outside of the conduit to rupture the diaphragm. In accordance with this invention, a longitudinal groove is defined in the spike extending from the front end and terminating at a point between the front and rear ends. The spike defines an annular, enlarged sealing portion of a transverse dimension which is proportioned to sealingly occlude the portion of the conduit immediately forward of the transversely enlarged collapsible portion, the sealing portion being positioned between the terminating point of the groove and the rear end of the spike. The spike is positioned so that the enlarged sealing portion normally resides within the transversely-enlarged collapsible portion.

Growing community of inventors

Palatine, IL, United States of America

Garry L Carter