Cutter Laboratories, Inc.

Robert D Tuseth

William C Dabney

Myron R Prouty

John H Hink

Basil L Kristoff

An improved disc valve in a container for dispensing liquids is disclosed. The disc valve comprises at least two upstanding posts adjacent an outlet passage in the bottom of the container and a floatable disc member with apertures near its periphery through which the posts extend. The posts further have disc-retaining stops at their upper ends. The posts position the disc and the relationship between the size of the apertures and the thickness of the posts assures the disc will seat over the outlet passage to prevent the passage of air when all the liquid has been dispensed.

Disc valve in a container for dispensing liquids

Method and apparatus is disclosed relating to the use of a plasma receiving assembly including a container and closure cap adapted to permit aseptic handling, storage and shipment of blood plasma. One aspect of the method is to form the plasma receiving assembly by placing a plasma receiving container within an overwrap having a gas permeable bacterial filter such that the container and overwrap may be gas sterilized followed by mechanical sealing of the container while still in the overwrap. The method further provides for use of the overwrap to lessen the chances of contamination during handling and transfer of the blood plasma including the steps of forming the container in a rigid standardized cylindrical form and limiting the volume of plasma placed in each container so that the plasma may be frozen and removed automatically. The method is facilitated by a novel closure cap having a cover adapted for axial movement between a partially open position in which sterilized gas may pass into and out of the container and a fully closed position in which the container is hermetically sealed for shipment. Because the closure cap cover may be operated by direct pressure applied to the upper surface, operation of the closure cap cover when the container is within the overwrap is greatly facilitated.

Closure cap for plasma receiving assembly

The plasmapheresis assembly includes a novel Y connector valving structure to replace conventional tube clamps. This valving structure eliminates dead spaces for blood to collect and clot and provides a fluid tight seal during heat sterilization without causing deformation of the tubing for the assembly. Possible erroneous connection of assembly components with resultant contamination is eliminated by the use of unique mating connectors in place of spikes or needle connectors. These mating connectors are employed in a simple and efficient blood bag construction to provide substantially rigid access ports to facilitate rapid manual manipulation of the blood bags.

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Alameda, CA, United States of America

Robert D Tuseth