Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.

Ronald A Williams

Edward L Bayham

Gerald A Grode

David W Ammann

William J Stith

Ulrich C Geissler

Charles J Nevens

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 ester 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.

Blood storage method

A flow control assembly comprises separate first and second members. The first member is attachable to two or more flexible fluid conduits and serves to establish flow communication between the attached conduits. The second member carries one or more crimping mechanisms and is releasably attachable to the first member. When the first and second members are attached together, the crimping mechanisms of the second member can be independently and selectively operated to close one or more of the flexible conduits attached to the first member. Fluid flow into and through the first member can thus be controlled from a convenient, centralized location. The assembly is extremely adaptable and can be readily incorporated into virtually any fluid system which requires complex, repetitive valving functions. For example, the assembly is ideally suited for use in conjunction with a plasmapheresis system.

Flow control mechanism for a plasmapheresis assembly or the like

A plasmapheresis assembly includes a fluid manifold which interconnects the phlebotomy needle of the assembly with a pair of blood collection containers. The manifold includes a removably insertable plug member which, when inserted, blocks fluid flow through the manifold to retain anticoagulant solution in the containers prior to use and which, after removal, affords fluid flow through the manifold and permits the attachment of a recipient set to the manifold.

Plasmapheresis assembly and associated fluid manifold

Packages or containers are formed for body fluids or other solutions within which autoclaved liquids such as anticoagulants are included. The invention, which is particularly suitable for donor blood bags, includes the use of a sterile connector to incorporate autoclaved liquids into sterilized packages that can, if desired, be made of materials that cannot be successfully autoclaved at high temperatures without deformation or discoloration thereof.

Method of making and filling liquid-containing sterile packages such as

A separable integral donor connector with an improved clamping mechanism for use with flexible blood collection tubing is disclosed. The device is positioned in line with the blood tubing between a phlebotomy needle and the collection bag. Separation of the device is accomplished by manipulation and breaking of a thin frangible ring area and drawing the sections of the device apart. This separation exposes an internally-mounted needle that may be used for penetration of sample collection tube closures and subsequent collection of blood samples. The present embodiment of this invention includes improved manually-operated clamping jaws that are flexibly biased away from the blood tubing. Clamping jaws of differing lengths are disclosed which, when engaged, overlap and cause an area of tubing to be collapsed into a distinctive, S-shaped configuration which crimps and more effectively seals the tubing against blood flow. The clamping device is free from restraints permitting simple, one-handed operation, as well as the broadest control over the blood flow.

Separable integral donor connector with manual clamping means

A sealed, sterile connection may be provided between a pair or more of containers having transparent, flexible, thermoplastic sealed walls, each of which contains an opaque, relatively rigid, hollow sealing member in the general shape of a truncated cone, open at both ends. The containers are brought together into facing contact, and the hollow sealing members are nested together with portions of the transparent walls of the containers positioned therebetween. The nested, sealing member cones are irradiated with infrared or the like through the transparent container walls to heat the nested sealing members. As a result of this, heat is conducted to the portions of the transparent walls between the nested sealing members, to seal the portions of the transparent walls together in an annular area between the sealing means. A portion of the transparent walls retained in the nested sealing members may then be torn away to make a sterile connection between the two containers.

Sterile connector adapted for multiple junctions

Solution containers such as blood bags and system for preparing same

Valve means in a flexible tube, for example, tubing for connecting blood bags, 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 opening of the closed end, to permit resealing of the valve. The elongated, generally rigid member carries longitudinal vanes to provide flow channels along its length. In accordance with this invention, a pair of said vanes in opposed relationship extends rearwardly of the end of the central portion of the rigid member, and the flexible tube defines a bore portion position to receive and resiliently hold the proposed veins when the frangible means is broken and the rigid member is separated from the tubular portion. This prevents accidental reclosing of the valve means by the rigid member moving to obstruct the tubular portion.

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Mundelein, IL, United States of America

Ronald A Williams