APPARATUS FOR PREPARING AN ELONGATE FLUID-CONTAINING MEMBER AND RELATED APPARATUS FOR REMOVING FLUID FROM SUCH MEMBER

摘要

An apparatus (10) for preparing an elongate fluid-containing member (12) such as an umbilical cord comprises a housing (14) and support elements (30) in the housing for maintaining the umbilical cord in a substantially linear configuration. The support elements are generally horizontally oriented and arranged in a linear array and are pivotably mounted to the housing. A clamping device (42) in the housing applies at least four clamps or staples to the umbilical cord, while a severing device (58) divides the umbilical cord at a point between two midle staples to form at least two separate sections of the umbilical cord. A transfer mechanism in the housing automatically transfers the severed umbilical cord sections to respective receptacles (74), the transfer mechanism including a device (34) operatively connected to the support elements for tilting those elements, the transfer mechanism further including guide funnels (36) disposed in the housing below the support elements for guiding the severed sections of the umbilical cord into the receptacles. A closure assembly (150) is provided for automatically closing the receptacles upon the disposition therein of the severed sections of the umbilical cord. And a control unit (28) is operatively connected to the clamping device, the severing device, the transfer mechanism and the closure assembly for sequencing the operations thereof.