Abstract: A blood collection tube is provided having a sealingly engaged elastomeric disk bonded over the open end of the tube. The disk has two opposing major surfaces and is bonded to the tube while deformed in a generally arcuate configuration. One of the major surface faces exteriorally from the tube and the other major surface faces interiorly into the tube. The exterior-facing major surface of the disk is placed in tension and the interior-facing major surface is placed in compression.

Abstract: The present invention is a plastic container coated with a multi-layer barrier coating. The multi-layer barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: A laser lancet tip and method for controlling laser incisions for the purpose of taking blood samples from patients in a variety of body locations and age groups. A removable tip on a laser is used to mask a laser pulse and modify the length and width of an incision made by the laser by only allowing a portion of the laser beam to contact the target surface. The depth of the incision may be controlled by either a lens or filter which is optically aligned with the laser beam.

Abstract: The present invention is a needle assembly comprising a friction coating or material to prevent the needle assembly from prematurely disengaging from a needle holder. Preferably, the friction coating is UV curable acrylic or a spring washer.

Abstract: The present invention is a non-ideal barrier coating composition and the method for applying the coating composition to substrates. The non-ideal barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: An assembly for the collection of a patient's blood specimen comprises an elongate needle holder, a blood collection tube, and a cap closing the blood collection tube. The needle holder supports a blood extracting needle through a closed end thereof. The blood collection tube is insertable into the interior of the needle holder so as to collect blood. The cap has a membrane which is puncturable by the needle upon insertion of the blood collection tube into the interior of the needle holder. The cap includes a deflectable member extending therefrom for engagement with the cylindrical wall of the needle holder so as to frictionally resist longitudinal movement of the tube within the tube holder.

Abstract: An injection molding method for forming an article having a receptacle with a coating on an interior surface includes providing an injection molding tool with at least one cavity in one part and at least one core pin projecting from a second part having an outside surface. The core pin is sized to fit within the cavity with a clearance thereby defining a cavity space. The injection molding tool has an open position wherein the core pin is withdrawn from the cavity and a closed position wherein the core pin is disposed within the cavity for defining the cavity space. The method further sequentially then includes moving the injection molding tool to the open position and applying a coating of a coating material to the outside surface of the core pin. The method further includes moving the injection molding tool to the closed position.

Abstract: An assembly for collecting blood or other body fluids is provided. The assembly includes an elongate tube having an open end and a closed end. The open end includes threads. An internally threaded plastic cap is mounted to the open end of the tube. The cap includes an axial passage and a resealable member aligned with the axial passage. A gas-impermeable member is bonded to the resealable member and the open end of the tube. Both the resealable member and gas-impermeable member are pierceable by a needle. The cap is removable with the resealable member and the gas-impermeable member as a unit due to the fact that the bond between the gas-impermeable member and the tube is weaker than that between the gas-impermeable member and the resealable member. The cap includes a deflectable portion near its top end to engage the walls of a tube holder, and to function as a shock absorber if the tube is dropped.

Abstract: The present invention is a plastic container coated with a multi-layer barrier coating. The multi-layer barrier coating is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for facilitating plasma processing and in particular chemical plasma enhanced vapor deposition, plasma polymerization or plasma treatment of barrier materials onto the interior surface of containers barrier materials are useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and/or water permeability in containers and for extending shelf-life of containers, especially plastic evacuated blood collection devices.

Abstract: An assembly and method for storing and dispensing additives that are used in the preservation, separation or analysis of a blood sample. The assembly comprises a container, a reservoir and a cap wherein the reservoir is a liquid impermeable material.