Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.

Abstract: A mixing syringe and method for using the mixing syringe are provided. The mixing syringe comprises a housing having a first compartment for containing a first component, an outer plunger having a second compartment for containing a second component, and an inner plunger. Prior to use, a seal separates the first and second components. To prepare the mixture, the seal is pierced and the two components are mixed. The mixing syringe and its method of use are particularly suited to applications in which at least one of the mixture components is a relatively highly viscous material.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided that includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the bias of the biasing element. When the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle, which is propelled rearwardly into the device. A device for inserting a guide wire into a patient is also provided. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the bias of the biasing element. After the guide wire is inserted into the patient, the needle retainer allows the needle to be released, so that the needle is retracted into the device.

Abstract: A safety needle-bearing medical advice (10) is provided. Specifically, a safety device for injecting medicinal fluid into a patient is provided. The device comprises a hollow housing (20), a needle assembly (40) and a plunger (30). The needle assembly (40) releasably retains a needle (43) in an extended position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use. At the end of an injection stroke, the plunger (30) engages the needle assembly (40), such that the needle (43) is released and retracted into a cavity (38) within the plunger. The device (10) includes structure for reducing the dead-space volume, which represents the amount a fluid remaining in the device at the end of an injection stroke. In addition, preferably the device (10) includes structure for minimizing the volume of potential air bubbles trapped in the medicinal fluid prior to an injection.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device. The device further allows the operator to intervene to delay retraction if desired.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for collecting fluid samples from a patient, such as blood samples. The device includes a needle having a forward sharpened tip that is retracted into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The rearward end of the housing is open, forming a socket for receiving a fluid container, such as a vacuum tube, that will receive the fluid sample. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the extended position against the rearward bias of a biasing element. After use, the medical professional retracts the needle by pressing an actuation button, allowing the biasing element to displace the needle rearwardly. A guide track guides the needle during retraction, tilting the needle off-axis.

Abstract: A mixing syringe and method for using the mixing syringe are provided. The mixing syringe comprises a housing having a first compartment for containing a first component, an outer plunger having a second compartment for containing a second component, and an inner plunger. Prior to use, a seal separates the first and second components. To prepare the mixture, the seal is pierced and the two components are mixed. The mixing syringe and its method of use are particularly suited to applications in which at least one of the mixture components is a relatively highly viscous material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting medicine from a pre-filled container into a patient through an injection needle. After use, the needle is automatically shielded to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle. The device operates by pumping medicine out of the vial and into a transfer chamber. The medicine is then expelled from the transfer chamber into a patient during an injection stroke. At the end of the injection stroke, the needle is released for retraction, and the spring retracts the needle for shielding. The device can include an injector assembly and a vial holder assembly. The injector assembly has a needle retainer for releasably retaining the needle in a projecting position against the bias of a spring. The vial holder assembly is attachable with the injector assembly and is operable to transfer fluid from the vial and into the transfer chamber for an injection.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.

Abstract: A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes forward and rearward stops for impeding displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted. A seal prevents contaminants from entering the device after the needle is retracted. A safety sampling access port adapter for obtaining fluid samples from a fluid line is also provided. The sampling adapter includes a first end configured to cooperate with an access port attached to the fluid line. The sampling adapter further includes a collapsible socket configured to cooperate with a fluid container such as a vacuum tube. A needle assembly disposed within the housing of the sampling adapter is operable to pierce the seal on the fluid container.

Abstract: A hypodermic injection system with a retractable needle wherein the needle retracts within an interior cavity of a syringe plunger, such that the needle is confined within the plunger. A spring biases the needle rearwardly into the plunger, and a needle retainer releasably retains the needle against the bias of the spring. The plunger has a frangible end, which dissociates when the plunger engages the needle retainer, allowing the coiled spring to eject the needle into the interior cavity of the plunger. A body fluid sampling embodiment employs the same functional elements except the plunger is shorter and contains a linking that communicates with a vacuum container. The container allows fluid sampling and provides the structure to release the spring retracting the needle.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing a fluid sample from a patient is disclosed comprising the steps of: a) providing a sampling device (10) having a housing (20) and a needle (40) having a sharpened tip for piercing the skin of the patient; b) withdrawing fluid from the patient into the housing; c) retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip of the needle is enclosed within the housing; and d) expelling the fluid from the housing after the needle is retracted.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: A device is provided for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge. The device includes a needle and a hollow barrel that holds a pre-filled cartridge. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position so the needle can be inserted into a patient. A plunger in the rear of the barrel cooperates with the cartridge to expel fluid from the cartridge during an injection. After an injection, the needle is automatically retracted into the barrel when pressure is released from the plunger. A locking mechanism locks the contaminated needle and cartridge in the barrel after needle retraction. After use, the device may be safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: A safety needle-bearing device for mixing and injecting medication from a two-chambered cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle that extends through the forward end of a barrel. A two-chambered cartridge is attached to the barrel and contains components of a medication stored separately in the chambers. A plunger in the rearward end of the cartridge can be advanced into the cartridge to combine the separate components and prepare the medication. As the cartridge is advanced forwardly into the barrel, the medication is injected through the needle and into a patient. At the completion of the injection stroke, the cartridge engages a needle retainer to actuate needle retraction. The needle is subsequently retracted to shield the contaminated needle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a medical device (10) comprised of a medical apparatus (20) and a needle assembly (30). The needle assembly includes a needle (70) having a sharpened tip. Preferably, the medical apparatus (20) is a standard apparatus, such as a syringe or phlebotomy device. The medical apparatus (20) includes a connector (24), such as a Luer connector. The needle assembly (30) is configured so that it can be attached to the medical apparatus (20) and the sharpened tip of the needle (70) is automatically shielded after use to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for collecting fluid samples from a patient, such as blood samples. The device includes a needle having a forward sharpened tip that is retracted into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The rearward end of the housing is open, forming a socket for receiving a fluid container, such as a vacuum tube, that will receive the fluid sample. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the extended position against the rearward bias of a biasing element. After use, the medical professional retracts the needle by pressing an actuation button, allowing the biasing element to displace the needle rearwardly. A guide track guides the needle during retraction, tilting the needle off-axis.