Abstract: A docking station advantageously provides a location identifier to a portable processing device which processes the location identifier to determine docking station location (and other information) and to upload settings and configuration information related to an identified location which is retained until a different docking station location is encountered. In a system for use in a docking station suitable for attaching to a portable patient monitoring device for processing signal parameters acquired from a patient, a power coupler couples power to provide electrical power to a portable processing device. An adaptive communication interface, in a first mode of operation, communicates an identifier associated with a particular docking station to the portable processing device, and in a second mode of operation, establishes connection of the portable processing device to a network.

Abstract: A blood collection needle which includes a needle for puncturing a patient's skin; a needle for puncturing a rubber plug which seals a blood collection tube; a hub for securing respective proximal portions of the two needles; a resilient cap fitted to the hub; and a valve member disposed in the internal passage of the hub which allows only blood flow from the needle used to puncture a patient's skin to the needle used to puncture the rubber plug which seals the blood collection tube. The valve member includes a bowl portion disposed so that the opening is faced toward the needle for puncturing the rubber plug and a guiding portion provided on a bottom surface of the bowl portion for causing the valve member to move to a predetermined position which closes the internal passage.