Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device includes a housing, a puncturing element transitionable between a pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing and a puncturing position wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the housing, and a cartridge removably connectable to a portion of the housing. After collecting a blood sample, the cartridge is removable from the housing and the cartridge is able to transfer the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer.

Abstract: A closure for use with a specimen collection container is disclosed. The closure includes a base portion having a first end adapted for engagement with an open end of the specimen collection container, and a second end adapted for receiving a portion of a syringe assembly therein. The closure also includes a luer fitting connected to the base portion and having at least one channel for venting an interior of the specimen collection container to atmosphere during introduction of a fluid specimen from the syringe assembly into the specimen collection container. The closure further includes a shielding portion connected to the base portion and adapted to transition from an open position in which fluid communication is established between the first end and the second end through the luer fitting, to a closed position in which the luer fitting is fully shielded by the shielding portion.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A shieldable needle device (12) with a needle cannula (28), a hub (44) supporting the needle cannula, and a tip guard (24) axially movable along the needle cannula where, upon transition, the tip guard protectively surrounds the distal end (42) of the needle cannula. The needle device includes a pair of wings (60) extending laterally from opposing sides of the tip guard and connected to the hub. The pair of wings are transitionable between a first position and a second position, wherein transition of the pair of wings advances the tip guard from a proximal position to a shielding distal position. The wings include protrusions (66) which cause the longitudinal axis of the needle cannula to become offset from the opening (52) of the tip guard during advancement of the tip guard preventing the needle cannula from being reinserted through the tip guard after the tip guard has been transitioned to the distal position.

Abstract: A needle assembly is disclosed. The needle assembly includes a housing having a flash chamber, and having a distal end and a proximal end engageable with a specimen collection container. The assembly includes a cannula having a patient end, a non-patient end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a cannula interior. The patient end of the cannula projects at least partially from the distal end of the housing, and the cannula interior is in fluid communication with the flash chamber. The assembly further includes a shield restrainably engaged with a portion of the housing and axially transitionable over the patient cannula from a retracted position in which the patient end is exposed, to an extended position in which the patient end is shielded by at least a portion of the shield, wherein at least a portion of the flash chamber is visible in the retracted position.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A needle assembly is disclosed. The needle assembly includes a housing having a flash chamber, and having a distal end and a proximal end engageable with a specimen collection container. The assembly includes a cannula having a patient end, a non-patient end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a cannula interior. The patient end of the cannula projects at least partially from the distal end of the housing, and the cannula interior is in fluid communication with the flash chamber. The assembly further includes a shield restrainably engaged with a portion of the housing and axially transitionable over the patient cannula from a retracted position in which the patient end is exposed, to an extended position in which the patient end is shielded by at least a portion of the shield, wherein at least a portion of the flash chamber is visible in the retracted position.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device includes a housing, a puncturing element transitionable between a pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing and a puncturing position wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the housing, and a cartridge removably connectable to a portion of the housing. After collecting a blood sample, the cartridge is removable from the housing and the cartridge is able to transfer the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device that is adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device includes a housing, a puncturing element transitionable between a pre-actuated position wherein the puncturing element is retained within the housing and a puncturing position wherein at least a portion of the puncturing element extends through the housing, and a cartridge removably connectable to a portion of the housing. After collecting a blood sample, the cartridge is removable from the housing and the cartridge is able to transfer the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid collection device provides a closed system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A container for storing a biological sample is disclosed. The container includes a housing having a closed end, an open end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a container interior. The container has a removable closure for enclosing the open end of the housing and a sample holder for housing a biological sample detachably connected to the closure and insertable within the container interior. A port is disposed within the closure adjacent the sample holder to allow fluid to pass therethrough into the container interior. An injection device for engaging the port may also be provided. A first fluid may be initially provided within the container interior and a second fluid may be subsequently injected by the injection device through the port into the container interior.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A needle assembly is disclosed. The needle assembly includes a housing having a flash chamber, and having a distal end and a proximal end engageable with a specimen collection container. The assembly includes a cannula having a patient end, a non-patient end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a cannula interior. The patient end of the cannula projects at least partially from the distal end of the housing, and the cannula interior is in fluid communication with the flash chamber. The assembly further includes a shield restrainably engaged with a portion of the housing and axially transitionable over the patient cannula from a retracted position in which the patient end is exposed, to an extended position in which the patient end is shielded by at least a portion of the shield, wherein at least a portion of the flash chamber is visible in the retracted position.

Abstract: A shielding needle assembly is provided with a hub having a needle cannula with a puncture tip extending from a forward end thereof, and a shield member in telescoping association with the hub. A drive member biases the hub and the shield member away from each other for relative telescopic movement between a first position in which the puncture tip extends from a forward end of the shield member, and a second position in which the puncture tip is encompassed within the shield member. A pivoting lever maintains the hub and the shield member in the first position against the bias of the drive member. The lever is pivotable during contact with a patient's skin surface, thereby releasing the hub and the shield member from the first position and permitting the drive member to bias the hub and the shield member toward the second position.

Abstract: A container for storing a biological sample for molecular diagnostic testing and/or histological testing is provided. The container includes a first chamber for receiving a sample holder therein, a second chamber, and a closure for enclosing the container. A breakable membrane, such as a piercable foil, extends within the container and separates the two chambers. When the breakable membrane is broken, fluid can pass between the first and second chambers. The membrane may be broken through an activator on the closure, such as a depressible member or a rotatable carrier, causing the sample holder to break through the membrane.

Abstract: A needle assembly is disclosed. The needle assembly includes a housing having a flash chamber, and having a distal end and a proximal end engageable with a specimen collection container. The assembly includes a cannula having a patient end, a non-patient end, and a sidewall extending therebetween defining a cannula interior. The patient end of the cannula projects at least partially from the distal end of the housing, and the cannula interior is in fluid communication with the flash chamber. The assembly further includes a shield restrainably engaged with a portion of the housing and axially transitionable over the patient cannula from a retracted position in which the patient end is exposed, to an extended position in which the patient end is shielded by at least a portion of the shield, wherein at least a portion of the flash chamber is visible in the retracted position.

Abstract: A system for storing a biological sample for transfer between two different environments is provided. The system includes a first container defining a first container interior, and a second container defining a second container interior. A first closure is provided for enclosing the open end of the first container, with the first closure adapted to receive a sample holder. A second closure is also provided for enclosing the open end of the second container. The first container is adapted to removably receive the sample holder therein when the first closure encloses the open end of the first container, and the second container is adapted to subsequently receive the same sample holder therein when the first closure encloses the open end of the second container.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

Abstract: A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.