Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. The safety shield assembly of the present invention also includes a thumb ramp for orienting a user's hand with the safety shield assembly. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set, a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: A resealable barrier closure is provided for a container with an open top and an annular snap ring below the open top. The closure includes a shell having an outer skirt dimensioned to telescope over the open top of the container. The outer skirt has a snap ring for engaging the snap ring on the container. The shell further includes an inner skirt to telescope into the open top of the container. An elastomeric diaphragm is sealingly engaged in the inner skirt. A barrier cup extends across the bottom face of the diaphragm and telescopes upwardly over the inner skirt. The barrier cup initially is sealed hermetically to the container and to the plastic shell. The container may be opened by urging the plastic shell upwardly with sufficient force to break the seal between the barrier cup and the container. The container then may be resealed by merely urging the closure back over the open top of the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a container assembly that includes an inner tube formed from a plastic that is substantially inert to bodily fluids and an outer tube that is formed from a different plastic. Collectively, the container assembly is useful for providing an effective barrier against gas and water permeability in the assembly and for extending the shelf-life of the container assembly, especially when used for blood collection.

Abstract: The present invention is a needle holder assembly for using during a blood collection procedure and more particularly to a blood collection tube holder with means for easily engaging and disengaging a blood collection needle from the holder and for not prematurely disengaging a blood collection needle. The needle holder includes an engaging trigger to engage the holder with a needle and a disengaging trigger to disengage the holder with a needle and a preventative needle release indicator that prevents premature movement of the disengaging trigger and disengagement of the needle from the holder.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for assembling a safety shield assembly and more particularly a method for assembling a safety shield assembly with a fluid handling device. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be assembled with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

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: A needle assembly having a telescoping shield that extends over the distal end of the needle when released by an actuator that is triggered during a standard sequence of operation of a medical procedure. For example, the telescoping shield extends by a compression spring from a starting retracted position to a venipuncture partially extended position during the standard sequence of operation of drawing a blood sample with an evacuated blood collection tube and needle holder. After the procedure is complete and the needle is removed from the patient the shield continues to extend to a fully extended and locked position over the distal end of the needle rendering the needle safe and preventing needle stick injuries.

Abstract: A method of using a needle assembly having a telescoping shield that extends from a starting retracted position to a venipuncture partially extended position during the standard sequence of operation of drawing a blood sample with an evacuated blood collection tube and needle holder. After the procedure is complete and the needle is removed from the patient the shield continues to extend to a fully extended and locked position over the distal end of the needle rendering the needle safe and preventing needle stick injuries.