Abstract: A method of making a self-capping needle and catheter assembly (10) includes placing a needle hub (16) and cap (34) on a pin with the pin extending through the passageways (24, 35) thereof. Two sheets of polymeric material (62) are placed about the hub (16) and the cap (34) with their edges welded together producing a sleeve (64) connected between the hub (16) and the cap (34). The sleeve (64) is then permanently stretched to a predetermined length. The cap (34), hub (16) and sleeve (64) are then placed on a needle (28) and the cap (34) is moved against the hub (16) folding the sleeve (64) therebetween for reception of the catheter assembly (14).

Abstract: A needle assembly which comprises a hollow needle, a stylet, and a spacer mechanism to control the position of the stylet within the needle.

Abstract: A reagent test strip (10,10') includes a support medium (12,12') having a handle portion (14,14') and a reagent support portion (16,16'). A reagent (18,18') is fixedly adhered to the reagent support portion (16,16'). A cover (20,20') is mounted on the support medium (12,12') and over the reagent (18,18'). The cover (20,20') defines a capillary chamber (28,28') having two open ends (30,30') and a predetermined volume only over the reagent surface (19) for drawing a predetermined amount of liquid (32,32') into the capillary chamber (28,28') to quantitatively react all of the liquid with the reagent (18,18'). The cover (20,20') is the only structure over the reagent surface (19,19') and is spaced thereover only sufficiently to establish the predetermined volume for acting as a capillary. Methods of using and manufacturing the reagent test strip (10,10') are also disclosed.

Abstract: A disposable needle assembly (10) includes a hub (16) for connecting the assembly (10) to a fluid conduit, the hub (16) including a passageway (24) extending therethrough. A hollow needle portion (28) is in fluid communication with the passageway (24). A cap (34) has a neutral position along the needle portion (28) proximate to the hub (16) for exposing a length of the needle portion (28) and an extended position for capping the distal tip (32) of the needle (28). The cap (34) is reversibly seated in engagement with a catheter assembly as the needle portion (28) is disposed within a passageway of the catheter assembly whereby removal of the needle portion (28) from the passageway of the catheter assembly moves the cap (34) to the extended position capping the distal tip (32) as the cap (34) is unseated from the catheter assembly. The invention further provides a method of catherizing a patient using a disposable needle assembly (10).

Abstract: A disposable needle assembly (10) includes a hub (16) for connecting the assembly (10) to a fluid conduit, the hub (16) including a passageway (24) extending therethrough. A hollow needle portion (28) is in fluid communication with the passageway (24). A cap (34) has a neutral position along the needle portion (28) proximate to the hub (16) for exposing a length of the needle portion (28) and an extended position for capping the distal tip (32) of the needle (28). The cap (34) is reversibly seated in engagement with a catheter assembly as the needle portion (28) is disposed within a passageway of the catheter assembly whereby removal of the needle portion (28) from the passageway of the catheter assembly moves the cap (34) to the extended position capping the distal tip (32) as the cap (34) is unseated from the catheter assembly. The invention further provides a method of catherizing a patient using a disposable needle assembly (10).

Abstract: A surgical glove (10) includes a ventral side (12) and a dorsal side (14) integrally connected thereto. The sides (12,14) include a thin layer (16) of stretchable air and water impermeable material and the dorsal side (14) includes a layer (18) of flexible armor (18) embedded in the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16). A method of making the surgical glove (10) includes the steps of dipping a mold shell (24) having the configuration of a human hand with a ventral side and a dorsal side (30) into a liquid (34) which is curable to the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16). A hand shaped layer (18) of the flexible armor is disposed on the dorsal side (30) of the shell (24) prior to curing the liquid (34). The shell (24) is dipped into the liquid (34) a second time to embed the fiber (18) within the liquid (34). Finally, the liquid ( 34) is cured to the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16).

Abstract: A disposable needle assembly (10,10',10") includes a hub portion (12,12',12") and a hollow needle portion (22,22',22") having a distal tip (26,26',26"). A cap (28,28'28") has a neutral position along the needle portion (22,22',22") proximate to the hub portion (12,12',12") and an extended position for irreversibly capping the distal tip (26,26'26"). A tether (34,34'34") connects the cap (28,28'28") to the hub portion (12,12'12"). The cap (28,28'28") includes a pocket for locking the cap (28,28'28") over the distal tip (26,26'26") when the cap (28,28'28") is in the extended position.

Abstract: A surgical glove (10) includes a ventral side (12) and a dorsal side (14) integrally connected thereto. The sides (12,14) include a thin layer (16) of stretchable air and water impermeable material and the dorsal side (14) includes a layer (18) of flexible armor (18) embedded in the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16). A method of making the surgical glove (10) includes the steps of dipping a mold shell (24) having the configuration of a human hand with a ventral side and a dorsal side (30) into a liquid (34) which is curable to the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16). A hand shaped layer (18) of the flexible armor is disposed on the dorsal side (30) of the shell (24) prior to curing the liquid (34). The shell (24) is dipped into the liquid (34) a second time to embed the fiber (18) within the liquid (34). Finally, the liquid ( 34) is cured to the stretchable air and water impermeable material (16).

Abstract: An instrument (10) for obtaining a fetal blood sample including an elongated member (12) having an open end portion (14) and a membrane (16) disposed over the open end portion (14) for perfecting a seal about the open end portion (14). A lancet (18) in the form of a blade (64) or a sharp ended capillary tube (48) is disposed in the elongated member (12) for piercing the membrane (16) and making an incision in the skin of a fetus (20). A plunger (26) is supported within the elongated member (12) and is movable to create a suction within the open end portion (14) to draw fetal blood from the incision through the pierced membrane (16) and into the open end portion (14).

Abstract: A blood sampling device (10,10') including a housing (12,12') having an open end portion (16,16') and an inner chamber (18,18') adjacent to the open end portion (16,16'). A plunger (40,40') is slidably mounted within the chamber (18,18') for supporting a lancet (28,28') having a lancet blade extending therefrom. The plunger (40,40') is movable between a retracted position disposing the lancet blade (29,29') away from the open end portion (16,16') and an unretracted position disposing the lancet blade (29,29') to extend beyond the open end portion (16,16'). The device (10,10') includes a gasket (30,30') for perfecting a seal between the housing (12,12') and the plunger (40,40') for creating a vacuum within the inner chamber (18,18') when the plunger (40,40') is moved from the unretracted position to the retracted position to thereby draw blood from the lanced skin.