Abstract: Adjustment of the temperature dependence of the output voltage of a band gap circuit is achieved by intentionally mismatching currents flowing through nodes coupled to the inputs of an amplifier. Each node is coupled to a bipolar junction transistor and a resistor, such that an output voltage of the band gap circuit varies due to the temperature dependence of currents through the bipolar junction transistors and the temperature dependence of currents flowing through the resistors. Networks of parallel metal oxide semiconductor transistors are coupled to each node, with one network including transistors that may be selectively switched into or out of the network to adjust the effective channel width for that network, thereby altering the ratio of effective channel widths and adjusting the temperature dependence of the band gap circuit's output voltage.

Abstract: A kit and a method are provided for facilitating point-of-care testing of bodily fluid. The kit includes a point-of-care testing cartridge and a plastic fitting for use with a syringe to deliver the fluid sample to the testing cartridge. In other embodiments, the kit includes a plastic cannula in place of a fitting. The syringe and plastic cannula can be used with an IV access kit to obtain a sample of fluid. The syringe and plastic cannula then can be used to deliver the fluid to the reservoir the testing cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes a mounting sleeve for snapped engagement over a portion of the testing cartridge, including the entry port to the testing cartridge. The adaptor further includes a Luer fitting unitarily formed with the mounting sleeve. The Luer fitting has an inlet end configured for mating with the syringe and an outlet end configured for alignment with the entry port of the testing cartridge. The adaptor can be snapped onto the testing cartridge. The Luer tip of the syringe then can be mated with the Luer fitting of the adaptor for safe and convenient delivery of the specimen through the adaptor and into the testing cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes a tube with an outlet end, an inlet end and a passage extending between the ends. The outlet end of the tube is dimensioned for mating with the entry port of the testing cartridge. The inlet end of the tube is dimensioned for mating with the syringe. The adaptor further includes a support wall extending transversely from the tube and at least one positioning wall extending from the support wall. The positioning wall is spaced transversely from the outlet of the tube by a distance substantially equal to the distance between a side wall of the testing cartridge and the entry port of the testing cartridge. A bottom wall and a lock arm extend from the positioning wall. The bottom wall of the adaptor engages the bottom wall of the testing cartridge and the lock arm of the adaptor engages the top wall of the testing cartridge.

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a needle assembly for blood collection is provided, and in particular, for use with a needle assembly including an activation mechanism adapted for axial displacement between a first position and a second position with respect to the needle assembly through engagement with a blood collection tube. The needle holder includes an outer body having a first end adapted for attachment to such a needle assembly and a second end having an internal opening therein. The needle holder further includes an inner body slidable within the outer body which includes a mechanism for axially displacing the activation mechanism between the first retracted position and the second activated position. The inner holder may be in the form of a tubular body which is axially slidable within the outer body, or may be in the form of an arm extending through a channel in the outer body, and including a tab for finger activation by a user.

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. 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. The shield includes a clip with a plurality of cannula finger locks for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

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. 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: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub to which a needle cannula is fixedly attached. A safety shield is telescoped relative to the hub and the needle cannula and can be moved from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. A spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel the shield distally relative to the hub and into surrounding relationship with the needle cannula. A retainer is provided for releasably holding the shield in a proximal ready-to-use condition relative to the hub and the needle cannula. An actuator releases the retainer and enables the shield to be propelled by the spring. A lock may be provided for preventing inadvertent re-exposure of the needle cannula.

Abstract: A dual blunting needle assembly for use in blood collection procedures is provided. The needle assembly includes a hub assembly having a first external cannula with an intravenous puncture tip, a second external cannula with an external blunt tip and an internal lumen extending through the hub assembly from the intravenous puncture tip to the blunt tip. The needle assembly further includes an internal cannula extending concentrically within the internal lumen of the hub assembly. The internal cannula includes an internal blunt tip at a first end and a non-patient puncture tip at a second end.

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a needle assembly for blood collection is provided, and in particular, for use with a needle assembly including an activation mechanism adapted for axial displacement between a first position and a second position with respect to the needle assembly through engagement with a blood collection tube. The needle holder includes an outer body having a first end adapted for attachment to such a needle assembly and a second end having an internal opening therein. The needle holder is adapted for accommodating a blood collection tube within the internal opening for engagement with the needle assembly.

Abstract: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub with spaced apart inner and outer tubes. A needle cannula is fixedly attached to the inner tube. A safety shield is telescoped for movement into the space between the inner and outer tubes of the hub. The safety shield can be moved from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. A spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel the shield distally relative to the hub and into surrounding relationship with the needle cannula. A retainer is provided for releasably holding the shield in a proximal ready-to-use condition relative to the hub and the needle cannula. The retainer may be provided on a fin that extends transversely from the outer tube of the hub. An actuator releases the retainer and enables the shield to be propelled by the spring.

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. 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. The shield includes a cannula channel with a finger lock for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

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. 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. The shield includes a clip with a plurality of cannula finger locks for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

Abstract: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub with inner and outer tubes. A needle cannula is fixedly attached to the inner tube. The outer tube is split longitudinal, and a first spring biases the slit into an open orientation. A safety shield is telescoped between the tubes to the hub and the needle cannula and can be moved from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. A second spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel the shield distally relative to the hub and into surrounding relationship with the needle cannula. However the outer tube can be biased against forces of the first spring to slit and clamp the shield in a fixed position.

Abstract: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub to which a needle cannula is fixedly attached. A safety shield is telescoped relative to the hub and the needle cannula and can be moved from a first position where the needle cannula is exposed to a second position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. A spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel at least one of the shield and the hub into the second position. A retainer is provided for releasably holding the shield and the hub in the first position. A resiliently deflectable dorsal fin projects from the hub and through a slot in the shield. The dorsal fin can be deflected to release the retainer and permit the spring to drive the shield end up to the second position. The slot in the shield is configured to lockingly engage the dorsal fin when the shield and the hub are in the second position.

Abstract: An automatically shieldable blood collection set is provided. The blood collection set includes a needle assembly having a hub to which a needle cannula is fixedly attached. The needle hub includes a fin formed with a latch. A safety shield is telescoped relative to the hub and the needle cannula and can be moved from a proximal position where the needle cannula is exposed to a distal position where the needle cannula is safely shielded. The latch on the fin releasably engages the shield when the shield is in the proximal position. A spring is provided between the shield and the hub to propel the shield distally relative to the hub and into surrounding relationship with the needle cannula in response to movement of the latch.

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. 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. The shield includes a cannula channel with a finger lock for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

Abstract: A non-patient safety needle assembly for mounting with a conventional intravenous blood collection set is provided. The non-patient needle assembly includes a hub assembly adapted for mounting with a blood collection set, and an internal blunting member including a blunted tip. The non-patient needle assembly further includes an external cannula concentric with the internal blunting member and including a non-patient puncture tip adjacent the blunted tip. The external cannula is axially displaceable with respect to the hub assembly between a first retracted position in which the non-patient puncture tip extends beyond the blunted tip and a second activated position in which blunted tip extends beyond the non-patient puncture tip. A blood collection set including such a non-patient needle assembly interconnected with an intravenous needle assembly through tubing is also provided.

Abstract: An infectious waste container system provides a sharps disposal container with an insert for automatically releasing a sharp implement from a holder and automatically resetting the holder.