Abstract: A universal fitting for a receptacle into which an inoculum may be introduced or withdrawn for subsequent examination includes a body portion with a needle for introducing the inoculum into a receptacle or for withdrawing the inoculum from the receptacle. An annular skirt extends from the body portion for positioning over a liquid entry portion of the receptacle. The skirt has an internal surface and a plurality of ribs thereon projecting radially inwardly. These ribs are adapted to engage the entry portion of the receptacle for substantially centering the fitting on and securely gripping the fitting to the receptacle during introduction or withdrawal of the inoculum.

Abstract: The storage bottle (10) contains a component of a medicinal solution (13) and a transfer device (11) for transferring it, after mixture with a solvent, into a container for final use. This bottle comprises a narrow neck (12) in which there engages, during the storage phase, a sealing element (15) composed of two elements: a first element (16a) consisting of a solid elastomeric plug and a second element (16b) consisting of an elastomeric toric connection. One opening at least empties into the space formed between the first and the second element of the sealing means.

Abstract: A drug delivery device is provided comprising a cartridge body including an upper portion defining a vial receiving area and terminating in a wall, the cartridge body including a cannula extending from the wall. A vial including a beneficial agent is coupled by a retaining member to the cartridge body in an inactivated position. The retaining member allows the vial to move to an activated position. The retaining member including an outer member and an inner member, the inner member separating from portions of the outer member as the vial moves from the inactivated position to the activated position.

Abstract: A fluid container comprises a drug container, a deformable solvent container, a double-pointed hollow needle having a sharp piercing edge at each end and being arranged between the drug container and the solvent container, a guide capsule with a cap rotatably mounted thereon, and a means for converting rotary motion of the cap to a linear motion of the drug container to push the drug container toward the solvent container in cooperation with the cap and the guide capsule so that a fluid communication is made between two containers through the needle.

Abstract: A latching piercing pin useable to retain the pin and an associated fluid vial in latching relation. Latching members provided on the pin engage a peripheral lip provided on the end cap of the vial to maintain the latching relation between the pin and the vial. The pin is useable with vials and end caps of varying sizes, although larger end caps may require the mounting of a locking ring on the end cap of the vial to receive and engage the latching piercing pin.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a portion of a biological liquid from a sealed vacuum tube onto a microscopic slide or other suitable application wherein the device is formed from an open-ended elongate housing having a cannula mounted therein so as to extend in a longitudinal direction thereof with a first needle end located in the upper portion to pierce the stopper of a vacuum tube and a second needle end positioned in the lower portion of the housing. A protuberance is provided at the base of the first needle end which serves to act as a pump in conjunction with the stopper of a vacuum tube momentarily pushed thereagainst so as to force a predetermined portion of a biological liquid in the tube through the cannula and out of the lower needle end thereof.

Abstract: Straws, in particular for artificial insemination of animals and storage of biological products, are filled by aspiration through a suction nozzle fitted with a needle which enters the straw to the rear of a composite stopper and is fitted with a seal. A biological product (diluted sperm) is drawn up a flexible elastomer tube to an injector nozzle in response to reducing the pressure in the straw. The flexible tube is held centered over a distance equal to at least five times its outside diameter in a hoop held in a support. The elastomer from which the flexible tube is made has a Shore hardness of 41 to 47 and a reversible elongation capacity of at least 250%. These arrangements ensure rigorous centering of the needle in the hoop despite the flexibility of the tube. Parts which have been in contact with the sperm can be discarded after all of a sample has been used up, rather than requiring costly cleaning.

Abstract: A closing appliance used in a flexible tube comprising a communicating tube, a column-like portion, and a thin-walled portion formed between the communicating tube and column-like portion. The column-like portion has two wings facing to each other at an end opposite to the thin-walled portion. The wings have rounded surface on the side of the inner surface of the flexible tube, and a total lateral sectional area of the two wings is from 25 to 50% of a sectional area of a hollow portion of the flexible tube. Thanks to wings, damage of the flexible tube on centrifugal separation process can be avoided.

Abstract: A blood collection and/or injection device includes a double-ended medical needle including a cannula having opposite pointed ends, a hub fitted over the cannula, a rubber sheath optionally fitted over an end portion of the cannula, a cylindrical holder having an opening defined in one end thereof, the end portion of the cannula which is optionally covered with the rubber sheath being adapted to be inserted into the opening with the hub held in the opening by the cylindrical holder, and an evacuated blood collection tube or syringe adapted to be inserted into the cylindrical holder through an opening defined in the opposite end of the cylindrical holder and pierced by the end portion of the cannula. The hub has spreading teeth, and the cylindrical holder includes a holder casing having chuck teeth spreadable radially outwardly by the spreading teeth of the hub.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting blood or other body fluid from a donor, in which a length of tubing has a first needle on one end for insertion into the vein of a donor, and a frangible joint between the ends of the tubing to separate the length of tubing into first and second parts. The frangible joint includes a combination needle shield and test tube receptacle on one end of the first part, disposed coaxially to a second needle used to fill test tubes with material drawn through the first needle. The combination shield and test tube receptacle is adapted to receive a test tube therein for operative relationship with the second needle so that the test tube may be filled with the material. A second shield is slidable on the tubing and has a retracted position adjacent the frangible joint and an operative position extended over the first needle when that needle is withdrawn from the vein.

Abstract: A disposable assembly comprises a drug container (2) having at one end an opening which is surrounded by an outwardly directed flange (7). A connector (1) has a sleeve (13) which is closed (14) at one end and open at its opposite end to receive the flanged end of the drug container as a plunger. Positioning means (18,19) provided within the sleeve and cooperating with the flange define an inserted and a retracted position of said sleeve relative to the flanged end of the drug container. A piercing member (15) provided at the closed end of the sleeve is directed towards the open sleeve end. A connecting member (16) provided at the closed sleeve end is directed opposite to said piercing member (15) and communicating therewith by means of a through passage (17).

Abstract: A blood component restoration apparatus comprises: an exsanguinating needle; an exsanguinating tube and a blood component supplying tube both of which are connected to the exsanguinating needle in parallel with each other; an exsanguinating bag which is connected to the exsanguinating tube and is provided with a blood component discharging pipe; a first connecting member which is mounted on a front end of the blood component discharging pipe and is provided with a guide hole in its end surface, which guide hole extends in an axial direction of the first connecting member; and a second connecting member which is mounted on a front end of the blood component supplying tube and is provided with a guide pin in its end surface, which guide pin is inserted into the guide hole of the first connecting member.

Abstract: A first container having a first material therein has a piercing tip on a dispensing member which is movable relative to the container to control flow from the container. The first container has a movable portion for facilitating introduction of air into the container. A second container having a second material therein has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is closed and adapted to be pierced by said tip to facilitate introduction of the first material into the second container.

Abstract: A reconstitution device for constituting a drug in a standard drug vial with a liquid in a second container such as a parenteral solution container is provided. The reconstitution device 10 includes a housing 52 and a hollow, double-pointed needle 54 mounted within the housing. The housing includes a sheath 70 having a substantially circular base 72 and a skirt 74 depending from the base. The skirt 72 includes a free end 76, a substantially cylindrical inner surface 78 and an outer surface 80. A plurality of inwardly projecting bumps 82 are intermittently spaced about the inner surface 78. The bumps are disposed a substantially equal distance from the base 72, the distance being substantially equal to the width of the malleable band.