Abstract: A retractable needle for use with a catheter, featuring a cylindrical hub having a hollow needle extending through the hub. The hub has a flash chamber connected thereto where the interior of the needle is in fluid communication with the interior of the flash chamber. The hub is slidably positioned in a housing having a wall with a longitudinal slot therein. A stem connected with the hub passes through the slot, and has a thumbrest rigidly fixed thereto, where the thumbrest may be used to manually move the knob from a first locking position, where the needle is retracted within the housing, to a second locking position where the needle is exposed. A catheter is mounted on the needle when the needle is exposed. Also disclosed are blood-drawing needles comprising a cylindrical hub having a hollow needle extending from one end of the hub. The hub has a cavity adapted to frictionally engage the tip of a syringe barrel on its other end.

Abstract: A surgical retractor with interchangeable retractor blades allows the retractor blades to be positioned in an incision before being side-loaded into the retractor body and locked in place. The surgical retractor uses a nipple connector with a conical base and a rounded head which fits into and self-aligns in a corresponding socket.

Abstract: A multiple metal piece easily assembled flower container having selected beautiful metallic, plastic coated, plated, and/or painted surfaces, has an outside picture frame assembly to position selectable presentation inserts serving, for example: as ornamentation, such as surrounding attractive wood lattices; as art work; as literary work; as photography work; and/or as commercial informative work. A top molding has depending portions and a bottom has upturned bottom sides. Surrounding sides are fitted above with the depending portions and the top molding, and below with the upturned bottom sides and the bottom. The selectable presentation inserts are likewise fitted above and below. Vertically arranged moldings are likewise fitted above and below to additionally contain in place within this resulting picture frame assembly, both the selective presentation inserts and the surrounding sides. These vertical moldings are secured to both the top molding and the bottom.