Abstract: A valve for medical use has a cannula mounted on a hub and fixed in a fluid conduit so that the cannula points upstream. An elastomeric valve element is mounted on the hub within the conduit so as to enclose the cannula. The valve element has a first solid portion of circular cross-section disposed upstream of the cannula point which closes the conduit, a second hollow frustoconical portion within which the cannula point is disposed, and a third hollow cylindrical portion surrounding the cannula downstream from its point and fixed to the hub. The second portion has a frustoconical interior passageway. In use, the valve element is compressed by application of a medical appliance to the valve element first portion to cause the cannula point to pierce the first portion to provide a path for fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A medical device which presents the backflow of fluid therethrough is particularly useful as a bloodless catheter assembly, that is, prevents the backflow of blood through the catheter by utilization of a self-closing valve carried in a hollow catheter housing to one end of which a catheter is fixed so as to provide a fluid passage through the catheter and catheter housing. The fluid passage in the catheter housing is sealed by a self-sealing valve element extending transversely across the passage upstream from the catheter. A hollow needle is held in the catheter housing downstream of and pointed at the valve element. Attachment of a fluid dispensing medical appliance to the other catheter housing end forces the valve element downstream onto the needle so as to pierce the valve element and open a fluid passage from the catheter housing upstream of the valve element through the hollow needle to the catheter.

Abstract: A blood collection device wherein a double-ended cannula is retracted within the barrel of the device for storage and disposal. The cannula is attached to the device immediately prior to use by being threaded into an aperture formed in a movable disc disposed within the barrel and rotated to a locked operating position for attachment of the cannula and use. After use, the disc is counter-rotated to permit the cannula, mounted to the disc, to be longitudinally retracted completely within the barrel to a position in which the cannula is permanently locked by stopping the disc against further movement. The disc aperture is threaded in the same direction as it is rotated to the operating position to avoid moving the disc out of the locked position during attachment of the cannula to the device.

Abstract: A blood collection device wherein a double-ended cannula is retracted within the barrel of the device for storage and disposal. The cannula is mounted on a first disc which is connected to a second axially aligned disc by a pair of string-like flexible members which are operable, when the second disc is moved away from the first disc, to retract the cannula completely within the barrel to a position in which the cannula is permanently locked by stopping the first disc against further retractive movement and the second disc against movement toward the first disc.

Abstract: A catheter inserter has an inserter housing with a flat base and a cannula housing disposed within the inserter housing with a cannula extending generally parallel to the inserter housing longitudinal axis. Stop means are disposed at each end of the inserter housing. locking means on the cannula housing selectively engage the stop means to lock the cannula housing in a first disposition in which the cannula extends outwardly from the inserter housing and in a second disposition in which the cannula is retracted within said inserter housing. The cannula housing has a passage in fluid communication with the cannula which, together with means on the inserter housing and cannula housing, permit the external viewing of blood passing into the fluid passage from the cannula.

Abstract: A blood collection device wherein a double-ended cannula is retracted within the barrel of the device for storage and disposal. The cannula is attached to the device immediately prior to use by being threaded into an aperture formed in a movable disc disposed within the barrel and rotated to a locked operating position for attachment of the cannula and use. After use, the disc is counter-rotated to permit the cannula, mounted to the disc, to be longitudinally retracted completely within the barrel to a position in which the cannula is permanently locked by stopping the disc against further movement. The disc aperture is threaded in the same direction as it is rotated to the operating position to avoid moving the disc out of the locked position during attachment of the cannula to the device.