Abstract: A needle assembly for the sterile and physical protection of a needle cannula and a method for making the needle cannula is described. A removable sealing tube is integrally attached to one end of a holder which fixedly retains the needle cannula. A removable needle protector is integrally attached to the other end of the holder. The sealing tube, holder and protector define a unitary piece which encases the needle cannula. To make the needle assembly, an insert assembly including an annular die, the needle cannula and an outer cannula is positioned in a forming cavity. The forming cavity is then filled with molten plastic which upon cooling forms the unitary piece. The forward and rearward ends of the unitary piece are then sealed.

Abstract: A device for lancing fingers and related body portions for purposes of drawing blood comprising opposing arms integrally joined at an acute angle. A lancing blade at one end is poised for travel through an aperture in the opposing arm, and separated until use by mating stop members. Pressure on the upper arm causes the stop members to slide past one another and the blade snaps through the aperture to lance the finger, whereupon it immediately retracts to an unexposed position.