Abstract: A syringe assembly including an adapter, a sheath and filling spike for connecting to said adapter and an intravenous connector for intravenously administering medicine to a patient. The barrel may be connected to the adapter and the filling spike for filling the barrel with medicine. The medicine can then be injected into a patient through either the needleless intravenous injection system or through a retractable needle assembly.

Abstract: A fluid handling device comprises a barrel for containing fluid to be delivered through a needle, a needle-mounting hub at one end of the barrel, a biasing element arranged to urge the hub inwardly of the barrel, a stop element blocking inward movement of the hub into the barrel, and a hollow plunger which is movable within the barrel to deliver fluid from the barrel via the needle and has at its forward end a portion which is severable in response to movement of the plunger over the final part of, or at the conclusion of, its delivery stroke to allow retraction of the needle-mounting hub into the hollow plunger, the hub and the stop element being formed as plastics mouldings in such a way that the stop element is axially captive with the hub and the plunger being arranged to disengage the stop element and the hub during said final part of, or at the conclusion of, the delivery stroke to allow the biasing element to drive the needle into the hollow plunger.

Abstract: A sheath for sheathing the needle of a hypodermic syringe and penetrating the rubber cap of a vial or the like, the sheath having apertures therein to allow the ingress of liquid into a zone thereof with which the needle communicates so that the liquid drawn through the needle during filling of the syringe first enters that zone before entering the needle. The sheath is further provided with a filter element and/or a needle-wiping element.

Abstract: A seal adapted to be fitted over the open end of the barrel of a hypodermic syringe has a cap of a non-latex elastomer having a central aperture which is sufficiently small as ordinarily to retain liquid therebehind but which can be deformably expanded to allow passage of the rearward end of a needle hub for engagement with the barrel.

Abstract: A fluid handling device has a needle retraction assembly which brings about the retraction of a hollow needle after use. A hollow body portion is provided at one end, with an end wall having a mounting portion including a needle passage. A hollow needle having a leading end portion is movable between a first position in which the leading end portion of the needle protrudes from a front end portion of said mounting portion and a second position in which the needle is withdrawn within the hollow body portion. A spring acts to bias the needle into the second, withdrawn position. The needle is provided with a portion of enlarged diameter at a location spaced from the leading end portion. A retainer maintains the needle in its first position until use is completed. The retainer includes an O-ring positioned in a circumferential groove in the portion of enlarged diameter.