Abstract: A collapsible quiver (2) has an outer tube (4) and an inner tube (6). When extended the inner end (24) of the inner tube (4) engages the inner surface of the outer tube (6) so there is substantially no discontinuity of the inner surface defined by the first and second tubular members.

Abstract: A tube segment sampler system (10) for withdrawing a fluid sample from a tube segment (100), the sampler (10) having a first tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a first location and a second tube piercing member (28) for piercing the tube segment at a second location so as to allow air to be drawn into the tube segment (100) through one of the openings made by one of the piercing members (28) while fluid is withdrawn through the other of the openings.

Abstract: A sampling port (10) has a body (12) having an space (35) open at one end (20) and adapted to receive a sampling vial (70) with an cannula (24) extending longitudinally along the space (35) with a pointed end (26) facing the open end (20), whereby a sampling vial passed into the space from the open end may be impaled on the cannula. The port includes at least one guide member (36) extending into the space (35) to reduce the effective size of part of the space (35), the at least one guide member (36) guiding a vial (50) of a first size when inserted into the open end (20) and the at least one guide member (36) being movable to allow a vial (70) of a size larger than the first size to be inserted into the space.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow multiple samples of a liquid in a primary container (here called a ‘pouch’) to be taken with minimal danger of contaminating the liquid in the container during the sampling process are disclosed. In an embodiment, a closed sterile sight chamber is connected with the pouch in a sterile manner to allow fluid to flow into the chamber white at the same time allowing air within the chamber to be displaced through a bacterial fitter to atmosphere. The connection between the sight chamber and the pouch is then terminated (severed or closed), isolating the pouch from the sampling apparatus. Only then are samples of liquid withdrawn from the sight chamber, while allowing air to flow into the chamber through the bacterial filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow multiple samples of a liquid in a primary container (here called a ‘pouch’) to be taken with minimal danger of contaminating the liquid in the container during the sampling process are disclosed. In an embodiment, a closed sterile sight chamber is connected with the pouch in a sterile manner to allow fluid to flow into the chamber white at the same time allowing air within the chamber to be displaced through a bacterial fitter to atmosphere. The connection between the sight chamber and the pouch is then terminated (severed or closed), isolating the pouch from the sampling apparatus. Only then are samples of liquid withdrawn from the sight chamber, while allowing air to flow into the chamber through the bacterial filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow multiple samples of a liquid in a primary container (here called a ‘pouch’) to be taken with minimal danger of contaminating the liquid in the container during the sampling process are disclosed. In an embodiment, a closed sterile sight chamber is connected with the pouch in a sterile manner to allow fluid to flow into the chamber while at the same time allowing air within the chamber to be displaced through a bacterial filter to atmosphere. The connection between the sight chamber and the pouch is then terminated (severed or closed), isolating the pouch from the sampling apparatus. Only then are samples of liquid withdrawn from the sight chamber, while allowing air to flow into the chamber through the bacterial filter.

Abstract: A sample tube holder (10) having a generally flat elongate flexible body (12) and one or more of sets of non circular apertures (16) each having a length dimension and a width dimension perpendicular to the length dimension, in the body, each set having two or more apertures (16) arranged in a line such that each set of apertures defines at least one inner portion (30) between adjacent apertures (16) of the set and at least one outer portion (32) adjacent each aperture at the end of the line extending away from the respective inner portion.

Abstract: A device (1410) for collecting a blood sample from an animal has a holder for holding a sampling media (1456), one or more spikes (1418) that first pass through the sampling media (1456) and penetrate into the flesh of the animal to create a puncture site to allow blood emerging from the site to be collected by the sampling media (1456) during and/or after penetration of the flesh. The device has a retainer (1427) for temporarily retaining the device (1410) on the animal whilst blood is collected and for allowing the device (1410) to be removed from the animal substantially intact for subsequent removal of the sampling media (1456) from the device.

Abstract: A cannula (10) for use in removing samples of fluid from a container sealed with a pierceable membrane, the cannula including a hollow needle like portion (12) having a pointed forward end (20) shaped to allow forcible penetration through the membrane, the rear end (14) having a first bore (26) and an insert (40) located within the first bore (40) that reduces the effective size of the first bore (26) without blocking the first bore (26).

Abstract: A tube clamp having first and second opposed jaws (1012, 1014) joined by a hinge (1016), the jaws (1012, 1014) movable between open and closed positions, the tube clamp adapted to attach to a flexible plastic tube (1024) so that the tube (1024) passes between the jaws (1012, 1014), whereby the flow of fluid through the tube (1024) is permitted when the jaws are open but is blocked when the jaws are brought together to the closed position to pinch closed the tube there-between, and locking means (1048,1036,1042) to effect substantially permanent and irreversible locking of the jaws (1012, 1014) in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow multiple samples of a liquid in a primary container (here called a ‘pouch’) to be taken with minimal danger of contaminating the liquid in the container during the sampling process are disclosed. In an embodiment, a closed sterile sight chamber is connected with the pouch in a sterile manner to allow fluid to flow into the chamber while at the same time allowing air within the chamber to be displaced through a bacterial filter to atmosphere. The connection between the sight chamber and the pouch is then terminated (severed or closed), isolating the pouch from the sampling apparatus. Only then are samples of liquid withdrawn from the sight chamber, while allowing air to flow into the chamber through the bacterial filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that allow multiple samples of a liquid in a primary container (here called a ‘pouch’) to be taken with minimal danger of contaminating the liquid in the container during the sampling process are disclosed. In an embodiment, a closed sterile sight chamber is connected with the pouch in a sterile manner to allow fluid to flow into the chamber while at the same time allowing air within the chamber to be displaced through a bacterial filter to atmosphere. The connection between the sight chamber and the pouch is then terminated (severed or closed), isolating the pouch from the sampling apparatus. Only then are samples of liquid withdrawn from the sight chamber, while allowing air to flow into the chamber through the bacterial filter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for use in the sterile sampling of liquid from a container, the apparatus having a normally vertical tubular sight chamber coupled by its lower end to a sample port assembly. The upper end of the chamber is fitted with an inlet tube through which sample liquid can be received and a filtered vent to allow air to flow to and from the sight chamber while preventing the ingress of bacteria in to the chamber. The sample port assembly has a tubular body encasing a sheathed needle assembly so that evacuated phials can be inserted into the body and pressed onto the needle assembly to withdraw samples of liquid collected in the sight chamber, the sight chamber preferably having transparent walls that are marked with graduations so that each phial can be withdrawn from the needle assembly after the desired amount of liquid has been collected.

Abstract: A tube clamp having first and second opposed jaws (1012, 1014) joined by a hinge (1016), the jaws (1012, 1014) movable between open and closed positions, the tube clamp adapted to attach to a flexible plastic tube (1024) so that the tube (1024) passes between the jaws (1012, 1014), whereby the flow of fluid through the tube (1024) is permitted when the jaws are open but is blocked when the jaws are brought together to the closed position to pinch closed the tube there-between, and locking means (1048, 1036, 1042) to effect substantially permanent and irreversible locking of the jaws (1012, 1014) in the closed position.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed whereby the initial flow of blood during blood collection is diverted to a sample pouch to trap the skin plug and to allow samples to be taken during subsequent blood collection to a normal blood bag. This is effected by connecting the needle line (106), the sample line (118) to the sample pouch (116) and the bag line (114) to the blood bag to a multi-port valve (110) that includes an actuator (120). During the procedure, the valve (110) may be attached to the arm (100) of the donor by means of a wrist-strap (112).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for guarding both the IV needle and the sampling port needle in IV procedures, whereby the opening end of a needle guard containing an IV needle is inserted into the open end of a tubular sampling port so that the sampling port needle enters the guard. The guard may be provided with a catch that engages a corresponding aperture in the port when the guard is fully inserted into the port so that the guard is retained within the port against inadvertent removal.

Abstract: Needle guards are disclosed for use with needle assemblies comprising a needle hub that joins a flexible trailing tube to a medical needle, the normally open front ends of the guards being closeable after a needle and hub have been pulled therein by the trailing tube. In one example (FIG. 4c), a guard (10) has a stiff upper sidewall (24a) of an inverted U-shape and a flexible lower sidewall (26b) that fits inside the upper sidewall and is resiliently biased to bring its front end (31) into contact with the front end (30) of upper sidewall (24b) so as to close the front aperture of the guard after the needle assembly (16) has been withdrawn into the guard. The lower sidewall (26b) can be locked or clipped into the upper sidewall (24b) by pressing lower sidewall passed catches (72). In this way, the needle is completely and safely enclosed after use to reduce the danger of needle-stick injury and blood-splash contamination.

Abstract: This invention includes protective devices for protecting against needle-stick injury by a medical catheter or needle. More particularly, the invention is concerned with guards for use with wingless needle assemblies of the type used by blood banks. However, it is also applicable to winged needle assemblies used for other medical purposes, such as the intravenous (IV) infusion of fluids. The needle or catheter assemblies of the type concerned here, comprise a needle, a needle mount or block, and a flexible tube, which are connected at one end to the needle via the needle mount and at the other end to a blood collection bag or to an IV fluid source. A winged catheter or needle assembly is one having a pair of flexible wing-like protrusions extending laterally from its mount, the wings being taped to the user's skin to keep the needle in place over the long periods of time often needed for IV infusions.