Abstract: A device (10) is provided for facilitating insertion of a needle or a cannula into a vein of a patient. The device comprises a fluid chamber (23) adapted to be held in operable engagement with a surface of the patient's skin by a fastener (30/34/35) that extends about a limb of the patient. The device is adapted to create a volume of reduced pressure within the fluid chamber, so as to facilitate expansion of an underlying part of the vein. The device enables insertion of a needle or cannula into the expanded part of the vein, whilst the fluid chamber remains operably engaged with the surface of a patient's skin.

Abstract: A medical needle location device (10) is disclosed. The device (10) has a housing (12) arranged to be gripped by a user and a needle (20) supported by the housing (12). The needle (20) depends from the housing (12) towards a needle tip (14B). The housing (12) comprises an excitation mechanism (28) for applying an oscillatory motion to the needle (20) during location within the body.

Abstract: A device (10, 110) for facilitating insertion of a needle or a cannula into a vein of a patient, the device (10, 110) comprising means (20, 120, 220) for creating a localized area of reduced pressure at a surface of the patient's skin, so as to facilitate expansion of an underlying part of the vein, and means (26, 226) for enabling insertion of a needle or cannula into the expanded part of the vein.

Abstract: A device (10) is provided for facilitating insertion of a needle or a cannula into a vein of a patient. The device comprises a fluid chamber (23) adapted to be held in operable engagement with a surface of the patient's skin by a fastener (30/34/35) that extends about a limb of the patient. The device is adapted to create a volume of reduced pressure within the fluid chamber, so as to facilitate expansion of an underlying part of the vein. The device enables insertion of a needle or cannula into the expanded part of the vein, whilst the fluid chamber remains operably engaged with the surface of a patient's skin.

Abstract: A device (10) for at least partially inserting a needle (16) into the body of a patient is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a connector adapted for attachment to a needle (16), and a guard member (18) having a guide surface adapted to rest against a surface of the skin. The connector is adapted to set an attached needle (16) with a fixed position relative to the guard member (18), such that movement of the guide surface along the surface of the skin at least partially inserts the needle (16) into the body.

Abstract: A fluid vessel insertion device (10), typically for medical use, comprises a puncture member (18) arranged for location within a sleeve (20), and a retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) for retracting the puncture member relative to the sleeve. The puncture member (18) is retractable in use between a first condition in which an end (18A) of the puncture member protrudes beyond an end (24) of the sleeve and a second condition in which the end of the puncture member is within the sleeve (20). The retraction mechanism (44, 48, 60) actuates the puncture member between the first and second conditions in response to fluid pressure at the end (18A) of the puncture member. The device may be used during positioning of the sleeve in a desired fluid vessel, such as, for example, during intravenous cannulation.

Abstract: A medical needle holder (10) having a generally hollow body (18) which extends in the direction of an axis (62) from a first end (20) to a second end (22). The first end is shaped for reception of a needle (50) therein and the second end is open to allow for insertion of a fluid receptacle (16). The first axis is substantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first end of the body. The needle holder comprises a grip portion (28) which extends outwardly from the body in a direction which is angularly offset from the first axis. The grip portion may be actuable between an in-use condition and a disposal condition in which the grip portion covers a needle in the needle holder. The body (18) may comprise control formations on its inner surface to allow for control over the insertion of a fluid receptacle (16) into the body.