Abstract: The wound protector has an annularly collapsible proximal ring and a flexible sleeve extends between the proximal ring and distal ring. After positioning of the distal ring in a wound, the proximal ring is expanded to draw the sleeve taut between the rings and is drawn tight against the wound. In one embodiment, the proximal ring includes a bent hollow tube with an arcuate rod in the tube bridging the open ends of the tube and a compression spring extending within the tube against the ends of the rod to bias the proximal ring into an extended state. Finger grips on the ends of the tube allow for squeezing of the tube into a collapsed state.

Abstract: The wound protector has an annularly collapsible distal ring, an expansion member and a flexible sleeve extending between the distal ring and expansion member. After positioning of the distal ring in a wound, movement of the expansion member into an extended state expands the sleeve while drawing the sleeve tight against the wound and the expansion member against the patient.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the wound protector has an annularly collapsible proximal ring and a flexible sleeve extends between the proximal ring and distal ring. After positioning of the distal ring in a wound, the proximal ring is expanded to draw the sleeve taut between the rings 11, 12 and is drawn tight against the wound. In a second embodiment, the wound protector has a flexible sleeve secured between a distal ring and proximal ring of fixed diameters. In addition, an expansion member is disposed within a loop of the flexible sleeve about the proximal ring. After positioning of the distal ring in a wound, movement of the expansion member into an extended diametric state expands the loop in the sleeve diametrically while drawing the rings towards each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the protective cover assembly has a hub that is to be mounted on a needle assembly, such as a biopsy needle assembly, a cap that is movable off the hub to move over a cannula or stylet of the needle assembly and a pair of rolls of film within the cap. The rolls of film are secured at one end to the hub to unwind over the cannula. Pressing rolls or springs press the longitudinal edges of the film strips together in sealed relation to encase the cannula while the cap receives the end of the cannula or stylet in sealed relation. In a second embodiment, the cap is integrated with a hub of a needle assembly having a cannula extending from the hub.

Abstract: A female luer connector for intravascular or urological use is provided with a needle having a closed distal end with an opening in the side of the needle. In addition, the needle is sealingly received within a recess of a rubber septum with an interference fit between the distal end of the needle and the septum. A slit may be formed in the septum to facilitate penetration of the needle through the septum when in use. In one embodiment, the septum has an elongated recess so that the needle may be received under compression in one portion for storage purposes and in a second portion when in use.

Abstract: A female luer connector for intravascular or urological use is provided with a needle having a closed distal end with an opening in the side of the needle. In addition, the needle is sealingly received within a recess of a rubber septum with an interference fit between the distal end of the needle and the septum. A slit may be formed in the septum to facilitate penetration of the needle through the septum when in use. In one embodiment, the septum has an elongated recess so that the needle may be received under compression in one portion for storage purposes and in a second portion when in use.

Abstract: The protected needle assembly employs a retractable sheath which can be moved from an extended protected position over a hollow needle to a retracted position exposing the hollow needle. A projection carried on the sheath is disposed in a guide slot having a circumferentially directed portion for receiving the projection. In addition, a spring or resilient sleeve is provided between the movable sheath and the housing to not only bias the sheath longitudinally of the hollow needle but also in a circumferential manner. In order to release the sheath, the needle assembly is brought into contact with a patient's skin or a septum and twisted. Thereafter, an axial force on the needle assembly causes the sheath to be retracted while the hollow needle penetrates through the skin or septum. Other embodiments are provided wherein a blunt needle can be moved within a hollow needle from an extended position protecting the hollow needle and a retracted position permitting exposure of the hollow needle.

Abstract: The method of mounting a disc-shaped septum within a connector includes a step of deforming a thin annular wall at the end of the connector into a curled over shape so as to secure the septum in place. Curling over of these wall occurs under heat energy which is applied only to the end of the connector without heating of the main body of the connector. Deformation of the thin end wall of the connector causes an outward bulging of a peripheral edge of the connector as well as bulging of the opposite ends of the connector into a domed shape.

Abstract: The catheter assembly is provided with a conventional catheter which extends from a hub. In addition, a tube or blunt needle is mounted within the hub coaxially of the catheter and is provided with an elastomeric valve over the open end. The elastomeric valve is formed by a pair of rubber sheaths, each of which has a closed end for sealing the tube against a back flow of blood. The sheaths can be pierced by a needle in order to perform a venipuncture while re-sealing upon removal of the needle. The catheter assembly may also be connected with a male luer connector in a manner to push the sheaths over the tube so as to expose the lumen of the catheter to the connector.

Abstract: The wire guide is formed of a flexible stranded wire having a coating extending from the proximal end to rigidify the wire from the proximal end to an intermediate point. The wire remains flexible from the intermediate point to the distal end and a nose is fused to the distal end to prevent fraying of the filaments of the wire.