Abstract: A syringe assembly (10) has a syringe barrel (12), a plunger rod (14) and stopper (16) where the syringe barrel has an open end receiving the plunger rod and stopper in a sliding direction. The plunger rod includes a shaft (52) having a longitudinal axis with a first end having a coupling member (62) for coupling with the stopper. The shaft has a least one plunger rod support (82) extending radially outer from the shaft and spaced from the first end for cooperating with an inner surface of the syringe barrel (12) to resist lateral movement and tilting of the plunger rod relative to the longitudinal axis of the axial passage of the syringe barrel. The shaft in one embodiment has at least two spaced apart points of support (41) and (82) for maintaining the axis of the plunger rod on axis with the syringe barrel to limit twisting and tilting of the stopper thereby resisting distortion of the stopper that can cause leakage.

Abstract: A syringe assembly (10) has a syringe barrel (12), a plunger rod (14) and stopper (16) where the syringe barrel has an open end receiving the plunger rod and stopper in a sliding direction. The plunger rod includes a shaft (52) having a longitudinal axis with a first end having a coupling member (62) for coupling with the stopper. The shaft has a least one plunger rod support (82) extending radially outer from the shaft and spaced from the first end for cooperating with an inner surface of the syringe barrel (12) to resist lateral movement and tilting of the plunger rod relative to the longitudinal axis of the axial passage of the syringe barrel. The shaft in one embodiment has at least two spaced apart points of support (41) and (82) for maintaining the axis of the plunger rod on axis with the syringe barrel to limit twisting and tilting of the stopper thereby resisting distortion of the stopper that can cause leakage.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A medical needle device which is reusable and cooperates with a disposable needle assembly. The medical needle device includes a holder, a needle assembly, and an ejector rod cooperating with the holder. The needle assembly includes a needle hub and needle. The holder has a proximal end and a distal end and defines an opening extending therethrough. The distal end has a hub socket for receiving the hub of the needle, with the needle hub received in the socket. The ejector extends into the opening from the proximal end of the holder. The ejector rod is slidably received in the holder and has a distal end configured to engage the needle hub, and a proximal end extending outward from the holder. The ejector rod is used to eject the needle assembly from the holder.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, therby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, thereby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A shieldable unit dose needle assembly including a unit dose needle, a shield in pivotal engagement with respect to the needle, and a collar providing pivotal engagement between the needle and the shield. The shield is pivotally movable between a retracted position and a shielded position in which a portion of the shield encompasses the unit dose needle for safety purposes. The collar further includes a handle for holding the needle assembly during use, which handle may include a profile for accommodating a user's fingers.

Abstract: A medical needle device which is reusable and cooperates with a disposable needle assembly. The medical needle device includes a holder, a needle assembly, and an ejector rod cooperating with the holder. The needle assembly includes a needle hub and needle. The holder has a proximal end and a distal end and defines an opening extending therethrough. The distal end has a hub socket for receiving the hub of the needle, with the needle hub received in the socket. The ejector extends into the opening from the proximal end of the holder. The ejector rod is slidably received in the holder and has a distal end configured to engage the needle hub, and a proximal end extending outward from the holder. The ejector rod is used to eject the needle assembly from the holder.

Abstract: A shieldable, single-use unit dose needle assembly for administering a unit dose of a vaccine includes a unit dose needle attached to a base with a sleeve slidably attached thereto. The sleeve includes a guide slot that extends through the tubular sleeve wall. The base includes a tab disposed on an outer surface and extends through and beyond the guide slot. The unit dose needle includes a base end attached to the base and an opposed prong end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The needle assembly is configured such that movement of the tab through the guide slot enables an extension and a retraction movement of the needle between an extended position with the needle extending from the distal end of the sleeve and a retracted position with the needle contained within the internal sleeve opening.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, thereby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A centrifuge device is provided which may impart selectively controlled centrifugal force to samples under consideration, or a shaking or agitation movement to the samples, as required. A feature of the invention is the use of two roller clutches on the single drive shaft of the device so that a selective movement may be imparted to the samples through the same drive by utilizing a locking mechanism to provide rotation from the shaft in opposite directions. Rotation in one direction causes the imposition of centrifugal force through one clutch, while rotation in the opposite direction causes rotation through the second clutch and the imposition of agitation. In that direction, the sample support mechanism is moved vertically, controlled by a cylinder cam. A further feature of the invention is selective agitation movement and selective degree of agitation through selection of a particular cam profile.