Abstract: A biological liquid collection device designed to draw blood using an “atmospheric-balanced vacuum” to ensure the blood is exposed to the sample atmospheric partial pressure oxygen and partial pressure carbon dioxide levels as found in standard arterial blood gas syringes, resulting in blood gas sample stabilization during collection and a superior vacuum shelf-life by reducing the gas permeation rate through the plastic tube. The biological liquid collection device comprises a collection module for receiving a biological liquid sample, an evacuated container having an open end and a closed end wherein the evacuated container contains the collection module therein, and a closure for closing the open end of the evacuated container. The evacuated container comprises a gas composition that is substantially equal to the gas composition of the atmosphere outside of the evacuated container. A method for forming the atmospherically balanced vacuum collection device is also provided.

Abstract: A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.

Abstract: A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.

Abstract: An arterial blood module (16) that is removably connectable to an arterial blood collection element (14) is disclosed. The arterial blood module includes a housing (30), a needle (32), a cap (34) removably securable over the needle, a mixing chamber (36), and a safety shield (38) engaged with a portion of the housing and transitionable from a first shield position in which a portion of the needle is exposed to a second shield position in which the needle is shielded by a portion of the safety shield. In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes an arterial blood collection system (10) that includes an arterial blood collection element (14) defining a collection chamber (20) and an arterial blood module (16) removably connectable to a portion of the arterial blood collection element.

Abstract: A biological liquid collection device designed to draw blood using an “atmospheric-balanced vacuum” to ensure the blood is exposed to the sample atmospheric partial pressure oxygen and partial pressure carbon dioxide levels as found in standard arterial blood gas syringes, resulting in blood gas sample stabilization during collection and a superior vacuum shelf-life by reducing the gas permeation rate through the plastic tube. The biological liquid collection device comprises a collection module for receiving a biological liquid sample, an evacuated container having an open end and a closed end wherein the evacuated container contains the collection module therein, and a closure for closing the open end of the evacuated container. The evacuated container comprises a gas composition that is substantially equal to the gas composition of the atmosphere outside of the evacuated container. A method for forming the atmospherically balanced vacuum collection device is also provided.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection system (10) including a collection module (14) for collecting a small sample of blood and transferring a portion of the sample into a device or instrument for analyzing the sample such as a point-of-care or a near-patient-testing device including blood collection devices for collecting and transferring venous and arterial blood samples are disclosed.

Abstract: A biological fluid collection device (10) that produces a stabilized biological sample with head-to-tail uniformity through the capturing of a high concentration front and subsequent redistribution of the high concentration front throughout a biological fluid is disclosed. The biological fluid collection device includes an inline mixer (16) used for head-to-tail mixing of a concentrated flow front. The mixing is achieved via a two-stage process. First, a front fraction of the flow is captured within a centered mixing chamber (30) via capillary assisted flow action. Second, the captured front volume is then slowly released throughout a small exit hole (36) and recombined with the rest of the flow volume that was diverted around the centered mixer chamber.

Abstract: A specimen mixing and transfer device adapted to receive a sample is disclosed. The specimen mixing and transfer device includes a housing, a material including pores that is disposed within the housing, and a dry anticoagulant powder within the pores of the material. In one embodiment, the material is a sponge material. In other embodiments, the material is an open cell foam. In one embodiment, the material is treated with an anticoagulant to form a dry anticoagulant powder finely distributed throughout the pores of the material. A blood sample may be received within the specimen mixing and transfer device. The blood sample is exposed to and mixes with the anticoagulant powder while passing through the material.