Abstract: An organizer and dispenser device is provided for holding and dispensing a plurality of blood sample needle holders maintained at a nursing station for use sequentially during the taking of blood samples from patients. The elongated device of the invention includes a rack-like body with opposed walls for maintaining the base flanges of the needle holders in orderly fashion and for dispensing the holders one by one. The basic u-shaped structure may include one or more modifications for holding the bases of the needle holders in place prior to dispensing. Also, the basic u-shaped structure may be duplicated back-to-back for doubling the quantity of holders available for dispensing.

Abstract: A multiple liquid sample needle assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing with a sample receiving chamber having translucent or transparent walls for determining whether access to the sample source in question has been obtained. The invention utilizes a highly absorbent material in a form which allows venting of gases displaced from the housing chamber by the liquid sample being obtained, which material expands upon contact with the liquid sample to provide a liquid impervious barrier. The improvement in this invention is the absorbent material in a separate sleeve-like form which may be a laminate or a compacted tablet sleeve of the absorbent material for rapid and easy insertion between the two hub parts forming the assembly housing.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for receiving, maintaining and storing blood samples taken from individuals some of whom may have a disease which can contaminate anyone handling the sample. The assembly includes a glass tube which may be evacuated for facilitating and receiving a blood sample coaxially retained within a plastic tube which retains the sample and the general integrity of the assembly in the event that the glass tube cracks or breaks during handling. Thus, the glass tube maintains a long shelf-life for the evacuated tube, and does not react adversely or interfere with blood chemistries, while the outer plastic sleeve protects the user from broken glass and/or contamination. A special interlock ring holds the glass tube coaxially in place relative to the plastic tube.

Abstract: A liquid sample needle assembly is provided. The assembly includes a housing with a sample receiving chamber having translucent or transparent walls for determining whether access to the sample source in question has been obtained. The invention utilizes a highly absorbent material in a form which allows venting of gases displaced from the housing chamber by the liquid sample being obtained, which material expands upon contact with the liquid sample to provide a liquid impervious barrier. The absorbent material is in a separate sleeve-like form of a compacted tablet sleeve for rapid and easy insertion between the two hub parts forming the assembly housing. The improvement in this invention includes the use of an integral tapered post for seating the tablet to maintain it precisely concentric in the housing and on the post for causing each increment of the tablet to respond equally to an introduced sample.