Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte includes a needle for penetrating a patient's skin to access the fluid within the skin. The needle has a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. An interior surface of the body defines a fluid pathway extending between the ends. The second end is positioned to deposit fluid for testing. The first end has a beveled face on a front side of the body. The beveled face terminates at a penetration tip with the beveled face having an opening in communication with the fluid pathway. The penetration tip is burnished to a rounded shape and bent to facilitate low pain and rapid fluid collection.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte includes a needle for penetrating a patient's skin to access the fluid within the skin. The needle has a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. An interior surface of the body defines a fluid pathway extending between the ends. The second end is positioned to deposit fluid for testing. The first end has a beveled face on a front side of the body. The beveled face terminates at a penetration tip with the beveled face having an opening in communication with the fluid pathway. The penetration tip is burnished to a rounded shape and bent to facilitate low pain and rapid fluid collection.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte includes a needle for penetrating a patient's skin to access the fluid within the skin. The needle has a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. An interior surface of the body defines a fluid pathway extending between the ends. The second end is positioned to deposit fluid for testing. The first end has a beveled face on a front side of the body. The beveled face terminates at a penetration tip with the beveled face having an opening in communication with the fluid pathway. The penetration tip is burnished to a rounded shape and bent to facilitate low pain and rapid fluid collection.

Abstract: An apparatus for collecting a body fluid for testing for an analyte includes a needle for penetrating a patient's skin to access the fluid within the skin. The needle has a hollow body extending from a first end to a second end. An interior surface of the body defines a fluid pathway extending between the ends. The second end is positioned to deposit fluid for testing. The first end has a beveled face on a front side of the body. The beveled face terminates at a penetration tip with the beveled face having an opening in communication with the fluid pathway. The penetration tip is burnished to a rounded shape and bent to facilitate low pain and rapid fluid collection.

Abstract: Disclosed is a brachytherapy seed deployment system, for use in any of a variety of medical procedures such as radiation treatment of the prostate gland. The system includes a number of brachytherapy seed deployment needles, each preloaded with brachytherapy seeds in patterns and activities predetermined for a unique patient. The seeds are contained in transparent tubular sleeves, thereby allowing direct visualization of the brachytherapy seeds and spacers, so that the seed pattern may be inspected at the clinical site. A releasable retainer prevents accidental brachytherapy seed loss. The system additionally includes shipping containers, separately accessible calibration seeds and a display stand for use at the clinical site. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for visually verifying the quantity of seeds and spacers in a brachythereapy needle. In a first embodiment, the needle is pointed upwardly and seeds and spacers slide from a lumen of the needle, under the influence of gravity, into the lumen of a clear tube that is positioned in axial alignment with the lumen of the needle by a hub. In a second embodiment, the needle is received within the lumen of the clear tube and a stylet is used to push a string of bone wax, seeds, and spacers from the lumen of the needle into the lumen of the clear tube for visual verification. A plunger rod is introduced into the proximal end of the clear tube to push the string back into the needle and the clear tube and plunger are removed to enable use of the needle. In both embodiments, the plunger rod is fully inserted into the clear tube during shipment to prevent unwanted displacement of the seeds and spacers from the needle.