Abstract: A needle apparatus having a quick and safe release mechanism is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a separable needle assembly and a device body. The needle assembly includes a needle, an insertion member supporting the needle, and a knob projecting from the needle assembly. The device body includes a receiver member and is configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion member inserted therein. The receiver member has at least one slot configured to receive the knob when the needle assembly is inserted inside the receiver member. In a preferred embodiment, the slot has a first slot section extending substantially axially, and a second slot section at an angle to the first slot section and extending substantially radially. Upon insertion of the needle assembly into the needle holder, the knob is pushed by the technician through the first slot section, and then rotated in the second slot section to secure the needle assembly to the needle holder.

Abstract: An intravenous starter device having means for safely disposing of the needle. The intravenous starter device has a first tube having a first end for insertion into a patient and an outer tube in fluid communication with the first tube and having an opening for receiving fluids to be delivered to the patient through the first tube. A receiver is connected to and in fluid communication with the outer tube, and has an opening for receiving fluids. The needle is positioned within the first tube and extends therefrom for insertion into the patient. After use of the needle, a pull member connected to the needle by a pull wire is operated to pull the needle into an inner tube positioned within the outer tube whereby the needle, safely within the inner tube, can be safely removed and disposed, leaving the first tube in the patient for the catheter.

Abstract: An intravenous starter device having means for safely disposing of the needle. The intravenous starter device has a first tube having a first end for insertion into a patient and an outer tube in fluid communication with the first tube and having an opening for receiving fluids to be delivered to the patient through the first tube. A receiver is connected to and in fluid communication with the outer tube, and has an opening for receiving fluids. The needle is positioned within the first tube and extends therefrom for insertion into the patient. After use of the needle, a pull member connected to the needle by a pull wire is operated to pull the needle into an inner tube positioned within the outer tube whereby the needle, safely within the inner tube, can be safely removed and disposed, leaving the first tube in the patient for the catheter.

Abstract: A needle apparatus having a quick and safe release mechanism is described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a needle assembly and a device body. The needle assembly includes a needle, an insertion member supporting the needle, and a knob projecting from the needle assembly. The device body includes a receiving member and is configured to receive at least a portion of the insertion member inserted therein. The receiving member has at least one slot configured to receive the knob when the needle assembly is inserted inside the receiving member. In a preferred embodiment, the slot has a first slot section extending substantially axially, and a second slot section at an angle to the first slot section and extending substantially radially. Upon insertion of the needle assembly into the needle holder, the knob is pushed by the technician through the first slot section, and then rotated in the second slot section to secure the needle assembly to the needle holder.

Abstract: A safety fluid collector uses a quick release device to allow a healthcare worker to release a used needle into a sharps container with one hand, and in a short time after blood samples have been obtained. The thumb of the healthcare worker is used to rotate a button on the needle holder which releases the needle into a sharps container. The sharps container comprises a rotating gate which allows needles enter the container but which blocks the exit of used needles if the container is accidentally tipped over.

Abstract: A cigarette holder completely encloses the lit end of a cigarette providing purification for both sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke. It has two concentric tubes with the lit cigarette placed in the inner tube and purifying agent placed in the volume between the inner tube and the outer tube. A chimney effect is produced wherein air flows through an air port past the lit cigarette to keep it burning. The sidestream smoke passes through the purifying agent and is discharged into the environment. The filter tip of the lit cigarette extends through a mouthpiece and the smoker exhales smoke through openings in the same mouthpiece. The mainstream smoke passes through the same purifying agent, in a direction opposite to the flow of the sidestream smoke, and is then discharged into the environment.

Abstract: A safety syringe uses a flexible, compressed, elastomeric O-ring to frictionally hold a needle holder with a needle in place. After use, the safety syringe is placed in a receptacle in the lid of a needle discard container and the plunger further depressed to release the needle holder and needle, which are then ejected into a discard container for safe and effective discarding of used needles. The discard procedure is accomplished using one hand and the needle is separated from the rest of the syringe to prevent re-use.

Abstract: A safety body fluid collector keeps a needle, held by a needle holder, in place frictionally with the use of an elastomeric O-ring. After use, the body fluid collector is inverted and placed over a discard container. Downward pressure on finger grips on the collector causes a tube of a disposal member, attached to the lid of the container, to press against the O-ring, unseating the O-ring and freeing the needle holder with the needle from the frictional hold of the O-ring. The needle holder and needle then drop into the discard container and when the discard container is full, it is discarded.

Abstract: A device and method for dealing predetermined bridge hands to facilitate the widespread use of competitive scoring commonly followed in duplicate or tournament bridge by using a conventional deck of playing cards and a programmed device for setting forth different cuts of the deck for the different hands, different deals of the cut deck, and different distributions of the dealt hand so that each player cannot identify the hands dealt to each of the other players for the successive deals. A device for instructional analysis of bidding and playing and for presentation of expected scores and contracts is coordinated with the programmed dealing device.