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: A composite closure arrangement is provided for blood sample collection tubes, and particularly evacuated blood collection tubes for reducing exposure of a technician to any blood droplets or blood aerosol during removal of a sample of the blood from the container. The device also hides and contains any such aerosol or droplets. Moreover, the device provides enhanced ease of removal of the stopper, when desired. A cap is configured to be placed over and fitted onto the rubber stopper of the tube, with the top portion of the cap extending over and spaced from the top of the stopper to define a cavity between the overlying portion of the cap and the top of the stopper. The center of the overlapping portion of the cap includes a sample needle access bore providing access to the stopper diaphragm. Cooperating opposed abutments on the cap and the stopper maintain the cap on the stopper.

Abstract: A one-way valve is provided for a multiple blood sample needle which valve is self-sealing between the taking of each sample. The valve is a cup valve which utilizes an annular spike arrangement adjacent the bottom of the skirt of the valve for enhancing the sealing effects thereof. In addition, the pedestal-like internal support for the valve is configured to reduce the degree of deflection inwardly of the skirt of the valve, upon opening, which reduction has the effect of reducing the degree of convolution of the circumferential extent of the skirt during the deflection. The revised internal pedestal support reduces, also, any tendency of the valve to cock out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the valve and its internal support in its normal position.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: A valved multiple sample needle assembly for use with a vacuum collection device in obtaining fluid samples, particularly from a patient. The assembly comprises a housing with a chamber therein and having first and second access openings in fluid communication with the chamber. A valve seat associated with the first access opening faces the chamber, while a needle cannula extends outwardly from the first access opening. A resilient, collapsible valve member is positioned in the chamber and normally contacts the valve seat to serve as a closed valve. This valve member is adapted to resiliently collapse and operatively break the sealing engagement with the valve seat when the pressure at the second access opening is sufficiently negative with respect to the pressure at the first access opening so that fluid can flow into the chamber and then out of the second access opening. Backflow is prevented into the first access opening, since the valve member will close should fluid flow in that direction.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular container and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concave-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: A readily penetrable vacuum indicator closure for sealing an open end of an air evacuated blood collection tube. The closure comprises a flexible tubular body with an open first end and a closed second end formed by a penetrable, flexible end wall, with the end wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. When pressure on the inner and outer surfaces is substantially equal, the outer surface is convexly curved and the inner surface is concavely curved. This end wall is sufficiently flexible to deflect under the influence of a pressure differential on the end wall, such as may be perceived when the closure seals an evacuated blood collection tube. The outer surface of the flexible end wall is readily visible, thus serving as an indicator of relative pressures on opposite sides thereof. A flange is annularly disposed about the periphery of the tubular body adjacent to the second end.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assembly in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: A blood sampling device having two or more elastomeric one-way valves in parallel configuration. The valves prevent backflow towards the patient, but do not significantly decrease the blood flow from the patient. The valves may be arranged side-by-side within the device, or may alternatively be located one distally from the other.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular container and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concave-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: A blood collection assembly for taking a blood sample from a blood source. The assembly includes a double ended hollow cannula open at both ends and mounted in a hub. A hollow evacuated blood collection tube is provided having an opening at one end. A stopper is mounted in the open end of the tube to seal the tube and maintain the vacuum therein. The hub includes a gripping surface for facilitating the holding and directing both ends of the cannula, one end into communication with the blood source and the other end into communication with the evacuated collection tube. The cannula is coupled with the stoppered tube in position for insertion of the other end thereof into communication with the interior of the stoppered tube after the one end has been connected to the blood source to permit blood to flow through the cannula into the tube for collection.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular container and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: Apparatus for collecting blood samples from a patient. The apparatus includes a housing. A first hollow, pointed needle extends forwardly from the housing and is adapted to pierce the tissues of a patient and conduct blood therefrom. A blood flow indicator is coupled with the first needle and is adapted to provide a visual signal when the needle has penetrated a blood vessel. A chamber in the housing is in fluid communication with a normally closed valve adapted when closed to prevent any fluid from flowing out of the chamber. A second hollow pointed needle extends rearwardly from the housing. The valve is adapted to be activated and shifted from the normally closed position to an open position to prevent flow of blood from the patient to a blood container. The blood flow indicator includes a control to provide for a limited amount of blood to be directed to a predetermined location for indication purposes and to isolate the limited amount of blood and to prevent leakage beyond the desired location.

Abstract: An expandable bladder for shaping a pneumatic tire, comprising a thick, substantially cylindrical center section having a multiplicity of convolutions perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical section on the inner surface of said section, said convolutions providing local reductions in thickness and additional axial extensibility to the bladder, a pair of annular, beaded end sections extending inwardly from each end of the cylindrical center section, and reinforcing material extending through the center section and end sections to limit the axial extensibility of the bladder. This abstract is not to be taken either as a complete exposition or as a limitation of the present invention, however, the full nature and extent of the invention being discernible only by reference to and from the entire disclosure.