Abstract: Various embodiments pertain to syringes having needles that automatically retract, and including syringe assemblies in which there is a means for damping any impact of the retracting needle, slowing the retracting needle, dissipating the kinetic energy of the needle, or the like, so as to lessen any jolt or disturbance experienced by the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods pertaining to catheters used for the withdrawal of blood.

Abstract: A device that permits collection of blood from a patient by a needle and also places a catheter tube in the circulatory system of the patient.

Abstract: A self-sheathing injection assembly that includes a sheath protecting the medical professional from accidental punctures from the needle. The sheath is slidable to expose the end of the needle, and the sheath is lockable in the exposed condition with a detent mechanism. The separable needle assembly also includes features that firmly couples a carpule of medicine to the needle assembly, such that upon removal of the needle assembly after use the carpule remains attached to the needle for simultaneous disposal.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly that incorporates the catheter. Also included is a shuttle assembly that has a stylet for stiffening the catheter. In combination, the stiffened catheter and the shuttle assembly are held on a handle by the interaction of the luer assembly with the handle. Once the stiffened catheter is inserted into the vasculature, the luer assembly is separated from the handle and from the stylet, and is left in place. With this separation, the shuttle assembly is also released to be repositioned and concealed within the handle.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly having a cannula or catheter, a shuttle assembly having a stylet for stiffening the catheter, and a holder assembly having an actuator for providing controlled retraction into a handle. The safety catheter comprises a flash window that allows a clinician to view when the vasculature of a patient has been properly accessed and to confirm that the stylet has been fully retracted into a safe position.

Abstract: A device and method for positioning a catheter to establish a fluid access site into the vasculature of a patient includes a luer assembly that incorporates the catheter. Also included is a shuttle assembly that has a stylet for stiffening the catheter. In combination, the stiffened catheter and the shuttle assembly are held on a handle by the interaction of the luer assembly with the handle. Once the stiffened catheter is inserted into the vasculature, the luer assembly is separated from the handle and from the stylet, and is left in place. With this separation, the shuttle assembly is also released to be repositioned and concealed within the handle.

Abstract: A device is provided to protect the hypodermic needlepoint of a syringe from being dulled as it penetrates through the stopple of a fluid vial for the purpose of filling the syringe with fluid from the vial. Specifically, the device includes a blunt needle that covers the hypodermic needle and that interacts with the syringe to establish relative friction forces between them. Importantly, this friction force is less than the friction force subsequently established between the dull needle and the stopple. Thus, after the hypodermic syringe has been filled, and is withdrawn from the fluid vial, the stronger friction force between the stopple and the dull needle causes the dull needle to remain with the stopple as the hypodermic syringe is removed from the fluid vial.

Abstract: A device for covering and protecting a syringe needle after a syringe procedure includes a needle guard component, a base member component and a spring. The needle guard and base member components of the device are both formed with cylindrical shaped portions that are arranged coaxially. The base member is affixable to the syringe with the spring positioned between the needle guard and base member components to urge the components in opposite axial directions. One component is formed with a plug that extends into a guide mechanism formed on the other component. The guide mechanism includes a locking cutout, an axially aligned linear track and a deflectable arm. The arm deflects to allow linear plug movement during retraction of the needle guard over the needle and redirects the plug to the locking cutout when the needle guard moves to re-cover the needle.

Abstract: A safety device for protecting the needle of a blood collector includes a guard member that automatically covers the needle, after a blood collection procedure has been completed. Prior to the procedure, the guard member is restrained on the device in a proximal position to expose the needle, and to thereby facilitate the insertion of the needle into a vein of a patient. When a blood collection vial is engaged with the device, the guard member is released to move distally over the needle. Thus, after a procedure, and as the needle is being withdrawn from the patient, the guard member covers the needle to protect against subsequent inadvertent “sticks”.

Abstract: A device for covering and protecting a syringe needle after a syringe procedure includes a needle guard component, a base member component and a spring. The needle guard and base member components of the device are both formed with cylindrical shaped portions that are arranged coaxially. The base member is affixable to the syringe with the spring positioned between the needle guard and base member components to urge the components in opposite axial directions. One component is formed with a plug that extends into a guide mechanism formed on the other component. The guide mechanism includes a locking cutout, an axially aligned linear track and a deflectable arm. The arm deflects to allow linear plug movement during retraction of the needle guard over the needle and redirects the plug to the locking cutout when the needle guard moves to re-cover the needle.

Abstract: A safety device for protecting the needle of a blood collector includes a guard member that automatically covers the needle, after a blood collection procedure has been completed. Prior to the procedure, the guard member is restrained on the device in a proximal position to expose the needle, and to thereby facilitate the insertion of the needle into a vein of a patient. When a blood collection vial is engaged with the device, the guard member is released to move distally over the needle. Thus, after a procedure, and as the needle is being withdrawn from the patient, the guard member covers the needle to protect against subsequent inadvertent “sticks”.

Abstract: A safety device for a sheathed injection syringe includes a needle guard having a dilatable opening at its distal tip. A plurality of slits are formed in the guard extending proximally from the distal tip of the guard to create the dilatable opening. When the guard is in the relaxed state, the opening is relatively large to allow the sheath to pass through the guard during attachment of the safety device to the syringe. A ring having a lug is positioned over the guard and is moveable to contract the opening. The contracted opening allows the syringe to be used at non-normal injection angles. A cover is provided having an aperture for engagement with the needle sheath and a slot for engagement with the lug. During withdrawal of the cover, the sheath is removed from the needle and the ring is moved, contracting the guard opening.

Abstract: A safety device for a sheathed injection syringe includes a needle guard having a dilatable opening at its distal tip. A plurality of slits are formed in the guard extending proximally from the distal tip of the guard to create the dilatable opening. When the guard is in the relaxed state, the opening is relatively large to allow the sheath to pass through the guard during attachment of the safety device to the syringe. A ring having a lug is positioned over the guard and is moveable to contract the opening. The contracted opening allows the syringe to be used at non-normal injection angles. A cover is provided having an aperture for engagement with the needle sheath and a slot for engagement with the lug. During withdrawal of the cover, the sheath is removed from the needle and the ring is moved, contracting the guard opening.

Abstract: A self-sheathing dental needle includes a finger grip slideably mounted to a syringe body and a plunger to expel a fluid medicament from the syringe body. The finger grip is formed with a tang that is positioned near the distal end of the syringe body when the finger grip is fully advanced in the distal direction. A needle cartridge is provided having a needle mounted in a needle holder, a sheath slideably mounted to the needle holder, and a lock body for locking the sheath in position over the distal end of the needle. When the cartridge is attached to the syringe body and aligned, the lock body can be reconfigured to release the sheath for movement relative to the needle. Specifically, the finger grip can be translated to cause the tang to engage the lock body, release the sheath, and expose the distal end of the needle.

Abstract: A self-sheathing dental needle includes a finger grip slideably mounted to a syringe body and a plunger to expel a fluid medicament from the syringe body. The finger grip is formed with a tang that is positioned near the distal end of the syringe body when the finger grip is fully advanced in the distal direction. A needle cartridge is provided having a needle mounted in a needle holder, a sheath slideably mounted to the needle holder, and a lock body for locking the sheath in position over the distal end of the needle. When the cartridge is attached to the syringe body and aligned, the lock body can be reconfigured to release the sheath for movement relative to the needle. Specifically, the finger grip can be translated to cause the tang to engage the lock body, release the sheath, and expose the distal end of the needle.