Abstract: A syringe assembly is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a first fluid reservoir and a fluid outlet. A plunger assembly includes a plunger rod and a plunger. The plunger is supported on a distal end of the plunger rod and defines a second fluid reservoir. The plunger is movable within the syringe body from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject fluid from the first fluid reservoir. A piercing member is supported on a distal end of the plunger rod within the second fluid reservoir. The piercing member is movable to pierce the plunger to eject fluid from the second fluid reservoir when a predetermined force is applied to the plunger in the advanced position.

Abstract: A safety shield incorporating a locking clip to prevent inadvertent sticks or punctures by a needle is provided. The needle can be a needle cannula or other piercing member, disposed in a sliding orientation in the safety shield, such that the needle slides within the locking clip between an aperture at a proximal end of the locking clip and a trigger hole at a distal end of the clip. Upon withdrawal of the needle after use, a binding orientation is triggered when the needle tip is withdrawn from the trigger hole. As further protection to the bi-directional lock afforded by the binding orientation, the needle is provided with a safety stop to prevent movement of the needle tip through the aperture. In other aspects, the safety shield includes a trigger bushing, in which the needle cannula is slidably received, that is sized larger than the aperture.

Abstract: A surgical fluid transfer apparatus for passage of fluids includes a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having an internal chamber, an elongated member extending from the hub and a closure valve disposed within the internal chamber. The closure valve is adapted for movement between a first position substantially sealing the internal chamber to prevent passage of fluids and a second position establishing a fluid passage within the hub to permit passage of fluids therethrough. The closure valve includes a valve housing and a seal member. The seal member has an open condition establishing an internal passage different than the fluid passage to permit passage of an access instrument through the closure valve and a closed condition in the absence of the access instrument. The inner wall portions of the valve housing cooperate with the seal member to permit the seal member to assume the closed condition thereof.

Abstract: A safety shield incorporating a locking clip to prevent inadvertent sticks or punctures by a needle is provided. The needle can be a needle cannula or other piercing member, disposed in a sliding orientation in the safety shield, such that the needle slides within the locking clip between an aperture at a proximal end of the locking clip and a trigger hole at a distal end of the clip. Upon withdrawal of the needle after use, a binding orientation is triggered when the needle tip is withdrawn from the trigger hole. As further protection to the bi-directional lock afforded by the binding orientation, the needle is provided with a safety stop to prevent movement of the needle tip through the aperture. In other aspects, the safety shield includes a trigger bushing, in which the needle cannula is slidably received, that is sized larger than the aperture.

Abstract: Featured is a medical infusion device for vascular access with enhanced flashback visualization that includes a hub assembly having a flashback chamber. The hub assembly includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion. A needle is coupled to the flashback chamber so that fluid flows through the lumen of the needle into the flashback chamber after the needle is inserted into a blood vessel. A contrasting member is disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, so that when blood enters the flashback chamber, the contrasting member provides a high-contrast background when viewed through the window section.

Abstract: Featured is a medical infusion device for vascular access with enhanced flashback visualization that includes a hub assembly having a flashback chamber. The hub assembly includes a proximal portion, a distal portion and a substantially transparent window section intermediate the proximal portion and distal portion. A needle is coupled to the flashback chamber so that fluid flows through the lumen of the needle into the flashback chamber after the needle is inserted into a blood vessel. A contrasting member is disposed on at least a portion of the hub assembly, so that when blood enters the flashback chamber, the contrasting member provides a high-contrast background when viewed through the window section.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a safety needle assembly that includes a syringe and a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a shield member at least partially disposed within the internal cavity, and first and second locking members that are configured to selectively engage and maintain the shield member in one or more predetermined positions. The locking members are movable between a locked position, in which the locking members are in engagement with the shield member to substantially prevent axial movement thereof, and a release position, in which the locking members are disengaged from the shield member to permit axial movement thereof. The first and second locking members each include biasing members. The biasing member of the each locking member is positioned to cooperate with the other locking member to normally bias the locking members towards the locked position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metal cannula is disclosed. The method includes the step of providing a metal cannula having a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid channel. Next, the metal cannula is pressed to substantially close the fluid channel and define a first segment and a second segment. In a next step, the metal cannula is cut to separate the first segment from the second segment of the metal cannula. Each of the first and second segments have a pressed edge. The pressed edge substantially seals the fluid channel and has two pressed corners. Afterwards, each of the pressed corners are cut from the pressed edge of the first segment to define a pair of side openings and a distal blunt edge on the first segment. The side openings are in fluid communication with the fluid channel.

Abstract: A syringe assembly is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a first fluid reservoir and a fluid outlet. A plunger assembly includes a plunger rod and a plunger. The plunger is supported on a distal end of the plunger rod and defines a second fluid reservoir. The plunger is movable within the syringe body from a retracted position to an advanced position to eject fluid from the first fluid reservoir. A piercing member is supported on a distal end of the plunger rod within the second fluid reservoir. The piercing member is movable to pierce the plunger to eject fluid from the second fluid reservoir when a predetermined force is applied to the plunger in the advanced position.

Abstract: A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus includes a wound dressing for forming a substantially fluid-tight seal over a wound to define a reservoir over the wound in which a negative pressure may be maintained. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the reservoir to provide an appropriate negative pressure to the reservoir to stimulate healing of the wound. The apparatus includes a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and defining a fluid flow path for carrying fluids from the reservoir, and a fluid line coupling adapted for selective engagement and disengagement of first and second coupling segments to respectively maintain and interrupt the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A plunger activated capping system is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir, a plunger assembly including a plunger rod and a sealing member supported on the plunger rod, and a luer cap releasably secured to a distal end of the syringe body. The luer cap includes a luer-type connector member and a fluid outlet. A luer cap plug is releasably supported on a distal end of the plunger rod at a location distally of the sealing member. The luer cap plug is movable into engagement with the luer cap to seal the fluid outlet of the luer cap upon advancement of the plunger assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position. The plunger assembly is configured to effect disengagement of the luer cap from the distal end of the syringe body when the plunger assembly is moved to the advanced position.

Abstract: A syringe assembly is disclosed which includes a syringe body defining a fluid reservoir, a plunger assembly including a plunger rod and a sealing member supported on the plunger rod, and a luer cap releasably secured to a distal end of the syringe body. The luer cap includes a luer-type connector member and a fluid outlet. A one way valve is supported within the fluid outlet of the luer cap to prevent flow from the fluid outlet back into the fluid reservoir of the syringe body.

Abstract: A safety needle is provided. The safety needle includes a substantially hollow body and a needle assembly that includes a needle supported on a needle hub. The needle hub is movable in relation to the hollow body from an advanced position wherein a sharp tip of the needle extends from the hollow body to a retracted position wherein the sharp tip of the needle is positioned within the hollow body. The safety needle also includes a spring biased retraction mechanism that includes a constant force spring operatively connected to the needle hub. The constant force spring is a generally flat strip of prestressed material that is formed into constant coils around itself. The constant force spring is configured to bias the needle hub towards the retracted position wherein the spring provides a substantially constant force to the needle assembly while the needle assembly moves from the advanced position to the retracted position.

Abstract: A catheter assembly is disclosed which includes a cannula assembly, a locking clip assembly and a housing. The locking clip assembly includes a locking clip, a collar, and a biasing member. The locking clip has a first leg defining a trigger hole and a second leg defining a binding hole. The collar is positioned to engage the locking clip and the biasing member is positioned to urge the collar into engagement with the locking clip to urge the locking clip from a first orientation to a second orientation. In the second orientation, the binding hole is positioned to bind with the insertion needle to prevent retraction of the insertion needle.

Abstract: A safety apparatus is provided which includes a needle hub having an arm extending therefrom and an extensible frame connected to the needle hub. The extensible frame includes a proximal segment that is hingedly connected to a distal segment. The extensible frame is resiliently biased from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the arm releasably enages the promixmal segment to fix the extensible frame in a position between the retracted position and the extended position. In an alternate embodiment, the safety apparatus includes an extensible frame including a proximal segment which is hingedly connected to a distal segment. A resilient member is coupled to the proximal segment and the distal segment. The resilient member is configured to bias the extensible frame from a retracted position to an extended position. A method for infusing fluids to a subject is disclosed.

Abstract: A surgical fluid transfer apparatus for passage of fluids includes a hub defining a longitudinal axis and having an internal chamber, an elongated member extending from the hub and defining a longitudinal conduit and a closure valve disposed within the internal chamber of the hub. The closure valve is adapted for movement between a first position substantially sealing the internal chamber to prevent passage of fluids and a second position establishing a fluid passage within the hub to permit passage of fluids therethrough. The closure valve includes a valve housing having inner wall portions defining a general tapered internal bore and a seal member at least partially disposed within the tapered internal bore of the valve housing. The seal member defines a general tapered configuration and has an open condition permitting passage of an access instrument through the closure valve and into the longitudinal conduit of the elongated member and a closed condition in the absence of the access instrument.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is provided that includes a housing that defines a cavity. A distal end of the housing includes a cover having a movable tab. A hub is disposed for movement within the housing and includes a needle having a distal end and a movable projection. The hub is biased between an extended position, such that the distal end of the needle is exposed and the movable projection is releasably disposed with the cavity, and a retracted position whereby the distal end of the needle is disposed within the housing. The movable tab is engageable with the movable projection to release the movable projection from the cavity to facilitate movement of the hub. The distal end of the housing may define a lip that is configured to capture the distal end of the needle. The hub can define an angled distal surface to orient the needle out of axial alignment with the housing and into capture with the lip.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is provided that includes a housing that defines a cavity. A distal end of the housing includes a cover having a movable tab. A hub is disposed for movement within the housing and includes a needle having a distal end and a movable projection. The hub is biased between an extended position, such that the distal end of the needle is exposed and the movable projection is releasably disposed with the cavity, and a retracted position whereby the distal end of the needle is disposed within the housing. The movable tab is engageable with the movable projection to release the movable projection from the cavity to facilitate movement of the hub. The distal end of the housing may define a lip that is configured to capture the distal end of the needle. The hub can define an angled distal surface to orient the needle out of axial alignment with the housing and into capture with the lip.

Abstract: A safety apparatus is provided which includes a needle hub having an arm extending therefrom and an extensible frame connected to the needle hub. THe extensible frame includes a proximal segment that is hingedly connected to a distal segment. The extensible frame is resiliently biased from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the arm releasably enages the promixmal segment to fix the extensible frame in a position between the retracted position and the extended position. In an alternate embodiment, the safety apparatus includes an extensible frame including a proximal segment which is hingedly connected to a distal segment. A resilient member is coupled to the proximal segment and the distal segment. The resilient member is configured to bias the extensible frame from a retracted position to an extended position. A method for infusing fluids to a subject is disclosed.