Abstract: A tube assembly includes an inner tube telescoped into an outer tube. The inner tube is dimensioned to define a substantially annular space between the inner and outer tubes. Portions of the inner tube near its open top are configured to permit venting as the inner tube is inserted into the open top. However, the vent is closed during insertion of a closure into the tube assembly or prior to inserting a closure into the tube assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for assembling a safety shield assembly and more particularly a method for assembling a safety shield assembly with a fluid handling device. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be assembled with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements. The shield includes a clip with a plurality of cannula finger locks for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing and stabilizing a biological sample includes a container, a closure cap and a sample holder coupled to the closure cap and removably received in the container. The sample holder can be a basket-like device coupled to an inner face of the cap and includes a central cavity for receiving the sample and immersing the sample in the reagent in the container. The closure cap includes a body member with a dimension to displace a volume of air and reduce the head space to ensure that the sample holder is completely immersed in the reagent. The sample holder has a closure member for closing the open top end of the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: A dual blunting needle assembly for use in blood collection procedures is provided. The needle assembly includes a hub assembly having a first external cannula with an intravenous puncture tip, a second external cannula with an external blunt tip and an internal lumen extending through the hub assembly from the intravenous puncture tip to the blunt tip. The needle assembly further includes an internal cannula extending concentrically within the internal lumen of the hub assembly. The internal cannula includes an internal blunt tip at a first end and a non-patient puncture tip at a second end.

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a needle assembly for blood collection is provided, and in particular, for use with a needle assembly including an activation mechanism adapted for axial displacement between a first position and a second position with respect to the needle assembly through engagement with a blood collection tube. The needle holder includes an outer body having a first end adapted for attachment to such a needle assembly and a second end having an internal opening therein. The needle holder is adapted for accommodating a blood collection tube within the internal opening for engagement with the needle assembly.

Abstract: A needle holder for use with a needle assembly for blood collection is provided, and in particular, for use with a needle assembly including an activation mechanism adapted for axial displacement between a first position and a second position with respect to the needle assembly through engagement with a blood collection tube. The needle holder includes an outer body having a first end adapted for attachment to such a needle assembly and a second end having an internal opening therein. The needle holder further includes an inner body slidable within the outer body which includes a mechanism for axially displacing the activation mechanism between the first retracted position and the second activated position. The inner holder may be in the form of a tubular body which is axially slidable within the outer body, or may be in the form of an arm extending through a channel in the outer body, and including a tab for finger activation by a user.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: A container assembly for storing and stabilizing a biological sample includes a container, a closure cap and a sample holder coupled to the closure cap and removably received in the container. The sample holder can be a basket-like device coupled to an inner face of the cap and includes a central cavity for receiving the sample and immersing the sample in the reagent in the container. The closure cap includes a body member with a dimension to displace a volume of air and reduce the head space to ensure that the sample holder is completely immersed in the reagent. The sample holder has a closure member for closing the open top end of the cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements. The shield includes a clip with a plurality of cannula finger locks for preventing re-exposure of the used needle.

Abstract: The present invention is a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar for connecting the shield to a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, the safety shield assembly may be used with a needle assembly, an intravenous infusion set a syringe, a catheter or other fluid handling devices or assemblies that contain piercing elements.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided for use with a syringe and a blunt cannula to efficiently deliver a sample of blood to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The syringe includes a generally cylindrical tip with a passage that communicates with a fluid receiving chamber of the syringe. An annular or toroidal bead extends around the tip. The adaptor includes proximal and distal ends and a passage extending between the ends. The proximal end of the adaptor is configured to telescope with the tip of the syringe and to snap into engagement with the bead around the tip of the syringe. The distal end of the adaptor includes a Luer tip and an internally threaded Luer collar. A plastic cannula can be threadedly mounted to the distal end of the adaptor to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen to an entry point of a point-of-care testing cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes a mounting sleeve for snapped engagement over a portion of the testing cartridge, including the entry port to the testing cartridge. The adaptor further includes a Luer fitting unitarily formed with the mounting sleeve. The Luer fitting has an inlet end configured for mating with the syringe and an outlet end configured for alignment with the entry port of the testing cartridge. The adaptor can be snapped onto the testing cartridge. The Luer tip of the syringe then can be mated with the Luer fitting of the adaptor for safe and convenient delivery of the specimen through the adaptor and into the testing cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes a tube with an outlet end, an inlet end and a passage extending between the ends. The outlet end of the tube is dimensioned for mating with the entry port of the testing cartridge. The inlet end of the tube is dimensioned for mating with the syringe. The adaptor further includes a support wall extending transversely from the tube and at least one positioning wall extending from the support wall. The positioning wall is spaced transversely from the outlet of the tube by a distance substantially equal to the distance between a side wall of the testing cartridge and the entry port of the testing cartridge. A bottom wall and a lock arm extend from the positioning wall. The bottom wall of the adaptor engages the bottom wall of the testing cartridge and the lock arm of the adaptor engages the top wall of the testing cartridge.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes opposed proximal and distal ends and a passage extending between the ends. The proximal end of the adaptor defines a Luer fitting configured for mating with a Luer tip of a syringe. The distal end of the adaptor defines a small diameter nose configured for insertion into the entry port of a testing cartridge. An outlet passage extends through the nose and is dimensioned to create small droplets of liquid that can be delivered easily to the testing cartridge. Radially aligned fins are disposed proximally of the nose and define channels between the fins for enabling venting of air from the testing cartridge.