Abstract: A hypodermic needle apparatus has a safety cap which is axially split into two halves. The two halves are pivotally connected to a needle hub for movement outwardly in opposite directions by sliding ring which moves over a portion of the needle hub. A method of unsheathing and resheathing a needle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A connector has one end for receiving a standard auxiliary line adaptor hub and an opposite end receivable over an intravenous line port in a male-female interference fit. A needle is provided in the interior of the connector and punctures a sealing membrane provided over the line port. After the needle has been properly positioned in the line port, an external ring is slid axially over the male-female connection to tighten the interference fit.For a heparin flush, a cylinder has two chambers, one for holding heparin and another for holding saline. The two chambers are separated by a membrane. A rubber stopper is provided at one end of the cylinder and is provided with a screw connector for receiving a plunger. The opposite end is provided with a needle having inner and outer points, the needle being recessed into an end portion of the cylinder.The outer end of the needle is provided with a sheath which is removed prior to sliding an intravenous line port into the cylinder.

Abstract: A flexible plastic catheter extends from a distal end of a rigid plastic housing. An elastomeric seal at the distal end of the housing tightly fits within the housing and grips in its bore a stylet. The stylet has a sharp distal end and an enlarged proximal end which receives a distal end of a plastic tube within the housing. The stylet is slideable within the elastic seal. In an extended position, the stylet distal end extends beyond a distal end of the catheter and the proximal end abuts the elastomeric seal. In a retracted position, the elastomeric seal grips the catheter near its distal end and the proximal end abuts a constriction in the proximal end of the housing. In that retracted position, the tubing, the stylet and the catheter form a fluid flow path.

Abstract: An intravenous needle with a sharpened distal end has a proximal end fixed within a first enlarged end of an inner tube. The enlarged end of the inner tube is held tightly within a first end of an outer tube by friction. The needle passes through a constricted opening in the first end of the outer tube. The second end of the inner tube passes through a constricted opening in the second end of the outer tube. The needle is used by gripping soft plastic wings on the outer tube and removing a needle cover from a nipple on the first end of the outer tube. The needle is then inserted in the desired location and the outer tube and a protruding end of the inner tube are taped in place. Fluids are permitted to flow through the inner tube and needle. When use is complete, the needle is removed from the vein, the protruding end of the inner tube is pulled outward, pulling the first end of the inner tube and the needle into the outer tube.

Abstract: A self-resheathing safety needle has a case with a small closed end and a large open end and a needle assembly within the case with the needle projecting through the small closed end. A hub is connected to the needle assembly inside the case and a connector on the hub cooperates with a receiver in the small end to hold the needle assembly in the case. A flange on the hub cooperates with an inward projection in the case spaced from the small end to prevent movement of the needle out of the case when the needle is withdrawn from the opening in the small end. The nozzle of a syringe pushed into the hub withdraws the needle when the syringe is withdrawn. A rubber stopper on a vacuum tube withdraws the needle after the rubber stopper turns the flange to release the connector from the receiver.