Abstract: The invention relates to a fully disposable system for casting, polymerizing and compressing a hydrogel. The invention further relates to a method for producing a scaffold for the generation of artificial tissue products using said disposable system.

Abstract: A phlebotomy device comprises a barrel provided with a catheter and a needle passing through the catheter, means being provided for automatically retracting the needle from the catheter in response to the insertion of a blood collection vessel into the barrel.

Abstract: A catheter assembly has a needle extending within a catheter and projecting from its patient end. A slider attached with the needle is slidable rearwardly along a protective housing so that the needle can be pulled out of the catheter into the housing. A resilient catch at the patient end of the housing has two plates with apertures through which the needle projects when extended, thereby holding two hooks on the catch in engagement with the catheter hub. The catheter cannot be pulled off the needle until the needle is pulled rearwardly of the catch and allows the hooks to release engagement with the hub.