Abstract: There is described a suture removing device comprising a body having a handle portion, a head portion, and a cutting edge provided in the head portion. The head portion has a leading end with a forked tip and a surface extending rearwardly of the tip to the cutting edge. The forked tip is inserted below a suture to lift the suture from the skin and pushed forwards such that the suture rides along the surface and on to the cutting edge where the suture is cut. The forked tip of the device is then placed around the suture, below the suture knot, to allow the suture to be pulled out.

Abstract: A plasma separator for receiving a blood sample includes a central chamber of inverted conical shape and an outer annular chamber connected to the central chamber by a downwardly inclined passageway. The separator is designed to be rotated at high speed about a vertical axis so that red blood cells in the sample migrate down the passageway and into the outer chamber, leaving clear plasma in the central chamber that can then be removed by pipette.

Abstract: A device for use in the collection and transportation of medical specimens is disclosed. The device includes a swab and a receptacle for the swab which contains a media material. The media material is retained in the receptacle by a septum which is penetrated when the swab is inserted after collection of a medical specimen so that the specimen is immersed in the media material. In one embodiment, the swab is initially housed in the receptacle at a first position and can be inserted further into the receptacle to penetrate the septum after a specimen has been collected. In another embodiment, the swab is initially separate from the receptacle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of introducing a liquid into a measuring tube and to a device for use in the method. In the specific embodiment the method is used in determining the erythrocyte sedimentation rate of a blood sample. This involves the steps of providing a device comprising a transparent tube and a cap fitted in airtight fashion to a first end portion of the tube and having a skirt which makes airtight sealing engagement with the tube. The cap is slidable along the tube from a first position to a second position closer to the first end of the tube, while still maintaining airtight sealing engagement. A second end portion of the tube is immersed in a blood sample and the cap is slid along the tube towards its said second position to draw a column of blood into the tube. The tube is then removed from the sample and the device is maintained in an upright position for a predetermined length of time.