Abstract: A method for preparing a syringe containing a sample of whole blood for centrifuging comprising: providing a syringe having a barrel with a flange at a proximal end thereof and a tip at a distal end thereof, the tip having a lumen in fluid communication with the barrel, the barrel of the syringe containing a liquid specimen, the syringe having a plunger provided in the barrel and sealing the liquid specimen therein; providing a jig for supporting the proximal and distal ends of the syringe, the jig having a blade pivotably mounted therein, the blade having an open position in which the blade is retracted to permit insertion of the syringe, the blade having a cut position in which the blade cuts the syringe; pivoting the blade into the cut position such that the blade cuts the proximal end of the syringe with the flanges and the plunger.

Abstract: A device for collecting blood, comprising: a tubular member having a diameter D1 enclosing an interior volume having a rated capacity, a distal end of the tubular member provided with a tip having a first through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume, a proximal end of the tubular member provided a second through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume; a cap formed of a self-healing material and configured to seal the tip of the tubular member; and a plunger movably accommodated within the interior volume of the tubular member, the plunger including an elongate member having an enlarged pad provided on a proximal end, an elastomeric member provided on a distal end and one or more locking wing members provided on and biased to extend away from the elongate member; wherein when the plunger is retracted to the rated capacity, the one or more locking wing members extend beyond the interior volume and engage with the proximal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: A device for collecting blood, comprising: a tubular member having a diameter D1 enclosing an interior volume having a rated capacity, a distal end of the tubular member provided with a tip having a first through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume, a proximal end of the tubular member provided a second through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume; a cap formed of a self-healing material and configured to seal the tip of the tubular member; and a plunger movably accommodated within the interior volume of the tubular member, the plunger including an elongate member having an enlarged pad provided on a proximal end, an elastomeric member provided on a distal end and one or more locking wing members provided on and biased to extend away from the elongate member; wherein when the plunger is retracted to the rated capacity, the one or more locking wing members extend beyond the interior volume and engage with the proximal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Device for cutting a syringe having a barrel with a flange at a proximal end thereof, the barrel containing a liquid, a plunger provided in the barrel and sealing the liquid specimen therein, said cutting device comprising: a jig for supporting a syringe, the jig including a proximal wall and a distal wall, a first through-hole defined in the proximal wall and a second through-hole defined in the distal wall; wherein the first and second through-holes are coaxially aligned and are sized to closely approximate the barrel; the first through-hole including a counter bore such that a distal end of the first through-hole closely approximates the barrel and a proximal end of the first through-hole closely approximates the syringe flange; a blade pivotably supported between the proximal and distal walls; wherein the blade cuts the proximal end of the syringe with the flanges without contaminating the liquid within the barrel.

Abstract: A device for collecting blood, comprising: a tubular member having a diameter D1 enclosing an interior volume having a rated capacity, a distal end of the tubular member provided with a tip having a first through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume, a proximal end of the tubular member provided a second through-hole in fluid communication with the interior volume; a cap formed of a self-healing material and configured to seal the tip of the tubular member; and a plunger movably accommodated within the interior volume of the tubular member, the plunger including an elongate member having an enlarged pad provided on a proximal end, an elastomeric member provided on a distal end and one or more locking wing members provided on and biased to extend away from the elongate member; wherein when the plunger is retracted to the rated capacity, the one or more locking wing members extend beyond the interior volume and engage with the proximal end of the tubular member.

Abstract: Method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising: providing an elongate connector comprising an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector; providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube; advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector.

Abstract: A device for rapidly chilling a syringe, comprising: a thermal battery formed of a heat conductive material and including at least one chilling cavity defined therein; a thermoelectric cooler functioning as a heat pump, having a cold side placed in abutment with the thermal battery and having a hot side in abutment with an optional heatsink; a temperature sensor placed in abutment with the thermal battery; a temperature regulation module receiving a signal indicative of temperature from the temperature sensor, said temperature regulation module driving the thermoelectric cooler to achieve a pre-set temperature set-point; wherein the thermal battery reduces the temperature of the specimen to between 3 degrees C. and 20 degrees C. within 1-5 minutes.

Abstract: Method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising: providing an elongate connector comprising an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector; providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube; advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector.

Abstract: Device for cutting a syringe having a barrel with a flange at a proximal end thereof, the barrel containing a liquid, a plunger provided in the barrel and sealing the liquid specimen therein, said cutting device comprising: a jig for supporting a syringe, the jig including a proximal wall and a distal wall, a first through-hole defined in the proximal wall and a second through-hole defined in the distal wall; wherein the first and second through-holes are coaxially aligned and are sized to closely approximate the barrel; the first through-hole including a counter bore such that a distal end of the first through-hole closely approximates the barrel and a proximal end of the first through-hole closely approximates the syringe flange; a blade pivotably supported between the proximal and distal walls; wherein the blade cuts the proximal end of the syringe with the flanges without contaminating the liquid within the barrel.

Abstract: A device for extracting plasma from a fluid collection tube comprising: a tubular barrel having sidewall surrounding a lumen which extends between proximal and distal ends thereof, the tubular barrel forming a tip at a distal end; a barrel seal movingly seated within the lumen of the tubular barrel, the barrel seal closing and sealing the proximal end of the tubular barrel; a tube seal having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face, the tube seal having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the fluid collection tube, and an inner diameter sized to sealingly engage with an outer surface of the tip of the tubular barrel, the tube seal mounted on the tubular barrel such that the tip of the tubular barrel extends into the tube seal lumen.

Abstract: A device for extracting plasma from a fluid collection tube comprising: a tubular barrel having sidewall surrounding a lumen which extends between proximal and distal ends thereof, the tubular barrel forming a tip at a distal end; a barrel seal movingly seated within the lumen of the tubular barrel, the barrel seal closing and sealing the proximal end of the tubular barrel; a tube seal having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween, the proximal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face, the tube seal having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the fluid collection tube, and an inner diameter sized to sealingly engage with an outer surface of the tip of the tubular barrel, the tube seal mounted on the tubular barrel such that the tip of the tubular barrel extends into the tube seal lumen.

Abstract: Method for transferring one or more portions of fluid from a specimen tube, comprising: providing an elongate connector comprising an elongated tube having a lumen or through-hole extending between proximal and distal ends thereof, a Luer-compatible female taper provided on the proximal end of the connector, a flange provided proximate the distal end of the connector; providing a tube seal mounted on the distal end of the connector, the tube seal comprising an elastomeric member having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal end, and a through-hole extending therebetween, the distal end having a frustoconical or chamfered face forming a funnel, the elastomeric member having an outer diameter sized to sealingly engage with an inner surface of the specimen tube; advancing the distal end of the connector and the tube seal into the specimen tube, the funnel directing the first layer into the through-hole of the connector.

Abstract: The safety cap, according to the invention, has got, at least, one securing element which engages with the bottle neck and an internal closing element, mounted in the inside of the external element, where, at least, one securing element is connected and meshes—with its thread, made on its lateral side—with the thread of the internal closing element and the external element, movable mounted on the internal closing element, closing the external element.

Abstract: A banked curve detection system determines the presence of a vehicle on a banked curve by sensing a vertical acceleration and a lateral acceleration of a vehicle. A banked curve is determined when the vertical acceleration and lateral acceleration are each greater than previously sensed vertical and lateral accelerations, the lateral acceleration is less than an expected reference lateral acceleration value, and the vertical acceleration is greater than gravity. The reference lateral acceleration value is based on yaw rate, steering angle, and wheel speed. When the acceleration conditions are met, the electronic stability control adjusts the parameters due to the vehicle being driven on a banked curve. Once the acceleration condition is no longer valid, the electronic stability control returns to normal operation.