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 method of using a safety shield assembly having a shield and a collar and more particularly a method of using a safety shield assembly with a fluid handling device whereby the shield may be pivoted with respect to the collar. Preferably, a method of using a safety shield assembly 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: A closure is provided comprised of a thin flexible material for use on a needle disposal container so that a contaminated blood collection needle may be removed from its holder and deposited in the container without the user touching the needle or the needle hub. The device includes dual elongated tapered openings to accommodate varying diameters of needle hubs. By having dual openings, the useful life of the cap and its associated container is doubled. The cap of the invention is configured to be utilized with a large variety of collection containers of varying sizes and shapes. A feature of the invention includes chamfered surfaces at the enlarged end of each of the dual openings to provide a sharp edge which is useful for urging a needle hub out of its holder, without physically touching the needle or hub.

Abstract: A deep bed filter of the type comprising an upright vessel of particulate filter medium, inlet means at the top of the vessel for introduction of an aqueous stream to be filtered, outlet means at the bottom for removal of filtered liquid and means for backwashing the medium by an upward flow of liquid, has as the filter medium bone char and sand, the bone char being located substantially above the sand. The sand generally comprises a particulate mineral filter material selected from silica sand, fused alumina, garnet, zircon, ilmenite and glass.

Abstract: A pouring spout for a container, particularly for decantation by pouring, of a liquid phase from the container and formed with a fluid passageway having a screen disposed therein for the removal of solids from the liquid being poured from the container. A vent is provided in the pouring spout to facilitate pressure equalization to minimize or eliminate ebullition.

Abstract: A needle shield is provided for a needle holding assembly, such as a blood collection assembly, which reduces the possibility of contamination to the user by providing a radially positioned guidance groove at the entry of the shield for easy guidance of the used needle point back into the shield.

Abstract: The disclosure is of an improved method and apparatus for separating blood into light, substantially liquid phase and its heavy, substantially cellular phase by centrifuging a blood filled container having disposed therein an inert, gel-like barrier material possessing a density intermediate between the two phases of the blood. The improvement comprises employing a constricted tubular container, the constriction being at the zone where it is calculated the gel-like barrier material will align during centrifugation.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of an improved assembly for the collection, separation and isolation of serum or plasma from blood without subjecting the desired serum or plasma to contamination by exposure to the atmosphere and which utilizes a thixotropic barrier material to effect the isolation. A representative embodiment of the improved assembly comprises an air-evacuated glass collection container, a self-sealing, airtight elastomeric closure for the container which is penetrable by a blood bearing cannula and a thixotrope having a specific gravity of from about 1.03 to about 1.09 disposed in a specially constructed reservoir positioned adjacent to the closure member and within the air-evacuated collection container.