Abstract: A contamination resistant connector for medical tubing includes a first portion with a first fluid passage therethrough occluded by a covered normally closed first valve and a second portion with a second fluid passage therethrough. The second portion is conjugate to and releasably attachable to the first portion with the second fluid passage also being occluded by a covered normally closed second valve. The first valve and the second valve are both only uncovered and opened so that the first fluid passage and the second fluid passage are fluidly communicatively connected, and closed and covered by the respective selective conjugate engagement and disengagement of the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A shield assembly is provided for a needle cannula of a hypodermic syringe. The shield assembly includes inner and outer shield. The inner shield includes a guard selectively movable between a proximal position which permits use of needle cannula and a distal position which safely covers the tip of the needle cannula. The outer shield is frictionally and removably positioned over the needle cannula when the inner shield is in its proximal position. Movement of the inner shield to its distal shielding position enables alignment of cooperating locking structure on the inner shield and outer shield with one another for permanently securely locking the outer shield over the needle cannula.

Abstract: A tissue biopsy cell suspender device includes a receptacle having a sealable opening. The receptacle contains a sufficient quantity of an aqueous medium to support an enzymatic dissociation of cells from a tissue biopsy sample. The device has a removable closure with a first sealing position and a second sealing position for sealing the opening in the receptacle. The device further includes a frangible container having a sufficient quantity of an enzyme therein to dissociate cells from the tissue biopsy sample. The frangible container is covered with a membrane that is permeable to water and to the enzyme. The frangible container is disposed within the receptacle so that the container is intact when the closure is in the first sealing position and the container is breached when the closure is in the second sealing position. When the frangible container is breached, the enzyme is released to permeate into the medium and for dissociation of the cells from the tissue sample.

Abstract: The invention is a catheter/needle assembly for delivery of a medicament to the subarachnoid space of a patient which includes an elongate flexible tube portion sized to fit within the bore of an epidural needle. The flexible tube portion includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a hollow bore therethrough. The assembly further includes an elongate needle portion having a distal point and a passageway therethrough. The needle portion is fit within, fixedly attached to and fluidly sealed to the bore of the tube. The needle point projects distally a distance beyond the distal end of the tube so that the distal end of the tube forms a shoulder projecting radially outwardly at the needle portion.The invention also includes a method of using the instantly invented assembly to deliver a medicament into the subarachnoid space of a patient.

Abstract: A needle shielding cushion is provided with a generally planar base wall having a plurality of filaments projecting unitarily therefrom. The base wall defines cross-sectional dimensions which are greater than the length of a needle cannula used therewith. The filaments are dimensioned and disposed to releasably engage a needle cannula therebetween. An exposed needle cannula can be urged between the filaments after usage of the needle cannula and/or between sequential uses of the needle cannula.