Abstract: A winged needle set is disclosed. The winged needle set has a housing and opposed wings which can be grasped between the fingers for insertion of the needle into a body. The winged needle set has a finned member which is rotatable about the axis of the needle. Rotation of the finned member towards one of the wings actuates a needle shield, which moves along the needle in the distal direction. In one embodiment, the needle shield has includes a blocking object (such as a ball), a biasing spring and a holder for the blocking object.

Abstract: A needle assembly with a needle shield is disclosed. The shield includes a lumen slidable on the needle, a holder and a needle blocking object which moves at least partially into the lumen in order to block distal movement of the needle. A spring biases the blocking object towards the needle axis. Proximal movement of the needle relative to the shield is limited by a restraint in the form of a discontinuity on the needle which abuts the shield, a tether or a tube abutting the needle hub. When the needle shield moves from a non-shielding position to a shielding position, the needle blocking object moves at least partially into the lumen. The needle blocking object is radially and axially constrained in the shielding position. The holder also prevents radial, longitudinal and circumferential movement of the blocking object. In one embodiment, the needle blocking object is a ball. A catheter adapter and tube may be threaded over the needle.

Abstract: A catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system is disclosed herein. The invention includes a generally hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is affixed to the distal end of the needle hub and is aligned to extend through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. The needle extends through a catheter hub and catheter affixed to the catheter hub. A spring is disposed in the barrel lumen to cooperate with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch actuator is releasably engaged with the catheter hub.

Abstract: A method and device for the delivery of a substance into skin via the rotational movement of a microabrader device reduces the effects of operator variability. The method includes applying a substance to an area of a patient's skin through the rotational movement of microprotrusions which may be imparted by a spring device present in the microabrader device or the motion of the operator through the handle of the microabrader device. The device may further include system and methods for monitoring pressure of the device against the skin and thereby promote consistency between applications and control of penetration depth. The delivered substance may be placed on the microprotrusions and a reconstituting liquid included in the microabrader device.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment—and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling interstitial fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A method and device for the delivery of a substance into skin via the rotational movement of a microabrader device reduces the effects of operator variability. The method includes applying a substance to an area of a patient's skin through the rotational movement of microprotrusions. The movement of the microprotrusions can be imparted by a spring device or the like present in the microabrader device or the motion of the operator through the handle of the microabrader device. The rotational motion localizes the administration of the drug or vaccine dosage in the abraded skin area. The device can include means for monitoring pressure of the device against the skin and thereby promote consistency between applications and control of penetration depth. The substance, drug or vaccine may be placed on the microprotrusions and a reconstituting liquid included in the microabrader device.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment—and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system is disclosed herein. The invention includes a generally hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is affixed to the distal end of the needle hub and is aligned to extend through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. The needle extends through a catheter hub and catheter affixed to the catheter hub. A spring is disposed in the barrel lumen to cooperate with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch actuator is releasably engaged with the catheter hub. A latch which cooperates with the latch actuator is movable between one position which maintains the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and a second position allowing the spring to urge the needle hub to the proximal end of the barrel. A mechanism may be provided to cushion the needle hub as it contacts the proximal end of the barrel by the force of the spring.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling interstitial fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment-and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment-and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A needle retraction system includes a hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is attached to the hub and extends through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. A catheter hub and catheter are positioned about the needle. A spring in the barrel urges the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch cooperates with the latch actuator to move between one position, in which the needle hub is maintained at the distal end of the barrel, and another position, in which the spring moves the needle hub to the proximal end of the barrel. A cushion may be provided for the needle hub as it contacts the proximal end of the barrel.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment-and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A catheter and introducer needle assembly with needle shield is provided wherein the needle includes an enlarged diameter portion and a distally facing shoulder. The needle shield includes a means for engaging the distally facing shoulder to prevent unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a small diameter opening adjacent to its proximal portion to limit proximal movement of the needle out of the needle shield.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling body fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment--and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent within fluid collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A disconnect device for placement in a medical tubing set of the present invention includes a first portion with a first passageway therethrough that has a first valve therein. While the first valve is biased in a normally closed position to close the first passageway, it is operative to an open position. The disconnect device of the invention has a second portion with a second passageway therethrough that has a second valve therein. The second valve is also biased in a normally closed position to close the second passageway and it also is operative to an open position. The second portion is releasably attached to the first portion, connecting the first and second passageways in fluid communication, to overcome the bias of the first valve and the second valve, to open the valves and to allow a fluid flow through the device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for slowing down or dampening the retraction velocity of an introducer needle used in connection with needle retracting safety vascular access devices. The devices and methods prevent splattering or dripping of blood caused by an introducer needle that retracts too quickly. The dampening devices can be easily modified to regulate the amount of dampening desired and can be retrofitted to existing vascular access devices designs.

Abstract: A needle and a cover with a needle having an elongate shank and a tip with a sharpened point. The cover is coaxially associated with the elongate shank for movement therealong toward the tip and includes a part for extending beyond the sharpened point when the cover is positioned near the tip. A lock associated with the needle and cover cooperates with and holds the cover to prevent axial movement relative to the needle tip after positioning the cover near the tip. A retaining member on the adapter and on the cover releasably attach the cover to the adapter while on the elongate shank of the needle allowing the needle and cover to be disengaged from the catheter and adapter after placement.