Abstract: A vessel is disclosed that is useful for collecting a sample of a body fluid and, when subjected to centrifugation, separating the sample into a higher specific gravity phase and a lower specific gravity phase. The vessel of the invention includes an elongate tube that has an open end, a closed end and a sidewall. The sidewall has an outside surface and an inside surface and defines a receptacle with a central axis. The vessel has a closure disposed to fit the open end of the tube thereby sealing the receptacle. The vessel also includes an elongate separator releasably positioned at the open end of the tube that has a resilient top portion an elongate lower portion. The elongate lower portion has an axial passage therethrough. The top portion is sized to fit releaseably within the receptcle with an interference fit against the inside surface. When the vessel is subject to axial centrifugal force, the separator moves a distance axially from the open end toward the closed end.

Abstract: A specimen collection device is provided for efficient collection of biological specimens. The device includes a container with a substantially closed bottom, an open top and a side wall therebetween. An outlet aperture is provided in or near the bottom wall. An access port assembly is mounted in the outlet aperture. The access port assembly includes a split septum. The container is used with a test tube and with a cap that has a blunt cannula or blunt tube that provides access into the test tube. The blunt cannula or blunt tube can be urged through the slit in the split septum to enable a gravitational flow of the specimen from the container into the test tube. Separation of the test tube from the container allows the split septum to reseal. The test tube then can be sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough, with the ball including an axle permitting rotative movement of the ball thereabout between an open position and a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mounted on the open end of the collection container, with the socket including a ball receiving internal surface having an axle-support for receiving the axle of the ball for accommodating rotative movement of the ball therein. The passageway of the ball is aligned with the open end of said collection tube when the ball is in an open position and is out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough, with the ball including an axle permitting rotative movement of the ball thereabout between an open position and a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mounted on the open end of the collection container, with the socket including a ball receiving internal surface having an axle-support for receiving the axle of the ball for accommodating rotative movement of the ball therein. The passageway of the ball is aligned with the open end of said collection container when the ball is in an open position and is out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The axle-support of the socket and the axle of the ball are parallel and eccentric with respect to each other.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough. The ball is capable of rotative movement between an open position and a closed position, with the passageway being aligned with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in an open position and being out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mountable on the open end of the collection container for accommodating rotative movement of the ball between an open position and a closed position. The socket includes an integral flexible seal which provides a perimetrical seat for the ball.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a socket mountable on the open end of the collection container for enclosing an interior region of the collection container. The socket includes a ball receiving internal surface having a protrusion thereon. The closure further includes a generally spherical-shaped ball mounted within the socket and at least partially enclosed by the socket. The ball is capable of rotative movement within the socket between an open position and a closed position. The ball includes an external surface capable of interference engagement with the protrusion of the socket upon rotative movement of the ball between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: A closure for sealing an open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a socket mountable on an open end of the collection container for enclosing an interior region of the collection container. The closure further includes a generally spherical-shaped ball mounted within the socket which includes an environment-contacting surface, an opposed specimen-contacting surface and a passageway extending therethrough. The passageway is aligned with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in an open position. The environment-contacting surface is exposed to the external environment and the specimen-contacting surface is exposed to the interior region of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The ball further includes a piercable septum. The closure is capable of maintaining negative air pressure within collection container, with the piercable septum capable of being repeatedly pierced.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough, with the ball including an axle permitting rotative movement of the ball thereabout between an open position and a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mounted on the open end of the collection container, with the socket including a ball receiving internal surface having an axle-support for receiving the axle of the ball for accommodating rotative movement of the ball therein. The passageway of the ball is aligned with the open end of said collection container when the ball is in an open position and is out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position. The axle-support of the socket and the axle of the ball are parallel and eccentric with respect to each other.

Abstract: A closure for sealing the open end of a specimen collection container from the environment is provided. The closure includes a generally spherical-shaped ball having a passageway extending therethrough, with the ball including an axle permitting rotative movement of the ball thereabout between an open position and a closed position. The closure further includes a socket mounted on the open end of the collection container, with the socket including a ball receiving internal surface having an axle-support for receiving the axle of the ball for accommodating rotative movement of the ball therein. The passageway of the ball is aligned with the open end of said collection tube when the ball is in an open position and is out of alignment with the open end of the collection container when the ball is in a closed position.

Abstract: Apparatus for irrigating and suctioning a patient during ventilating wherein in one operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to the patient and in another operation the irrigation fluid is directed solely to flush the internal lumen of the catheter and in another operation suctioning of the patient is permitted.