Abstract: A cover for a syringe includes an elongated flexible envelope and an absorbent material. The elongated flexible envelope includes a body portion and a needle-receiving portion. The body portion has a first end that defines an opening and an opposite second end. The needle-receiving portion extends from the second end of the body portion and terminates in a distal end. The body portion and the needle-receiving portion define a cavity of sufficient size to allow the syringe to be placed therein. The cavity is in communication with the opening. The envelope is made of a material that is impervious to liquid. The absorbent material is disposed in the distal end of the needle-receiving portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device such as an injection site or a gateway. The device is placed partly subcutaneously in relation to the patient for as long as e.g. three days and replaces repeated injections by syringes or injection pens. The invention relates to a device for supplying medication comprising a base part (1) and a cannula (4) unreleasably connected to the base part (1). The access opening (6) and at least a part of a through-going opening of the cannula are located in a gate (5) which gate (5) is permanently attached to the base part (1) and movably mounted in relation to the base part (1). The gate (5) has at least one position in which position there is an angle ? between a longitudinal central axe (12) of the gate (5) and the longitudinal central axis of the cannula (4) and that the angle ? is different from 0° and/or 180°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic package for hydrophilic articles, in particular for hydrophilically coated medical instruments, which package is intended to ensure the hydrophilic nature of the enclosed instrument over a long period of time. The package comprises at least one receiving compartment with a medical instrument for insertion into body tissue and is characterized in that, after sterilization by radiation, it has a proportion of volatile constituents of ?0.1 ?g/cm2.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods that fixably, and/or permanently capture and cover the sharp end of “sharps” in order to allow for their safe disposal. The sharps can include but are not limited to sharp medical instruments such as but not limited to syringes, needles, scalpel blades, as well as other sharp devices such as but not limited to sharp-tipped ornamental pins, sewing needles, and the like. The devices can include containers having bendable flaps which can bind against needles being inserted into the container, resilient materials, reactive chemical materials, and the like, which can also bind and/or permanently capture the sharps.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packing for an infusion set. The infusion set for intermittent or continuous administration of a therapeutic substance, such as insulin, includes an infusion part having a cannula penetrating the skin of a patient and a connector which connects the infusion part with a medical device such as an adaptor for a syringe or an insulin pump. The insertion of the infusion part will be performed with an insertion needle which is delivered together with the infusion part under sterile conditions. The packaging includes an impenetrable part protecting the surroundings from the insertion needle and a removal part which is to be removed by the user before applying the infusion part. The inner surface of the impenetrable part is provided with a retainer for releasable retaining at least a part of the infusion set.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for protecting individuals from the sharp ends of medical objects following use on a patient. Such sharp objects include hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, cannulae, trocars, and the like. The invention utilizes a disposable protective cover for the used sharp. The protective cover is designed to surround and embed the sharp in a permanent cover that is blunt and will not permit further puncture or cutting with the sharp. In an embodiment, the protective cover also absorbs any fluids on or in the used sharp and prevents any fluids from escaping the protective cover. The sharp cover is configured to irreversibly lock, once closed. A refillable or replaceable dispenser dispenses the protective covers at points of use. A disposable receptacle receives the used sharp embedded in the protective cover. When the receptacle is full, the entire receptacle may be discarded in a medical waste container.

Abstract: A lancet is pressed against a puncture needle cartridge while fitting a puncture needle loading inlet of the lancet to the axis of a puncture needle on the puncture needle cartridge. In order to facilitate the operation, one of plural puncture needles, arranged in parallel, is tilted up from its initial position at a predetermined angle, and the puncture needle is guided into a puncture needle holding rod of the lancet. Simultaneously, the puncture needle is pressed up to a position where the rear end part of the needle pushes the bottom surface of a puncture needle loading chamber of the puncture needle holding rod, whereby the puncture needle is loaded. When discarding a used puncture needle, the puncture needle is inserted into a lancet guide member of the puncture needle cartridge, whereby the puncture needle is reliably captured to be discarded.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a syringe disposal device (10) for a single syringe (1) having an elongate body (2) with a needle (3) at one end and a finger engageable flange (4) at its other end. The device (10) comprises an elongate enclosed sheath (12) having a closed tip (14) at one end and a cuff (16) at the other end. A syringe detention device (26) is located adjacent the cuff (16) and has at least one inclined sloping surface (28) each of which has a frangible portion (31) rupturable by the syringe flange (4) passing the surface (28) to convert the sloping surface (28) into a cantilevered strip (28A).

Abstract: A tray for organizing various objects, e.g., medications, their receptacles and medical implements, that are needed in a typical nursing task is provided. The tray is advantageously constructed to balance all the objects during transport and during use such that its contents are prevented from toppling over in motion or in station.

Abstract: This invention relates to a packing for an injector device for the placement of a subcutaneous infusion set on a patient. An insertion needle used in conjunction with an injector device is employed for transcutaneous placement of a soft and relatively flexible tubular cannula, followed by removal of the insertion needle and subsequent infusion of medical fluid according to the present invention can storage an injector device combined with an infusion set and an insertion needle under sterile conditions.

Abstract: A sharps container for (i) safe transportation and dispensing of a large number of unused pen needle assemblies, and (ii) safe storage of used pen needle assemblies. The unused pen needle assemblies may be connected to a flexible tape and are removed from a storage receptacle via an exit opening in the receptacle.

Abstract: A tool for use with a medication vial and a syringe includes a housing having a top side, a bottom side, and a surrounding edge. A slotted aperture is defined in the housing and including a flange shaped to engage a vial cap. A cylindrical aperture is defined in the housing and sized to permit placement of a forward portion of the syringe including a cap into the cylindrical aperture. An actuator button is mounted to the housing, and a gripper is mounted within the housing having a pair of opposed edges. The gripper is responsive to movement of the actuator button to permit movement of the edges between a retracted position in which the edges are disposed away from a central portion of the cylindrical aperture, and an extended position in which the edges are displaced toward the central portion of the cylindrical aperture.

Abstract: A container for containing a medical device, the container including a shell with a flange area, a packaging chamber formed by the shell, a cover removably connected to the shell in the flange area, a disposal chamber formed by shell, and a latch for securing the medical device in the container. The invention encompasses a method of using the container for containing the medical device before and after use of the device. In one embodiment, the disposal chamber is adjacent to the shell and includes a latch for connecting to the medical device and, in another embodiment, the packaging chamber and disposal chamber are the same and the container further includes a cover foldably connected to the shell and a latch for locking the cover to the shell.

Abstract: A container system is provided for removing a needle portion from a needle holder of a needle system. The system includes a receptacle defining an opening, a lid configured to cover the receptacle opening, wherein the lid defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a first configuration. The system also includes an adapter configured for engagement in the lid aperture, wherein the adapter defines an aperture having a shape configured to receive a needle system having a second configuration, and wherein the engagement of the adapter in the lid aperture resists rotation of the adapter with respect to the lid.

Abstract: A sharps container for pen needle assemblies includes an open top-type receptacle, a cover and a manually movable means. The manually movable means is rotatably positioned on the cover and has portions collectively forming a cup-like means for receiving a used pen needle assembly when the manually movable means is in an open position. When the manually movable means is in a closed position, the used pen needle assembly is transferred by gravity to the bottom of the receptacle.

Abstract: A kit for obtaining an endoarterial biopsy sample from a patient including packaging material enclosing one or more kit components; the kit components include instruments use to perform a surgical procedure; and the kit includes separate phase specific packaging parts.

Abstract: A needle dispensing system including a pen-type hypodermic syringe having a threaded end that is suitable for mating with a needle assembly having a threaded portion that is complementary to the threaded end of the syringe and located within a closed pod. A hand tool is provided for controlling the pod that includes a collet sized so as to releasably grip a portion of the closed pod for opening. The hand tool also includes a radiused guard that helps to prevent inadvertent needle sticks during use, and a biased release button the actuation of which causes the opened pod to be released from the collet. A hand tool is also provided for controlling a container holding a disposable needle assembly that includes a housing that supports a collet that is sized so as to releasably grip a portion of the container for opening, and a biased release button the actuation of which causes the opened pod to be released from the collet.

Abstract: A radiation-shielding container for storing a syringe includes a body assembly and a cap assembly securable to the body assembly such that first and second chamber portions define a chamber for storing the syringe. The body assembly includes a body shield formed of radiation shielding material, a body shell that defines a first cavity having an open end for receiving the body shield and defines a first chamber portion for receiving a portion of the syringe, wherein an inner wall of the body shell separates the first cavity and the first chamber portion, and a body plug secured to the body shell to cover the open end of the first cavity and retain the body shield within the first cavity.

Abstract: According to at least one aspect, the present invention is directed a radiation-shielding container for holding a radiopharmaceutical syringe including a needle and a syringe cap covering the needle. This radiation-shielding container is equipped with what may be characterized as a cap retainer for selectively holding the syringe cap. The syringe cap may be held by the cap retainer so that an open end of the cap is oriented for insertion of the needle into the cap. The radiopharmaceutical syringe may be used to administer a radiopharmaceutical to a patient and thereby result in what is commonly referred to as a spent radiopharmaceutical syringe. The hypodermic needle of the spent radiopharmaceutical syringe may be inserted into the syringe cap while the syringe cap is held by the cap retainer to secure the syringe cap to the syringe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealed plastics bottle containing oxaliplatin solution, to a kit comprising such a bottle, and to a preparation process. The plastics bottle is made, for example, of cycloolefin copolymer.

Abstract: A sharps container system includes a disposable tip segment and a sharps container. The disposable tip segment has a dispensing chamber, a needle fluidly coupled to the dispensing chamber, and a housing at least partially enclosing the dispensing chamber. The sharps container has a cavity for receiving the disposable tip segment and an opening configured to engage the disposable tip segment so that the disposable tip segment is held in place while a limited reuse assembly is removed from the disposable tip segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container for a disposable needle or cannula, intended to facilitate needle or cannula placement for the infusion of a liquid drug under a patient's skin, the container including a cylindrical housing (1; 101) in which there are defined a cap (1a; 101a) and a sleeve (1b; 101b) provided with a resting base (1c; 101c), the cap (1a; 101a) being axially slidable relative to the sleeve (1b; 101b) when a sufficient pressure is exerted on the cap (1a; 101a); a needle (21; 121) or cannula, which is located inside the housing so as to be directed towards the resting base (1c; 101c) for the infusion of the drug; a retaining member (9; 109), which is located within the housing (1; 101) between said cap (1a; 101a) and the sleeve (1b; 101b) and to which the needle (21; 121) or cannula is secured; the container being equipped with a releasing member for releasing the needle (21; 121) or cannula when the cap (1a; 101a) is made to slide on the sleeve (1b; 101b).

Abstract: A device and method for removing and replacing a needle-protecting cover associated with an injection apparatus, the device comprising a housing, a receptacle in the housing for accommodating the injection apparatus, and a holding mechanism, wherein the receptacle is movable in the housing and, in a first position of the receptacle, the holding mechanism is in a releasing position and, in a second position of the receptacle, the holding mechanism is in a holding position.

Abstract: A stabilizing apparatus for stabilizing the position of a needle when penetrating the skin of a patient, the apparatus has a frame structure with a base for placement against the skin in the vicinity of an intended needle entry point. A flexible diaphragm is supported by the frame structure and is spaced apart from the base of the frame structure to be disposed at a position away from the skin. The flexible diaphragm is configured to releasably grip the shaft of the needle at a distance from the needle entry point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals. Typically, the apparatus is a two-part assembly, each part having an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining. Additionally, the assembled apparatus has a sealed internal chamber suitable for carrying a syringe or a sharps container containing a syringe. The internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig is lined with a non-porous lining, typically a durable plastic, that prevents contamination of the radiopharmaceutical doses, the radiation shield, or the environment. Additionally, the non-porous lining can be quickly and easily cleaned and sterilized, avoiding the often difficult, to impossible, task of cleaning and sterilizing the radiation shield of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The non-porous lining is surrounded by a radiation shield that is typically comprised of elemental lead. The radiation shield prevents radiation from the radiopharmaceutical from contaminating the user or environment.

Abstract: A cap (16) is provided for the type of injection device (1) which presents a needle assembly (11) to the exterior thereof for removal after use. The cap is of two part construction with a shell (17) of hard material, having opposite inwardly flexible tongues (19) defined by slots in the shell, and an over-mould (18) of relatively soft deformable material, extending over at least the tongues and the slots. The tongues are squeezable towards each other through the over-mould to grip the needle assembly when the cap is fitted after an injection, thus enabling the needle assembly to be removed with the cap so that the user does not come into contact with the used needle.

Abstract: A multilayer web article, including a first layer of a porous material, e.g., Tyvek® film, and a second layer overlying and sealed to the first layer. The second layer is non-porous to passage of gas therethrough and includes a peelable film, e.g., of polyethylene, in contact with the first layer of porous material. The peelable film permits peeling removal of the second layer from the first layer to expose the first layer of porous material for passage of gas therethrough. In a specific construction, the web article constitutes one of opposedly facing panels of a lay-flat bag article, in which the facing panels are bonded to one another along superposed edges thereof. After pressurization integrity testing of the bag, the peelable film is peeled away to enable steam - and/or ETO-sterilization of the bag and its contents to be carried out.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pre-filled injection device for injecting a liquid or semisolid composition into a subject, said injection device comprising: a housing (1) containing at its distal end the liquid or semisolid composition (2), a plunger (3) arranged to slide within the housing (1) to which is affixed a plunger stick (7) extending longitudinally from the plunger to the outside of the housing (1), a hollow needle (4) affixed to the distal end of the housing (1), said needle (4) connecting the interior part of the housing (1) with the outside where it extends longitudinally, and an airtight needle shield (5) which protects said needle (4), characterized in that said device further comprises a cap (6) designed to fit around the housing's proximal end and to fully cover said plunger stick (7), said cap (6) both preventing its accidental pushing or breakage before use and being adapted to receive the injection device once the injection into the subject has been carried out.

Abstract: Disclosed is a syringe disposal device (10) suitable for disposal of a single syringe. The device is suitable for disposal of syringes (30) having a needle (33), a barrel (38), a plunger (39) and on the barrel (38) or plunger (39), a transversely extending flange portion (38a). The disposal device (10) may include a needle encapsulating portion (12), a syringe barrel encapsulating portion (14) and a syringe retention portion (16). The syringe retention portion (16) has an open end (18) to allow syringe (30) to be inserted into device (10). The opposed end (19) of syringe retention portion (16) communicates the retention portion (16) with syringe barrel encapsulating portion (14). Engagement means (20) are provided at, or proximate, the opposed end (19) of the syringe retention portion (16) for retaining syringe (30) within the disposed device (10) after passage of the transversely extending flange (38a) past the engagement means (20) by interference fit.

Abstract: The connecting end of the hypodermic needle is so designed that it can be attached to and then disconnected from the tip of an injection instrument by pressure, that is, an axial tractional force exerted between the said needle and the said injection instrument. The extraction device has an opening delimited by locking elements forming one piece with elastic pieces so as to allow its diameter to vary between a minimum diameter and a maximum diameter at least equal to the diameter of the said connecting end and at least one piece associated with the said locking elements for the purpose of converting an axial force exerted on the said piece into at least one radial component capable of being applied to the said elastic pieces so as to deform them radially in order to increase the diameter of the said opening when axial pressure is exerted by the said connecting end.

Abstract: An adaptor is provided to facilitate delivery of a fluid specimen from a syringe to a point-of-care testing cartridge. The adaptor includes a mounting sleeve for snapped engagement over a portion of the testing cartridge, including the entry port to the testing cartridge. The adaptor further includes a Luer fitting unitarily formed with the mounting sleeve. The Luer fitting has an inlet end configured for mating with the syringe and an outlet end configured for alignment with the entry port of the testing cartridge. The adaptor can be snapped onto the testing cartridge. The Luer tip of the syringe then can be mated with the Luer fitting of the adaptor for safe and convenient delivery of the specimen through the adaptor and into the testing cartridge.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of sterilizing a device in a sterilizer, methods of sterilizing a device in an enclosure in a sterilizer, and enclosures for retaining a device capable of being sterilized in a sterilization process. The sterilization process comprises hydrogen peroxide vapor or gas. The sterilization load may include an enclosure, which can be a tray or a container. The tray or container comprises at least a volume of aluminum oxide. The ratio of the amount of hydrogen peroxide gas or vapor introduced into the sterilizer to the volume of aluminum oxide is at least 24 mg/cm3.

Abstract: The connecting end of this storage container for at least one hypodermic needle has connectors complementary to the connectors on the tip of an injection instrument, one of the connectors having radial elasticity and devices for converting an axial force exerted between the needle and the injection instrument into at least one radial component which can deform the elastic connectors. The container has a housing fore the needle designed to hold this needle in a given position and an opening giving access to the housing. The shape and dimensions of the exterior wall bounding the housing are selected to create with the needle an ergonomic positioning and/or handling interface so as to facilitate the connection of the complementary connectors of the needle and the tip, respectively.

Abstract: A shielded, sterile, single-use unit dose needle assembly includes a unit dose needle with a hub and two packaging shields sealingly mated to one another encasing the hub and unit dose needle. The unit dose needle has a handle end and a patient end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The hub is fixedly attached to the unit dose needle between the handle end and the patient end. The first packaging shield extends over the patient end, and the second packaging shield extends over the handle end of the unit dose needle. The first and second packaging shields are removably attached to one another to form an air-tight sterility seal, with the unit dose needle contained within the first packaging shield.

Abstract: An anti-needlestick system has a needle assembly with a needle in a 90 degree shaped configuration having flexible wings secured at an intermediate extent to the needle. A shield assembly is formed as a generally planar sheet with long side edges and short end edges and a slot at a central extent for receiving the wings of the needle assembly when held together and adapted to be placed beneath the wings above a patient's skin. The shield assembly is divided up into a male section on one side of the slot and a female section on the other side of the slot. Each section has an upwardly facing side wall along the side and end edges of the planar sheet. A locking member formed in the side wall includes a male locking member and a coacting female receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a procedure for the extemporaneous preparation of an individual quantity of sterile treatment fluid that may be compressible, in particular a treatment gas, said device comprising a rigid cartridge (3) with an outlet valve, an administration syringe (4) and a filtration-type connection/sterilisation device (5, 6). The cartridge (3) simply contains an individual quantity of treatment fluid under pressure, and the cylinder of the syringe (4) is adapted to contain this individual quantity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cannula support having a needle covering function, which may be connected to an injection or infusion device and forms a receptacle for a cannula, including at least two pivoting side portions which project from said receptacle which may be pivoted towards each other, to form a needle cover covering a proximal end of said cannula. The invention also encompasses a packaging structure for storing and transporting the cannula support.

Abstract: Method for preparing, packaging and handling an individual dose of a radiopharmaceutical compound, comprising the following steps:

Abstract: A shielded, sterile, single-use unit dose needle assembly includes a unit dose needle with a hub and two packaging shields sealingly mated to one another encasing the hub and unit dose needle. The unit dose needle has a handle end and a patient end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The hub is fixedly attached to the unit dose needle between the handle end and the patient end. The first packaging shield extends over the patient end, and the second packaging shield extends over the handle end of the unit dose needle. The first and second packaging shields are removably attached to one another to form an air-tight sterility seal, with the unit dose needle contained within the first packaging shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting syringes containing radioactive material. The apparatus includes a radiopharmaceutical pig having an inner chamber in which a sharps container can be secured. The sharps container has a housing and an attachable cap. The method includes assembling the radiopharmaceutical pig so that the chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig contains the syringe in the sharps container housing. The radiopharmaceutical pig is disassembled, where upon the syringe is removed, discharged, and then replaced in the sharps container housing. The cap of the sharps container is affixed to the housing of the sharps container, thus enclosing the contaminated syringe therein. The radiopharmaceutical pig is assembled so that its chamber contains the sharps container and the syringe. The radiopharmaceutical pig is transported to a disposal area, where it is disassembled and the sharps container containing the syringe is placed in a particular disposal container.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly includes a hub having a proximal end for connection to a syringe and a distal end, a cannula provided with a lumen and having a proximal end connected to the distal end of the hub and a beveled distal end, and a collar formed separately from the hub and mounted on the hub in a rotationally fixed manner, with the collar including a sheath mounting portion. A removable protector is positioned over the cannula and covers the beveled distal end of the cannula. A sheath having an opening is pivotally connected to the sheath mounting portion of the collar and is positioned outside the protector when the protector is positioned over the cannula. The sheath is pivotally connected to the sheath mounting portion of the collar to be pivoted, after removal of the protector to expose the cannula, towards the cannula so that the cannula passes through the opening in the sheath and is covered by the sheath.

Abstract: An adhesive “block” device is provided which can be used to grip to removable caps of single-use, disposable, hypodermic needles. Adhesive is provided on four sides of the block allowing for the block to be attached at one side to a tray or other supporting surface, with at least one of the surfaces configured to easily deform, retain said deformation, and adhesively grip and immobilize the caps to allow for safe, “one-hand” removal and subsequent replacement of the needle in the cap.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting radiopharmaceuticals. Typically, the apparatus is a two-part assembly, each part having an exterior shell, a radiation shield and a non-porous lining. Additionally, the assembled apparatus has a sealed internal chamber suitable for carrying a syringe or a sharps container containing a syringe. The internal chamber of the radiopharmaceutical pig is lined with a non-porous lining, typically a durable plastic, that prevents contamination of the radiopharmaceutical doses, the radiation shield, or the environment. Additionally, the non-porous lining can be quickly and easily cleaned and sterilized, avoiding the often difficult, to impossible, task of cleaning and sterilizing the radiation shield of the radiopharmaceutical pig. The non-porous lining is surrounded by a radiation shield that is typically comprised of elemental lead. The radiation shield prevents radiation from the radiopharmaceutical from contaminating the user or environment.

Abstract: A wallet for the safe disposal of sharp implements including a closeable cover member. Implement receiving means is provided on the cover member to receive at least one sharp implement. When one or more sharp implements are received in the receiving means, the cover member can be closed over the receiving means to hold the implements in the wallet. The cover member may comprise first and second portions. At least the first portion may define a recess in which the implement receiving means is arranged. Each of the first and second portions may include inner and outer parts. Each outer part is in the form of a flange which are adapted to engage each other when the cover member is closed. A hinge member may extend outwardly from the cover member. A part of the second portion arranged over the implement receiving means may be formed of a transparent material.

Abstract: A needle holder includes a base holder with a plurality of sockets therein for receiving and removably retaining the base of a needle in one of the sockets. A tip holder portion has a plurality of hollows therein in a common plane for receiving and removably retaining the tip of the needle. A stretcher member extends between the base holder and the tip holder and is preferably flexible to increase the variety of needle dimensions that can be accommodated in the holder. The needle holder is particularly suitable for the type of needle used in meniscal repair.

Abstract: This disposal unit comprises a means for applying a dissolvent to medical sharps, thereby converting the hazardous and possibly contaminated sharps into metallic ions existing in solution within the dissolvent. The dissolvent is absorbed in a perforatable pad and the sharp is plunged into the pad whereby the sharp makes contact with the dissolvent which effects its disposal. After the sharp has been dissolved, the syringe or handle for the sharp falls into an antiseptic solution and is disinfected. After disinfectation, a net facilitates removal of the residual plastic parts for recycling.

Abstract: A syringe assembly including a needle cannula having a five-beveled point and a needle shield formed of a styrene block poly(ethylene/butylene) thermoplastic elastomer which significantly reduces needle penetration force and may reduce the cycle time for gas sterilization. The multi-beveled needle cannula point includes a primary bevel, a pair of tip bevels and a pair of middle bevels each intermediate the primary bevel and a respective tip bevel, wherein the angles of rotation of the primary bevel and the intermediate bevels are substantially equal resulting in reduced heights of intercepts between the bevels, thereby reducing needle penetration force. The needle shield maintains the sharpness of the needle cannula during application, sterilization and removal of the shield and it is believed that the needle shield will also reduce the cycle time of gas sterilization as compared to rubber needle shields and vulcanizate thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: A needle protecting device including a carrier and a needle cover connected to the carrier at a distal needle cover end, the needle cover including a proximal needle cover end which is movable relative to the distal needle cover end such that the needle cover may be elongated along the length of the needle from an exposing position in which the injection needle protrudes through the needle cover to a protecting position in which the needle cover surrounds the injection needle at least as far as its tip, wherein the needle cover is elongated by an elasticity force, and wherein locking elements, including at least a distal locking element and a proximal locking element, lock the needle cover against shortening in its protecting position.