Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for storage, dispensation, transport and disposal of a medical device such a disposable ultrasonic surgical probe, that allows its dispensation for use, and for its safe storage and disposal after use, thereby protecting the user from the hazards of needle pricks and possible contamination from small-diameter probes. The container of the present invention also provides a mechanism for restricting access to the probe to prevent its reuse, and a method for its safe attachment to and detachment from an ultrasonic medical device. The container comprises a cylindrical tube having two ends and an inner surface defining a space for containing the probe.

Abstract: The present invention is a device where a needle cap rim is captured between a front wall and abutment means behind it. This is done by making aligned slots in the front wall and abutment means with side to side widths greater than the diameter of the needle cap body (without ridges) but less than the outside diameter of the needle cap rim. However, the rim of the needle hub is located outside the front wall slot, where the intervening needle hub rim to needle shaft part of the needle hub passes through the front wall slot and into the needle cap for friction fit contact.

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: The control device for doses contains one or more sockets (1) for a removable medicament dosage unit (3), one or more indicators (2) of taking the dosage unit (3), and one or more lifters (4) for lifting the dosage It unit located in the socket (3). The control device is especially well suited for monitoring the administration of doses intended for treatment of diabetes. The sockets (1) are vertical or sloping tubes protruding from the body of the control device, in which injection pens containing insulin can be placed.

Abstract: A shielded, sterile, single-use unit dose needle assembly includes a unit dose needle with a hub and a packaging shield. The unit dose needle has a handle end and a prong end configured to hold a unit dose of a vaccine. The hub is fixedly attached to the handle end of the unit dose needle and includes a tapered mating surface. The packaging shield includes a tubular housing having an open end and a closed end with an internal opening extending therebetween. The open end of the packaging shield can be removably attached to the tapered mating surface of the hub to form an air-tight seal, with the unit dose needle contained within the internal opening.

Abstract: A sterilization container for sterilizing, storing and transporting medical instruments is provided with a collar-shaped base, a lid, and a removable bottom received within the base. Circumferentially spaced channels are provided on the walls of the base which receive removable inserts which not only secure the bottom against upward movement relative to the base but also provide landings to support insert trays received within the container. The inserts can also be provided with slots that support dividers within the container.

Abstract: A holding device for holding a protective cap serving as a cover for an injection needle of an injection device, the holding device including a receptacle in a support, the receptacle being recessed from the support and exhibiting a smaller width at its opening than a maximum outer dimension of the protective cap perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the protective cap, wherein the height of the holding device perpendicular to the support is larger than the length of the protective cap in its longitudinal direction. The invention further encompasses a packaging container for storing and transporting a plurality of cannula supports, wherein the packaging container includes the holding device. In some embodiments, the holding device may include a second receptacle for a packaging container of cannula supports and a holder for securely fastening the holding device.

Abstract: The disposable set includes an infusion device having an outflow conduit and a needle. The packager is defined by a single bag made of transparent, flexible, plastic material and having a first compartment enclosing the medicinal fluid, and a second compartment enclosing the infusion device. The two compartments are formed from two sheets of the aforementioned material, heat sealed along the outer edges of the sheets, so as to be sealed with respect to the outside environment, and the compartments are also separated in airtight manner from each other by another seal. The conduit communicates with the first compartment via a chamber formed by a further seal and acting as a drip for visually controlling the infusion treatment.

Abstract: A safety shield for a needle assembly which includes a cover, a mount and a hinge forming a shield body. The shield body defines a cavity in which a needle assembly having a needle and a luer hub is positioned. The mount includes a socket for receipt of the luer hub while the cover includes a retainer for coupling with the needle assembly. A hinge includes a living hinge between the cover and the mount. A tab encloses one end of the mount. Both the cover and the tab are associated with the mount by means of frangible webs to define a sealed body. A flexible tear strip extends over the cavity to fully seal the body.

Abstract: A prefilled syringe of cartridge barrel having a tamper evident closure. Tamper evidence is provided by: a frangible tip seal which is integral with the tapered tip of the barrel; a frangible tip cap covering the tip, the tip seal and a portion of the distal end of the barrel; and an overwrap covering the frangible tip cap and the distal end of the barrel sealed to the distal end of the barrel by a tamper evident seal. The tapered tip is optionally equipped with a luer collar to receive an external luer connector Alternatively, the tapered tip can be provided with a bore therethrough which can be closed with an elastomeric plug and the external connector can be a tubing conduit.

Abstract: A unit dose, gas-filled syringe is provided which is filled with gas and packaged in a gas barrier material prior to use to increase shelf-life, that is, to minimize gas leakage and dilution of the contents of the syringe. The syringe is filled with a selected gas and sealed inside a container made from a high gas barrier material. The container is also filled with the selected gas. The container material is selected to have a gas transmission rate sufficient to prevent the selected gas from diffusing out of the container into the atmosphere. The volume of gas in the container is greater that atmospheric pressure to prevent atmospheric contaminants from entering the container and syringe.

Abstract: A safe needle-head cover in this invention is provided with a properly elongated slot in a circumferential wall for transversely receiving the needle after used in order not to stab and hurt a user by accident. Besides, a manifest mark is printed on an edge of the slot to let the user easily catch sight of the exact position of the slot, and then the slot of the needle cover is sealed by a sealing tape after manufactured to permit the needle kept clean inside before using.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for storage, dispensation, transport and disposal of a medical device such a disposable ultrasonic surgical probe, that allows its dispensation for use, and for its safe storage and disposal after use, thereby protecting the user from the hazards of needle pricks and possible contamination from small-diameter probes. The container of the present invention also provides a mechanism for restricting access to the probe to prevent its reuse, and a method for its safe attachment to and detachment from an ultrasonic medical device. The container comprises a cylindrical tube having two ends and an inner surface defining a space for containing the probe.

Abstract: A kit for facilitating filling a hypodermic syringe from a medication vial and disposing of contaminated syringes includes a syringe-filling guide and a sharps holder. The guide has a base for retaining the syringe against relative movement as the syringe plunger is displaced. An attached cover is pivotally closed over the base and, as a vial is inserted into a channel in the base, the syringe needle pierces the vial stopper for drawing the medication therefrom. The cover includes a magnifying lens through which dosage indicia on the syringe are visible in enlarged condition to facilitate filling the syringe. The holder includes a base having a storage chamber, and a cover. A tray of the holder base closes the chamber and has an elongated slot and a plurality of resilient fingers adjacent the slot for supporting a contaminated syringe. As the holder cover closes over the tray, a pusher forces the syringe through the slot into the chamber.

Abstract: A package for a tip, such as a replaceable tip for a bipolar electrosurgical device, is used for insertion of the tip onto and removal of the tip from the end of a device handle, without requiring any direct contact between the user's hand and the tip. The package includes a housing having a tip cavity shaped to receive the tip and an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip. A releasable locking mechanism, which is releasable in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip, retains the tip in the tip cavity. The package may be made from a single piece of molded material, such as a clear plastic. The package may also be used with monopolar, diathermized and non-bipolar tips, as well as other sharp tips such as cannulae, pics and blades, that are attachable to the end of a handle.

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 container for storing and transporting needle cartridges containing radioactive materials used for medical procedures is disclosed. Such needle cartridges may include a radioactive shielding material which contains a portion of the radioactivity emitted by the radioactive material. The container of the present invention has an upper portion and a lower portion, and at least one of the portions includes a radiation shielding material, such as lead, steel or other appropriate shielding materials. Needle cartridges containing radioactive material are placed within the container for storage and shipping. The container secures the needle cartridges against lateral movement within the container to protect them from breakage or release of the radioactive materials contained in the needle cartridges. The radiation shielding material of the lower portion of the container may cooperate with the radiation shielding material of the device to container more of the emitted radiation that is contained by the device alone.

Abstract: A containment system encapsulates a sharp medical instrument. The containment system includes a container having an upper end for insertably accommodating the medical instrument. The container supports a pair of liquid components of a two-part hardenable compound which are separated by a rupturable divider. The components are mixed upon rupture of the divider caused by insertion of the medical instrument thereinto. The hardenable compound thereby hardens around the medical instrument, quickly and permanently encapsulating the inserted instrument.

Abstract: This vial comprises a tubular body (2) made of synthetic material exhibiting two chambers which are isolated in a sealed manner by a puncturable membrane (7) or a removable or tearable wall, one of which chambers (3) contains the liquid and the other (4) of which chambers contains a hypodermic needle (16), the pointed part of which points towards the puncturable membrane or removable or tearable wall, and the other end of which is fitted with means (17) of connection to a syringe body.

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 package for a tip, such as a replaceable tip for a bipolar electrosurgical device, is used for insertion of the tip onto and removal of the tip from the end of a device handle, without requiring any direct contact between the user's hand and the tip. The package includes a housing having a tip cavity shaped to receive the tip and an opening through which the end of the handle is insertable for removable attachment to the tip. A releasable locking mechanism, which is releasable in response to the end of the handle being disposed in the opening for removable attachment to the tip, retains the tip in the tip cavity. The package may be made from a single piece of molded material, such as a clear plastic. The package may also be used with monopolar, diathermized and non-bipolar tips, as well as other sharp tips such as cannulae, pics and blades, that are attachable to the end of a handle.

Abstract: A method comprising the following steps: preparing in a vacuum a dry form (18) of an active principle, as well as a liquid (22), and drawing this liquid into the dry form, by the action of the vacuum to obtain an injectable preparation. The device comprises a gastight syringe (19) to condition under vacuum the dry form, a reservoir (12) containing the liquid (22) and a cap (29) forming a connector between the syringe and the liquid reservoir, the injection needle (25) of the syringe being driven into the septum (24) of the cap (29). The invention enables a preparation which is directly injectable by an automatic rehydration step to be obtained; indeed, after activation, the extemporaneous preparation is automatic since the device elements move by themselves under the action of the liquid which is drawn by suction into the volume under vacuum containing the solid formulation (18).

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 pen needle magazine dispenser for holding and dispensing a novel pen needle assembly. The pen needle magazine dispenser includes a number of threaded sleeves within cavities that interact with threads on each pen needle assembly to attach the pen needle to a special adapter on a conventional medication delivery pen. The magazine dispenser includes a sterility barrier and a cap to cover the pen needles.

Abstract: A microcatheter system that allows for vascular infusion into retinal veins for extended periods of time. The microcatheter system includes a flexible cannula that is inserted into the retinal vein lumen and that remains stably within the retinal vein lumen without being held by a robot, micromanipulator or similar holding devices. The microcatheter system is particularly suitable for the treatment of retinal venous occlusive disease.

Abstract: A multiple capacity surgical needle immobilization safety device is provided for use in disposal of needles during medical treatment. The device can be included in a procedure kit or trays where several needles and cannulas, up to five per tray, are provided as a set to be used sequentially in performing a specific procedure such as spinal block or other anesthesia.

Abstract: A device for manipulation of a syringe needle and for sharps disposal is provided. Beneficially, in one aspect, single-handed use of the device is facilitated. In another aspect, the device includes advantageous features for guiding a needle tip into a needle cap. In yet other aspects, the device beneficially includes a protective cover which prevents accidental loss of used sharps from the device, and the device includes an aperture which engages a needle cap by cutting into the needle cap.

Abstract: A luer connector which facilitates connection of a hypodermic syringe to the vial, comprising a luer connectable to a syringe and which extends to a sharpened end capable of being driven through a puncturable vial closure to thereby puncture the closure; a luer support, mountable on a vial, and which initially supports the luer in a first position in which the sharpened end of the conduit is pointed toward the closure; a luer driver such that movement of the driver relative to the support causes the luer to be driven so that the sharpened end punctures the closure and enters the vial.

Abstract: A needle sheathing safety device having a plurality of spaced openings for grasping and securely holding a hypodermic needle and cap. This invention features a container body housing; and a plurality of spaced apart and axially aligned openings for grasping and securely holding a needle cap and needle in the body housing. In most embodiments, the body housing is configured to position the user's hands free and clear of the needle during the sheathing and unsheathing operation.

Abstract: There is provided a method of supplying a fluid to a placement site. For instance, a sensor set is first mounted onto a skin of a user, and a placement site is contacted with the sensor set. The sensor set includes a base to secure the sensor set to the skin of the user; a cannula coupled to and extending from the base; an insertion device operatively coupled to the sensor set and the cannula to facilitate insertion of the cannula to contact the placement site; an externally extending conduit; and a sensor. The cannula has at least one lumen with an end for fluid communication with the placement site, and also has at least one port formed near another end of the lumen opposite the end for fluid communication. The conduit is in fluid communication with the at least one port of the cannula. The sensor has a sensor portion exposed by the at least one port in the at least one lumen of the cannula to determine a body characteristic of the user at the placement site.

Abstract: A needle holding device having an elongated hollow body with first and second ends, the first end being substantially open for receiving a needle. The hollow body also has a locking member operably disposed therein or thereon. The locking member has an opening to receive and non-releasably hold a needle inserted therethrough. Preferably, the locking member has one or more protrusions directed inwardly toward said opening, the protrusions being adapted to engage a needle in a locking relationship when the needle is inserted through the opening in the locking member. Also preferably, the needle holding device has an elastomeric sealing member operably connected to the hollow body, the elastomeric sealing member also being disposed adjacent the first end of said hollow body. The elastomeric sealing member is adapted to admit and seal around a needle pierced therethrough.

Abstract: A needle protection device for a vial has a collar at the base of which a number of finger grippers extend. The collar is placed about the hub of a vial and pushed therealong until the gripper fingers snap over the bottom surface of the needle hub so as to fixedly couple the collar to the needle hub of the vial. Flexibly extending from the collar is a housing that is pivotable to a position in alignment along the longitudinal axis of the vial for enveloping the needle, to thereby prevent the needle from being exposed to the environment. A hook integrated to the inside of the housing ensures that the needle and the housing could no longer move relative to each other once the hook snaps over and traps the needle, as the housing is pivoted to its alignment position. For those vials that have a needle hub that extends smoothly from the vial, a second embodiment of the instant invention has, in place of the collar, a base that has two extending arms with coacting ends.

Abstract: A shield taking the form of a funnel-like member having a circular peripheral edge defining an enlarged entrance leading into the interior of the funnel to terminate in an elongated attachment portion at its opposite end. The circular edge defining the entrance into the funnel includes a linear edge for prevention of rolling on a flat surface. The attachment portion includes an inner tapered passageway intended to slidably receive and retain a sleeve protector or cover used to enclose a needle to a syringe or hypodermic device. The syringe body holding the needle is intended to reside within the major interior length of the funnel-like member while the needle resides in the protector or cover so that the entire assembled unit can be discarded.

Abstract: A needle incineration apparatus for disposing of hypodermic needles comprises an insertion aperture (26) through which a needle to be destroyed may be introduced into the apparatus, two electrodes separated by a gap that is aligned with the insertion aperture (26), and a power supply for applying a voltage across the electrodes to destroy needles introduced through the insertion aperture (26) into the gap to contact the two electrodes. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is formed of a main housing (10) and a disposable cartridge (20) separable from the main housing (10), the power supply being disposed within the main housing (10), the insertion aperture (26) being formed in a wall of the cartridge (20) and the electrodes being disposed in the cartridge (20) within a permanently closed compartment for storing debris resulting from the destruction of the needles.

Abstract: A storage container for holding and disinfecting invasive medical instruments, such as hypodermic needles and scalpels. The storage container is elongated and in a tubular configuration, having a closed lower end and an open upper end. The storage container is made of puncture resistant, gas autoclavable material. A plastic twist off lid is attached to the open upper end and including a string connected between the lid and container to attach the lid to the container. A port hole of entry connected thereto near the open upper end, said port hole of entry comprising a second container section of smaller cross section than the cross section of the storage container and connected thereto in sealed fashion to allow entry of solution or chemicals to the container without opening the lid on the container upper end. The storage container having a mouth rim to block and prevent a back splash of airborne microorganism from the container.

Abstract: A unit dose, gas-filled syringe is provided which is filled with gas and packaged in a gas barrier material prior to use to increase shelf-life, that is, to minimize gas leakage and dilution of the contents of the syringe. The syringe is filled with a selected gas and sealed inside a container made from a high gas barrier material. The container is also filled with the selected gas. The container material is selected to have a gas transmission rate sufficient to prevent the selected gas from diffusing out of the container into the atmosphere. The volume of gas in the container is greater that atmospheric pressure to prevent atmospheric contaminants from entering the container and syringe.

Abstract: A container comprising a main portion (1) with variable capacity and a cover (2) which may be coupled in dovetail manner, with a leak-tight sealing and with no possibility of disassembly, the cover embodying a filling window (16) which may be shut by a rotatory disk (9) which in turn is provided with two diametrically opposite windows (17) and (19), the first of which faces the window (16) during the container-filling phases and is located diametrically opposite during the temporary-sealing phases, implementing a hermetic sealing; while in the second window there is located a blocking button (22) which, after the final filling of the container, is capable of being moved inside, immovably blocking the shutter disk (9) at the cover (8) and implementing the final, non-workable sealing of the window (16) of said cover.

Abstract: A package tray for arthroscopic H-fastener needles. The tray has a flexible base member having a central opening, and proximal and distal needle mounting members extending form the base member having slits and undercut engagement members for receiving and retaining the needles.

Abstract: A bag for securing an irrigation syringe to an IV pole includes a first sheet of flexible material having four sides, and a second sheet of flexible material having four sides which are sealingly attached to the first sheet along three sides thereof. The unsealed side of the second sheet defines a mouth for accessing the interior of the bag. The interior region is sized for receiving the irrigation syringe therein. A flap which is sealingly attached to the first sheet at the top of the sheet extends over the mouth in such a manner that it closes the mouth of the bag to prevent airborne particulates from entering the bag, thus protecting the syringe. A slot formed in the first sheet is provided for securing the bag to an IV pole. The inner surfaces of the first and second sheets and the flap are treated with anti-microbial material for substantially inhibiting bacteria on the syringe.

Abstract: A one-time resealable protective kit for medical sharps has a stiff body which has a predetermined shape for initially packaging a medical sharps and for receiving the used medical sharp. The stiff body is designed so as to prevent the blade or needle of the medical sharps from piercing the stiff body. The protective kit has a resealable cover and a lower attachment mechanism that can be used to affix the protective kit to a table or other suitable surface. In operation, the protective kit is releasably secured to a table or other suitable surface by contacting the attachment mechanism to the surface. The user then peels back the cover of the protective kit to access the medical sharp. Once the medical sharp has been used, it is replaced into the body of the protective kit. The cover can then be closed over the body of the protective kit, effectively sealing the medical sharp inside the protective kit. The entire protective kit can then be safely disposed of in accordance with standard medical practices.

Abstract: A method for containing potentially infectious devices. The potentially infectious devices are deposited in a container which contains a monomer, a reducing agent and water. An oxidizing agent is later added to cause polymerization of the monomer to immobilize the devices, and to act as a disinfecting agent due in large part to the exothermic nature of the reaction. In an alternate embodiment, the composition contains a monomer, a thickener and water. Before use, this solution is admixed with an oxidizing and reducing agent and the thickened solution is poured into a container having disposed therein potentially infectious devices. Related methods, kits, devices, and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magazine for storing and final disposal of a snap-on needle unit has a compartment having a bottom, a cylindrical side wall, and an access opening, which compartment accommodates the needle unit with a gap between the outer side wall of this needle unit and the inner side wall of the compartment. A circle of tongue-shaped protrusions are at one end thereof hinged at the inner surface of the side wall of the compartment and are at their other ends free. The length of the protrusions exceeds the width of the gap so that the protrusions are deflected to assume an oblique position with their free ends pointing towards the access opening of the compartment when the unused needle is stored in the magazine and pointing towards the bottom of the compartment when the needle unit is reinserted into the magazine.

Abstract: A needle unit comprises a needle mounted in a hub having a sleeve made from a deformable material and surrounding an end of the needle at a radial distance from that needle. The sleeve is designed to be snap-locked onto a connecting piece at the outlet end of a syringe by protrusions on the inner wall of the sleeve engaging a circumferential recess in the outer wall of the connecting piece. It is also designed such that the locking engagement between the protrusions of this sleeve and the recess of the connecting piece is released when certain zones of the outer sleeve wall are pressed inwardly. A magazine for storing the needle unit comprises a compartment which can receive the needle unit in a plurality of rotational positions.

Abstract: Medical syringe containment in a telescoping leakproof two-piece container for an individual medical syringe, especially as an inner container enclosing a radiopharmaceutical-filled syringe, and being enclosed in turn within a radiation-shielding outer container useful for shipment to a use location, where the respective containers are uncapped and the syringe is removed and used--whereupon the used syringe is re-inserted into the inner container before recapping, and the outer container is recapped about the recapped inner container and contents, for shipment to a disposal or reclamation site.

Abstract: A safety adapter for hypodermic needles and, in particular, double-ended needles of the type used in dental procedures. The adapter comprises two sections coupled together as a unitary device. One section is arranged to receive and house one of the projecting needles and the other section houses and protects the oppositely directed needle.

Abstract: The present invention preferably comprises a method and several apparatus embodiments for needle unlocking and disengagement by a single straight-through insertion of the needle to the needle hub, twist unlocking and push through and pull back disengagement. In addition, it is preferable to adapt the relatively small "footprint" of the needle unlocking and disengagement device for placement at the end of a splash and aerosol protective cylinder whereby the external cylindrical body surface of the syringe or vacuum tube adapter lies relatively close to the inside wall of the protective cylinder upon insertion of the syringe or vacuum tube adapter for needle unlocking and disengagement.

Abstract: An infectious waste container for blood collection needles comprises a container body (1) for containing blood collection needles, a lid body (2) attached to the container body (1), and needle-removing means (3) attached to the lid body (1) for removing a blood collection needle from a blood collection needle holder, the needle-removing means having a holder insertion section (31) and a holder suspension section (32) and being axisymmetrially provided with first and second notched portions (33, 34) extending from the holder insertion section to the holder suspension section. The first notched portion is stretched to a downwardly slanted portion protruded inwardly from a bottom of the first notched portion, the second notched portion is extended to a position deeper than a level of the slanted portion by a certain distance and terminated within the holder suspension section.

Abstract: A holder for a blood collection needle includes a cylinder and a needle fixing mechanism disposed at a distal end wall of the cylinder. The needle fixing mechanism includes a first slider, a second slider, a retainer, and a frame. The first slider and the retainer have half female members integrally formed thereon. The first slider is movable toward the second slider such that the mechanism is in a closed state in which the first slider engages the frame such that the half female members come together to define a complete female member. The second slider is movable toward the first slider such that the mechanism is in an open state in which the first slider is disengaged from the frame. The frame is affixed to the cylinder so as to hold the first slider, the second slider, and the retainer on the end wall thereof.

Abstract: A needle protection safety package, instead of being enclosed in a pouch or other containment wrappings, has fitted thereto at respective ends thereof caps or sheaths so that both the needle and the end to which a syringe is adapted to mate remain enclosed and sterile. Such an arrangement enables easy transport of the safety needle package and provides convenience for the user at the same time. The safety package is further designed to prevent burring of the tip of the needle as the cap or sheath is removed from the needle portion of the package. The safety device of the safety package incorporates a locking mechanism which prevents contact between the needle and the housing as the housing is pivoted to envelop the needle after use.

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.