Abstract: A bodily fluid sampling device comprising a lancet which can be advanced against a skin-piercing site to produce a droplet of bodily fluid. A transport medium is positioned sufficiently close to the lancing medium to retain a droplet of bodily fluid therebetween by capillary action. One of the two mediums has hydrophobic material on its surface and the other hydrophilic. Various mechanisms are provided for relatively displacing the lancing and transport medium to move the droplet of bodily fluid away from the skin-piercing end.

Abstract: A urine collection device made of a flexible, liquid-impermeable vessel or collection bag in which there is a urine entry site and which is sealed on all other sides, against loss of urine. The vessel may be a plastic bag, hermetically sealed against entry or exit of liquid except for a liquid entry site to allow the inflow of urine from the patient into the bag. The bag may be propped up interiorly by the inclusion of a lightweight, flexible filler agent, such as a soft, interstitial material, preferably a non-absorbent or only partly absorbent material, to give depth to the device and accommodate, more directly, entry of liquid into the collection device. While the interstitial material is preferred, a solid flexible scaffolding structure, or individual spacers may be employed to keep the bag propped open.

Abstract: Blood collecting devices for collecting blood from a patient using a single needle insertion are disclosed. Each blood collecting device typically includes a housing which is removably attached to a test tube or blood reservoir. A blood flow tube is disposed in fluid communication with the housing for distributing blood from a patient into the test tube or blood reservoir. The blood is distributed through a membrane cavity having a liquid-impervious and air-permeable membrane. At least one air opening is provided in the housing at the membrane cavity. Accordingly, air in the test tube or blood reservoir is displaced by the incoming blood through the membrane cavity and membrane and out the air opening or openings. Vacuum pressure in the test tube or blood reservoir is dispelled by the flow of air through the air opening or openings, membrane cavity and membrane and into the test tube or blood reservoir, respectively.

Abstract: A sampling needle is disclosed that includes a sampling part that is inserted into a sample, and a sample holding part that holds the sample that is introduced through the sampling part. The sampling part and the sample holding part are arranged into a seamless structure, and the inner diameter of the sampling part and the inner diameter of the sample holding part are equal.

Abstract: An open circuit gravity-assisted uroflowmeter has a urine collector having a generally open inlet in fluid communication with a sensing passage located at a lower elevation than the inlet, the sensing passage intersecting a magnetic field and having electrodes for detecting a flow-dependent voltage induced by the passage of urine through the magnetic field. Preferred embodiments of the uroflowmeter may have low pressure drop, rapid response and simple construction.

Abstract: A urine collection device made of a flexible, liquid-impermeable vessel or collection bag in which there is a urine entry site and which is sealed on all other sides, against loss of urine. The vessel may be a plastic bag, hermetically sealed against entry or exit of liquid except for a liquid entry site to allow the inflow of urine from the patient into the bag. The bag may be propped up interiorly by the inclusion of a lightweight, flexible filler agent, such as a soft, interstitial material, preferably a non-absorbent or only partly absorbent material, to give depth to the device and accommodate, more directly, entry of liquid into the collection device. While the interstitial material is preferred, a solid flexible scaffolding structure, or individual spacers may be employed to keep the bag propped open.

Abstract: A disposable cassette that is configured as a replaceable component of an analysis instrument has integrated therein a sample inlet and fluid paths. At least one container with a liquid, for example a calibration fluid, and at least one waste container are integrated in the disposable cassette.

Abstract: A specimen trap including a container forming a chamber. A strainer is fixedly positioned within the chamber and defines an upper portion of the chamber and a lower portion of the chamber. The strainer has a porous surface that provides fluidic communication between the upper portion and the lower portion. One tube connection is mounted to the cap and forms a passage through the cap and another tube extends through the cap and through the strainer into the lower portion. The cap is rotatable with respect to the container to form communication between one of the specimen compartments and the one tube connection passage for collection of an independent specimen.

Abstract: A disposable device for collection of uncontaminated urine samples from small children comprising a sterile container with an inlet that eliminates direct contact between the wearers skin and the inside of the container, and which is initially closed by a delaying mechanism consisting of, e.g. a water soluble adhesive substance or material. The flow to the container is initially hindered by the delaying mechanism located in the inlet of the container. This causes the initial portion of fluid, which may be contaminated with bacteria, to be absorbed by an absorbing layer whereafter the inlet is automatically opened so that the remaining fluid can reach the container essentially uncontaminated.

Abstract: A blood collector system utilizes a standard disposable needle assembly and standard blood collecting and receiving tubes of the type sealed by a pierceable septum. The system has a hollow cylinder, including an internally apertured sleeve into which the needle assembly is mounted and into which the sealed blood collecting tubes are inserted to be pierced by a needle of the needle assembly. A protective sheath with two clips is concentrically mounted to the barrel cylinder with slot on both sides of the barrel so that the hollow cylinder can move down to cover the patent contacted needle. On both side of the barrel, there are one upper slot and one lower slot, a slot channel between the upper slot and lower slot. The clip is shaped so that it can be snap in the upper and lower slot and can be only slide down from the upper slot to lower slot, but not backwards.

Abstract: A specimen collection device is disclosed which is structured with an enlarged opening to facilitate the collection of bodily specimens, particularly the collection of urine from females. The specimen collection device generally comprises a collection bag, enlargement mechanism and closing member for sealing the collection bag after collection of the specimen. The specimen collection device further includes a port for accessing and removing the specimen from the collection bag. A storage device and packaging for dispensing the specimen collection device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A blood collection bag assembly is provided. The assembly includes a flexible blood collection bag, a length of flexible tubing extending from and communicating with the bag and a connector secured to the end of the flexible tubing remote from the bag. The connector includes a needle pierceable resealable closure secured in sealing engagement with the end of the flexible tubing remote from the bag. The connector can be used with a conventional needle holder, such as the type used to collect specimens of blood into an evacuated tube. The blood collection bag assembly has no sharp components, and hence is safe and easy to use. Additionally, the blood collection bag assembly can be used with conventional evacuated tubes to avoid cut and drip techniques for collecting specimens of blood for analysis.

Abstract: A urine collection device directed for male users who are bed-ridden in hospitals, nursing homes, at-home care patients who are totally or partially bed-ridden patients, or by other male individuals seeking the convenience of a portable urine collection device. The collection device of the present invention includes a bag having a main body portion, an upper portion, a lower portion, and an inner chamber. The bag is provided at the upper portion with an upper neck portion, and at the lower portion having a lower neck portion. The bag further includes an aperture for releasably securing or hanging the bag to an external hook. The uppermost end of the upper neck portion having an opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the bag. The lowermost end of the lower neck portion having an opening in fluid communication with the inner chamber of the bag. The bag further including a closure secured to the opening of the lower neck portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the discharge of a liquid, in particular urine, from a patient. The apparatus includes a measuring container (1), means (H) for applying a first acoustic signal to the liquid-empty part of the measuring container (1), means (H) for recording a second acoustic signal generated in the measuring container (1) in response to the first signal, means (45) for determining a current liquid amount in the measuring container (1) on the basis of the second acoustic signal. The measuring container (1) has a measuring pipe (5) defining a liquid-empty resonance chamber for generating the second acoustic signal.

Abstract: A fluid sensor apparatus for monitoring fluid in a container. The fluid sensor apparatus comprises a housing having an upper hook extending from a top thereof to allow the housing to be suspended. A lower hook is telescopically received in the housing and extends from a bottom thereof. The lower hook is adapted for suspending a fluid container therefrom. The lower hook is movable relative to the housing. A cam member is located inside the housing and is movable relative thereto. The cam member is coupled to an upper end of the lower hook. The cam member has a stepped gradation. A biasing member is coupled between a lower shoulder of the cam member and the housing. The biasing member is adapted to apply a force against the cam member to cause the cam member to be biased upward relative to the housing to an upper position. A switch is coupled to the housing and has an actuator located in relation to the stepped gradation of the cam member.

Abstract: A device is shown for displaying drainage on a ramp from a body cavity into a bag. This device is designed to allow an individual seated at rest to view the bag while it steadily fills with fluid. The ramp may be back lit with writing on it so that evidence of infection is visible. The bag may contain a flow disturbing surface and a dye in order to make the presence of infection more visible.

Abstract: A blood sampling device is provided for mounting on a patient's forearm or other suitable body location, which incorporates an admixture reservoir and a closed blood sampling cavity in a single housing, the functional elements of which are firmly mounted and easily accessible to the caregiver. The blood sampling cavity is preferably accessed by a blunt cannula, which is readily retained in the sampling cavity by virtue of the cavity's secured position and elevated location on the sampling device housing during the sampling procedure, without the need for a cannula locking device.

Abstract: A collection device (10, 50) for urine samples in which a support (14, 56) is received on a seat of a commode. The support includes a funnel (16, 52) that depends from a first edge of the support about a perimeter thereof and tapering inwardly defines an open distal end (18, 52) opposed to the first edge. A collection cup (24, 60) is removably attached to the distal end of the funnel. The collection cup, being disposed inwardly of a commode with the support received on a seat thereof, receives a urine specimen from a patient occupying the commode and the collection cup, being detached from the funnel, carries the sample for analysis while the remainder of the collection device is disposed of.

Abstract: This is a disposable, male incontinence device, which is inexpensive and simplifies prior art. Different reservoir sizes account for minor, mild, or total incontinence, thus allowing the wearer to tailor fit the appropriate size to his incontinence level. The elastic, permeable tube rolls out over the entire penis allowing for a cool, dry, snug, custom fit.

Abstract: A method an apparatus for introducing an intravenous catheter. In one embodiment, a catheter having a flashback chamber is provided, the flashback chamber having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner wall. The distal end of the flashback chamber being in fluid communication with the catheter needle. A moveable member within the flashback chamber sealingly engages with the inner wall of the flashback chamber, the member being movable within the flashback chamber in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the flashback chamber. The movement of the member creates a vacuum within the flashback chamber.

Abstract: The urine measuring device comprises a holder (25) to be attached to the bed, which is provided with a measuring container (10) and a collecting bag (33). The measuring container (10) includes an overflow connection (22) which forms, together with the connecting tube (23) of the holder (25), a tube coupling (40). For emptying purposes the measuring container (10) can be swung up about the axis of the tube coupling (40). The urine is then discharged from the measuring container through the overflow connection (22) and the connecting tube (23) of the holder (25) into the collecting bag (33). Subsequently the empty measuring container (10) merely needs to be swung back into its position of use. This facilitates emptying of the measuring container since the container needs not be removed and attached again.

Abstract: A fluid sensor apparatus for monitoring fluid in a container. The fluid sensor apparatus comprises a housing having an upper hook extending from a top thereof to allow the housing to be suspended. A lower hook is telescopically received in the housing and extends from a bottom thereof. The lower hook is adapted for suspending a fluid container therefrom. The lower hook is movable relative to the housing. A cam member is located inside the housing and is movable relative thereto. The cam member is coupled to an upper end of the lower hook. The cam member has a stepped gradation. A biasing member is coupled between a lower shoulder of the cam member and the housing. The biasing member is adapted to apply a force against the cam member to cause the cam member to be biased upward relative to the housing to an upper position. A switch is coupled to the housing and has an actuator located in relation to the stepped gradation of the cam member.

Abstract: A blood coagulation test system for in vitro assessment of blood characteristics including hemostasis, thrombus formation, thrombolysis, and collagen platelet interaction comprises a test unit for collection, testing and disposal of the sample together with a test analyzer for executing a test protocol. Coagulation functions are evaluated by establishing controlled bleeding of the sample from a bleeding tube within the unit and monitoring these blood characteristics as a function of blood pressure variations occurring in the unit as the test proceeds. The blood sample remains within the unit for testing and after disposal.

Abstract: Saliva samples are collected for body fluid constituent analysis by placing a sponge member into a patient's oral cavity. The sponge member is formed similarly to a pacifier nipple. Saliva is absorbed. The saliva is then expelled from the sponge member into a pipette. A filter may be placed between the sponge member and the pipette, through which the saliva is cleaned and molecular weight-selectively prepared by letting only substances through with a molecular weight below a cut-off weight. The integral unit is dismembered after the saliva has been transferred into the collection pipette, and the latter is tightly closed off for further handling.

Abstract: A urine specimen container is disclosed which includes multiple urine holding chambers and further includes a cap to be secured to the container that enables extraction of a portion of the urine specimen from one chamber within the container without contaminating the urine specimen contained in an adjacent chamber of the same container.

Abstract: A monitor is disclosed for measuring a liquid discharged from a patient's body. A housing defines a cavity having a floor. A substantially rigid wall container is removably positioned within the cavity, the container having a bottom wall portion supported on the floor of the cavity. A transducer is mounted in the floor of the cavity and engages the bottom wall portion of the container. The transducer is periodically engaged to transmit energy through the bottom wall portion and into a pool. The time duration required for the transmitted energy to travel from the transducer means to the upper surface of the pool and back again is determined, and this time duration is converted into a volume of fluid by reference to a look-up table, a mathematical algorithm, or both. The monitor includes an optical sensor to detect the presence of a container in the housing and provides an indication if no container is detected.

Abstract: A urine-output measuring apparatus has a catheter adapted to be inserted in a patient and having an outer end, a stationarily mounted flow device having an input connected to the outer end of the catheter and an output, a highly flexible tube having an input end connected to the output of the flow device and an output end, and an elongated urine-collection bag connected to the output end of the flexible tube. A relatively incompressible but flexible and elongated element of noncircular section is loosely received in the tube and extends generally a full length of the tube between its ends.

Abstract: A disposable, flexible plastic filter pouch includes a top inlet opening for collection of blood, urine or other body fluids; a filter sheet for collecting and retaining solid materials such as kidney stones which may be contained in the fluids; and means for sealing the pouch after use to enable the solid sample collected to be sent to a laboratory for analysis with no need to place the solid material in another container and minimum exposure of hospital personnel to the sample.