Medical Safety Products, Inc.

Other

Baxter International Inc.

Baxter Healthcare Sa

Fenwal, Inc.

William E Sagstetter

Alan A Wanderer

John E Cooke

William R King

Ewan Grantham

Randal D Bjerke

Stephen L Kishel

James W Schreiber

Louis E Greenberg

A device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube into a receptacle uses a cylindrical housing containing a hollow needle to puncture the segment tube as it is inserted into the upper port of the device. A series of ribs with medial edges are arranged in a radial pattern around the needle within the upper port to guide and support the segment tube as it is inserted. The ribs are separated by slots that also guide the sealed end of the segment tube. An annular recess around the lower port of the device holds the rim of the receptacle and allows blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle. The annular recess accommodates a wide range of test tube diameters, and exerts only a downward force on the rim of the receptacle when a segment tube is inserted into the upper port of the device.

Method for manufacturing a device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube

The present invention is directed to a novel process for inserting a cannula, such as a hypodermic needle, into a hub member by roughening a first portion of the cannula while leaving a second portion substantially smooth such that the first portion forms an interference fit and the second portion a line-to-line fit with the hub bore. In the absence of an adhesive, the second portion is passed through the hub bore followed by the first portion. The first portion is forced into the hub bore to provide an adhesive-free interference fit that is capable of resisting puncturing forces during normal use.

Method for manufacturing a cannula assembly

Device for removing a blood sample from a plastic segment tube

The present invention is directed to a novel process for inserting a cannula into a hub member. The process uses an interference or frictional fit between the bore of the hub member and the cannula's exterior surface. In this manner, adhesives are not required in the assembly of the two components.

Needle design and manufacturing method for medical applications

Device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube

The present apparatus insures proper orientation during use of an oral or nasal inhaler, as well as providing an audible rattle to aid in remembering to shake the inhaler prior to use. An indicator ball is confined within a substantially horizontal tube in the inhaler housing. One end of the tube is visually exposed within the user's field of view. The indicator ball remains out of view within the inhaler housing unless the inhaler orientation is held in a substantially vertical orientation. When proper vertical orientation is achieved, the indicator ball rolls to the exposed end of the tube and is visible to the user. Shaking the inhaler prior to use causes the indicator ball to rattle within the tube producing an audible rattle. The event of shaking the inhaler and hearing the rattle provides the user with a reinforced memory to shake the inhaler prior to use. In the preferred embodiment as applied to oral inhalers, the indicator ball and tube are placed within an ergonomic cap seated on the upper end of the aerosol vial of the inhaler. When the inhaler mouthpiece is placed in or adjacent to the mouth, the cap and the exposed end of the tube are proximate to the bridge of the nose, directly between the user's eyes. The cap can be equipped with a top surface curved to fit the contour of the first finger knuckle. This improves leverage and reduces stress on the finger when using the inhaler. In the preferred embodiment as applied to nasal inhalers, the indicator ball and tube are placed within a collar housing placed upon the inhaler.

Apparatus for indicating proper orientation for oral and nasal inhalers

A device for collecting a blood sample from a plastic segment tube into a receptacle uses a cylindrical housing containing a hollow needle to puncture the segment tube as it is inserted into the upper port of the device. A series of ribs with tapered medial edges are arranged in a radial pattern around the needle within the upper port to guide and support the segment tube as it is inserted. The ribs are separated by slots that also guide the sealed end of the segment tube. An annular recess around the lower port of the device holds the rim of the receptacle and allows blood released by the punctured segment tube to drain into the receptacle. The annular recess accommodates a wide range of test tube diameters, and exerts only a downward force on the rim of the receptacle when a segment tube is inserted into the upper port of the device.

A needle disposal system has a blood collection holder with an engaged blood collection needle and a companion biohazard receptacle for disposal of the needle after use. First, the blood collection needle engaged to the holder is irreversibly positively locked upon insertion into respective needle removal device of the biohazard receptacle, thereby preventing withdrawal of the needle from the biohazard receptacle. The needle is then unthreaded from the holder and disposed of inside the biohazard receptacle.

Needle disposal system comprised of blood collection holder and

An insert (14) for supporting a double ended needle (94, 98) during a blood collection procedure is translatably mounted with a cylinder (12) for retracting the anterior needle (98) into the cylinder (12) on completion of the procedure to prevent needle stick while the posterior needle (94) remains continually shielded against needle stick by the insert (14). An anterior lock position stabilizes the double ended needle (94, 98) during the blood collection procedure and a posterior lock position retains both ends (94, 98) of the needle shielded. Ramps (130, 132) may be associated with the posterior lock position to prevent further translation of the insert (14) and reuse of the holder (10). For a reusable holder embodiment, the used double ended needle (94, 98) is retracted, safely enclosed and locked inside the cylinder (12). The anterior end (30) of the cylinder (12) is adapted for receiving the open end (90) of a conventional needle shield (96) to permit gripping of the needle supporting hub (92) and disengagement of the needle (94, 98) from the insert (14) without exposure to needle stick. A replacement needle may then be mounted in the insert (14) and the holder (10) reused.

Blood collection tube holder

A needle guard attached to the barrel of a hypodermic syringe encloses and shields the needle against contamination prior to use and prevents inadvertent direct contact therewith by medical personnel after use. Development of an aperture at the end of the needle shield to accommodate protrusion by the needle is effected by a removable member. Translation of the needle guard along the syringe barrel to uncover and recover the needle is effected by manipulation from a location rearwardly of the needle point to further protect the medical personnel. A double ended needle, usually used with a collection tube holder of a blood evacuation system, includes a needle guard which may interlock with the holder upon translation of the needle guard to expose the anterior needle and to prevent inadvertent disengagement with the holder and resulting exposure of the posterior needle. An extension of the interconnection between the double ended needle and the holder permits large girth holders to be employed without compromising the preferred needle entry angle. Other embodiments of the needle guard include telescoping guards to shield lengthy single needles and double-ended needles, each of which is manipulated from a location rearwardly of the respective needle end. The configuration of the needle guard permits manipulation with only one digit of one hand which frees the other hand to perform functions related to blood collection or injection. An annular trough within the needle guard restrains outflow of and contamination by any fluids which may have dripped from the needle into the needle guard.

Needle guard for blood collection

An insert for supporting a double ended needle during a blood collection procedure is translatably mounted within a cylinder for retracting the anterior needle into the cylinder on completion of the procedure to prevent needle stick while the posterior needle remains continually shielded against needle stick by the insert. An anterior lock position stabilizes the double ended needle during the blood collection procedure and a posterior lock position retains both ends of the needle shielded. A ramp may be associated with the posterior lock position to prevent further translation of the insert and reuse of the holder. For a reusable holder embodiment, the used double ended needle is retracted, safely enclosed and locked inside the cylinder. The anterior end of the cylinder is adapted for receiving the open end of a conventional needle shield to permit gripping of the needle supporting hub and disengagement of the needle from the insert without exposure to needle stick. A replacement needle may then be mounted in the insert and the holder reused.

A receptacle includes a first recess for receiving the anterior end of the barrel of a conventional double ended needle blood collection tube holder to stabilize the holder during threaded disengagement of the needle. A post is disposed within the recess to prevent rotation of the hub while the holder is rotated to unthread the hub. Upon threaded disengagement, the needle drops into the receptacle, which drop may be augmented by a pair of leaf springs. A second recess in the receptacle receives the collar of a guard supporting a translatable blood collection tube holder, which holder threadedly engages the hub of a double ended needle. A post within the recess can extend within the collar to engage a rib of the hub to prevent rotation of the double ended needle upon rotation of the guard to threadedly disengage the hub from the holder. Upon threaded disengagement, the double ended needle drops into the receptacle, which drop may be augmented by a pair of leaf springs.

Growing community of inventors

Denver, CO, United States of America

William E Sagstetter