An apparatus includes an introducer coupleable to a peripheral intravenous line, with the introducer having a proximal end and a distal end, a catheter defining a lumen between a proximal end and a distal end, with the catheter movable from a first position where the distal end of the catheter is positioned within the introducer to a second position where the distal end of the catheter is positioned outside of the introducer, and an actuator coupled to the catheter and configured to move the catheter between the first position and the second position. The actuator moves relative to the introducer in a direction extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the introducer when the catheter moves from the first position to the second position.

An integrated intravenous catheter including a catheter adapter having a catheter and an inlet, the catheter configured to be inserted into a patient's vasculature, as well as a needle free connector. The needle free connector includes first port, a second port positioned opposite the first port, and a side port positioned between the first port and the second port. The needle free connector further includes a main cavity portion having a tapered sidewall and a distal taper portion, wherein the tapered sidewall gradually narrows in a direction of the distal taper portion. The integrated intravenous catheter also includes intermediate tubing extending between the inlet of the catheter adapter and the first port of the needle free connector, and extension tubing extending from the side port of the needle free connector.

An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line. The apparatus includes an introducer and a catheter configured to advance the catheter through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the catheter and place in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced the catheter is configured to transport a bodily fluid (i.e. blood) to a volume outside of the body.

A biopsy needle unit includes a biopsy needle and an elastically deformable safety tube for partially covering the biopsy needle inserted to a lumen extending in a longitudinal direction. A marker is arranged on the biopsy needle at a position protruding from an end portion of the safety tube on an opposite side of a needle tip of the puncture needle when the needle tip portion is accommodated in the lumen. The safety tube has portions in which the lumen is curved at least partially with respect to the longitudinal direction so that the safety tube is elastically deformed due to contact between an inner circumferential face of the lumen and an outer circumferential face of the biopsy needle when the biopsy needle is inserted to the lumen to cause frictional resistance between the inner circumferential face of the lumen and the outer circumferential face of the biopsy needle.

Embodiments relate to an insertion device that includes: a plunger coupled with a lock collar. The insertion device houses contents including: a striker including self-locking striker snap arm(s) where the striker is kept from firing by a striker spring captured between the plunger and the striker when the insertion device is in a cocked position; a sensor assembly; and a needle carrier that holds a piercing member, the needle carrier captured between the striker and a needle carrier spring where a self-releasing snap(s) keeps the needle carrier cocked, where the plunger prevents the self-releasing snap(s) from repositioning and releasing the needle carrier. The striker fires the needle carrier such that the self-locking striker snap arm(s) are positioned to allow the striker to snap down. The needle carrier is then retracted when the user releases the plunger and the piercing member is encapsulated within the insertion device.

An apparatus and method for collecting blood from the umbilical cord of a newborn into a standard vacuum collection tube is disclosed wherein the apparatus comprises a vessel in the general shape of a cup with an open top, a receiving cavity and a tapered bottom surface wherein the taper of the tapered bottom surface is away from the receiving cavity; a pick up tube with open top end and closed bottom, and side tabs, a needle inserted through an opening in the closed bottom of said tube wherein the diameter of the opening is of sufficient size to only allow the tip of the needle to be inserted, and a means for providing an air tight seal between the inserted needle and said opening.

Apparatus and methods pertaining to catheters used for the withdrawal of blood.

The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for delivering and/or receiving a substance or substances such as blood from subjects. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to devices and methods for receiving or extracting blood from a subject, e.g., from the skin and/or from beneath the skin, using devices containing a substance transfer component (for example, one or more needles or microneedles) and a reduced pressure or vacuum chamber having an internal pressure less than atmospheric pressure prior to receiving blood. In some embodiments, the device may contain a “snap dome” or other deformable structure, which may be used, at least in part, to urge or move needles or other suitable substance transfer components into the skin of a subject. In some cases, for example, the device may contain a flexible concave member and a needle mechanically coupled to the flexible concave member such that the needle may be urged or moved into the skin using the flexible concave member. Other aspects of the present invention are directed at other devices for receiving blood (or other bodily fluids, e.g., interstitial fluid), kits involving such devices, methods of making such devices, methods of using such devices, and the like.

An apparatus includes a housing, defining an inner volume, and an actuator mechanism movably disposed therein. The actuator mechanism is configured to be transitioned from a first configuration to a second configuration to define a pre-sample reservoir fluidically couplable to receive a pre-sample volume of bodily-fluid via an inlet port of the housing. The actuator mechanism is movable from a first position to a second position within the housing after the pre-sample reservoir receives the pre-sample volume such that the housing and the actuator mechanism collectively define a sample reservoir to receive a sample volume of bodily-fluid via the inlet port. The outlet port is in fluid communication with the sample reservoir and is configured to be fluidically coupled to an external fluid reservoir after the sample volume is disposed in the sample reservoir to transfer at least a portion of the sample volume into the external fluid reservoir.

An apparatus for insertion of a medical device in the skin of a subject is provided, as well as methods of inserting medical devices. Embodiments include removing a substantially cylindrical cap from an inserter to expose a substantially cylindrical sleeve, removing a cover from a substantially cylindrical container holding sensor components, and fitting the sensor components into the inserter.