An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.

In certain instances, an access system includes a connector to couple with a closed intravenous catheter system that includes a valve and a catheter tube. The access system can include a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector so as to be immobile relative thereto and oriented such that when the connector is coupled with the closed intravenous catheter system, a distal tip of the reinforcement member is at or proximally spaced from a proximal surface of the valve. The access system can include a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member from a retracted position to an advanced position. At least a portion of the cannula can be advanced distally through the reinforcement member and then through the valve and subsequently into the catheter tube as the cannula is transitioned from the retracted position to the advanced position.

In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is advanced.

In certain instances, an access system can include a connector to couple with a catheter assembly, a reinforcement member fixedly secured to the connector, and a cannula movable relative to the reinforcement member. The cannula can include a polymeric tube and a support tube that encompasses a portion of and is stiffer than the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube to prevent kinking of the polymeric tube and can be in a fixed relationship with the polymeric tube. A distal edge of the support tube is proximally spaced from a distal tip of the polymeric tube and is within the reinforcement member when the distal tip of the polymeric tube is first positioned distal of and external to the reinforcement member as the cannula is advanced.

An access system can include a connector couplable with a catheter assembly having a catheter tube that can be positioned in a blood vessel of a patient. The access system can include a reinforcement member and a cannula couplable with a fluid collection device. The cannula can include a polymeric tube that defines a distal tip and a support tube that is stiffer than the polymeric tube and encompasses a portion of the polymeric tube. The support tube can define an inner diameter that is marginally larger than an outer diameter of the polymeric tube so as to prevent kinking of the portion of the polymeric tube that is encompassed by the support tube when the polymeric tube experiences proximally and distally directed compressive forces.

A blood collection device to prime a blood flow path may include a cannula, a holder, and an elastomeric sleeve. The cannula may include a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending along a longitudinal axis therebetween. The cannula may include a slot to enable a user to visualize the blood flow path through the cannula. The holder may include a channel configured to align with the longitudinal axis to retain a shaft of the cannula. The holder may further include a visual check window corresponding to the slot of the cannula. The elastomeric sleeve may be coupled to the holder and enclose the proximal end of the cannula. A priming opening may be disposed between the elastomeric sleeve and the holder to prime the blood flow path.

A biological fluid collection device that receives a sample and provides flow-through blood stabilization technology and a precise sample dispensing function for point-of-care and near patient testing applications is disclosed. A biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure is able to effectuate distributed mixing of a sample stabilizer within a blood sample and dispense the stabilized sample in a controlled manner. In this manner, a biological fluid collection device of the present disclosure enables blood micro-sample management, e.g., passive mixing with a sample stabilizer and controlled dispensing, for point-of-care and near patient testing applications.

A safety needle device includes a housing including a passageway with a needle cannula extending therefrom. A shielding member is movable between a first position in which a puncture tip of the needle cannula is exposed therefrom and a second position in which the puncture tip of the needle cannula is encompassed therein. The shielding member is maintained in the first position against a biasing force which biases the shielding member toward the second position. A fluid and/or a temperature activation material is associated with the shielding member and is adapted to deform upon contact with a fluid medium and/or a certain temperature or temperature range. The fluid medium flowing through the needle cannula causes the fluid activation material to deform, such as through expansion, thereby releasing the shielding member from the first position and allowing a drive member to bias the shielding member toward the second position.

A biological fluid collection system (10) including a collection module (14) for collecting a small sample of blood and transferring a portion of the sample into a device or instrument for analyzing the sample such as a point-of-care or a near-patient-testing device including blood collection devices for collecting and transferring venous and arterial blood samples are disclosed.

A liquid collection-injection needle assembly is provided including a needle cap that accommodates and protects a needle, and that is designed to be used for other purposes as well, so that the needle cap is effectively used, and the number of parts required for assembly is reduced. The assembly includes a needle holding member that holds a needle after needle has been inserted into holding member, and a needle cap that is configured to be connected detachably to a front part of needle holding member, and to protect the exposed portion of needle that is exposed from the needle holding member after needle has been inserted into needle holding member. In the state where needle cap communicates with needle holding member, an end portion of the needle cap is capable of communicating with a rear part of needle holding member.