An instrument advancement device may include a housing comprising a distal end and a proximal end; an instrument disposed within the housing; an advancement element, wherein in response to movement of the advancement element with respect to the housing, the instrument is configured to advance distal to the distal end of the housing, and a blood sample collection tube inserted into the distal end of the housing, wherein the blood sample collection tube is configured to receive a small volume blood sample.

A syringe-based device includes a housing, a pre-sample reservoir, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume between a substantially open proximal end portion and a distal end portion that includes a port couplable to a lumen-defining device. The pre-sample reservoir is fluidically couplable to the port to receive and isolate a first volume of bodily fluid. The actuator is at least partially disposed in the inner volume and has a proximal end portion that includes an engagement portion and a distal end portion that includes a sealing member. The engagement portion is configured to allow a user to selectively move the actuator between a first configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to the pre-sample reservoir, and a second configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to a sample reservoir defined at least in part by the sealing member and the housing.

An ergonomic suction syringe and method for performing medical procedures in which suction is generated and can be delivered to a medical device by a single-handed compression motion, with suction actuated by forward motion of a piston into a cylinder, and in which suction can be maintained essentially permanently once activated without any further effort by the operator, even hands-free.

Embodiments of a syringe-based device for procuring bodily fluid samples can include a housing having a port that can be coupled to a lumen-defining device for receiving bodily fluids, an actuator mechanism retained at least partially within the housing, the actuator mechanism including a pre-sample reservoir, a plunger operably coupled with pre-sample reservoir, a plunger cap, a plunger tube, a valve, a plunger seal, an a selectively attachable collection vial for capturing a bodily fluid sample.

A portable autonomous venipuncture device to be secured to a limb of a patient comprising a limb-mountable base configured to be mounted to the limb of a patient, a venipuncture tool holder carried on said base, a venipuncture tool carried by said venipuncture tool holder and having an insertion tip; an ultrasonic device carried on said base; and a processor. The ultrasonic device provides an ultrasonic image of inside of the limb of the patient to provide location data on the position and depth of a vein in the limb. The processor is configured to use the location data to move the insertion tip of the venipuncture tool into the vein of the patient.

A precision syringe plunger includes a plunger rod and a separately manufactured plunger arm. The plunger rod includes a base formed at a proximal end of the plunger rod and a first interference fit connector formed below the base. The plunger rod is configured to extend longitudinally into a syringe barrel. The plunger arm includes a second interference fit connector formed at a proximal end of the plunger arm. The second interference fit connector is configured to be irreversibly coupled to the first interference fit connector so that the plunger arm extends longitudinally along an outer surface of the syringe barrel. The plunger arm further includes a distally located projection. The projection is configured to receive an applied force that causes an entirety of the syringe plunger to move relative to the syringe barrel so that the plunger rod is actuated through a portion of the syringe barrel.

An apparatus includes a housing, a fluid reservoir, a flow control mechanism, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume and has an inlet port that can be fluidically coupled to a patient and an outlet port. The fluid reservoir is disposed in the inner volume to receive and isolate a first volume of a bodily-fluid. The flow control mechanism is rotatable in the housing from a first configuration, in which a first lumen places the inlet port is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, and a second configuration, in which a second lumen places the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port. The actuator is configured to create a negative pressure in the fluid reservoir and is configured to rotate the flow control mechanism from the first configuration to the second configuration after the first volume of bodily-fluid is received in the fluid reservoir.

A specimen transfer device adapted to receive a blood sample is disclosed. The specimen transfer device includes a housing and an actuation member. A deformable material is disposed within the housing and is deformable from an initial position in which the material is adapted to hold the sample to a deformed position in which at least a portion of the sample is released from the material. A viscoelastic member is disposed within the housing between the material and the housing and between the material and the actuation member. The viscoelastic member is engaged with the actuation member and the material such that movement of the actuation member from a first position to a second position deforms the material from the initial position to the deformed position.

A syringe-based device includes a housing, a pre-sample reservoir, and an actuator. The housing defines an inner volume between a substantially open proximal end portion and a distal end portion that includes a port couplable to a lumen-defining device. The pre-sample reservoir is fluidically couplable to the port to receive and isolate a first volume of bodily fluid. The actuator is at least partially disposed in the inner volume and has a proximal end portion that includes an engagement portion and a distal end portion that includes a sealing member. The engagement portion is configured to allow a user to selectively move the actuator between a first configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to the pre-sample reservoir, and a second configuration such that bodily fluid can flow from the port to a sample reservoir defined at least in part by the sealing member and the housing.

A positive pressure hydraulic aspiration syringe is provided. The syringe includes a syringe barrel having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface extending there between, a terminal orifice having an inner surface extending from the inner surface of the syringe barrel, a plunger having a proximal end, a distal end, and a sidewall extending there between. The plunger is slidably inserted in the syringe barrel such that the sidewall of the plunger forms a moveable seal against the inner surface of the syringe barrel. The syringe also includes a first piston configured to be displaced as the plunger is slidably inserted in the syringe barrel, a second piston mechanically linked to the first piston. Displacement of the first piston causes displacement of the second piston in an opposite direction of the plunger, which creates a negative pressure vacuum at the terminal orifice.