Various embodiments pertain to syringes having needles that automatically retract, and including syringe assemblies in which there is a means for damping any impact of the retracting needle, slowing the retracting needle, dissipating the kinetic energy of the needle, or the like, so as to lessen any jolt or disturbance experienced by the user.

Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

An infusion and blood collection device allows clean blood collections into a collection tube via a previously installed angiocatheter without interrupting the administration of intravenous therapies after initial installation. The device optionally includes passive control of the blood collection flow rate to prevent contamination of the collected blood draw with the IV therapy fluid being simultaneously infused through the angiocatheter. A blood collection method uses an infusion and blood collection device to draw a clean blood sample from a patient and into a collection tube via a previously installed angiocatheter without interrupting the administration of intravenous therapies.

A blood sequestration device includes an inlet path, an outlet path, a sequestration chamber, and a sampling channel. The sequestration chamber is connected with the inlet path by a junction and is configured to receive a first portion of blood through the inlet path. The sequestration chamber has a vent that allows air to be displaced by the first portion of blood, the junction being configured to inhibit a return to the inlet path of any of the first portion of blood received by the sequestration chamber. The sampling channel is connected between the inlet path and the outlet path, and configured to convey subsequent amounts of blood between the inlet path and the outlet path after the first amount of blood is received by the sequestration chamber.

A sample collection device for collecting a blood sample of a patient, the sample collection device including a first partially deformable shell and a second at least partially pierceable shell with a pre-packaged vacuum sealed between the first shell and the second shell. The second shell may additionally hold a sample container and an automatic mechanical cutting mechanism including a rotatable cutting blade and an actuator spring, the actuator spring being actuatable by pressing the first shell, thereby releasing and rotating the cutting blade. By pressing the first shell, the pre-packaged vacuum is released to a collection opening of the second shell such that the vacuum effects a suction effect so that blood coming out of the incision created by the rotatable cutting blade leaks into the sample container.

A body fluid sensing device with a body fluid capture structure and a body fluid measurement sensor positioned in the body fluid capture structure. A capacitance sensor is coupled to the body fluid measurement sensor. The capacitance sensor is used to assist in the positioning of a body part relative to the body fluid capture structure.

The present invention extends to a closed IV line draw system which may be used with a PIVC or another vascular access device to collect blood samples. The closed IV line draw system consists of various integrated components that allow the system to remain closed during the blood collection process. In this way, the closed IV line draw system simplifies the blood collection process and reduces the risk of contamination to the PIVC or other vascular access device.

The present invention includes a system for withdrawing body fluids. The system includes a drive unit having a plunger which is moved from a resting position into a lancing position in order to carry out a lancing process and a lancing unit containing a lancet with a needle. The plunger and lancet are coupled together by a form fit in order to carry out a lancing process. The invention additionally concerns a method for temporarily extending a needle from a device for withdrawing body fluid as well as a lancing unit that can be attached to the drive unit.

Described here are meters and methods for sampling, transporting, and/or analyzing a fluid sample. The meters may include a meter housing and a cartridge. In some instances, the meter may include a tower which may engage one or more portions of a cartridge. The meter housing may include an imaging system, which may or may not be included in the tower. The cartridge may include one or more sampling arrangements, which may be configured to collect a fluid sample from a sampling site. A sampling arrangement may include a skin-penetration member, a hub, and a quantification member.

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.