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.

Blood sample optimization systems and methods are described that reduce or eliminate contaminates in collected blood samples, which in turn reduces or eliminates false positive readings in blood cultures or other testing of collected blood samples. A blood sample optimization system can include a blood sequestration device located between a patient needle and a sample needle. The blood sequestration device can include a sequestration chamber for sequestering an initial, potentially contaminated aliquot of blood, and may further include a sampling channel that bypasses the sequestration chamber to convey likely uncontaminated blood between the patient needle and the sample needle after the initial aliquot of blood is sequestered in the sequestration chamber.

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 flow of air including a fungal spore is directed to a collection cartridge. The fungal spore is trapped within the collection cartridge. The fungal spore is illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light and a camera shutter associated with a camera sensor is opened for a time period. The camera sensor is allowed to collect light emitted from the fungal spore during a first portion of the time period. After the first portion of the time period has elapsed, a first burst of visible light originating from a first position is directed towards the fungal spore during a second portion of the time period. A second burst of visible light originating from a second position is directed towards the fungal spore. After the second portion of the time period has elapsed, the camera shutter is closed to generate an image. The image is analyzed to obtain a shape of the fungal spore.

A fluid control device includes an inlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a bodily fluid source and an outlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid collection device. The fluid control device has sequestration portion that can be vented or evacuated. The fluid control device has a first state in which an initial volume of bodily fluid can flow from the inlet to the sequestration portion and a second state in which (1) the initial volume is sequestered in the sequestration portion, and (2) a subsequent volume of bodily fluid, being substantially free of contaminants, can flow through at least a portion of the fluid control device and into the fluid collection device. The fluid control device can transition automatically or in response to an actuation of a portion of the fluid control device after the sequestration portion receives the initial volume.

Medical device assemblies capable of aspirating liquid into a syringe barrel or other medical devices while evacuating any air from the syringe are described. An exemplary medical device includes a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within either the stopper or the plunger rod. Described is a medical device including a syringe barrel, plunger rod and stopper assembly having an air permeable and liquid impermeable porous portion and structure for forming a vacuum within chamber between the stopper and plunger rod wherein the plunger rod includes a sealing edge and is moveable relative to the stopper. Exemplary medical devices may include a vent for allowing air that permeates through the porous portion to escape to atmosphere. Methods for aspirating a syringe barrel with a liquid are also provided.

A fluid control device includes an inlet configured to be placed directly or indirectly in fluid communication with a bodily fluid source and an outlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid collection device. The fluid control device has a first state in which a negative pressure differential produced from an external source such as the fluid collection device is applied to the fluid control device to draw an initial volume of bodily fluid from the bodily fluid source, through the inlet, and into a sequestration portion of the fluid control device. The fluid control device has a second state in which (1) the sequestration portion sequesters the initial volume, and (2) the negative pressure differential draws a subsequent volume of bodily fluid, being substantially free of contaminants, from the bodily fluid source, through the fluid control device, and into the fluid collection device.

A blood sample collection system, may include a housing, the housing including a blood collection port; and a baffle chamber; a needle formed through the housing and into the blood collection port; and a baffle formed within the baffle chamber to counteract a vacuum within a blood collection tube when pierced by the needle.

A biological fluid separation device that is adapted to receive a multi-component blood sample is disclosed. After collecting the blood sample, the biological fluid separation device is able to separate a plasma portion from a cellular portion. After separation, the biological fluid separation device is able to transfer the plasma portion of the blood sample to a point-of-care testing device. The biological fluid separation device of the present disclosure also provides a closed separation and transfer system that reduces the exposure of a blood sample and provides fast mixing of a blood sample with a sample stabilizer. The biological fluid separation device is engageable with a blood testing device for closed transfer of a portion of the plasma portion from the biological fluid separation device to the blood testing device. The blood testing device is adapted to receive the plasma portion to analyze the blood sample and obtain test results.

A device for collecting a blood sample is provided. The device includes a collection unit, at least one capillary tube, a vacuum connector, and a storage unit. The collection unit has a top window for receiving the blood sample, a top surface, and a channel communicated with the top window. The at least one capillary tube is disposed in the collection unit and has a top end adjacent to the top window of the collection unit. The vacuum connector extends from the collection unit and communicates with the channel to provide a negative pressure by removing air in the channel. The storage unit is disposed under the collection unit for storing the blood sample.