Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
46 words
In combination with a blood sampling syringe having a needle with an open end, apparatus which comprises means for covering said open end of said needle and means for drawing a small amount of fluid from said syringe into said covering means through said open end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
46 words
In combination with a blood sampling syringe having a needle with an open end, apparatus which comprises means for covering said open end of said needle and means for drawing a small amount of fluid from said syringe into said covering means through said open end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said drawing means comprises an evacuated chamber within which said open end of said needle is positioned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said covering means includes an enclosed portion which defines said evacuated chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said evacuated chamber is at a subatmospheric pressure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said covering means comprises a tubular member having an open end and a closed end, and means positioned within said tubular member for sealing a portion thereof which defines said enclosed portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said sealing means comprises a fluid impermeable seal affixed to the inner wall of said tubular member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein said fluid impermeable seal comprises a rubber stopper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A syringe needle guard, which comprises a substantially tubular member having an open end and a closed end; and means positioned intermediate said open end and said closed end for defining a substantially fluid impermeable chamber at subatmospheric pressure and adjacent said closed end of said tubular member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
A syringe needle guard, which comprises a substantially tubular member having an open end and a closed end; and means positioned intermediate said open end and said closed end for defining a substantially fluid impermeable chamber at subatmospheric pressure and adjacent said closed end of said tubular member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The syringe needle guard as set forth in claim 8, wherein said means positioned intermediate said open end and said closed end comprises means for sealably engaging the needle of a syringe after a blood sample has been taken thereby.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The syringe needle guard as set forth in claim 9, wherein said engaging means comprises a fluid impermeable seal affixed to the inner wall of said tubular member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The syringe needle guard as set forth in claim 10, wherein said fluid impermeable seal comprises a rubber stopper.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
A technique for reducing the risk of contamination by sampled blood, which comprises the steps of taking a blood sample by drawing blood from a patient through an open-ended needle into a syringe, and enclosing the open end of the needle of the syringe in an evacuated chamber.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
A technique for reducing the risk of contamination by sampled blood, which comprises the steps of taking a blood sample by drawing blood from a patient through an open-ended needle into a syringe, and enclosing the open end of the needle of the syringe in an evacuated chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The technique as set forth in claim 12, wherein said enclosing step includes the step of inserting said open end of said needle through a fluid impermeable stopper means which defines the entrance to said evacuated chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
The technique as set forth in claim 12, wherein said enclosing step includes the steps of: providing a tubular syringe needle guard having an open end and a closed end; affixing fluid impermeable stopper means to said needle guard intermediate said open end and said closed end; and inserting said open end of said needle through said stopper means into the portion of said needle guard between said stopper means and said closed end.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The technique as set forth in claim 14, further comprising the step, performed after said stopper means is affixed to said needle guard, of evacuating air from the portion of said needle guard between said stopper means and said closed end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The technique as set forth in claim 15, wherein said step of evacuating air includes the step of reducing the pressure in said evacuated portion to subatmospheric.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus, which comprises: a blood sampling syringe including a fluid holder, a hollow needle with an open end extending from one end of said holder, and a plunger movable in said holder to draw or expel fluid into or from said holder through said open end of said needle; means for covering said open end of said needle; and means for drawing a small amount of fluid from said fluid holder into said covering means through said open end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
Apparatus, which comprises: a blood sampling syringe including a fluid holder, a hollow needle with an open end extending from one end of said holder, and a plunger movable in said holder to draw or expel fluid into or from said holder through said open end of said needle; means for covering said open end of said needle; and means for drawing a small amount of fluid from said fluid holder into said covering means through said open end.