Blood withdrawal device

Claim 2

A blood withdrawal device comprising: a withdrawal tube for receiving blood, said tube having an open end; a stopper for closing said open end of said tube; a stopper cap for fitting over said stopper and said open end and for retaining said stopper in said open end of said tube, said stopper cap further comprising a collar overlapping an outer wall of said withdrawal tube extending from said open end toward a closed end of said tube; and a double cannula comprising a guide sleeve, with a respective cannula end on each opposite side of said guide sleeve, said guide sleeve being adapted to fit removably over an exterior of said stopper cap for attaching said cannula to said withdrawal tube, such that when so attached, one said end of said double cannula pierces said stopper providing communication between the other end of said cannula and an interior of said withdrawal tube; wherein said guide sleeve is substantially rigid, and at least one of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve incorporates at least one radial prominence arranged to make an interference fit with the other of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve such that at least one of said collar and said prominence is deformed when said guide sleeve is fitted over said collar, whereby said guide sleeve and said collar are in mutually gripping relation for holding said withdrawal tube and double cannula separably together.

Claim 3

The blood withdrawal device claimed in claim 1 in which said at least one prominence is provided internally on said guide sleeve.

Claim 4

The device claimed in claim 1 in which said prominence is provided externally on said collar.

Claim 5

The device of claim 1 in which the prominence is deformable.

Claim 6

The device of claim 1 in which the collar is deformable.

Claim 7

The device of claim 1 in which said prominence is spaced axially from the end of said stopper cap or guide sleeve.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 in which the collar is spaced radially from the withdrawal tube over at least part of the length of the collar.

Claim 9

The device of claim 1 in which said prominence is adapted to provide a progressively increasing interference fit between said guide sleeve and collar as these are brought into mutual engagement.

Claim 10

A blood withdrawal device comprising: a withdrawal tube; a stopper which closes a front end of said tube and can be pierced; a stopper cap which retains said stopper in closing relationship with said front end of said tube, said stopper cap further comprising a collar which overlaps an outer wall of said tube; and a double cannula which is provided with a guide sleeve, which removably receives said stopper cap; wherein said stopper cap or said guide sleeve has at least one prominence which at least indirectly deforms said collar when said collar and stopper cap are pushed into said guide sleeve, said guide sleeve being rigid, and at least said prominence of said stopper cap or of said guide sleeve being non-rigid.

Claim 11

A blood withdrawal device comprising: a withdrawal tube; a stopper which closes a front end of said tube and can be pierced; a stopper cap which retains said stopper in closing relationship with said front end of said tube, said stopper cap further comprising a collar which overlaps an outer wall of said tube; and a double cannula which is provided with a guide sleeve, which removably receives said stopper cap; wherein said stopper cap or said guide sleeve has at least one prominence which at least indirectly deforms said collar when said collar and stopper cap are pushed into said guide sleeve, said guide sleeve being rigid, and at least said prominence of said stopper cap or of said guide sleeve being non-rigid.

Claim 12

The device of claim 1, wherein, during insertion of said stopper cap, stopper and tube into said guide sleeve, said end of said double cannula pierces said stopper prior to interference of said at least one radial prominence with said other of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9, wherein, during insertion of said stopper cap, stopper and tube into said guide sleeve, said stopper is pierced before said at least one prominence at least indirectly deforms said collar.

Claim 14

A blood withdrawal device comprising: a withdrawal tube for receiving blood, said tube having an open end; a stopper for closing said open end of said tube; a stopper cap for fitting over said stopper and said open end and for retaining said stopper in said open end of said tube, said stopper cap further comprising a collar overlapping an outer wall of said withdrawal tube extending from said open end toward a closed end of said tube; and a double cannula comprising a guide sleeve, with a respective cannula end on each opposite side of said guide sleeve, said guide sleeve being adapted to fit removably over an exterior of said stopper cap for attaching said cannula to said withdrawal tube, such that when so attached, one said end of said double cannula pierces said stopper providing communication between the other end of said cannula and an interior of said withdrawal tube; wherein said guide sleeve is substantially rigid, and at least one of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve incorporates at least one radial prominence arranged to make an interference fit with the other of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve such that at least one of said collar and said at least one prominence is deformed when said guide sleeve is fitted over said collar, whereby said guide sleeve and said collar are in mutually gripping relation for holding said withdrawal tube and double cannula separably together; and wherein said at least one prominence is formed such that, during insertion of said stopper cap, stopper and tube into said guide sleeve, said at least one prominence is finally deformed when a penetration force of said end of said double cannula piercing said stopper ceases on account of said end of said double cannula penetrating said stopper.

Claim 15

A blood withdrawal device comprising: a withdrawal tube for receiving blood, said tube having an open end; a stopper for closing said open end of said tube; a stopper cap for fitting over said stopper and said open end and for retaining said stopper in said open end of said tube, said stopper cap further comprising a collar overlapping an outer wall of said withdrawal tube extending from said open end toward a closed end of said tube; and a double cannula comprising a guide sleeve, with a respective cannula end on each opposite side of said guide sleeve, said guide sleeve being adapted to fit removably over an exterior of said stopper cap for attaching said cannula to said withdrawal tube, such that when so attached, one said end of said double cannula pierces said stopper providing communication between the other end of said cannula and an interior of said withdrawal tube; wherein said guide sleeve is substantially rigid, and at least one of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve incorporates at least one radial prominence arranged to make an interference fit with the other of said stopper cap and said guide sleeve such that at least one of said collar and said at least one prominence is deformed when said guide sleeve is fitted over said collar, whereby said guide sleeve and said collar are in mutually gripping relation for holding said withdrawal tube and double cannula separably together; and wherein said at least one prominence is formed such that, during insertion of said stopper cap, stopper and tube into said guide sleeve, said at least one prominence is finally deformed when a penetration force of said end of said double cannula piercing said stopper ceases on account of said end of said double cannula penetrating said stopper.