Patent Description:
Oftentimes, vacuum tubes are used with a dedicated blood collection set such as blood collection set <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Blood collection set <NUM> includes vacuum tube receiver <NUM> and a needle assembly <NUM> which are fluidly connected via tubing <NUM>. Needle assembly <NUM> includes a needle adapter <NUM> and a needle <NUM>. Blood collection set <NUM> would typically be used when a patient does not have an intravenous catheter (e.g., when a patient visits a physician's office to have blood drawn). In other words, needle <NUM> would only be inserted into the patient's vasculature long enough to draw blood. For this reason, needle <NUM> is typically formed of rigid metal that has an upward facing bevel. In blood collection set <NUM>, the length of tubing <NUM> can also be selected to provide optimal blood flow characteristics. In short, because blood collection set <NUM> is specifically designed for drawing blood, its characteristics can be tailored to fill a vacuum tube as quickly as possible while minimizing the risk of hemolysis or other blood cell damage.

Vacuum tubes are also commonly used to draw blood via a peripheral IV catheter (PIVC) such as PIVC <NUM> shown in <FIG>. PIVC <NUM> includes a catheter adapter <NUM> from which a catheter <NUM> extends and a needle adapter <NUM> from which a needle <NUM> extends. Needle <NUM> is used to insert catheter <NUM> into a patient's vasculature but is subsequently withdrawn such that only catheter <NUM> remains within the vasculature. PIVC <NUM> oftentimes includes tubing <NUM> with one or more adapters <NUM> which allow various devices, such as vacuum tube receiver <NUM>, to be connected to PIVC <NUM>.

Using a vacuum tube to draw blood from a PIVC creates various problems that do not exist when a dedicated blood collection set is used. For example, unlike the rigid metal needle <NUM> of blood collection set <NUM>, catheter <NUM> of PIVC <NUM> is typically formed of flexible plastic which increases the likelihood that the catheter opening, which faces distally, may be positioned against the vein wall thereby restricting blood flow. Also, because the diameter of catheter <NUM> must be large enough to accommodate needle <NUM>, catheter <NUM> will occlude a larger portion of the vein than needle <NUM>. Further, given that PIVC <NUM> is designed to be used with many different systems, it cannot be tailored to provide ideal blood flow characteristics to a vacuum tube. As a result, when a vacuum tube is connected, a significant pressure drop may occur within the vein which increases the likelihood of hemolysis or other blood cell damage and may even collapse the vein.

The present invention relates to a vacuum tube receiver having the features defined within the preamble of claim <NUM>. Such a vacuum tube receiver is described in <CIT>.

A vacuum tube receiver according to the invention is defined by the features of claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are defined within the dependent claims.

The present disclosure relates generally to vacuum tube receivers that can be used when drawing blood from a patient. More particularly, in some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to vacuum tube receivers that are adapted for use with peripheral IV catheters (PIVCs).

According to the present invention a vacuum tube receiver includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and forming a hollow interior. The proximal end forms a proximal opening for receiving a vacuum tube into the hollow interior. The distal end forms an adapter for coupling the vacuum tube receiver to an intravenous system. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a spike that extends proximally into the hollow interior. The a spike includes an opening and forms a blood flow path.

In some embodiments, the opening is an elongated opening having a constant width. In some embodiments, the opening is an elongated opening that includes a proximal portion having a distally increasing width and a distal portion. In some embodiments, the distal portion has a constant width. In some embodiments, the constant width of the distal portion matches a maximum width of the proximal portion.

In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver may include an insertion depth control component that includes a stop member. In some embodiments, the insertion depth control component is coupled to the housing and is configured to move between a withdrawn position and an inserted position. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the inserted position, the stop member limits insertion of a vacuum tube into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the inserted position, the stop member causes at least an initial length of the proximal portion to extend beyond the septum of the vacuum tube that is positioned against the stop member but prevents the distal portion from extending beyond the septum. In some embodiments, the inserted position is a first inserted position in which the stop member causes only the initial length of the proximal portion to extend beyond the septum. In some embodiments, the insertion depth control component is also configured to move between a second inserted position. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the second inserted position, the stop member causes an additional length of the proximal portion to extend beyond the septum of the vacuum tube that is positioned against the stop member but prevents the distal portion from extending beyond the septum.

In some embodiments, the spike further includes a second opening that is spaced distally from the opening. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes an insertion depth control component that includes a stop member. In some embodiments, the insertion depth control component is coupled to the housing and is configured to move between a withdrawn position and an inserted position. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the inserted position, the stop member limits insertion of a vacuum tube into the hollow interior so that only the opening of the spike extends beyond a septum of the vacuum tube. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the withdrawn position, the stop member does not limit insertion of the vacuum tube into the hollow interior so that both the opening and the second opening of the spike extend beyond the septum of the vacuum tube.

According to the present invention the vacuum tube receiver includes a flow control component having a shaft that inserts into a distal end of the spike and a head that is positioned overtop the distal end of the spike, the head forming channels through which blood flows to enter the spike. In some embodiments, the head is formed of a flexible material to thereby enable the head to flex in a proximal direction overtop the distal end of the spike when the spike pierces a vacuum tube. In some embodiments, as the head flexes in the proximal direction, an effective size of the channels is reduced to thereby limit the flow of blood into the spike.

In some embodiments, the spike forms a primary blood flow path. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a secondary blood flow path. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver also includes a stopper that is configured to move from an initial position in which the stopper blocks the secondary blood flow path to a subsequent position in which the stopper does not block the secondary blood flow path. In some embodiments, the primary blood flow path is configured to cause the stopper to move from the initial position to the subsequent position. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a second spike that forms the secondary blood flow path.

In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a vacuum tube having a septum forming a vacuum seal at a distal end of the vacuum tube and one or more additional septums that are proximally spaced from the septum. In some embodiments, each additional septum forms a vacuum seal within the vacuum tube. In some embodiments, a length of the spike is sufficient to pass through the septum and each of the one or more additional septums when the vacuum tube is inserted into the hollow interior of the housing.

In some embodiments, the spike extends proximally a first distance into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a second spike that extends proximally a second distance into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the first distance is greater than the second distance. In some embodiments, the second spike also forms a blood flow path.

In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a first spike that extends proximally into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the first spike forms a first blood flow path. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a second spike that extends proximally into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the second spike forms a second blood flow path.

In some embodiments, the first spike extends proximally a first distance into the hollow interior and the second spike extends proximally a second distance into the hollow interior. In some embodiments, the first distance is greater than the second distance. In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes a stopper that is configured to move from an initial position in which the stopper blocks the second blood flow path to a subsequent position in which the stopper does not block the second blood flow path. In some embodiments, the first spike includes an opening that causes vacuum pressure within the first blood flow path to pull the stopper from the initial position to the subsequent position.

In some embodiments, the spike includes an elongated opening that extends along an outer surface of the spike. In some embodiments, the elongated opening has a proximal portion and a distal portion.

In some embodiments, the vacuum tube receiver includes an insertion depth control component that includes a stop member. In some embodiments, the insertion depth control component is coupled to the housing and is configured to move between a withdrawn position and an inserted position. In some embodiments, when the insertion depth control component is in the inserted position, the stop member limits insertion of a vacuum tube into the hollow interior so that the distal portion of the slotted opening does not extend beyond a septum of the vacuum tube.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. It should be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the drawings. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

As used in the present disclosure, the term "distal" refers to a portion of a needle or a catheter assembly or component thereof that is farther from a user, and the term "proximal" refers to a portion of a needle or a catheter assembly or component thereof that is closer to the user. As used in the present disclosure, the term "user" may refer to a clinician, doctor, nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel.

<FIG> illustrates a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> provide an example of how vacuum tube receiver <NUM> can be used. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> having a hollow interior 401a and a proximal opening <NUM> through which a vacuum tube, such as vacuum tube <NUM>, may be inserted. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> also includes an adapter <NUM> by which vacuum tube receiver <NUM> may be connected to a PIVC, such as PIVC <NUM>, or to another IV system. Although adapter <NUM> is depicted as a Luer Lock adapter, any other type of adapter could be used on vacuum tube receiver <NUM>. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> further includes a spike <NUM> that may typically be surrounded by shield <NUM>.

To enable the user to control the flowrate and/or pressure when collecting blood, spike <NUM> has an elongated opening <NUM> (which may be in the form of a slot through the outer surface of spike <NUM>). More particularly, elongated opening <NUM> includes a proximal portion 411a that is positioned towards a proximal tip 410a of spike <NUM> and a distal portion 411b that extends distally along the length of spike <NUM>. In some embodiments, both proximal portion 411a and distal portion 411b may have the same, constant width. In other embodiments, such as is shown in <FIG>, proximal portion 411a can have a distally increasing width while distal portion 411b may have a constant width which matches the maximum width of proximal portion 411a. In other words, the width of elongated opening <NUM> is initially very small but gradually increases along proximal portion 411a until reaching and maintaining its maximum width along distal portion 411b. In some embodiments, however, the width of elongated opening <NUM> may also increase along distal portion 411b. Accordingly, at least a portion of elongated opening <NUM> may be configured with a distally increasing width.

<FIG> illustrate how elongated opening <NUM> enables the user to control the flowrate of blood into and/or the pressure downstream of vacuum tube <NUM> during a blood draw. In <FIG>, the user has inserted vacuum tube <NUM> into vacuum tube receiver <NUM> to cause spike <NUM> to pierce through shield <NUM> and septum <NUM>. As shown, at this minimum insertion level, vacuum tube <NUM> is only inserted far enough to cause the initial length of proximal portion 411a to extend beyond septum <NUM>. Accordingly, the effective hydraulic diameter will be small to thereby minimize the surge of blood flow into vacuum tube <NUM> and/or prevent a sharp pressure drop within the patient's vasculature. This effective hydraulic diameter can be minimized by configuring proximal portion 411a with a distally increasing width, but a small initial effective hydraulic diameter will still exist when proximal portion 411a is configured with a constant width.

<FIG> shows that the user has inserted vacuum tube <NUM> such that all of proximal portion 411a is positioned beyond septum <NUM> but distal portion 111b is still blocked by septum <NUM>. At this intermediate insertion level, the effective hydraulic diameter will be increased due to the depth of insertion of elongated opening <NUM> alone. Additionally, by configuring proximal portion 411a with a distally increasing width, the increase in the effective hydraulic diameter will be more gradual. <FIG> shows that the user has inserted vacuum tube <NUM> such that a majority (or all) of distal portion 111b extends beyond septum <NUM>. At this maximum insertion level, the effective hydraulic diameter will be maximized.

<FIG> may represent different positions to which vacuum tubes may be inserted when drawing blood from a particular type of IV system. For example, a user could insert vacuum tube <NUM> only to the position shown in <FIG> or to the position shown in <FIG> when drawing blood from a PIVC but could insert vacuum tube <NUM> to the position shown in <FIG> when drawing blood from a dedicated blood collection set. Additionally or alternatively, <FIG> could represent a sequence of positions during a single blood draw. For example, when drawing blood through a PIVC, a user could intentionally insert vacuum tube <NUM> gradually from the position shown in <FIG> to the position shown in <FIG> to thereby cause a gradual increase in flowrate and a corresponding gradual decrease in the pressure differential between vacuum tube <NUM> and the patient's vasculature when drawing blood from a PIVC. Similarly, when drawing blood through a dedicated blood collection set, a user could intentionally insert vacuum tube <NUM> gradually from the position shown in <FIG> to the position shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> can be similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> with the addition of an insertion depth control component <NUM>. Insertion depth control component <NUM> can include a stop member <NUM> and an actuating member <NUM>. Stop member <NUM> can be positioned adjacent to a distal wall 401b of housing <NUM> and can be configured to slide or otherwise move into hollow interior 401a of housing <NUM> when insertion depth control component <NUM> is in an inserted position. In contrast, stop member <NUM> can be withdrawn from hollow interior 401a when insertion depth control component <NUM> is in a withdrawn position. Actuating member <NUM> can be positioned outside housing <NUM> (or at least accessible from outside housing <NUM>) to allow the user to selectively position insertion depth control component <NUM> in the withdrawn and inserted positions.

<FIG> illustrate vacuum tube receiver <NUM> when insertion depth control component <NUM> is in the withdrawn position. As shown, actuating member <NUM> is spaced from housing <NUM> such that stop member <NUM> is withdrawn from hollow interior 401a. As shown in <FIG>, since stop member <NUM> is not positioned within hollow interior 401a, vacuum tube <NUM> can be inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM> until it contacts distal wall 401b. In embodiments where vacuum tube receiver <NUM> includes spike <NUM>, <FIG> can correspond with <FIG>. Accordingly, when vacuum tube receiver <NUM> will be used to draw blood from a dedicated blood collection set, insertion depth control component <NUM> can be in the withdrawn position to allow vacuum tube <NUM> to be inserted to the maximum level.

In contrast, <FIG> illustrate vacuum tube receiver <NUM> when insertion depth control component <NUM> is in the inserted position. As shown, actuating member <NUM> is positioned against (or closer to) housing <NUM> such that stop member <NUM> is inserted into hollow interior 401a. As shown in <FIG>, cap <NUM> of vacuum tube <NUM> will contact stop member <NUM> to thereby limit how far vacuum tube <NUM> may be inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM>. In embodiments where vacuum tube receiver <NUM> includes spike <NUM>, <FIG> may correspond with <FIG> or with <FIG>. Accordingly, when vacuum tube receiver <NUM> will be used to draw blood from a PIVC, insertion depth control component <NUM> can be in the inserted position to prevent vacuum tube <NUM> from being inserted beyond the minimum level or intermediate level.

In some embodiments, insertion depth control component <NUM> can be configured to limit insertion of vacuum tube <NUM> to other depths. For example, stop member <NUM> could include multiple surfaces which correspond with the insertion levels shown in <FIG>. As one example only, a first surface of stop member <NUM> could allow insertion to the intermediate level shown in <FIG> when actuating member <NUM> is in a first position and a second surface of stop member <NUM> could allow insertion to the minimum level shown in <FIG> when actuating member <NUM> is in a second position. In such embodiments, a user could actuate insertion depth control component <NUM> to a particular level based on the characteristics of the PIVC or other IV system. For example, due to the PIVC gauge, length, position, etc., it may be optimal to insert vacuum tube <NUM> to the intermediate level shown in <FIG> rather than to the minimum level shown in <FIG>.

In some embodiments, the user may adjust insertion depth control component <NUM> during a blood draw. For example, when using a PIVC, the user may initially place insertion depth control component <NUM> in the inserted position to prevent vacuum tube <NUM> from being inserted beyond the minimum level. Then, once blood flow has commenced and the pressure differential has been reduced to a suitable level, the user could transition insertion depth control component <NUM> to an intermediate position or to the withdrawn position to enable vacuum tube <NUM> to be inserted farther which in turn will increase the blood flowrate to minimize the collection time.

<FIG> illustrate a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> but employs spike <NUM>. Spike <NUM> includes a proximal opening <NUM> positioned at the proximal end of spike <NUM> and a distal opening <NUM> that is spaced from proximal opening <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, vacuum tube <NUM> can be inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM> to a minimum level which will cause proximal opening <NUM> but not distal opening <NUM> to be positioned beyond septum <NUM>. In contrast, <FIG> shows that vacuum tube <NUM> has been inserted to a maximum level which causes both proximal opening <NUM> and distal opening <NUM> to be positioned beyond septum <NUM>.

When vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is used to draw blood through a PIVC, vacuum tube <NUM> can be inserted to the minimum level shown in <FIG> to minimize flowrate and prevent a sharp pressure drop in the patient's vasculature. In some embodiments, vacuum tube receiver <NUM> may also include insertion depth control component <NUM> to enable the user to prevent vacuum tube <NUM> from being inserted beyond this minimum level. Similarly, when vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is used to draw blood through a dedicated blood collection set, vacuum tube <NUM> can be inserted to the maximum level shown in <FIG>. Also, in some embodiments, when vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is used to draw blood through a PIVC, the user may initially insert vacuum tube <NUM> to the minimum level and then, after the pressure differential has been reduced, insert vacuum tube <NUM> to the maximum level to increase the flowrate and reduce the collection time.

<FIG> illustrates a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> but employs two spikes 710a, 710b. As shown, spike 710a extends proximally farther than spike 710b. As a result, when vacuum tube <NUM> is inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM>, spike 710a will first pierce through septum <NUM> thereby allowing blood to initially flow only through spike 710a. Then, when vacuum tube <NUM> is further inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM>, spike 710b will pierce through septum <NUM> thereby allowing blood to flow through both spike 710a and spike 710b. In some embodiments, the gauge of spike 710a may be larger than the gauge of spike 710b so that the initial flowrate of blood is minimized. Alternatively, an opening or inside diameter of spike 710a may be smaller than that of spike 710b to minimize the initial flowrate. In any case, the use of spikes 710a and 710b ensures that the initial flowrate and pressure drop can be controlled while retaining the ability to subsequently obtain a higher flowrate. In some embodiments, vacuum tube receiver <NUM> may include insertion depth control component <NUM> which can be used to prevent spike 710b from passing beyond septum <NUM> when vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is used to draw blood through a PIVC.

<FIG> illustrates a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> and a corresponding vacuum tube <NUM> that are configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> but includes a longer spike <NUM>. Vacuum tube <NUM> includes septum <NUM>, which can be similar to septum <NUM>, but also includes additional septums 852a-852c which are spaced within vacuum tube <NUM> to create multiple vacuum pockets 853a-853d. As vacuum tube <NUM> is inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM>, spike <NUM> will initially pierce septum <NUM> thereby causing blood to flow into vacuum pocket 853a. Given the smaller volume of vacuum pocket 853a relative to the overall volume of vacuum tube <NUM>, a smaller pressure drop will occur once spike <NUM> passes through septum <NUM> than would otherwise occur if vacuum tube <NUM> only included septum <NUM>. As vacuum tube <NUM> is further inserted, spike <NUM> will sequentially pierce septums 852a and 852b. Due again to the smaller volumes of vacuum pockets 853b and 853c, a smaller pressure drop will again occur. Finally, spike <NUM> will pass through septum 852c causing blood to flow into vacuum pocket 853d. Although vacuum pocket 853d has a larger volume than the other vacuum pockets, a sharp drop in pressure will not occur since the pressure differential will have been gradually reduced as spike <NUM> passed through vacuum pockets 853a-853c. Although vacuum tube <NUM> is shown having three additional septums, in some embodiments, vacuum tube <NUM> could have one additional septum, two additional septums or more than three additional septums.

<FIG> illustrates a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> but employs a stopper <NUM> to provide a secondary flow path after blood has started flowing through the primary flow path. As shown, vacuum tube receiver <NUM> includes a first spike 910a which defines the primary flow path and a second spike 910b which defines the secondary flow path. Stopper <NUM> is contained within a channel <NUM> and is initially positioned within the secondary flow path so that no blood will initially flow through spike 910b. Channel <NUM> is connected to the primary flow path via an opening 912a in spike 910a.

As represented in <FIG>, when vacuum tube <NUM> is inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM>, spikes 910a and 910b will pierce septum <NUM> thereby causing blood to flow into vacuum tube <NUM>. With stopper <NUM> in the initial position, the flow of blood will be limited to the primary flow path through spike 910a. However, due to the vacuum within vacuum tube <NUM>, stopper <NUM> will be pulled towards opening 912a and will eventually reach the position shown in <FIG> thereby opening the secondary flow path through spike 910b. Stopper <NUM> and/or channel <NUM> can be configured to hinder stopper <NUM>'s movement towards opening 912a so that the secondary flow path is not immediately opened when septum <NUM> is pierced. This can minimize the pressure drop that would otherwise occur if both flow paths were immediately opened. In some embodiments, this secondary flow path can be established using only spike 910a. Such embodiments would be substantially the same as shown in <FIG> except that the secondary flow path would connect back to spike 910a rather than forming the separate spike 910b.

<FIG> illustrates a vacuum tube receiver <NUM> that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Vacuum tube receiver <NUM> is similar to vacuum tube receiver <NUM> but employs a flow control component <NUM> that inserts into the distal end of needle <NUM>. Flow control component <NUM> functions to minimize the pressure drop and flowrate that initially occurs when vacuum tube <NUM> is inserted into vacuum tube receiver <NUM> while also allowing the flowrate to increase to thereby minimize the collection time.

<FIG> provides a detailed view of flow control component <NUM>. As shown, flow control component <NUM> includes a shaft <NUM> that inserts into the distal end of needle <NUM> so that head <NUM> is positioned overtop the distal opening of needle <NUM>. Head <NUM> has a mushroom shape with a proximal-facing surface 1022a that is concave and a distal-facing surface 1022b that is convex. The edge of head <NUM> includes alternating extensions <NUM> and channels <NUM>. Extensions <NUM> can be positioned against an internal wall surrounding spike <NUM> such that blood flows through channels <NUM> to enter spike <NUM>.

When spike <NUM> is initially inserted into vacuum tube <NUM>, the vacuum will pull flow control component <NUM> in a proximal direction. Due to its mushroom shape, head <NUM> will flex proximally which reduces the effective size of channels <NUM> to thereby limit the flowrate of blood and minimizing the pressure drop that will occur in the patient's vasculature. As the pressure differential gradually reduces, the vacuum force on flow control component <NUM> will likewise reduce. This reduction in the vacuum force will allow head <NUM> to return towards its normal shape which increases the effective size of channels <NUM> thereby increasing the flowrate of blood. Accordingly, flow control component <NUM> minimizes the initial pressure drop without sacrificing subsequent flowrate.

Claim 1:
A vacuum tube receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a proximal end and a distal end and forming a hollow interior (401a), the proximal end forming a proximal opening (<NUM>) for receiving a vacuum tube (<NUM>, <NUM>) into the hollow interior (401a), the distal end forming an adapter (<NUM>) for coupling the vacuum tube receiver (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to an intravenous system;
a spike (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, 710a, 710b, <NUM>, 910a, 910b, <NUM>) that extends proximally into the hollow interior (401a), the spike including an opening (<NUM>, <NUM>) and forming a blood flow path; and
characterized by the vacuum tube receiver comprising:
a flow control component (<NUM>) having a shaft (<NUM>) that inserts into a distal end of the spike and a head (<NUM>) that is positioned overtop the distal end of the spike, the head (<NUM>) forming channels (<NUM>) through which blood flows to enter the spike.