Patent ID: 8246552

Claim:
A closed specimen collection system, comprising: a collection tube, said collection tube having a proximal end and a distal end and having a blunt, shaped nozzle at said proximal end; said shaped nozzle being adapted to fit sealably into a port connected axially to a distal end of a centrally inserted venal catheter; a protective cover, said cover being attached to said collection tube adjacent said proximal end, said cover having a hollow interior and extending outwardly from a base of said shaped nozzle a first predetermined distance; said cover having an internal, female thread, said female thread mating to a male thread on said port; a specimen container, said container having a hollow body, a front a back end and a longitudinal axis; said front end having an aperture, said aperture being sized and shaped to attach to said distal end of said collection tube, an integral axially rotating lid, said lid rotating about said longitudinal axis and sealing said aperture after removal of said distal end of said collection tube; a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism controlling rotation of said lid; a piston, said piston fitting closely within said hollow body and being attached to an actuating rod; and whereby, when said port is connected to said collection tube, said collection tube is connected to said specimen container and said actuating rod is moved away from said front end of said container, blood will flow into said specimen container in a sterile condition.