Patent ID: 7204828

Claim:
A needle structure having proximal and distal ends and comprising: a collection needle section at said proximal end; a skin plug retainer section at said distal end and integral with said collection needle section, wherein said collection needle section including a generally hollow tubular member having an external surface cylindrically truncated so as to form a leading tip segment, an inner lumen further comprising a skin plug retaining member within the inner lumen, the retaining member having at least one internally disposed annular ridge, and a port through said tubular member so as to enable fluid flow from about said tubular member to said inner lumen for collection therefrom, said skin plug retainer section including a hollow tubular piece having an external surface and an inner lumen; and said hollow tubular piece being beveled at its distal end and to a relatively sharp point; and a barrier wall disposed intermediate said collection needle section and said skin plug retainer section.