Combination stopper-shield closure

摘要

A combination stopper (12) and shield (11) closure for sealing the open end of an evacuated body fluid collection tube (1) to retain the vacuum therein. The stopper (12) and shield (11) are made by co-injection molding with the stopper (12) being retained within a central aperture (11a) in the shield (11) by means of an upper (13) and lower (14) flange or a plurality of plugs (7) extending from the stopper into the shield. The upper flange (13) has a convex surface for directing residue body fluid away from the center of the flange to reduce contamination, a gas-barrier (57) to increase the vacuum seal and prevent contamination, cam followers (16a) in the base of the shield (11) to interact with cams (5) on the surface of the tube to facilitate closure twist-off and flexible tabs (218) around the base of the shield (11) to prevent the tube/closure assembly from being pushed out of a needle holder during body fluid collection.