Blood collection needle assembly

1. A needle assembly comprising:

a housing including a base portion defining a cavity and an extension extending distally from the base portion, the extension including a transparent material and defining a lumen therethrough; and

a first cannula supported within the extension and extending distally from the extension, the first cannula having a piercing tip configured to pierce skin and enter a vessel,

wherein a distal end of the extension is configured for insertion into the vessel such that flashback entering the first cannula prior to venting the needle assembly can be visualized in the lumen of the extension immediately adjacent the skin.

2. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cavity of the base portion is configured to receive a vacuum tube.

3. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the extension is configured to magnify contents therein.

4. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , further including a elastomeric valve operably connected to the base portion and covering the second cannula.

5. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion is integrally formed with the extension.

6. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the extension is operably connected to the base portion.

7. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the transparent extension defines a single lumen.

8. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the lumen formed in the extension defines a substantially uniform diameter along the length thereof.

9. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the extension defines an elongated tubular body having a substantially uniform diameter along the length thereof.

10. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the extension defines a substantially tapered body, wherein a proximal end of the extension defines a larger diameter than a distal end thereof.

11. A needle assembly for permitting viewing of flashback, the needle assembly comprising:

an elongated body having proximal and distal ends and defining a first lumen therethrough, the body including a transparent material; and

a first cannula operably supported on the distal end of the elongated body and defining a second lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen, the first cannula having a piercing tip configured to pierce skin and enter a vein,

wherein the first cannula has a short preselected length and the distal end of the body is configured for insertion into the vein such that upon insertion into the vein, flashback can be visualized in the elongated body immediately adjacent the skin.

12. A needle assembly according to claim 11 , further including a second cannula operably supported near the proximal end of the elongated body and defining a third lumen in fluid communication with the first lumen.

13. A needle assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the first cannula is no longer than 2 cm.

14. A needle assembly according to claim 12 , wherein the first, second, and third lumens are of substantially equal diameter.

15. A needle assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the extension remains fixedly attached to the first cannula during use of the needle assembly.

16. A needle assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the elongated body remains stationary with respect to the first cannula during use of the needle assembly.

17. A needle assembly comprising:

a housing including a base portion defining a cavity and an extension extending distally from the base portion, the extension including a transparent material and defining a lumen therethrough, the extension having a piercing tip configured to pierce skin and enter a vessel,

wherein a distal end of the extension is configured for insertion into the vessel such that flashback entering the extension prior to venting the needle assembly can be visualized in the lumen of the extension immediately adjacent the skin.