Multi-purpose syringe

Multi-purpose syringe for extracting a specimen, storing and shipping same and adapted to be employed as a test vial for centrifugation, comprising in combination:

• a vial having a wall defining a tubular configuration and a forward and a rearward opening in communication with the interior of the vial;
• a nozzle enclosing the forward opening and providing a passageway therefrom adapted for receiving a hypodermic needle;
• a cap detachably mounted on said nozzle for sealingly covering said nozzle and the passageway thereof;
• an end closure detachably secured to the rearward end of the vial sealingly enclosing the rear opening, and connecting means on said closure extending forwardly into the vial radially spaced from said wall;
• and longitudinally extending piston means projecting a rod through said end closure into the vial and terminating therein with a piston head, said piston head including rearwardly extending connecting means radially spaced from the vial wall, with the connecting means of said end closure when said piston head is in a rearward position whereby unintentional axial movement of the piston head in a forward direction is generally precluded.