FR2918895A3 - NEEDLE SECURITY DEVICE FOR AN INTRAVENOUS CATHETER APPARATUS - Google Patents

Abstract

A needle safety device (40) for an intravenous catheter apparatus (10) which includes a base (42) for receiving a needle (20) between two opposing jaws (18) attached to the base (42) and capable of being influenced by the needle (20). The jaws (48) move from an open position in which they interact with an obstruction (34) within a fin housing (14) of the intravenous catheter apparatus (10). The jaws (48) allow relative movement of the needle (20) relative to the base (42) when open, close around a needle tip (22) as it passes the jaws (48), and prevent relative movement of the needle (20) relative to the base (42) when the jaws (48) are closed. The needle (20) of the intravenous catheter apparatus (10) can then be safely discarded with the tip of the needle within the needle guard (40).

Description

NEEDLE SECURITY DEVICE FOR A CATHETER APPARATUS

INTRAVENOUS

  The present invention relates to protection for the tip of a needle of an intravenous (IV) catheter. In particular, the invention relates to a needle safety device that automatically covers the needle during removal of the needle from the patient to prevent accidental contact with medical personnel.

  Medical staff face many occupational risks when administering patient care. A major risk is accidental needle sticking after removal from an intravenous catheter. The accidental puncture of the skin of medical personnel by the needle is particularly dangerous because the tip of the needle easily penetrates latex gloves used by medical personnel. An accidental sting is of particular concern in this age of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis or AIDS. Needle point guards have been previously fabricated, recognizing the need to cover the tip of the needle when removed from the catheter. The prior art provides that needle tip protection is placed on the needle after it has been removed from the catheter; however, the prior art is difficult to assemble, uses a bulky conical fin housing which must be wider than necessary, uses complicated structures and has other disadvantages. These disadvantages will become apparent upon examination of U.S. Patent No. 5,135,504 to McLees and U.S. Patent No. 6,117,108 to Woehr.

  A main object of the invention is therefore to provide a new needle safety device in which the disadvantages of the prior art are overcome. Another object of the present invention is to provide an intravenous catheter apparatus in which a cylindrical non-conical fin housing is used, which reduces the overall size of the intravenous catheter apparatus. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a needle safety device which has a simplified shape and whose production and use are therefore less expensive.

  Therefore, the foregoing objectives, other objects, as well as many advantages of the present invention, are set forth in the following description. The needle safety device of the invention comprises a base capable of receiving a needle and two opposed jaws attached to the base capable of being influenced by the needle. The two opposing jaws together form an inverted clamp mechanism. The jaws can move from an open position with the larger outer diameter of the larger jaws when the needle is between the jaws at a closed position when the needle is not between the jaws. The jaws of the needle safety device allow relative movement of the needle relative to the base when the jaws are open. The jaws close around the tip of the needle as the needle slides into the space between the jaws. The jaws prevent relative movement of the needle relative to the base when the jaws are closed. The needle safety device can be used with an intravenous catheter apparatus that has a flexible catheter attached to a fin housing. The intravenous catheter has an internal obstruction within the fin housing. A needle having a needle tip is provided within a flexible catheter in the fin housing. The jaws on the needle safety device as specified above may move from an open position in which the jaws are displaced outwardly by the needle and can not move past the internal obstruction and a closed position in which the jaws close around the tip of a needle, thereby allowing the needle safety device to move past the obstruction while enclosing the tip of the needle. According to another feature of the present invention, the needle safety device has a ramp portion adapted to allow movement of the needle safety device past an obstruction in the intravenous catheter apparatus when in use. in the open position for assembly.

  The obstruction is more typically an annular ring within the finned housing. According to another feature of the present invention, the jaws have a side perpendicular to the cylindrical side of the fin housing which prevents movement beyond an obstruction of the intravenous catheter apparatus while the needle safety device is located. in an open position. According to another characteristic of the present invention, the jaws are connected to each other by at least one link at a distance from the base. The at least one link prevents the two jaws from getting too far apart, which could result in permanent damage to the needle safety device. The link can be provided on one side of the jaws. Alternatively, first and second links may be provided on opposite sides of the jaws. Preferably, the at least one link is formed to have spring-like properties such that the jaws can be spread against a link restoring force. The link is designed so that it retains spring-like properties during its lifetime. For example, the link may have a curved shape, such as a S or Z shape. Alternatively, the link may have a substantially straight shape. To enable simplified and cost-effective production of the needle safety device, the base, the jaws, and preferably also the at least one link can be formed in one piece and preferably formed of a plastics material, for example by molding by injection. Alternatively, the base, the jaws, and preferably also the at least one link may be formed of a metallic material. According to another characteristic of the present invention, the needle safety device can receive 14 to 18 gauge needles.

  According to another feature of the present invention, the needle safety device can accommodate 18 to 24 gauge needles. According to another feature of the present invention, the intravenous catheter apparatus has a cylindrical fin housing. The needle safety device adapts effectively within the cylindrical fin housing.

  According to another feature of the present invention, the needle safety device is held in place within a chamber of the needle hub. 4

  According to yet another feature of the present invention, the needle safety device is positioned with the needle safety device abutting against a catheter base. The preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following description and in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a top view of an intravenous catheter apparatus. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 taken along the line 2-2. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of section 3 of Figure 2.

  Figure 3A is an alternative embodiment of the needle safety device of Figure 3. Figure 4 is a top view of the intravenous catheter apparatus with the needle partially withdrawn from the catheter and the fin housing. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of Fig. 4 taken along the line 5-5. Figure 6 is a top view of the intravenous catheter apparatus with the needle withdrawn from the catheter and the needle withdrawn from between the jaws of the needle safety device. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of section 8 of Fig. 7. Fig. 8A is an alternative embodiment of Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the needle safety device having an enlarged needle and a tension ring with the jaws in which the needle is secured. an open position. Fig. 10 shows the needle safety device of Fig. 9 with the jaws in a closed position. Figure 11 is a top view of the intravenous catheter apparatus with the needle withdrawn from the catheter and the fin housing. Fig. 12 is a side section taken along the line 9-9 of Fig. 10.

  Fig. 13 is the needle safety device of Fig. 8 with a link connecting the jaws. Fig. 13A is the needle safety device of Fig. 8A with a link connecting the jaws. Referring to Fig. 1, an intravenous (IV) catheter apparatus 10 of the present invention is shown. The IV catheter apparatus is viewed as a finished product prior to use and comprises a needle shield cap 12, a fin housing 14, an orifice cap 16 unitarily assembled with the fin housing 14, and a needle base 18 attached to the wing housing 14.

  As can be seen in the section shown in FIG. 2, a needle 20 extends from the needle hub 18 into the fin housing and terminates in a needle tip 22 under the protective cap of the needle. Needle 12. The needle 20 is hollow and the needle tip 22 is typically cut diagonally. When the needle tip 22 is inserted into a patient, the needle can encounter a fluid pressure that moves in the needle tip 22, into the needle 20 and enters a return chamber 24. Around the There is a catheter 26 which is attached to the vane housing 14 by a catheter base 28. The catheter 26 is a flexible tube which will remain inside the user for supplying fluids, nutrition, or drugs. Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the needle safety device 40 of Fig. 2. The needle hub 18 has a stop chamber 30 which is used to hold the needle safety device 40 in place therein. The fin housing 14 has a finned housing chamber 32 in which the needle safety device is placed. Inside the finned housing chamber 32 is an obstruction 34 which interacts with the needle safety device 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the obstruction 34 is an annular ring. The catheter base extends into the fin housing and abuts against the needle safety device 40. As illustrated, the needle safety device 40 is securely held in place within the chamber. 30 and the catheter base 28. 6

  The needle safety device 40 has a base 42 within which there is a needle passage 44. The needle safety device 40 also has an inverted clamp 46 which is used for opening to abut against obstruction 34 and for contraction to avoid obstruction 34.

  The inverted forceps has two jaws 48 that can move from an open position to the larger outer diameter of the larger jaws when the needle 20 is between the jaws 48. The jaws move from the open position to the closed position when the needle 20 is no longer between the jaws 48. The jaws 48 interact with the obstruction 34 to allow the relative movement of the needle 20 relative to the base 42 of the needle safety device 40. The jaws 48 allow this relative movement when in the open position, as observed in the progressive movement between Figures 2, 5, 7, and 10. As the needle 20 passes past the jaws 48, the jaws close around the needle tip 22 preventing accidental contact of the needle tip 22 by medical personnel. The jaws 48, when closed around the tip of the needle, prevent the relative movement of the needle 20 relative to the base 42 of the needle safety device 40 because the jaws 48 slip beyond the obstruction 34 without the obstruction 34 pulling on the needle safety device 40. It is necessary that the needle safety device 40 be held in place by the obstruction so that the needle 20 moves relative to the needle safety device 40. The needle passage 44 of the needle safety device 40 has a coefficient of friction which clamps the needle 20 when the needle safety device 40 is not held in place by As can be seen enlarged in FIGS. 3, 3A, 8, and 8A, the jaws 48 have a ramp 50. During assembly, the needle safety device 40 is typically placed on the needle 20 on the end fixed to the needle base 18 and then the end fixed in the needle base 18. The needle safety device 40 is thus open before being placed inside the housing 14. While the needle is placed in the catheter, the needle safety device 40 is inserted into the fin housing and meets the obstruction 34.

  Ramp 50 progresses gradually in obstruction 34 and then fits into the obstruction to provide a positive feel to the assembler. A side 52 opposite to the ramp 50 prevents a return of the needle safety device 40 once it is in place after the obstruction 34.

  The jaws 48 are connected to each other by at least one link 49 (FIGS. 13 and 13A) in a region between the base 42 and the ramp 50. The link can be provided on only one side of the jaws 48. first and second links may be provided on opposite sides of the jaws 48. The at least one link is formed to have spring-like properties such that the jaws 48 can be spread against a link restoring force. For example, the link may have a curved shape, such as a S or Z shape. Alternatively, the link may have a substantially straight shape. The base 42, the jaws 48, and preferably also at least one link can be formed in one piece and preferably formed of a plastics material, for example, by injection molding. Alternatively, the base 42, the jaws 48, and preferably also the at least one link may be formed from a metallic material. An inverse taper 54 is provided on the jaws 48. This reverse taper 54 engages the needle tip 22 preventing the needle tip 22 from moving past the reverse taper 54. As can be seen by comparing 3 and 3A, the reverse taper 54 may be on one or both of the jaws 48. As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, the needle safety device 40 may utilize an enlarged needle 23 and a tension ring 53 to keep the needle safety device 40 in protective communication with the needle tip 22. The needle 20 has an enlargement positioned near its tip 22 so that its effective diameter increases at this point. particular point. The enlargement 23 is created in the assembly after the needle safety device 40 has been placed on the needle 20 which is attached to the needle hub 18. The widening 23 ensures that the safety device for Needle 40 will not be removed after the trapping of the needle tip 22 in the needle safety device 40. In addition, a tension ring 53 is provided on the jaws which will make the closure of the jaws effective once the tip needle 22 has passed the front of the jaws 48 after removal of the needle 20 from the catheter 26 after use. In use, medical personnel receive the intravenous (IV) catheter apparatus with a needle shield cap 12 as may be seen in Figures 1 and 2, the needle 20 and the catheter 26 are inserted into the vein of a patient. As seen in Figures 4 and 5, the needle is then removed from the patient by grasping the fin housing 14 and pulling on the needle hub 18. The needle 20 slides into the catheter 26 and the needle safety device 40. The needle tip 22 passes the jaws 48 allowing the jaws to close in their natural position. Alternatively, the tension ring 53 on the jaws 48 makes the closing of the jaws 48 effective. In the natural position of the jaws, they can pass the obstruction 34 in the fin housing 14. Alternatively, the needle safety device 40 as seen in Figures 8 and 8A can still slightly contact the obstruction 34; however, the jaws 48 formed of a flexible material and further constrained by the metal syringe 22 may bend slightly to pass the obstruction 34. In this scenario, the needle passage 44 of the base 42 sufficiently grips the needle 20 so that the jaws 48 pass the obstruction 34. In a variant, the widening 23 as in FIG. 9 does not pass inside the needle passage 44 allowing the jaws 48 to pass the obstruction 34. As this can be observed In Figures 9 and 10, the medical personnel then completely remove the needle safety device 40 after the fin housing 14 for disposal. The device protects the medical personnel from accidental puncture by the needle tip 22. The needle safety device 40 remains in its assembled position as seen in FIG. 1 without affecting the work and operation of the needle. IV catheter apparatus 10 by fitting a contoured rear portion of the base 42 within the stop chamber 30 of the needle hub. With the base portion 42 in the abutment chamber 30, the jaws are assured of always being on a plane parallel to the needle 20 so that the needle 20 can move 9

  correctly between the jaws 48 and ensure proper operation of the needle safety device 40. The needle tip 22 once inside the needle safety device 40 does not come out even when pressured against the medical personnel , a work surface, or another object. Once the needle safety device 40 is in place, the needle 20 is safe to be removed.

Claims (27)

  A needle safety device (40) for an intravenous catheter apparatus (10), the needle safety device (40) comprising: a base (42) for receiving a needle (20); two opposed jaws (48) attached to the base (42) and connected to each other by at least one link (49) away from the base (42), the jaws (48) being able to be influenced by the needle (20); the jaws (48) being able to move from an open position to the effective outer diameter of the larger jaws (48) when a needle (20) is between the jaws (48) to a closed position when the needle (20) is not between the jaws (48); the jaws (48) allowing relative movement of the needle (20) relative to the base (42) when open, closing around the needle tip (22), and preventing relative movement of the needle needle (20) relative to the base (42) when closed.   The needle safety device (40) of claim 1, wherein the link (49) is provided on only one side of the jaws (48).   The needle safety device (40) of claim 1, wherein the first and second links (49) are provided on opposite sides of the jaws (48).   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each of the links (49) is formed to have spring-like properties such that the jaws (48) can be discarded against a force of recall of the bond.   A needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each link (49) has a curved shape, for example, a S or Z shape, or a substantially straight shape. 30   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jaws (48) have a ramp portion (50) adapted to allow movement past an obstruction (34) of the intravenous catheter apparatus (10) when in the open position for assembly.   The needle safety device (40) of claim 6, wherein the or each link (49) is provided in a region between the base (42) and the ramp portion (50). 10   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jaws (48) have a side adapted to prevent movement beyond an obstruction (34) of the intravenous catheter when are in the open position. 15   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (42) is adapted to receive 14 to 18 gauge needles.   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base (42) is adapted to receive 18 to 24 gauge needles.   A needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jaws (48) have an inverse taper (54) adapted to create a barrier against the movement of a needle tip ( 22) once the jaws (48) are in the closed position.   The needle safety device (40) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the jaws (48) have a tension ring (53) positively closing the jaws (48).   An intravenous catheter apparatus (10) comprising: a flexible catheter (26) attached to a finned housing (14); an internal obstruction (34) within the fin housing (14); a needle (20) within the flexible catheter (26) and the fin housing (14); a needle safety device (40) having a base (42) and jaws (48) in which the needle (20) passes, wherein the jaws (48) are connected to each other by at least one a link (49) at a distance from the base (42), and wherein the jaws (48) of the needle safety device (40) can move from an open position in which the jaws (48) are moved to the outside by the needle (20) and can not move past the internal obstruction (34), to a closed position in which the jaws (48) are closed around a needle tip (22), which allows the needle safety device (40) to move past the obstruction (34) while enclosing the needle tip (22).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) of claim 13, wherein the link (49) is provided on only one side of the jaws (48).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) of claim 13, wherein the first and second links (49) are provided on opposite sides of the jaws (48).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the or each link (49) is formed to have spring-like properties such that the jaws (48) can be spread against a force of recall of the bond.   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the or each link (49) has a curved shape, for example, a S or Z shape, or a substantially straight form .   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the jaws (48) have a ramp portion (50) for moving the needle safety device (40) beyond obstruction (34) during assembly.   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the or each link (49) is provided in a region between the base (42) and the ramp portion (50).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein at least one jaw has a side which prevents movement of the needle safety device (40) beyond the obstruction ( 34) when the jaws (48) are open.   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein at least one jaw has an inverse taper (54) to create a barrier to prevent accidental movement of the needle tip ( 22) out of the needle safety device (40).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the jaws (48) have a tension ring (53) positively closing the jaws (48).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 22, further comprising a needle hub (18) attached to the needle (20), an abutment chamber (30) to the inside the base, the base (42) of the needle safety device (40) fitting inside the abutment chamber (30) to align the needle safety device (40) with the needle (20).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 23, further comprising a catheter base (28) within the fin housing (14), the jaws (48) of the needle securing device (40) abutting against the catheter base (28) for securing the needle guard (40) against movement within the finned housing (14).   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the obstruction (34) is an annular ring.   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 25, wherein the fin housing (14) has an approximately cylindrical tube in which the needle (20) and the needle safety device ( 40) move safely.   The intravenous catheter apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 13 to 26, wherein the needle (20) has an enlarged tip (23).