GB2263871A

GB2263871A - Hypodermic syringe with eccentrically positioned retractable nozzle

Info

Publication number: GB2263871A
Application number: GB9201950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Melville Davies
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-01-30
Filing date: 1992-01-30
Publication date: 1993-08-11
Also published as: GB9201950D0

Abstract

A hypodermic syringe incorporates within its barrel a moveable nozzle unit 10 which at its needle end comprises an eccentrically positioned nozzle capable of being releasably held in a position for use or for interchangeability of needles by a collar 12, seated in an orifice 18 in end plate 15 of the syringe barrel. The syringe operates conventionally by action of the syringe plunger 1 within the syringe barrel. After use, the spigot end 4 of the plunger is releasably connected to the nozzle unit. A twisting action of the plunger causes the attached nozzle unit to revolve correspondingly within the barrel so that its nozzle unit 11 together with its attached needle moves from portion 16 to be relocated centrally within a larger orifice 17 in the end plate of the barrel. Withdrawal of the plunger within the barrel causes its connected needle/nozzle portion be likewise withdrawn into a relatively safe position within the barrel for subsequent disposal. <IMAGE>

Description

HYPODERMIC SYRINGE ASSEMBLY This invention relates to clinical apparatus and, more particularly, hypodermic syringe assemblies, in which a passageway is provided for transfer of fluids to and from a patient and which is applied by way of a skin puncture effected by the needle of the assembly to connect the passageway with the patient.

There is growing international concern over the risk of cross-infection from patient to medical staff (and vicUversa) by way of needle-stick injuries which occur in the handling of assemblies following use. This invention addresses this concern and seeks to reduce the risk by the provision of an assembly in which the needle, following use, can be retracted to a relatively safe position within theempty syringe barrel thus permitting subsequent disposal. To this end, the present invention provides a hypodermic syringe assembly comprising: an eccentrically positioned hypodermic needle which maybe interchanged during use of the assembly; a releasably held tapered nozzle to support such needle in the use position: a means to release such nozzle after use and a means to retract such nozzle/needle into the syringe barrel for safe disposal.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in cross-section the plunger of the syringe with its spigot end; the syringe barrel; the nozzle unit located in its use position at the needle one end of the syringe and the assembly by which the nozzle unit is, in one form, attached to the plunger spigot.

Figure 2 illustrates a plan view of the end plate of the syringe barrel. Referring to the drawings, the device comprises a plunger 1 which is activated conventionally by pressure or withdrawal at portion 2. The spigot end of the plunger comprises a polymeric seal 5 located or integrally moulded over a collar 6 such seal being so dimensioned as to form an intimate contact with the inside wall of barrel 3. The plunger spigot end terminates in one form according to this invention in lug i dimensioned so as to releasably fit by twisting action into a slot 8 of nozzle unit 10 thus. permitting retraction of the nozzle unit at any desired stage of apparatus operation by withdrawal of plunger. However, other arrangements for attaching the plunger to the nozzle unit can be used.

Nozzle unit 10 is preferably a one piece construction typically moulded in a polymeric material, which comprises at its needle one end a conventionally dimensioned, tapered nozzle 13 to which may be affixed for use or demounting the standard range of hypodermic needles. The nozzle is releasably held in its use position by a collar 12 seated at orifice 16 of the end plate 15 of the syringe barrel. Collar 11 of the nozzle unit has affixed or integrally moulded to it a polymeric seal 9 located hard against the inside wall of end plate 15 thus precluding leakage of fluid through orifices 16 and 17. The slot housing 8 of the nozzle unit is so dimensioned as to releasably fit spigot lug 7 and connect releasably with it by a twisting action of plunger 1. With the plunger unit disconnected from the nozzle unit, movement of the plunger through the barrel, as with a conventional syringe, causes passage of fluid to and from the barrel via the needle and nozzle.

After use, spigot lug 7 is located in slot 8 and releasably secured to it by a twisting movement as described. Further twisting of the plunger in the same plane causes nozzle 13 to disengage from orifice 16 and relocate centrally within orifice 17, the amount of such twisting being controlled by stop 14.

Withdrawal of plunger 1 and its attached needle/nozzle unit along the barrel results in the hypodermic needle being withdrawn via orifice 17 to a relatively safe position within the barrel. The disconnection of the plunger from the nozzle unit by a contra-twisting action leaves the needle within the barrel ready for disposal.

Claims

1. A hypodermic syringe apparatus comprising an eccentrically located releasable tapered nozzle for affixing to a hypodermic needle, means of holding such assembly in a use position, means to release such assembly by independent means and means to retract such assembly after use.

2. A releasable nozzle unit according to Claim 1 which provides means to support a hypodermic needle in an eccentric use position.

3. A means operable independently to release and reposition such nozzle unit from its use position as claimed in Claim 1 and 2.

4. An assembly according to Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein such nozzle unit terminates remotely from its needle one end portion in a connector formation which releasably connects the syringe plunger with said nozzle unit.

5. A hypodermic syringe apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.