GB2560508A

GB2560508A - A locking needle cover

Info

Publication number: GB2560508A
Application number: GB1703807.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Calvert Jack; Hutt Rosie
Original assignee: Owen Mumford Ltd
Current assignee: Owen Mumford Ltd
Priority date: 2017-03-09
Filing date: 2017-03-09
Publication date: 2018-09-19
Also published as: GB201703807D0

Abstract

A needle protection device comprises a hub 24 having a needle carrier 12 attached thereto, a needle shroud 30 and a sleeve 26 having one or more longitudinally extending bodies 26, 26'. The bodies 26, 26 being connected at their first end 26a to the needle shroud 30 by means of a first hinge 40, and at their second end 26b proximal to a first end 24a of the hub 24 by means of a second hinge 42. In use the sleeve 26 can be moved between a first position (RO, Fig 3), in which the sleeves mid portion 26e is radially outward of the hub 24 and the shroud 30 does not cover the end of the needle, and a second position, RI, in which the mid portion 26e is radially inward of the first position and the shroud 30 contains the end of the needle within an aperture 32 provided therein. A locking arrangement for locking the sleeve in the sheathed position is also taught and preferably comprises a pair of inter-engaging hooks (50, Fig 10). The hooks preferably prevent uncoupling once latched.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Owen Mumford Limited (56) Documents Cited:

GB 2301036 A US 6986759 B1 US 4950250 A

EP 0321903 A2 US 5957892 A US 20130030376 A1 (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

Brook Hill, Woodstock, OXFORD, Oxfordshire, 0X20 1TU, United Kingdom (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA61M Other: WPI, EPODOC (72) Inventor(s):

Jack Calvert Rosie Hutt (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

The IP Asset Partnership Limited

Prama House, 267 Banbury Road, Summertown,

OXFORD, Oxfordshire, OX2 7HT, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: A locking needle cover

Abstract Title: Locking needle cover constructed from a plurality of hinged segments (57) A needle protection device comprises a hub 24 having a needle carrier 12 attached thereto, a needle shroud 30 and a sleeve 26 having one or more longitudinally extending bodies 26, 26'. The bodies 26, 26’ being connected at their first end 26a to the needle shroud 30 by means of a first hinge 40, and at their second end 26b proximal to a first end 24a of the hub 24 by means of a second hinge 42. In use the sleeve 26 can be moved between a first position (RO, Fig 3), in which the sleeve’s mid portion 26e is radially outward of the hub 24 and the shroud 30 does not cover the end of the needle, and a second position, Rl, in which the mid portion 26e is radially inward of the first position and the shroud 30 contains the end of the needle within an aperture 32 provided therein. A locking arrangement for locking the sleeve in the ‘sheathed’ position is also taught and preferably comprises a pair of inter-engaging hooks (50, Fig 10). The hooks preferably prevent uncoupling once latched.

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A LOCKING NEEDLE COVER

Field of The Invention

The present invention relates to a needle shroud and relates more particularly to a lockable shroud such as may be used in relation to a needle assembly used in the delivery of fluids to a human or animal patient. Such needle assemblies are typically configured for attachment to an injection device, cartridge or syringe.

Background of The Invention

Injection devices, such as the Owen Mumford Autopen®, are commonly used by patients to 10 self-administer injections of medicament. Such devices are typically provided in a pen-like body which contains, defines or receives a cartridge or syringe of medicament. The injection device generally comprises a delivery mechanism which is arranged to dispense the medicament via a needle in response to a user pressing a button or trigger.

Many such injection devices are arranged to be either reusable i.e. the cartridge of 15 medicament can be replaced or to deliver a plurality of separate injections until the medicament within the device has been fully consumed. It is also common to arrange the device to receive a disposable, single-use, needle assembly. Such needle assemblies are generally referred to as “pen needles”.

Pen needles comprise a body or hub which is configured to be attached to the injection device 20 in use for example by means of a screw thread or other removable attachment arrangement and which supports the needle. Typically, the needle is a double ended needle having a forward end for use in penetrating a user’s skin and a rearward end which pierces a septum of a cartridge or syringe in the injection device when the pen needle is attached to the device.

It will be appreciated that such syringe/cartridge septa are self-sealing membranes which can 25 maintain the sealing and sterility of the syringe/cartridge over a number of uses. A primary container may also be provided which initially covers the needle to provide protection against needle stick injuries and to maintain sterility of the needle and the needle assembly may initially be sealed within the shroud by means of removable sterile packaging.

It is known to provide needle assemblies such as pen needles with a shroud which is arranged 30 to cover the needle after use and in some cases, also prior to use to reduce the risk of accidental needle-stick injuries after use or during disposal of the needle assembly. For example, one form of needle assembly may include a shroud which is arranged to telescope forwardly relative to the hub after use to cover the forward end of the needle. An alternative arrangement may include a simple shroud to be placed over the sharp end of the needle when not in use. Whilst such shrouds provide excellent protection for a patient from the sharp end of the needle it has been found that still further protection can be provided, particularly after supply of fluid to be delivered has been exhausted and the assembly must be disposed of.

Embodiments of the invention seek to provide improved needle assemblies which may improve on the above arrangements.

Summary of The Invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a needle protection device for protecting a needle having a first end and a second end and a mid portion comprising: a needle carrier, for carrying said needle, having a first end and as second end, an outer surface and a longitudinal axis X; a hub, having a first end, an outer surface and a second end for receiving the needle carrier and being fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the needle carrier; a needle shroud, having a first end a second end, inner aperture for receiving said needle and an outer surface connected to the first end of the sleeve and being movable therewith; a sleeve , having one or more longitudinally extending bodies each having a first end a second end and an inner surface and an outer surface and a mid portion and being connected at first ends to said needle shroud and being connected at said second end proximal to the first end of the hub; a first hinge at said first end of said sleeve and linking said needle shroud and said first end a second hinge towards said second end of said sleeve proximal said hub; wherein said sleeve having a radially outward position in which the mid portion is radially outward of said hub and needle shroud is in a first position located towards the mid portion of the needle and a radially inward position in which the mid portion is radially inward of position and wherein needle shroud is in a second position and said first end of said needle is contained wholly within the inner aperture of the needle shroud.

It will be appreciated that the first end of the needle may extend beyond the first end of the hub by an amount W and wherein said sleeve has a total axial length L when in said radially inward position SP greater than amount W, thereby to cause the needle shroud to extend over the first end of the needle when said needle shroud is in said radially inward position SP.

Advantageously, the arrangement is provided with a latch for securing said sleeve in said second position B. The latch may be provided such as to secure said pair of longitudinally extending bodies to each other when in said radially inward position B. When such an arrangement is provided, it may comprise first and second interlocking members, said first interlocking member being on said inner surface and said second interlocking member being on said inner surface.

Preferably, said latch comprises a one-way latch, thereby to prevent uncoupling of the latch once latched.

Ina preferred arrangement said latch is proximate the mid portion of the sleeve.

In a particular arrangement, said latch comprises a pair of inter-engaging hooks, each hook having a first outwardly extending portion a second laterally extending portion and a third returning portion and wherein said return portions each engage with each other when in said second, latched, position B.

Advantageously, the arrangement includes a digit engagement pad at the mid position of the outer surface of longitudinally extending bodies.

It will be appreciated that the sleeve may be secured to the hub in any one of a number of ways and may even be integrally formed therewith. When integrally formed therewith it may be expedient to include a hinge as the joining mechanism between the sleeve and the hub. is Such a hinge may be formed as a thinned section of plastics material said sleeve includes an extension portion extending from said second end of the or each sleeve and including a securing mechanism for securing said extension portion to said outer surface of said hub.

Advantageously, said securing mechanism comprises a “click-fit” between the extension portion and the outer surface.

In one alternative arrangement said outer surface of the hub includes a recess within the outer surface of the hub and wherein said extension portion is retained within said recess.

Preferably, said sleeve comprises a flexible plastic. Said hub may also comprise flexible plastic and said shroud, sleeve and hub may be formed as a single component in the same material. When formed as a single component in plastic, the connections between the hub and the sleeve and the sleeve and the shroud may be integrally formed as a thinned section of plastics material, thereby to form the desired hinge between the components.

In a preferred arrangement said hub includes an inner aperture within said second end and wherein the second end of said needle extends into said inner aperture.

Advantageously, said inner aperture includes an inner surface including a securing 30 mechanism for securing said hub to an outlet end of a fluid container.

Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description or drawings.

The arrangement may also include a first hinge between the shroud and the first end of the sleeve such as to allow the shroud to hinge relative to each portion of the sleeve. It may also include a second hinge at each of the mid portions between the mid portion and upper portions of the sleeve. It may include a third hinge between the mid portion and respective lower portions. It may include a fourth hinge between respective second end of the sleeve and the first end of hub.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the needle protection device in accordance with the present 10 invention;

Figure 2 is an isometric projection of the device of figure 1 shown in a deployed position in which the shroud protects the needle;

Figure 3 is an isometric projection of the device of figure 1 shown in a retracted position in which the needle is exposed and not protected by the shroud;

is Figure 4 is a side elevation of the device taken in the direction of arrow A in figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the device taken in the direction of arrow B in figure 3;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows C-C in figure 4;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows D-D in figure 5;

Figure 8 is a side-view view taken in the direction of arrow A in figure 2;

Figure 9 is a side view taken in the direction of arrow B in figure 3;

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional plan view taken in the direction of arrows E-E of figure 8 and shows the locking mechanism in an engaged position; and

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional plan view taken in the direction of arrows F-F in figure 9.

Description Of Embodiments

In the following embodiments, the terms “front” or “first end” refer to the patient facing end of the needle assembly or component thereof. In other words, the front end of the needle assembly is the end proximal to the injection site during use. Likewise, the terms “rear” or “second end” refer to the non-patient end of the needle assembly or component thereof. In other words, the terms “rear” or “second” mean distant or remote from the injection site during use.

Axial, radial and circumferential are used herein to conveniently refer to the general directions relative to the longitudinal direction of the needle assembly or components thereof. The skilled person will, however, appreciated that these terms are not intended to be narrowly interpreted and for example, the needle assembly may have a non-circular and/or irregular form. Typically, regardless of the chosen needle assembly external profile the needle will have a conventional generally cylindrical elongate hollow form and the longitudinal axis X of the needle assembly will substantially coincide with or be parallel to the axial direction of the needle.

Referring now to the drawings in general but particularly to figures 1 to 3, a needle protection device 10 is shown in exploded form in figure 1 and comprises a needle carrier 12 for carrying a needle 14, a hub 24 which may be integral with the carrier 12, a sleeve shown generally at 25 and a shroud 30, each of which are connected to adjacent components and work therewith in the manner described in detail below. The needle carrier 12 has a first end 12a and a second end 12b, an outer surface 12c and extends along longitudinal axis X of the device 10. The hub 24 has a first end 24a for receiving the needle carrier 12, a second end 24b for receiving a container, mentioned later herein, and a surface 24c and is fixedly attached at its first end 24a to the second end 12b of the needle carrier 12. The hub (24) includes an inner aperture (24i) within said second end (24b) and the second end (14b) of said needle may extend into said inner aperture (24i). The inner aperture (24i) may also include an inner surface (24s) including a securing mechanism (24m) such as, for example, a screw thread for securing said hub (24) to an outlet end of a fluid container in a manner well known to those skilled in the art and, therefore, not described further herein. It will be appreciated that other mechanisms to couple the hub 24 to a container may also be used

It will be appreciated that the carrier 12 and the hub 24 may be formed as two components and joined to each other or they may be formed as one single component. When formed as a single component it would, generally, be referred to simply as a hub. The needle shroud 30 has a first end 30a a second end 30b, inner aperture 32 for receiving said needle 14 and an outer surface 30c. Whilst it will be appreciated that the shroud and the sleeve 26 may be connected at any convenient location, it has been found to be most convenient to connect them at the first end 30a of the shroud 30 as such an arrangement has the advantage of allowing for a longer sleeve within a shorter axial length of the device itself.

The sleeve 25 is formed by a pair longitudinally extending bodies 26, 26’ each having a first end 26a, 26a’ a second end 26b, 26b’, an inner surface 26c, 26c’, an outer surface 26d,26d’ and a mid portion 26e, 26e’. The bodies 26, 26’ of the sleeve 26 are each connected at first ends 26a, 26a’ to said needle shroud 30 and are likewise connected at said second end 26b, 26b’ at or adjacent the first end 24a of the hub 24. The alternative arrangements are described io in detail alter herein. Respective first hinges 40, 40’ at said first ends 26a, 26a’ of said sleeve 26 link said needle shroud 30 and said first end 26a, 26a’ whilst second hinges 42, 42’ towards respective second ends 26b, 26b’ of said sleeve 26 link the second ends 26b, 26b’ to the first end 24a of the hub 24. The sleeve 26 has a first, radially outward, position RO in which the mid portion 26e is radially outward of said hub 24 and needle shroud 30 is in a first position

FP located towards the mid portion 14c of the needle 14 and a second, radially inward, position Rl in which the mid portion 26e is radially inward of position RO and wherein needle shroud 30 is in a second position SP and said first end 14a of said needle 14 is contained wholly within the inner aperture 32 of the needle shroud 30.

As best seen in figure 6, the first end 14a of the needle 14 extends beyond the first end 24a of the hub 24 by an amount W and the sleeve 25 has a total axial length L when in said second position SP greater than amount W, by an amount G thereby to cause the shroud 30 to extend over the first end 14a of the needle 14 when said needle shroud 30 is in said second position SP.

A latch shown generally at 48 and best seen in figures 2, 8, 9,10 and 11 is provided for securing said sleeve 25 in said second position SP. Whilst it will be appreciated the latch may take any one of a number of forms, it has been found convenient to provide a latch for securing said pair of longitudinally extending bodies 26, 26’ to each other when in said radially inward position SP as such a latch can be provided between the two bodies 26, 26’ and is, thereby, less prone to interference which may cause undesirable unlatching . In the particular arrangement of the latch as shown in the drawings, it comprises first and second interlocking portions or hooks 48a, 48a’, said first interlocking portion 48a being on said inner surface 26c and said second interlocking portion 48a’ being on said inner surface 26c’ such that they confront each other. Whilst it will be appreciated that the latch 48 may comprise a releasable latch, it has been found that a one-way latch is preferred in many applications as it provides increased security and safety by avoiding the possibility of the needle being inadvertently exposed once the latch has been engaged.

The latch 48 is, preferably, formed integrally with the bodies 26,26’ such as to reduce material and component costs and when so formed is preferably formed from a sufficiently resilient flexible plastics material such as to allow the latch members to flex and engage but not flex sufficiently to inadvertently disengage. Materials such as polyethylene and Polypropylene are suitable for such uses. The latch 48 may be provided at any axial position on the bodies 26, 26’ but it has been found convenient to provide it proximal the mid portion 26m, 26m’ of the sleeve 26 as this allows for the maximum amount of radial movement to be used during the inter-engagement and locking of the latch itself. In the particular arrangement of the present invention, the latch 48 comprises a pair of inter-engaging hooks 48a, 48a’, each hook having a first outwardly extending portion 50a, 50a’ a second laterally extending portion 50b, 50b’ and a third returning portion 50c, 50c’ and wherein the hooks are arranged said return portions 50c, 50c’ each engage with each other via inner contact surfaces 50d and 50d’ on said return portions 50c, 50c’ when in said second, latched, position LP. The particular arrangement of figures 10 and 11 illustrate that the returning portions 50c, 50c’ are each provided with a confronting outer surface 50s, 50s’ each of which is angled at an opposite angle Θ, relative to a transverse axis TX which extends through a mid-plane MP passing through and extending along longitudinal axis X. Each outer surface 50s, 50s’ includes a first end 50f, 50f’ which, in a preferred arrangement, lies on or adjacent the transverse axis TX such that when the outer surfaces 50s, 50s’ come together the hooks each deform as the first ends 50f, 50f’ come into contact with each other such as to cause them to slide over the inclined surface 50s, 50s’ of the opposite returning portion 50c, 50c’. Such action causes each portion 50a, 50b, 50c, 50a’, 50b’, 50c’ of each hook to flex and allow surfaces 50s, 50s’ to slide over one another until second ends 50x, 50x’ of each outer surface 50s, 50s’ pass-over each other and the second ends 50x, 50x’ of each portion are released from contact with respective surfaces and return or spring back to their pre-flexed state but with the inner contact surfaces 50d and 50d’ now facing each other and the returning portions 50c, 50c’ are, in effect, locked into position with each other such as to prevent inadvertent uncoupling of the hooks 48a, 48a’. As shown best in figure 10, the hooks 48a, 48a’ wrap around the needle 14 such that the needle 14 is positioned between the confronting inner surfaces 50d, 50d’ but the surfaces 50d, 50d’ do not contact the needle itself.

The above arrangement also includes digit engagement pad 70a, 70b at the mid position 26e of the outer surface 26d of longitudinally extending bodies 26, 26’, the function of which will be described in detail later herein.

Whilst it will be appreciated that the sleeve 25 and hub 24 may be formed integrally with one another, it will also be appreciated that they may be formed separately and then joined on assembly. In the preferred arrangement the sleeve 25 include an extension portion 26f, 26f’ extending from said second end 26b, 26b’ of the or each sleeve body 26, 26’ and including a securing mechanism 80, 80’ for securing said extension portion 26f to said outer surface 24c of said hub 24. Such a securing mechanism 80 may comprise a “click-fit” between the extension portion 26, 26f’ and the outer surface 24c and such may include a recess 24r, 24r’ within the outer surface 24c of the hub 24 such that said extension portion 26f, 26f’ may be retained within said recess 24r, 24r’. In the particular arrangement of the drawings, the extension portion 26f, 26f’ comprises a tubular structure having a first end 27a and a second end 27b which fits around the surface 24c and is secured thereto by any suitable means as an alternative to the “click-fit “arrangement described above. In effect, the extension portion 26f, 26f’ forms a portion of the hub 24 as it is fixed thereto and provides the location to which hinge arrangements discussed later herein may be applied to the first end 24a of the hub 24. In an alternative arrangement, the extension portion 26f, 26f” could be integrally formed with the hub itself 24 such that the extension portions 26f, 26f’ are, in effect, directly connected to the first end 24a of hub 24 and the extension portions 26f, 26f” form part of the hub itself 24..

Whilst the above arrangement may simply be made of resilient but flexible plastic such as to allow for the required degree of movement as described in detail below, it has been found that a hinging arrangement between various components provides for a more consistent operation. In the particular arrangement of the drawings, respective first hinges 40, 40’ are provided between the shroud 30 and the first ends 26a, 26a’ of the sleeve 26 such as to allow the shroud to hinge relative to each portion of the sleeve 26. Respective second hinges 42, 42’ are provided between respective second end 26b, 26b’ of the sleeve 26 and the first end 24a of hub 24. Respective third hinges 44, 44’ are provided at each of the mid portions 26, 26’ between the mid portion and upper portions 26u, 26u’ of the sleeve 26. Respective fourth hinges 46, 46’ are provided between the mid portion 26e, 26e’ and respective lower portions 26L, 26L’. Such hinges 40, 40’, 42, 42’, 44, 44’, 46, 46’ may simply comprise thinned crosssections of the sleeve 26 at the region of the hinge in question where the thinning is sufficient to allow the degree of flexing required. Alternatively, they may each comprise simple actual hinge arrangements.

Operation of the above-mentioned arrangement will now be described with reference to the drawings in general but drawings 7 and 8 in particular.

An initial position of the arrangement is shown in figure 7 where the first end of the needle 14a is exposed and ready for use. in this position, the sleeve is in its radially outward position RO and the shroud 30 sits with its second end 30b resting on the first end 12a of the needle carrier

12. The second end of the needle 14b extends into the inner portion 24i of hub 24 such as to extend into the contents of any container (not shown) coupled to the hub 24 by means of screw thread 24m. Once the needle 14 has been used to deliver the required dose from the container or is no longer needed for other reasons, it may be desirable to remove the arrangement from the patient. Removal will cause the first end 14a of the needle 14 to become exposed such that it becomes a potential safety hazard which may be eliminated by actuating the sleeve 25 such as to cover the needle 14. To sheath the needle 14, an operator need simply push on finger portions 70a, 70a’ and squeeze them together in a radial direction as represented by io arrows Ri in figure 7. This action will cause inter-engaging latch portions 48a, 48a’ to come together (as best seen in figures 10 and 11) and the surfaces 50s, 50s’ to slide over each other whilst deforming or flexing in the manner described above such as to allow the second ends 50x, 50x’ of each hook to slide over one another and allow the hooks to spring back to their un-flexed position in which the inner surfaces 50d, 50d’ face each other and the hooks are, in effect, inter-locked one within the other with lateral portions 50b, 50b’ acting against opposing second ends 50x, 50x’ such as to prevent inadvertent or undesired un-latching.in this second position (fig 6) the shroud 30 extends over the first end 14a of the needle 14 and shields any operator from the needle itself, thereby preventing inadvertent needle related injuries. The hub 24 may now be detached from the container and the needle and sheath 26 disposed of in the normal manner.

As an alternative to the above, it may be desirable to have the needle 14 initially covered before the needle is introduced to the patient. To accommodate this, the present arrangement need simply have the latch 48 in a latched position such that the shroud 30 is covering the needle 14 before unlatching the latch 48 by simply disengaging the inter-engaged hook portions 48a, 48a’ by twisting them in opposite directions such as to cause the hooks to become un-aligned. The needle may now be exposed by pulling on the finger portions 70a, 70a’ such as to move them in the radially outward direction Ro, best seen in figure 3. Once the needle 14 is safely exposed it may be introduced into the patient and used in the conventional manner until it is no longer required.

Claims

1. A needle protection device (10) for protecting a needle (14) having a first end (14a) and a second end (14b) and a mid portion (14c) comprising:

a) a needle carrier (12), for carrying said needle (14), having a first end (12a) and as second end (12b), an outer surface (12c) and a longitudinal axis X;

b) a hub (24), having a first end (24a), an outer surface (24c) and a second end (24b) for receiving the needle carrier (12) and being fixedly attached at its first end (24a) io to the second end (12b) of the needle carrier (12);

c) a needle shroud (30), having a first end (30a) a second end (30b), inner aperture (32) for receiving said needle (14) and an outer surface (34);

d) a sleeve (26), having one or more longitudinally extending bodies (26, 26’) each having a first end (26a, 26a’) a second end (26b, 26b’) and an inner surface (26c, 26c’), an outer surface (26d,26d’) and a mid portion (26e, 26e’) and being connected at said first ends (26a, 26a’) to said needle shroud (30) and being

20 connected at said second end (26b, 26b’) proximal to the first end (24a) of the hub (24);

e) a first hinge (40) at said first end (26a) of said sleeve (26) and linking said needle shroud (30) and said first end (26a);

f) a second hinge (42) towards said second end (26b) of said sleeve (26) proximal said hub (24); wherein said sleeve (26) having a radially outward, position RO in which the mid portion (26e) is radially outward of said hub (24) and needle shroud (30) is in a first position

30 FP located towards the mid portion (14c) of the needle (14) and a radially inward, position RI in which the mid portion (26e) is radially inward of position RO and wherein needle shroud (30) is in a second position SP and said first end (14a) of said needle (14) is contained wholly within the inner aperture (32) of the needle shroud (30).

io

2. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first end (14a) of the needle (14) extends beyond the first end (24a) of the hub (24) by an amount W and wherein said sleeve (26) has a total axial length L when in said radially inward position SP greater than amount W, thereby to cause the needle shroud (30) to extend over the

5 first end (14a) of the needle (14) when said needle shroud (30) is in said radially inward position SP.

3. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 and having a latch (48) for securing said sleeve (26) in said second position B.

4. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 3 and having a latch (48) for securing said pair of longitudinally extending bodies (26, 26’) to each other when in said radially inward position B.

15

5. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 4 and wherein said latch (48) comprises first and second interlocking members (50a, 50a’), said first interlocking member (50a) being on said inner surface (26c) and said second interlocking member (50a’) being on said inner surface (26c’).

20

6. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein said latch (48) comprises a one-way latch, thereby to prevent uncoupling of the latch once latched.

7. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein said

25 latch (48) is proximate the mid portion (26e) of the sleeve (26).

8. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said latch (48) comprises a pair of inter-engaging hooks, each hook having a first outwardly extending portion (50, 50a’) a second laterally extending portion (50b, 50b’) and a third

30 returning portion (50c, 50c’) and wherein said return portions (50c, 50c’) each engage with each other when in said second, latched, position SP.

9. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 and including a digit engagement pad (70a, 70b) at the mid position (26e) of the outer surface (26d) of

35 longitudinally extending bodies (26, 26’).

ll

10. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said sleeve (26) includes an extension portion (26f) extending from said second end (26b) of the or each sleeve (26) and including a securing mechanism (80) for securing said extension portion (26f) to said outer surface (24c) of said hub (24).

11. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 10 and wherein said securing mechanism (80) comprises a “click-fit” between the extension portion (26f) and the outer surface (24c).

io

12. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in either one of claims 10 or 11 and wherein said outer surface (24c) of the hub (24) includes a recess (24r, 24r’) within the outer surface (24c) of the hub (24) and wherein said extension portion (26f) is retained within said recess (24r, 24r’).

is

13. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein said sleeve (26) comprises a flexible plastic.

14. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 and wherein said hub (24) includes an inner aperture (24i) within said second end (24b) and wherein

20 the second end (14b) of said needle extends into said inner aperture (24i).

15. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein said inner aperture (24i) includes an inner surface (24s) including a securing mechanism (24m) for securing said hub (24) to an outlet end of a fluid container.

16. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 and including a third hinge (44, 44’) at each of the mid portions (26, 26’) between the mid portion and upper portions (26u, 26u’) of the sleeve (26).

30

17. A needle protection device (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 and including a fourth hinge (46, 46’) between the mid portion (26e, 26e’) and respective lower portions (26L, 26L’) of the sleeve (26).

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1703807.6 Examiner: Mr Geraint Davies