JP2004358175A - Protective sheath for winged needle and assembly comprising sheath and needle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a protective sheath for a winged needle such as a fistula needle and a needle used in IV infusion device, and also to provide a protective sheath assembly. <P>SOLUTION: The protective sheath and the protective sheath assembly have at least two longitudinally extending finger bodies 32 separated by slots 42 extending from the front end to the rear end of the sheath body. Each of the slots is dimensioned to receive only one of the wings to allow at least part of the sheath to be slid past the wings to cover the needle after use. The slots are provided with a z-shaped bend which causes an audible click as the wings pass through it. Moreover, the z-shaped bend has a shallow entry 53 and a steep exit 55 which permits the wings to pass through in one direction for locking and inhibits the wings from exiting in the opposite direction. The sheath is further provided with a hilt section which facilitates the sliding of the sheath and/or the wings into a locked position and helps an end user to hold and use the device safely and properly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 296,645, filed June 7, 2001, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. is there. This application is related to commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,438, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0002]
The present invention relates to a protective sheath for a winged butterfly needle, such as a needle used in a fistula needle or IV infusion device, and having a protective sheath to protect against accidental needle puncture by such a needle. , Sheath and needle assembly.
[0003]
[Prior art]
Accidental needle sticks with contaminated medical devices, such as syringes and IV devices, pose a significant risk to healthcare workers. Cleaning workers who dispose of used medical equipment are also dangerous. Hepatitis, AIDS and other illnesses can and do become transmitted by accidental needle sticks to infected patients with the needle used.
[0004]
Attempts have been made to address the problem of accidental needle puncture with a syringe. See, for example, the devices disclosed in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,034, 4,681,567, 4,740,204, and 4,740,204. Good to do. Further, attempts have been made to specifically prevent needle puncture by IV devices. For example, US Pat. No. 3,572,334, US Pat. No. 4,140,108, US Pat. No. 4,160,450, US Pat. No. 4,170,993, US Pat. No. 4,676,783. No. 4,781,692, US Pat. No. 4,820,282, US Pat. No. 4,834,708, US Pat. No. 4,846,808, US Pat. No. 4,888,001. No. 4,917,669; U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,011; U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,881; U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,283; U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,876. No. 5,120,320.
In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,881 discloses an IV infusion device having a single tube, the tube comprising a sheath having a hollow needle provided at one end of the tube. The sheath is slidably disposed on the tube and adapted to slide along the needle to cover the needle after use. The sheath has means for locking the sheath in its position over the needle to prevent needle puncture by a used needle. The IV infusion device is of the type having a flexible wing protruding outwardly adjacent the needle, and the means for locking the sheath preferably comprises means for engaging the wing. The sheath includes a hollow, generally tubular body having a front end oriented toward the needle and a rear end oriented away from the needle. The body has at least one longitudinally extending slot or groove extending from a front end to a rear end of the body. The slot is adapted to receive a wing portion and allow at least a portion of the sheath to slide over the wing portion and cover the needle. The forward end of the slot expands into a generally V-shaped entrance to facilitate the wing section into the slot. The sheath has a notch formed in the body at the rear end of the slot to receive and engage the wing portion and lock the body in its position over the needle.
[0005]
No. 5,330,438 to the inventor, an improvement to the IV infusion device and sheath disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,881, the subject of which is incorporated herein by reference. Is disclosed. The inventor's prior invention provides an improved sheath construction that significantly minimizes the improper handling of used needles and the likelihood of the needle clogging the sheath while housed in the sheath.
[0006]
Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has stated that all safety devices used with needles will change color or produce an audible sound to indicate that the needle has been placed in a safe condition, or provide some recognizable evidence. Requesting to provide.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved protective sheath for a winged butterfly needle, such as a fistula needle or a winged needle of an IV drip device, and to provide the same after use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheath assembly having such an improved sheath that covers the needle so that the risk of needle puncture by a used needle can be reduced.
It is a further object of the invention that the needle can be retracted into the protective sheath and locked in place over the needle by simply pulling on the tube, especially for IV drip devices or fistula needles. A protective sheath and a sheath assembly.
[0008]
A more specific object of the present invention is to provide such a protective sheath and assembly which is extremely effective in operation, is easy and convenient to use, can be manufactured economically, and has a relatively simple design. It is to provide.
[0009]
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for generating audible evidence that the needle has been safely locked in the sheath.
[0010]
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means for improving the locking structure of the inventor's prior patent.
[0011]
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means that facilitates movement of the needle to a locked position within the sheath.
[0012]
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a means by which a user can recognize where to hold a sheath for proper and safe use.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A tube with a hollow needle at one end, a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wings adjacent the end of the tube with the needle, and slidably disposed on the tube. The above and related objectives are readily realized by an improved winged needle assembly apparatus of the type comprising a protective sheath adapted to slide along the needle and cover the needle after use. . The sheath has a generally tubular hollow body having a front end oriented toward the needle and a rear end oriented away from the needle. The body has at least two longitudinally extending fingers separated by slots extending from the front end to the rear end of the body, each of the slots receiving only one of the wing portions; At least a portion of the sheath is sized to slide over the wing portion to substantially cover the used needle. Preferably, each of the slots has a width slightly smaller than the width of one of the wing portions.
[0014]
According to the invention, the slot is provided with a z-shaped bend or bend, which causes an audible click when the wings pass through the bend. Further, the z-shaped bend has a shallow angled inlet and a steep outlet, the steep outlet allowing the wing portion to travel in one direction and lock the wing portion. And prevents the wings from exiting in the opposite direction.
[0015]
According to another aspect of the invention, the sheath is provided with a handle, which facilitates sliding of the sheath and / or the wing to the locked position, and Prevents the sheath from holding the sheath in the area where the slot is formed, so that the wings are not obstructed from sliding in the locking slot. This also keeps the user's hand away from the contaminated needle when housed in the sheath.
[0016]
The protective sheath is preferably made of plastic and the front end of the finger is preferably V-shaped and tapered so as to facilitate the passage of the wings into the slot.
[0017]
Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a sheath assembly embodying the present invention, comprising a sheath 28 provided with a hollow needle 24, the needle 24 having a pair of A wing portion 26 is provided and a needle 24 is attached to one end of a tube 25. The sheath 28 has a slotted, generally tubular body slidably mounted on the tube 25 having a pair of fingers 32, 40, wherein the pair of fingers comprises an annular base. Attached to a portion or handle 30 that has a through hole through which the handle is slidably attached to tube 25. The fingers define a pair of slots 42 and the wing portion 26 of the needle 24 is slidable through the pair of slots, the slot defining the front end of the body (the wing portion defining an open end 46). The wing portion extends as a closed end 54 at the rear end.
[0019]
According to one aspect of the invention, the slot 42 is provided with z-shaped bends 53,55. The z-shaped bend is dimensioned such that when the wing portion 26 passes through the z-shaped bent portion, the wing portion 26 is slightly deformed and the fingers 32, 40 are pushed apart. More specifically, as the wings move from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, the wings and / or fingers stop deforming and snap back to their normal configuration. Sometimes an audible click is heard.
[0020]
According to another aspect of the invention, the entrance 53 of the z-bend has a relatively shallow slope, while the exit 55 of the z-bend has a relatively steep slope. As shown in the drawing, the inlet 53 has a slope of about 60 °, while the outlet 55 has a slope of about 90 °. This facilitates movement of the wing portion 26 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. 3, but prevents the wing portion from moving in the opposite direction from the position shown in FIG. . In addition, the steep gradient 55 causes the deformation of the wing portion 26 and the fingers 32, 40 to stop abruptly, resulting in an audible click. Preferably, the distance between the slope 55 and the end 54 of the slot is only slightly greater than the width of the wing portion 26 so that the wing portion locks tightly into the space between the end 54 and the slope 55. To
[0021]
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the fingers 32, 40 terminate in a first annular handle 30 spaced from a rear end 38 of the tubular body by a handle 34. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the handle 34 has two angled ends 50, 52, but can be curved or straight. The handle 34 assists in holding the sheath while the sheath and wings slide to the locked position illustrated in FIG. The handle 34 assists the user in indicating where to hold the sheath 28 so that the user does not grip the sheath 28 on the fingers 32, 40, thereby allowing the wings 26 to be slotted. Sliding to the bottom of 42 to 54 is not prevented.
[0022]
According to the second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the handle 34 'has two straight ends 50', 52 '.
[0023]
According to the third embodiment, no handle is provided. Instead, a truncated portion 34 'is provided between the knurled annular handle 30 and the rear end 38 of the tubular body.
[0024]
While the improvement disclosed herein is feasible with a sheath having two fingers, the improvement was also disclosed in the inventor's prior US Pat. No. 5,330,438. As such, it is also applicable to sheaths having three or more fingers.
[0025]
The protective sheath 28 is preferably made of plastic, and the front end 40 of the finger is V-shaped and tapered to facilitate the passage of the wing portion 26 into the open end 46 of the slot 42. It is preferable that Several embodiments of a protective sheath for a winged needle, such as a fistula needle or a needle used in an IV infusion device, have been described and illustrated herein. Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is as broad as the art allows and it is intended that the present specification be read as such. It is not intended to limit the present invention only to the embodiment. Thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that other further modifications can be made to the provided invention without departing from its spirit and scope as set forth in the appended claims. Will be understood.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a sheath according to the present invention without a winged needle.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a sheath according to the present invention with the wing portion of the winged needle traversing a z-bend within the slot of the sheath.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a sheath according to the present invention with the wing portion of the winged needle positioned beyond the z-bend in the slot of the sheath and thus in the locked position.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of one alternative embodiment of the invention having a slightly different handle.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of one alternative embodiment of the present invention without the handle.
[Explanation of symbols]
24 hollow needle 25 tube 26 wing portion 28 protective sheath 30 annular base or handle 32 finger 34 handle 34 'truncated portion 38 rear end 40 of main body finger front 42 slot 46 open end 50 52 angled ends 50 ', 52' straight ends 53 z-bend entry 54 slot ends 55 z-bend exits

Claims (46)

A tube with a hollow needle at one end, a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wings adjacent the end of the tube with the needle, and slidably disposed on the tube. A protective sheath adapted to slide along the needle and cover the needle after use, the sheath having a forward end oriented toward the needle and a distal end away from the needle. A substantially tubular hollow body having a rear end, the body having at least one slot slidably receiving the wing portion, beginning at the front end and extending longitudinally toward the rear end. A needle device of the type adapted to allow at least a portion of the sheath to slide over the wing portion and cover the needle.
A safety guard provided at a rear end of the sheath, the safety protector extending radially outwardly from the sheath and at least partially annularly in a circumferential direction of the sheath, and extending behind the sheath to pull a tube through the sheath. A needle device improved to include the safety protection portion configured to prevent a user's hand holding the end from sliding toward the front end of the sheath. 2. The needle device according to claim 1, wherein the protective sheath further comprises a substantially cylindrically shaped annular base connected to a rear end of the tubular shaped body, wherein the safety protection comprises the base. A needle device disposed at a connection portion between the needle device and the main body. 3. The needle device of claim 2, wherein the generally tubular shaped body has at least three longitudinally extending slots starting at a front end thereof and extending toward a rear end. A needle device adapted to slidably receive only one of the wing portions so that at least a portion of the sheath can slide over the wing portion to cover the needle. 4. The needle device of claim 3, wherein each of the slots has a width that is slightly less than the width of one of the wing portions. The needle device according to claim 1, wherein the protective sheath further comprises means for locking the sheath at a predetermined position covering the needle. The needle device according to claim 5, wherein the means for locking the sheath in place comprises means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion. 7. The needle device of claim 6, wherein the means on the sheath for engaging a wing portion receives the wing portion and engages the wing portion to position the sheath over the needle. A needle device comprising a notch formed in the slot for locking. The needle device according to claim 3, wherein the protective sheath further comprises means for locking the sheath at a predetermined position covering the needle. 9. The needle device according to claim 8, wherein the means for locking the sheath in position comprises means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion. 10. The needle device of claim 9, wherein the means on the sheath for engaging a wing portion receives the wing portion and engages one of the wing portions to cover the needle in position. A needle device, comprising: a notch formed in each of said slots to lock a sheath. 11. The needle device according to claim 10, wherein each of the notches has a width at least equal to the width of one of the wing portions. The needle device according to claim 1, wherein the safety guard comprises a pair of opposing tongues extending radially outward from the protective sheath. The needle device according to claim 1, wherein the protective sheath is made of plastic. A protective sheath for a winged needle having a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wing portions and attached to one end of a tube, slidably disposed on and sliding over the tube. A protective sheath adapted to cover the needle after use with
A hollow, generally tubular body having a leading end and a trailing end, starting at the leading end and extending toward the trailing end, slidably receiving the wing portion of the needle; Said hollow, generally tubular body having at least one longitudinally extending slot allowing a portion to slide over the wing portion and cover the needle;
A safety protection portion provided at a rear end of the sheath and extending radially outward from the sheath and at least partially annularly extending in a circumferential direction of the sheath;
This allows the sheath to be slidably positioned on the tube and slides toward the front end of the sheath of the user's hand when the user grasps the rear end of the sheath by hand to pull the tube through the sheath. Protective sheath to prevent The protective sheath according to claim 14, further comprising a substantially cylindrical annular base portion connected to a rear end of the tubular-shaped body, wherein the safety protection portion is provided at a connection portion between the base portion and the body. A protective sheath to be placed. 16. The protective sheath of claim 15, wherein the generally tubular shaped body has at least three longitudinally extending slots starting at its front end and extending toward its rear end. A protective sheath adapted to slidably receive only one of the wing portions so that at least a portion of the sheath can slide over the wing portion and cover the needle. 17. The protective sheath of claim 16, wherein each of the slots has a width that is slightly less than the width of one of the wing portions. 15. The protective sheath according to claim 14, further comprising means for locking the sheath in position over the needle. 19. The protective sheath of claim 18, wherein the means for locking the sheath in place comprises means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion. 17. The protective sheath of claim 16, wherein the means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion receives the wing portion and engages the wing portion to position the sheath over the needle. A protective sheath comprising a notch formed in said slot for locking. 17. The protective sheath according to claim 16, further comprising means for locking the sheath in position over the needle. 22. The protective sheath of claim 21, wherein the means for locking the sheath in place comprises means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion. 23. The protective sheath of claim 22, wherein the means provided on the sheath for engaging a wing portion receives one of the wing portions and engages the wing portion to cover the needle. A protective sheath comprising a notch formed in each of said slots to lock in place. 24. The protective sheath of claim 23, wherein each of the notches has a width at least equal to one of the wing portions. 15. The protective sheath according to claim 14, wherein the safety guard comprises a pair of opposing tongues extending radially outward from the protective sheath. The protective sheath according to claim 14, wherein the protective sheath is made of plastic. A tube having a hollow needle at one end, a pair of outwardly projecting flexible wings adjacent the end of the tube having the needle, and slidably mounted on the tube. A sheath and needle assembly device of the type comprising a protective sheath adapted to slide along the needle after use and to cover the needle after use.
The sheath comprises a hollow, generally tubular body slidably disposed on the tube having a front end oriented toward the needle and a rear end oriented away from the needle; The front end of the body has at least two fingers defining a slot extending from the front end of the body toward the rear end, and the flexible wing slides through the slot. Wherein the needle after use is substantially covered by the finger, wherein at least one of the slots has a z-shaped bend and at least one of the wing portions passes through the z-shaped bend. A sheath and needle assembly device improved to slide to a locking position. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, wherein each of the slots has one width of the wing portion to bias the fingers away as the wing portion slides through the slot. A sheath and needle assembly having a slightly narrower width than the sheath and needle assembly. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, further comprising a handle provided at the rear end of the tubular body. 30. The sheath and needle assembly according to claim 29, wherein the handle extends radially outward from the tubular body of the sheath. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, wherein the tubular body has three fingers and three slots, at least one of the slots being provided with a z-bend. Three-dimensional. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, wherein the tubular body has four fingers and four slots, at least one of the slots being provided with a z-bend. Three-dimensional. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, wherein the tubular body has five fingers and five slots, at least one of the slots being provided with a z-bend. Three-dimensional. 28. The sheath and needle assembly according to claim 27, wherein the protective sheath is made of plastic. 28. The sheath and needle assembly of claim 27, wherein each of the fingers has a V-shaped and tapered front end to facilitate the wing portion to advance into the slot. Sheath and needle assembly. A protective sheath for a winged needle having a pair of wing portions and attached to a tube,
A flexible, generally tubular body having a front end and a rear end, the flexible wing portion including at least two fingers defining a slot extending from the front end toward the rear end of the body. Sliding through said slot such that said needle, after use, is substantially covered by said fingers; and
A protective sheath for a winged needle, comprising: a handle provided at the rear end of the tubular body. 37. The protective sheath of claim 36, wherein each of the slots has a width slightly less than the width of one of the wing portions. 37. The protective sheath according to claim 36, wherein the sheath has means for locking the sheath in its position over the needle to prevent needle sticks by the used needle. 39. The protective sheath according to claim 38, wherein the means for locking the sheath comprises a z-bend in at least one of the slots. 37. The protective sheath of claim 36, wherein the tubular body has three fingers and three slots, and at least one slot has a z-bend. 37. The protective sheath of claim 36, wherein the tubular body has four fingers and four slots, and at least one slot has a z-bend. 37. The protective sheath of claim 36, wherein the tubular body has five fingers and five slots, and at least one slot has a z-bend. A protective sheath for a winged needle having a pair of wing portions and attached to a tube,
A hollow, generally tubular body having a leading end and a trailing end, wherein the tube is easily pulled through the sheath to secure the wings and be spaced apart at an angle other than 180 °. Said hollow generally tubular body having means, said means comprising at least three longitudinally extending fingers separated by slots extending from the front end of said body toward said rear end, each of said slots comprising: The sheath is dimensioned to accept only one of the wing portions to allow at least a portion of the sheath to slide past the wing portion and cover the needle, and at least one of the slots has a z-shaped bend. Protective sheath for winged needle, provided with a section. 44. The protective sheath of claim 43, wherein the z-bend has an inlet slope and an outlet slope, wherein the inlet slope is at a shallower angle than the outlet slope. 46. The protective sheath of claim 44, wherein the inlet gradient has an angle of about 60 [deg.]. 46. The protective sheath according to claim 45, wherein the outlet gradient has an angle of about 90 [deg.].

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