MXPA00001722A - Spring clip as needle tip protection for a safety iv catheter - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or bulge may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.

Description

SPRING CLAMP AS NEEDLE POINT PROTECTION FOR INTRAVENOUS SECURITY CATHETER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to intravenous (IV) catheters, and, in particular, to a safety IV catheter in which the needle tip is automatically covered after the needle is removed to prevent the worker from At health care, make accidental contact with the tip of the needle. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I.V. catheters. They are used primarily to administer fluids, which sometimes contain medications, directly into a patient's vascular system. The catheter is inserted into the vein of a patient by a health care worker using a hand-held device that includes a sharp-pointed needle. The needle is placed in the inner hollow portion of the catheter with its tip extended slightly beyond the edge or end of the catheter. The end of the apparatus opposite the needle is constituted by the needle connected to a head of the needle which is capable of being held by the worker in the care of health during the insertion procedure. REF: 32877 The insertion procedure contains four basic steps: (1) the health care worker inserts the needle and catheter together in the patient's vein; (2) after insertion into the vein with the tip of the needle, the catheter is advanced towards the patient's vein by the health care worker pushing the catheter with his fingers; (3) the health care worker removes the needle by grasping the end of the head (opposite the end of the tip) while at the same time applying pressure to the patient's skin at the insertion site with his free hand; and (4) the health care worker coats the catheter now inserted into the patient's skin and connects the exposed end of the catheter, at the head of the catheter, to the source of the product to be administered in the patient's vein. The problem is that immediately after removing the needle from the patient's vein, the health care worker who is, at this moment, involved in at least two urgent procedures must place the tip of the exposed needle in a nearby location and perform the tasks required to perform the removal of the needle. It is at this juncture that the tip of the exposed needle creates a danger of an accidental needle prick occurring, which under the circumstances, leaves the worker in health care vulnerable to the transmission of several pathogens. dangerous carriers in the blood, including AIDS and hepatitis. This danger to the health care worker of accidental needle sticks has caused an impetus for the development of a safer IV catheter in which the occurrence of such accidental needle pricks is prevented. Safety catheters that have been developed to achieve these results are described, for example, in Reissued Patent No. Re. 34,416 of Lemieux, US Patent No. 5,558,651 of Cra ford, US Patent No. 5,135,504 of McLees, US Patent No. 5,697,907 to Gaba and U.S. Patent No. 4,978,344 to Dombrows i. U.S. Patent No. 4,929,241 to Kulli and U.S. Patent No. 5,053,017 to Chamuel describe a protective needle shield for use with a hypodermic needle. Safety catheters of the prior art all exhibit one or more disadvantages which thus limit their usefulness and complete acceptance by health care workers. For example, in the safety catheter disclosed in the Lemieux patent, the force required to couple the needle groove within the protective flange is relatively greater and could interfere with the removal of the needle. Reducing this force to a more acceptable level will create the possibility that the Needle protection will remain in the catheter head after the needle is removed from the catheter. As a resultD. , the safety catheter described in the Lemieux patent would not work consistently in a reliable manner. Similarly, the user of the safety catheter described in the Dombrowski patent would have to exert considerable force to remove the protective cap from the head of the catheter, when the cap engages a needle. The safety catheter described in the Dombrowski patent would also be relatively expensive to manufacture due to the inclusion therein of a flexible flange and a teter. The McLees protective device requires an extra, annoying pulling or pulling action on the needle guard, through a retaining ring to remove the protected needle from the catheter head. The McLees device also regulates the assembly of two separate components and is thus relatively expensive to manufacture. In addition, the needle in the McLees device includes a larger diameter portion near and at the tip of the needle. This characteristic of the McLees device would require that the rest of the needle be of smaller diameter, which would have the adverse effect of returning blood through the needle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a safety IV catheter, which reliably and automatically prevents inadvertent, accidental contact with the tip of the needle after use. A further object of the invention is to provide a safety catheter that provides reliable protection to the practitioner of health care against needle pricks without requiring any change in the way the safety catheter is used by the practitioner. Another object of the present invention. is to provide a safety IV catheter of the type described, which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a safety catheter of the type described in which the removal of the needle from the needle protection is prevented after use. Up to those points, the security TV catheter of the invention includes an elastic spring clip needle guard that includes a distal or front end and a proximal or posterior wall. The spring clip is inserted into the head of the catheter and is pushed by the body of the needle into contact with the internal walls of the head of the catheter, so that the protection of the needle is reliably retained therein. When the needle is removed from the catheter, the force that it has previously exerted on the protection of the needle is released by causing the needle guard to rotate inside the head of the catheter until it is held over the body of the needle. At this time, the distal end wall of the needle guard blocks the end tip designated as distal to the needle. In addition, the spring clip and the protected needle on which it is attached can be reliably and safely removed from the catheter head. The needle may be provided with a groove or projection which cooperates with the needle guard to prevent inadvertent removal of the needle protection needle after its removal from the catheter head. In another embodiment of the spring clip safety catheter of the invention, a retaining groove or protrusion is formed in the inner wall of the catheter head, which, in the ready position, engages a lower arm of a catheter. spring to help retention of the spring clip on the catheter head. In a still further embodiment of the spring clip safety catheter of the invention, a groove is formed in the needle. After the spring clip has been rotated to its retracted position and the needle is held by the spring clip, further movement of the needle in the proximal direction will cause the posterior or proximal arm of the spring clip to sit in the slot, therefore holding Safer way the body of the needle to the spring clip. In yet another embodiment of the spring clip catheter protection of the invention, a teter is connected to the head of the needle and the spring clip protection to prevent the spring clip protection from being detached from the protected needle without require excessive clamping force between them. In a still further embodiment of the invention, the spring clip needle protection is in the form of intersecting spring arms, each terminating in a distal protection wall. When the needle is in the ready position it passes through the protection and pushes the elastic arms one away from the other and against the inner wall of the catheter head. When the needle retracts along the protective walls, the elastic arms jump to the safety position in which both of the protective walls are positioned distally of the tip of the needle, thus forming a barrier preventing Inadvertent contact with the tip of the needle. To achieve the above and the additional objects as evidenced by the above, the present invention relates to a safety IV catheter as described with respect to the modalities preferred up to now in the following specification, when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1A and IB are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a first embodiment of the invention in the ready positions and retracted, respectively; Figures 1C and ID are views similar to those of Figures 1A and IB of a possible variation to the embodiment illustrated therein. Figures 2A and 2B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a second embodiment. of the invention in the list and retracted positions, respectively; Figures 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a third embodiment of the invention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively; Figures 4A and 4B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively; Figures 5A and 5B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in the ready and retracted positions; Figures 6A and 6B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a sixth embodiment of the invention in the ready and retracted positions, respectively; Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a further embodiment of the invention in the ready, coupled and retracted or protected positions, respectively; Figures 7D and 7E are views similar to those of Figures 7A and 7B of a possible variation to the embodiment of the invention illustrated therein; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the spring clip needle protection used in the embodiment of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a cross section of the spring clip needle guard of Figure 8; Figures 10A and 10B are partial cross-sectional views of a safety IV catheter according to a still further embodiment of the present invention shown in the list and retracted positions, respectively; Figure 11 is a perspective view of the needle guard clip of the embodiment of Figure 10; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a safety IV catheter according to another embodiment of the invention; Y Figures 13A and 13B are cross-sectional views of the embodiment of the invention of Figure 12 in the list and retracted positions, respectively. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODES The IV safety catheter of the invention, generally designated 10, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1A and IB, includes a needle head 12 that includes an axial opening 14 which receives in a secure manner the proximal end of a needle 16 having a sharp tip 18. The head of the needle 12, as is conventional, is hollow and includes an evaporation chamber 22. As is also conventional, the needle 16 is received inside a tubular catheter hollow 24, the proximal end of which is concentrically fixed within the distal end of a catheter head 26 having a distal section 28 and a contiguous, larger diameter proximal section 30. The head of catheter 26 terminates at its proximal end at a luer fitting 32 adapted to receive a tubing in a certain arrangement, which in a known manner, delivers intravenous fluid to the patient. The catheter 24 is secured within an axial passage 34 in the section of the distal head 28 by means of a sleeve 20 received within the passage 34, which engages the proximal end of the catheter. The passage 34 communicates at its proximal end with an evaporation chamber 36 formed in the head section 30. In the ready position of the catheter shown in Figure 1A, the distal end of the needle head 12 is snugly received at the proximal end of the interior of the chamber 36, so that the needle 16 extends through the chamber 36, the passageway 34 and distally beyond the head of the catheter 26 and the catheter 24, so that its tip extends beyond the tapered distal end of the catheter. In use, the distal tip of the needle and the catheter are inserted into a patient's vein. Subsequently, the health care practitioner manually places the catheter further into the vein and then removes the needle by grasping and moving the proximal end of the head of the needle 12 with the hand. The luer of the head of the catheter 26 is then equipped with a source of fluid that must be administered to the patient's vein. In accordance with the present invention, when the needle 16 is being withdrawn from the patient, a protective needle shield 40 located within the head chamber 36 automatically passes into a retracted position in which it blocks access to the tip of the needle distal and prevents further distal movement of the tip of the needle, thus preventing the accidental contact of the health care practitioner with the tip of the needle. As shown in Figures 1A and IB, the needle guard 40 is in the form of a unitary spring clip which is preferably made of an elastic metal such as stainless steel. The spring clip includes a distal arm 42 terminating at its upper end in a curved lip 44, and at its lower end at a pointed end 46, which, in the embodiment of Figure 1, is received within a groove of coupling 48 formed in the lower interior wall of the head of the catheter 30. The spring clip needle guard 40 further includes a transverse segment 50 extending upwardly and proximally from the lower pointed end 46 and terminating at an upper end U-shaped 52. In the ready position of the spring clip shown in Figure 1A, the upper end 52 bears against the upper interior wall of the head section of the catheter 30. The spring clip protection 40 includes in addition a vertical arm 54 extending downwardly from the U-shaped upper end 52 and terminating above the lower wall of the head section of the catheter 30. The transverse segment 50 and the arm v proximal ertical 54, respectively, include axially aligned apertures 56, 58 through which the body of the needle 16 is free to pass and move axially. The diameter of the opening 58 is slightly larger than that of the needle body, while the diameter of the opening 56 is larger than that of the opening 58. In the ready position of the catheter before removing the needle, the body of the needle 16 engages the curved lip 44 of the spring clip needle guard 40, thereby exerting an essentially downward force on the spring clip. That force causes the lower end 46 of the spring clip to sit securely in a slot 48 at point a. That contact, in addition to the contact of the upper end 52 of the spring clip with the upper interior wall on the head of the catheter at point b, securely maintains the spring clip needle guard 40 in the ready position within the catheter head. When a needle 16 is retracted to the left, as seen in Figure 1A, to its fully retracted position shown in Figure IB, after insertion of the catheter into the patient's vein, the distal tip of the needle moves proximally to along the curved lip 44 of the spring clamp needle guard 40 at point c, at which point the downward force previously exerted by the body of the needle on the spring clip is released. As a result of the needle 16 moving proximally beyond point c, the retention force on the spring clip needle guard 40 on the catheter head is released causing the spring clip needle guard 40 to rotate or move in a clockwise direction to the retracted position shown in Figure IB. As shown therein, the distal arm 42 of the needle guard 40 blocks the distal trajectory of the needle 16. Simultaneously with the locking and releasing actions, the spring clip protection 40 is securely held on the body of the needle 40. the needle and the points, thereby immobilizing securely the protection of the needle 40 on the body of the needle. At this time, the needle 16 and the needle guard 40 can be removed together from the head of the catheter 26, and the tip of the needle can not be pushed past the needle guard because it is blocked by the arm distal 42 and the lip 44 of the needle guard. If desired, a groove 60 may be formed in the body of the needle slightly proximal to the tip of the needle. When the needle and the needle guard are in their retracted and clamped positions (Figure IB) the slot 60 is placed slightly distal to the clamping point e of the transverse segment of needle guard 40, so that if a subsequent attempt is made to move the needle further in a backward or proximal direction, transverse segment 50 at point e will rest in slots 60, thereby providing both an additional force to retain the protection of the needle 40 on the needle 16 in the protected position in which access to the tip of the needle is prevented. The IV safety catheter illustrated in Figures 1C and ID is the same illustrated in Figures 1A and IB, except that the groove 60 in the body of the needle in the latter is replaced in the first by a projection 61 whose diameter is larger. than that of the opening 58 in the vertical arm 54. If an attempt is made to move the needle illustrated in Figure 1C in the backward or proximal direction, the projections 61 will engage the wall 54 and thus will not be able to pass through. through the opening 58, to prevent further proximal movement of the needle and removal of the needle from the needle guard, as defined. The embodiment of the invention shown in the Figure 2 is similar to that of Figure 1 except that instead of the groove formed in the lower wall of the catheter head engaging the lower end of the spring clip, a retaining shoulder 62 is formed in that wall against which sits the lower end 46 of the needle guard 40 when the protection of the needle 40 is in the position listed in Figure 2A. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 3A and 3B is essentially the same as that of Figure 2 with the addition of a teter 64 secured at one end of the head of the needle 12 and at its other end to the proximal arm 54 of the spring clip needle guard 40. As shown in Figure 3B, the teter 64 extends its full length when the needle head retracts to achieve needle removal to more securely hold the head of the needle 12 and the spring clip needle guard 40 when the latter is held on the needle when in the retracted position, in which, as described above, the distal arm 42 of the spring clip prevents access to the tip of the needle, and the protection of the needle 40 and the needle are released from the head of the catheter. Figures 4A and 4B illustrate a spring clip needle guard embodying the principles of the invention in an alternative configuration. As shown therein, the spring clip needle guard 40a includes a distal arm 65 terminating at its upper end in a curved lip 66, and at its lower end in a U-shaped portion 67 in which, in the illustrated list position in Figure 4A, it comes into contact with a shoulder 68 formed in the lower interior wall of the catheter head. A transverse segment 69 having a central opening 70 extends proximally and upward and terminates in an upper U-shaped portion 72. A proximal end wall 74 having an opening 76 vertically hangs from that portion 72 and then extends distally in a lower horizontal segment 78, which has an opening 80 through which the lower halves of the distal arm 65 and the transverse segment 69 extend in the ready position of the needle guard. The segment 78 at its distal end extends upward into a front wall 82, which has a central opening 84 axially aligned with the openings 70, 76. At its upper end, the distal front wall 82 extends in the proximal direction at an upper segment 86 which, as shown in Figure 4A, comes into contact with the upper inner wall of the catheter head substantially along its entire length As shown in Figure 4A, when the catheter is in the ready position, the body of the needle passes through the openings 70, 76 and 84 and rests on the curved lip 66, pushing the arm 65 against the shoulder 68 in the lower wall of the head of the catheter. That coupling together with the elastic coupling of the upper segment 86 with the upper inner wall of the catheter head retains the spring clip 40a in its ready position within the head of the catheter. When the head of the needle and the needle are retracted to the right, as seen in Figure 4A, a sufficient amount, the tip of the needle passes below the lip 66 and then releases its force downwardly on the arm 65. As described above, with reference to the first described embodiment, the engagement release of the needle body and spring clip arm 65 causes the arm 65 to move up towards the retracted position illustrated in Figure 4B, wherein the arm 65 and the lip 66 extend over the tip of the needle and thus prevent accidental contact with the tip of the needle when desired. In this condition, the needle guard is held on the body of the needle in essentially the same manner as described above with respect to the first described embodiment, and the needle and the needle guard attached thereto can be easily removed from the needle. head of the catheter, also as described above, and as shown in Figure 4B. The needle protection mode illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B is essentially the same as that shown in Figures 4A and 4B with the addition of a slot 90 near the end of the distal tip of the needle. When the needle and the needle guard is in its retracted and clamped position (Figure 5B), the slot 90 is positioned slightly distal to the clamping point of the transverse segment 69, so that if a subsequent attempt is made to move the needle further in In a rearward or proximal direction, the transverse segment 69 will be centered in the slot 90, thereby providing an additional force to retain the protection of the needle on the needle in the protected position in which access to the tip of the needle is prevented. the needle. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B are the same as those illustrated in Figures 4A and 4B except for the inclusion of a teether 92 secured to one end of the needle head and at its other end in the proximal wall of the pincer needle guard of spring. As shown in Figure 6A, in the ready position, the teter wraps around the distal end of the needle head. As shown in Figure 6B, when the needle and the needle guard are in their retracted position the teter extends to its full length and helps to retain the protection of the needle at the head of the needle. If desired, the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B could also include a groove in the needle as in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 5A and 5B.

The embodiment of Figures 7A-C, differs from the previously described embodiments primarily with respect to the construction and operation of the spring clip needle guard 96. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the spring clip 96 it includes a central cross section 98 which includes a central slot 100. An inclined section 102 extends from the section 98 in the proximal direction and terminates at a curved end 104 from which a vertical proximal arm 106 extends. The arm 106 terminates at its lower end in a U-shaped section 108. The distal end of the cross section 98 terminates a curved section 110 from which a vertical proximal arm 112 extends. The distal arm 112 terminates at its upper end in a curved arm 114. A portion cut in section 98 defines a flexible skirt 116 which ends at its distal free end in an inwardly inclined locking tab 118. As in FIG. In the above embodiments, the proximal arm 106 includes an opening 58. As shown in Figure 7A, the spring clip needle guard 96, when in the ready position illustrated therein, is inserted into the head of the catheter 26. to allow the needle 16 to pass through the opening 58 and the slot 100. As in the embodiments described above, the curved end 104 bears against the internal upper wall of the catheter head 26 at point b, and the curved section 110 sits inside the coupling slot 48 at the point a formed in the inner, lower wall of the catheter head. In addition, the lower curved section 108 comes into contact at a point f of the inner, lower wall of the head of the catheter 26 at a location close to point b. In operation, the needle is initially withdrawn towards the head of the catheter until it reaches the position engaged with the tongue illustrated in Figures 7B, in which as shown therein, the locking tab 118 is received within the groove or slit. of needle 60. At this point, the spring clip remains in contact with the inner wall of the catheter head at points a, b and f, while the tip of needle 18 engages curved end 114, to push through therefore section 110 towards slot 48 at point c. The relative position of point f with respect to point b prevents the needle and clamp from being released prematurely from the catheter head preventing the distal end of the clamp from pinching upward and the proximal end sliding down with the clamp at the end. position engaged in the tongue coupled in Figure 7B. When the needle is withdrawn further away from the patient, as shown in Figure 7C, the tip of the The needle passes beyond the curved end 114, thereby releasing the downward force that has previously been exerted on the curved end 114 by the needle. This sudden release of the force downwardly on the end of the spring clip causes the distal end of the spring clip 96 to rotate upward, so that the distal end 112 of the spring clip 96 moves rapidly to a position in which it prevents or blocks the movement of the needle in the distal direction. The spring clip 96 is retained on the needle 16 and will be removed from the head of the catheter 26 when the needle is completely removed. The movement of the spring clip 96 of its protective or retracted position shown in Figure 7C is further prevented by the insertion of the locking tab 118 into the groove of the needle 60, which prevents the spring clip from rotating around. from the periphery of the needle. This, in turn, secures the spring clamp on the needle even if the clamp is subjected to torsion and traction forces. The IV safety catheter illustrated in the Figures 7D and 7E is the same as that illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, except that the groove 60 in the body of the needle in the latter is replaced in the first by a projection 61 whose diameter is greater than that of the opening 58 in the vertical arm 54. If an attempt is made to move the needle shown in Figure 7D in the rearward or proximal direction, the projection 61 will engage the wall 106 and will not be able to pass through the opening 58, to prevent any further proximal movement of the needle and removal of the needle from the needle. the protection of the needle, when desired. The spring clamp needle protection embodiment 120 described in Figures 10A, 10B, and 11 comprises first and second arms 122 and 124, respectively, joined at their proximal ends in an arrangement articulated at 125 to the ends of a wall. rear 126. The distal ends of the arms 122, 124 each include a curved projection 128 that extends to a distal end wall 130, which in turn terminates in a lip 132. As best shown in Figure 11, the back wall 126 includes a central opening 134, and arms 122 and 124 each of which includes a narrow portion 142 that extends between a broad, distal portion, 140 and a broad, proximal portion, 144. A lateral attachment edge 146 is defined in the broad, distal portion, 144. As shown in Figure 10A, when the protection of the needle 120 is in its ready position, the curved projections 128 on each of the arms 122, 124 are received in a annular groove or ring 136 formed in the inner wall of the head of the catheter 26, which, as in the previous embodiments, it is removably fitted at the distal end of the head of a needle 12. Also, as in the previous embodiment, a needle 16 having a sharp tip 18 at its distal end is received inside a tubular catheter 24, which is secured to the distal end of the catheter head 26. The proximal end of the needle 16 passes through the opening 134 in the back wall 126. The needle 16 includes a projection of larger diameter 138, which is sufficiently small to allow the needle 16 to move axially along the catheter 24, but larger in diameter than the opening 134 for the reasons to be described later. In the list position illustrated in Figure 10A, the needle body passes through the needle guard and applies a radial force outwardly on the spring arms 122, 124 by means of its engagement with the lips 132, to push the curved projections 128 of each of the arms towards the annular groove 136, to retain the protection of the needle 120 in a fixed position within the inner wall of the head of the catheter 26. The body of the needle 16 passing through The needle guard 120 frictionally engages the inner edges of the narrow portions 142 of the arms 122, 124 to further retain the needle in its ready position.

When the needle retracts axially, to the right as seen in Figure 10A, within the head of the catheter, and moves along the end lip 132 of the needle guard, the radial force previously exerted on the arms 122, 124 of the protection of the needle 120 is released suddenly. This causes the distal end walls 130 of the needle guard to be released from their seat in the annular groove 136 and rotate toward the head of the catheter until, as shown in Figure 10B, the end walls 130 overlap each other. at a location distally at the front of the tip of the needle, to thereby form a barrier preventing inadvertent contact with, and distal movement of, the tip of the needle. At the same time, the securing edges 146 of the needle guard are pushed against the tip of the needle to further restrict axial movement of the needle. Also, as shown in Figure 10B, the protection of the needle 120 and the needle attached to the needle guard after retraction of the needle can be removed from the head of the catheter as a unit assembly, and be discarded. safe way. If an attempt is made, intentionally or unnoticed, to pull the needle further to the right, as seen in Figure 10B, out of the needle guard, the projection 138 on the body of the needle The needle will come into contact with the end wall 126, and since its diameter is greater than that of the opening 134, the end wall 126 at this point will prevent any further axial movement of the needle out of the needle guard. The spring clip protection of the invention, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 12, 13A and 13B, includes a transverse arm 150 terminating at its distal end at a distal end wall 152, which includes at its upper end a lip curved 154, and at its lower end a curved end 156. An elongated rectangular slot or opening 158 is provided in the transverse arm 150. The proximal ends of the transfer arm 150 and the opening 158 end in an extension 160 extending upwardly. at an angle of arm 150 and having a finger or skirt 162 extending toward opening 158. The proximal end of extension 160 terminates at a curved end 166 from which a proximal end wall 168 extends downwardly. The wall 168, which includes an opening 170, terminates at its lower end in a curved section 172, from which extends an upwardly inclined arm 174 that terminates at a holding edge 176. As can be seen in Figures 13A and 13B, a 360 ° circular groove 178 formed around the circumferential wall of the needle 16 slightly inward from the needle tip 18.

In the ready position of the spring clip protection of Figure 12, as illustrated in Figure 13A, the needle body passes through the aligned opening 170 in the rear wall 168 and the opening 158 in the cross arm 150, and extends distally beyond the head of the catheter. As in the above embodiments described hereinabove, the needle body in this position exerts a radial force downwardly on the arm 150 by means of its engagement with the curved lip 154. This downward force pushes the curved end 156 of the clip of spring to seat the same firmly within a groove 164 formed in the inner wall of the catheter head at point a. At the same time, the upper curved end 166 of the end wall 168 engages the inner wall of the catheter head at point b, the lower curved end 172 and the wall 168 engages the inner wall of the catheter head at point f. The additional coupling between the needle body and the spring clip is provided by the contact of the finger 162 with the upper end of the needle body at the point e, and between the holding edge 176 and the lower surface of the body of the needle. the needle at point g. In this way, the needle is retained securely but movable within the head of the catheter in its ready position.

When the needle retracts axially, to the right as seen in Figures 13A and 13B, it eventually moves along its engagement with the lip 154, thereby suddenly releasing the radial force that has previously been exerted on the needle. the arm 150 of the needle protection. This release of the coupling between the body of the needle and the lip 154 allows the distal curved end 156 of the distal end wall 152 of the spring clip to be released from its seating in the annular groove 164, so that the arm 150 and the end wall 152 rapidly rotates inside the head of the catheter, as seen in Figure 13B, to a position in which wall 152 forms a barrier to the tip of the needle. This positioning of the wall 152 prevents inadvertent contact with the tip of the needle. The engagement of the finger 162 and the clamping edge 176 to opposite sides of the needle prevents additional axial movement of the needle in any direction. If a subsequent attempt is made to pull the needle axially further to the right, as seen in Figure 13B, the finger 162 will enter the circular groove 178 formed in the surface of the needle, thereby preventing further axial movement of the needle. the needle in the proximal direction outside the needle guard.

In this way it will be appreciated that the spring clip needle protection of the invention as employed in an IV catheter provides automatic and reliable protection of the needle tip after retraction of the needle to prevent accidental contact with the tip of the needle. the needle by a practitioner in the care of health. It will also be appreciated that modifications may be made to the embodiments of the invention specifically described herein above without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Claims (26)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. 1. An intravenous catheter, including a tubular catheter, a needle having a needle body and a tip, the needle is received within the tubular catheter when in a ready position, a catheter head attached to the proximal end of the tubular catheter , the catheter head has a hollow interior enclosed by an interior wall. - the needle moves between the ready position in which the tip is outside the head of the catheter and a retracted position in which the tip is inside the head of the catheter, a unitary needle guard, substantially placed in the inside the head of the catheter and including an elastic portion coupled by the body of the needle when the needle is in the ready position, a section of the elastic portion of the needle guard is pushed by the needle body toward a holding relationship with the head of the catheter when the needle is in the ready position, a distal wall extending from the elastic portion and which engages the needle separated from the tip of the needle when the needle is in the ready position and which moves within the interior of the catheter head for a distal locking position of the needle tip when the needle is in In the retracted position, the coupling of the needle and the pushing of a section of the elastic portion towards the holding contact with the catheter head in the ready position is achieved by coupling the same portion of the needle guard with the body of the needle, characterized in that the section of the elastic portion is a bent portion in retaining contact with a retaining deformation on the lower wall of the head of the needle. the catheter, and means provided over the needle guard for the attachment coupling in the at least two positions of the needle body to hold the needle guard to the needle when the needle guard is in its locked position, in which the body of the needle no longer exerts a force on the elastic portion of the needle. protection of the needle, so that the retention contact between the needle protection section and the catheter head is released. The catheter according to claim 1, characterized in that the distal wall of the needle guard is contiguous with the elastic portion, the elastic portion includes a curved lip that engages the underside of the needle body when the needle is in the ready position. 3. The catheter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the protection of the needle further includes a proximal arm and a transverse segment extending between the distal wall and the proximal arm, the securing means include first and second coupling points on the proximal arm and the transverse segment, respectively, which are pushed against opposite places on the body of the needle when the needle it is in the retracted position, therefore holding the needle protection to the body of the needle. 4. The catheter according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the retention deformation is a groove. 5. The catheter according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the retention deformation is a shoulder. 6. The catheter according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a groove is formed in the body of the needle at a location close to. the tip of the needle, the groove is placed slightly distal to the contact point (e) of the proximal arm of the needle guard, so that after further proximal axial movement of the needle the contact point (e) on the needle Proximal arm of the needle guard is received in the needle slot. The catheter according to claims 1-6, characterized in that it further comprises a needle head fixed to the proximal end of the needle and further comprising a teter attached to one end of the needle head and at its other end to the protection of the needle. The catheter according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the protection of the needle also comprises an upper endproximal to the elastic portion and in contact with the opposite inner wall of the catheter head in the ready position. The catheter according to any of claims 3-8, characterized in that the protection of the needle further includes an upper end wall contiguous with the transverse segment and proximal to the elastic portion and in contact with an opposite inner wall of the head of the catheter in the ready position. The catheter according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the needle guard further comprises a proximal arm having a lower curved segment. in contact with an internal wall of the catheter head when the needle guard is in its ready position. The catheter according to claim 10, characterized in that the proximal arm further includes an upper end in engagement with an opposite location of the inner wall of the catheter head, distal to the point of contact with the lower curved segment, when the Needle protection is in its ready position. The catheter according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that a groove is formed in the lower end of the catheter head, the distal wall of the needle guard includes a portion Lower curve sitting in the slot when the needle guard is in its ready position. The catheter according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that the needle includes a groove formed in its periphery at a location near the tip of the needle, the needle guard further includes a transverse section extending between the proximal arm and the distal wall and includes a flexible skirt received in the groove of the needle when the needle guard is in its locked position. The catheter according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the needle includes a groove formed in its periphery at a location near the tip of the needle, in the needle guard further includes a cross section that is extends between the proximal arm and the distal wall and includes a locking tab received in the needle slot when the needle guard is in its locked position. 15. The catheter according to any of claims 1-14, characterized in that the protection of the needle includes two distal walls which overlap each other and form a barrier distal to the needle when the protection of the needle is in its position of blocking. 16. The catheter according to claim 15, characterized in that the protection of the needle further comprises a proximal end wall having an opening for receiving the needle therethrough and first and second arms which are respectively understood between the proximal end wall and the first and second distal walls. The catheter according to claim 16, characterized in that the distal walls each include a segment projecting, curved, at the end of the arms, the head of the catheter includes an annular groove to receive the segments that project when The protection of the needle is in its ready position. The catheter according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that each of the arms includes a wide section secured to the first and second distal walls and a narrow section extending from the wide section to the end wall. 19. The catheter according to claim 18, characterized in that the clamping means include clamping edges formed on the proximal end of the wide section. 20. The catheter according to any of claims 16-19, characterized in that the needle includes a segment of larger diameter on the body of the needle into the tip of the needle, the diameter of the larger diameter segment is larger than that of the opening in the proximal end wall. 21. The catheter according to any of claims 1-20, characterized in that the protection of the needle includes a proximal end wall extending from the elastic portion that includes an opening that allows the needle to pass through, the needle further includes a segment of larger diameter on the body of the needle toward inside the tip of the needle, the diameter of the segment of greater diameter is larger than that of the opening in the proximal end wall. 22. The catheter according to any of claims 1-21, characterized in that further a proximal end wall and in which the elastic means include an arm extending between the distal wall and the proximal end wall. 23. The catheter according to claim 22, characterized in that the elastic means further include a curved lip at the upper end of the distal wall. 24. The catheter according to any of claims 21-23, characterized in that it further comprises a wall that extends distally and upwards of the lower end of the proximal end wall and ending in a holding edge. 25. The catheter according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises an elastic finger formed in the transverse arm, the finger and the clamping edge engage the opposite surfaces of the needle when the needle is in its ready and locked positions. . The catheter according to claim 25, characterized in that the needle includes a circumferential groove inward of the tip, the finger is adapted to enter the groove in the event that an axial force is applied to the needle in the direction proximal when the needle protection is in its locked position. SPRING CLAMP AS NEEDLE POINT PROTECTION FOR INTRAVENOUS SECURITY CATHETER SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An intravenous safety catheter includes an elastic, unitary needle shield, received at the head of a catheter. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes to move axially. When the needle retracts from the catheter it releases the force that has previously prevented the movement of the needle guard within the head of the catheter. This in turn causes the protection of the needle to move to a position in which it is held on the body of the needle. and in which its distal wall blocks access to the tip of the needle. In this condition, the spring needle and needle protection can be removed from the catheter head. A groove or projection may also be formed on the needle body that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the head of the catheter, thereby preventing removal of the needle. needle protected from needle protection.