MXPA02005710A - Safety needle medical bearing devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a syringe (10) for administering injections of medicinal fluids to a patient or withdrawal of fluid, such as blood from a patient. More specifically the present invention is a syringe device (10) for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein after use the needle (60) is shielded (15) against inadvertent contact to prevent needle sticks.

Description

MEDICAL DEVICES CONTAINING SAFE NEEDLES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to syringes for administering injections of medicinal fluids to patients, or to withdraw from the patient fluids such as blood. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatuses having a retractable needle feature so that the apparatus is non-reusable and safely disposable. This application claims the priority of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 169,430, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Several types of medical devices employ a needle to puncture a patient's skin for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Such an apparatus is a hypodermic syringe. The handling of such medical devices containing needles after the needle has been removed from the patient, can result in the transmission of various pathogens to uninfected medical personnel, most notably the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), due to an accidental sting of the needle. Therefore, it is desirable to provide an apparatus for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein the needle is retracted in the housing of the apparatus after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS All objects of the present invention are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first medical device containing a needle , in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device illustrated in Figure 1, in which the medicine is aspirated into the apparatus; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, illustrating the apparatus just prior to retraction of the needle; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device illustrated in FIG.

Figure 1, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a second medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable then used; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 6, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 7A is an expanded fragmented view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 7; Figure 8 is a partially cut away perspective view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 8A is an expanded fragmented perspective view of the part designated with the letter A of the medical devices illustrated in Figure 8; Figure 8B is an expanded fragmented perspective view of the part designated with the letter B of the medical devices illustrated in Figure 8; Figure 9 is a partially cut away perspective view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 6, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 10 is an exploded partially cut away perspective view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a third medical device containing a needle, in which a shield covers the needle after use; Figure 12 is a plan view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 11; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 11; Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Fig. 11, illustrating the apparatus just prior to advancing the protection; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device illustrated in FIG.

Figure 11, illustrating the apparatus after the protection advances; Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth medical device containing a needle, in which the protection covers the needle after being used; Figure 17 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 16, illustrating the apparatus just prior to advancing the protection; Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 16, illustrating the apparatus after the protection advances; Figure 19 is an expanded fragmented cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 16; Figure 20 is an expanded fragmented cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 17; Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 21, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 23 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a sixth medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 24 is an expanded fragmented cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 23; Figure 25 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a seventh medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 26 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an eighth medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 26, illustrating the apparatus just prior to retraction; Figure 28 is a cross-sectional view of the medical device illustrated in FIG.

Figure 26, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a ninth medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 30 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 29; Figure 31 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 30, illustrating the apparatus once the fluid sample has been obtained; Figure 32 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 29, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; Figure 33 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 10, illustrating the apparatus once the fluid sample has been expelled; Figure 34 is an expanded perspective view of a plunger of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 30; Figure 35 is an expanded perspective view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 30; Figure 36 is a fragmented cross-sectional view of a tenth medical device containing a needle, in which a shield covers the needle after use; Figure 36A is an expanded fragmented sectional view of the part designated with the letter A of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 36; Fig. 36B is an expanded fragmented cross-sectional view of the part designated with the letter B of the medical apparatus illustrated in Fig. 36; Figure 37 is a cross-sectional view of a medical device illustrated in Figure 36; Figure 38 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 36, illustrating the apparatus just prior to advancing the protection; Figure 39 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 36, illustrating the apparatus after the protection advances; Figure 40 is an expanded perspective view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 36; Figure 41 is a cross-sectional view of an eleventh medical device containing a needle, in which the needle is retractable after use; Figure 42 is a cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 41, illustrating the apparatus after retraction; and Figure 43 is an expanded fragmented cross-sectional view of the medical apparatus illustrated in Figure 41.

Detailed Description of the First Apparatus Invention Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, a syringe 10 having a retractable needle 60 is illustrated. The syringe includes a needle retainer 40 for releasably retaining the needle during use. . A plunger 35 operates to aspirate the medicine into the syringe and expel it therefrom in a patient. At the end of the stroke of an injection, the diver plunger 35 fits with the needle retainer 40 to release the needle for retraction. Subsequently, a spring 55 moves the needle 60 backwards so that the contaminated needle is protected within the syringe 10. The syringe 10 includes a generally cylindrical hollow barrel 20. The rear end of the barrel is open to receive the plunger 35. The front end of the barrel is usually closed, having a reduced diameter opening through which the needle 60 is projected. A pair of retention holes 22 is formed in the side part of the barrel adjacent the forward end thereof. The retaining holes 22 cooperate with the needle retainer 40 to retain the needle 60 prior to retraction. A pair of lock openings 24 are formed in the side of the barrel adjacent to the rear end of the barrel (see figure 5). The lock openings 24 cooperate with a pair of lock arms 50 to secure the needle in a retracted position. An elongated shaft 30 is axially positioned within the barrel 20. The stem cooperates with the plunger 35 to effect aspiration and expulsion of the medicine inside and outside the syringe. Specifically, the stem 30 includes a seal 32 positioned at the rear end of the stem. The needle 60 is fixedly adhered to the stem 30 by an adhesive, such as epoxy, so that the front sharpened tip of the needle projects forwardly of the stem, and the rear end of the needle projects into an opening in the shaft. rear end of the stem, adjacent the seal 32. The stem is generally hollow, and a spring disc 34 is adhered to the stem within the hollow part thereof. The spring disc 34 provides a bearing surface against which the rear end of the spring 55 rests. The plunger 35 is a generally hollow cylinder elongated in axial shape having an open front end and a closed rear end. The interior of plunger plunger 35 forms a cavity 37 for receiving medicinal fluid. The diameter of the cavity 37 is designed to cooperate with the outer diameter of the seal 32 on the stem 30 to provide a tight seal between the plunger and the stem. The front end of plunger plunger 35 forms a collar to engage with needle retainer 40, as will be described additionally later. A thumb pad 39 is formed at the rear end of the plunger 35 to facilitate manual operation of the plunger. Specifically, the thumb pad 39 forms a surface that the user can press against the advance of the plunger to eject fluid from the syringe. The needle 60 operates between an extended position, which the sharp point of the needle is exposed to be used, and a retracted position in which the sharp needle is protected within the barrel to avoid accidental contact with it. The spring 55 surrounds the needle 60, and inclines the needle and the attached stem 30 back towards the retracted position. The needle retainer 40 removably retains the needle and the attached stem in the extended position. The needle retainer 40 comprises at least one and preferably two radially deformable arms 42. The ends of the arms 42 form latches that engage with the retaining holes 22 in the barrel to retain the needle against the inclination of the spring 55. arms The retention of the needle 42 are connected to the stem 30, and preferably are formed integrally with the stem. At least a part of the needle retention arms 42 extend transverse to the central axis of the barrel 20. This transverse portion of each needle retention arm forms a fitting surface which cooperates with the front ring of the plunger 35, as will be described later. Configured in this way, the device operates as indicated below. Figure 1 illustrates the syringe 10 as it is transported. A needle cover 15 stores the forward end of the needle 40 to maintain sterility of the needle. Referring to Figure 2, the cover of the needle 15 is removed, and the medicament is sucked into the syringe from a vial, inserting the sharpened tip into the vial and displacing back the plunger 35. The seal between the seal 32 and the interior of the plunger 35, creates a vacuum as the plunger is displaced backwards. In response, fluid flows from the bottle through the needle and into the plunger plunger cavity 37, which is in communication with fluids with the needle. This method for aspirating the syringe 10 is essentially the same as the procedure for aspirating a typical unsecured syringe. However, in the present example, the medicine is aspirated into the plunger 35, instead of into the barrel 20, as it occurs in a typical unsecured syringe. Once the medicine is aspirated into the syringe, the medicine can be injected into a patient by pressing against the thumb pad 39 to move the plunger 35 forward. The medicine flows from the plunger plunger cavity 37 through the needle 60 and into the patient. The distance from the back end of the seal 32 to the actuation surface of the needle retainer 40, is the same as the distance from the plunger ring to the end wall of the cavity 37 in the plunger. In this way, at the end of the injection path (for example, substantially all of the medicament is expelled from the plunger cavity 37), the side of the plunger 35 fits with the needle retaining arms 42, displacing the arms radially inward so that the arms are disengaged from the retention holes 22 that are in the barrel 20, as shown in Figure 3. With reference to Figure 4, once the leaf retainer 40 is released, the spring 55 displaces the stem 30 backwards. . Since the needle 60 is adhered to the stem 30, the needle is moved back along with the stem. In addition, since the plunger is fitted with the stem 30, the plunger is also moved back along with the stem. Referring now to Figure 5, a cross-sectional view is taken through the orthogonal plane to be seen in Figure 4. This view shows the details of the lock feature of the syringe 10. Specifically, at least one and preferably two radially deformable locking arms 50 project radially outwardly of the stem 30. The distance between the rear end of the seal 32 and the lock arms 50 is greater than the distance of the front ring of the plunger towards the rear wall of the plunger cavity 37, so that at the end of the stroke of the injection, plunger plunger does not fit with the lock arms.

When the stem 30 is placed in the forward position, the lock arms 50 move radially inward relative to the position illustrated in Figure 5, and are engaged with alignment grooves 26 formed in the interior of the barrel. The alignment grooves 26 are grooves extending axially that are substantially parallel to the axis of the barrel. As the stem 30 and the needle 60 are retracted from the extended position, the lock arms 50 engage the alignment slots 26 to guide retraction of the stem and the needle. The slots and lock arms prevent the lock arms from rotating relative to the barrel. The alignment grooves intercept the lock openings 24, so that at the end of the retraction the lock arms are radially outwardly engaged with the lock openings 24. Second Apparatus Referring now to Figures 6 through 10, A second safe medical device is illustrated. Apparatus 110 is a syringe having a retractable needle 160, such that after use the contaminated needle is protected against accidental contact. The syringe 110 includes a cylindrical barrel 120 having a generally open front end and a generally open rear end. The front end of the barrel 120 forms a bushing 122 for receiving a slotted collar 130 releasably retaining a needle carrier 140. A plunger 150 can be axially moved within the barrel. At the end of the stroke of an injection, the plunger 150 fits with the needle conveyor 140 to automatically actuate the retraction of the needle 160. The needle 160 has a sharp tip that operates between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, the needle projects forward of the barrel 120 to facilitate the injection of a medicament. In the retracted position, the sharp tip of the needle is stored inside the barrel 120 to avoid inadvertent contact with the sharp tip of the contaminated needle. A spring 155 tilts the needle 160 towards the retracted position.

As shown in Figure 10, preferably the needle 160 is attached to a hub of the needle 162, forming a needle assembly similar to the standard needle assemblies currently used in the medical profession. The hub of the needle has a connector, such as a Luer connector for adhering the needle assembly to the needle carrier 140. The needle carrier 140 is adapted to fit the needle assembly and releasably retain the needle assembly. needle assembly against the inclination of the spring 155. The needle conveyor 140 includes a connector A 146, such as a Luer connector that is configured to cooperate with the needle hub 162 to provide an airtight seal between the hub of the needle. Needle and needle conveyor. The needle conveyor further includes a pin 142 which cooperates with the slotted collar 130 to releasably retain the needle 160 in the extended position, as will be described in more detail below. In addition, the needle conveyor preferably comprises a second circumferentially spaced pin of the pin 142 shown in FIG.

Figure 10, whereby the two pins are positioned symmetrically around the circumference of the needle conveyor, and both pins cooperate with the collar 130. A sealing spring 144 is adhered to the rear end of the needle conveyor 140 for provide an airtight seal between the needle conveyor and the barrel 120. The sealing ring 144 prevents fluid from leaking from the front end of the barrel 120. In this way, the sealing ring 144 forms the front wall of the barrel cavity. fluid inside the barrel, in which the medication is contained. The sheet conveyor 140 is a generally cylindrical element having a perforation that operates as a fluid passage between the interior of the barrel and the needle. In this way, when the assembly of a needle 160, 162 is adhered to the needle conveyor, the needle is in fluid communication with the fluid cavity within the barrel. The spring 155 is positioned between the slotted collar 130 and the needle carrier 140, tilting back the conveyor of the needle. The spring 155 surrounds the needle conveyor 140, and the rear end of the spring engages the circumferential flange projecting radially outwardly from the rear end of the needle conveyor adjacent the sealing spring 144. Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the characteristics of the slotted collar 130 are illustrated in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 8A, the slotted collar 130 is a generally cylindrical collar which engages the bushing 122 at the front end of the barrel 120, to adhere in the form Fix the collar to the barrel. Specifically, the bushing 122 comprises an annular flange 123 at the front end of the barrel and an annular flange 124 axially spaced from the front flange. The flange 123 and the flange 124 operate to retain the collar within the bushing 122. Furthermore, preferably, the slotted collar 130 comprises an alignment wedge 131 which aligns the slotted collar in a predetermined circumferential position relative to the barrel 120. The alignment wedge 131 cooperates with an axially formed groove in the barrel bushing 122. Although the connection between grooved collar 130 and barrel as previously described, as a snap or snap fit, the grooved collar may be fixedly attached to the barrel in various other ways. For example, the slotted collar can be bonded to the barrel, by epoxy. The slotted collar 130 comprises at least one and preferably two pin slots 132 which cooperate with the retention pins 142 adhered to the needle conveyor 140. The pin slots 132 are positioned transverse to the axis of the syringe. Referring to Figures 8A and 8B, an axial slot 134 intersects with the pin slots 132. The rear flange of the pin slot 132, forms a shoulder that engages the pin 142 to retain the needle carrier, such as it is shown in figure 8B. the depth of the axial groove 134 is greater than the length of the pin 142 projecting in the pin groove 132. Therefore, when a needle carrier 140 is rotated so that the pin 142 is aligned circumferentially with the axial groove 134, the needle conveyor 140 it is free to move backward axially relative to the collar. Therefore, the syringe 110 operates as indicated below. Before being used, the user selects an assembly of the needle that adheres to the needle conveyor 140. Subsequently, a dose of medicament is sucked into the syringe, displacing the plunger backwards. The plunger plunger 150 includes a plunger 152 that forms an airtight seal with the inner wall of the barrel. Therefore, the backward movement of the plunger forms a vacuum within the barrel, so that the medicine is withdrawn into the barrel when the plunger is displaced backward. At the end of the run the injection, the plunger plunger engages with the needle conveyor 140. The continuous forward axial displacement of the plunger 150, drives forward the needle conveyor 140. The fit between the pins 142 and the angled slots of the pin 132, operate at similar to a cam and a follower, causing the needle conveyor to rotate until the pins are aligned with the axial slots 134. Subsequently, the spring 155 drives the needle conveyor 140 and adheres needle 160 back in the retracted position. In addition, since the plunger 150 is engaged with the needle conveyor 140, the plunger 150 is also displaced backward as the needle retracts. Preferably, the barrel includes a lock rib 126 that projects radially inwardly from the inner wall of the barrel, adjacent the rear end of the barrel. The lock rib 126 fits with a plunger, acting as a stop to prevent continuous backward movement of the plunger. In this way, the lock rib 126 prevents the plunger, the needle conveyor 140 and the needle 160 from being displaced by the spring, away from the rear end of the barrel. Third Apparatus Referring now to Figures 11 through 15, a third apparatus 310 is illustrated. Apparatus 310 is a syringe having a shield 330 for covering a needle 360 after use. The syringe includes a barrel 320 and a plunger 340 that are similar to the commonly used unsafe syringes, however, the barrel 320 and the plunger 340 are configured so that at the end of the injection path the continuous axial force on the plunger releases the shield 330, and a spring 355 moves the shield 330 toward forward on the used needle 330 to protect the contaminated needle against accidental contacts. The barrel 320 is a generally hollow cylinder having a generally closed front end with a reduced diameter opening forming a fluid passage, and a rear end that is substantially open to receive the plunger 340. The plunger 340 includes a plunger 344 in airtight fit with the inside wall of the barrel to aspirate the medication with the syringe and inject it into a patient. A connector 322 is formed at the forward end of the barrel 320, and is configured to adhere the needle 360 to the barrel. Preferably, the connector 322 is a threaded Luer connector. Needle 360 is fixedly attached to a hub of needle 362 to form a needle assembly similar to that commonly used with unsafe medical devices. By way of Specifically, the needle hub 362 is adapted to cooperate with the connector 322 to adhere the needle assembly to the barrel 320. Preferably, the needle hub comprises a female Luer connector that provides a tight seal between the needle assembly and the barrel. In this way, the assembly of the needle is easily adhered to the barrel by the user, so that the needle is in communication with the fluids inside the barrel. Barrel 320 includes a guard lock 324 adjacent connector 322. Guard lock 324 is a circumferential flange that operates to retain guard 330 in an extended position after use. The closure of the shield 324 may be formed integrally with the barrel 320, however in this case, the closure of the shield 324 is formed on the outer surface of a collar placed around the Luer connector 322. A flange 326 projects radially outwardly from the outer surface of the barrel 320 adjacent to the rear end of the barrel.

The guard 330 is a generally cylindrical sleeve placed on the barrel 320, so that the guard and the barrel are preferably coaxial. The protection can operate between two positions, a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position the needle 360 is exposed for use. In the extended position, the protection keeps the sharp point of the needle to avoid accidental stings of the same. A spring 355 placed between the barrel and the guard tilts the guard towards the extended position. Specifically, the spring is positioned between the flange 326 at the rear end of the barrel, and an annular flange 334 projecting radially inwardly from the interior of the shield 330, as shown in Figure 11. At least one, and preferably two, protection latches 332 adhered to the rear end of the protection 330 releasably retain the protection in the retracted position. The latches of the shield 332 are radially deformable arms that fit the circumferential flange 326 formed at the rear end of barrel 320. Locks 332 have rear-facing actuation surfaces that are angled transversely to the axis of the syringe. The actuation surfaces cooperate with a button cover 345 which is in the plunger 340 to release the guard 330, as will be described later. The plunger 340 can be placed axially inside the barrel. A piston 344 adhered to the front end of the plunger forms a watertight seal with the inner surface of the barrel. The rear end of the plunger 340 comprises a thumb pad 342 projecting radially outwardly. The cap of the button 345 is adhered to the thumb pad 342. The button 345 is a generally cylindrical cup-shaped element having an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the thumb pad 342. The cap of the button can operate between a first position and a second position. A detent 347 projects radially inward from the inner surface of the button cover to prevent displacement of the button cover of the first button. position towards the second position. The detent 347 cooperates with the thumb pad 342 to provide sufficient retaining force to prevent the button cover from being displaced in the second position in response to the forward axial force applied to the button cover to move the plunger forward. during the course of an injection. Referring to Figure 12, the syringe is illustrated in a position in which the plunger is fully inserted into the barrel so that the piston 344 fits the front wall of the barrel. This is the position of the plunger at the end of the stroke of an injection. In Figure 11, the lid of the button 345 is shown in its first position. In this position, the front ring of the cap of the button does not fit with the protection latches 332. At the end of the injection stroke the cap of the button 345 can be moved in the second position by applying sufficient front axial force to the cap of the cap. • button to overcome the forced retention provided by the fit between the retainer 347 and the push pad 342.

Referring to Figure 14, as the cap of the button 345 moves in the second position, the front ring of the cap of the button engages with the actuation surfaces of the protection locks 332 deforming the protection locks radially outwardly. of the engagement with the flange 326. Subsequently, the spring 355 moves the shield 330 forward in the extended position to cover the needle 160. The shield includes a guard retainer 335 in the form of a pair of axially deformable locks formed on the side wall of the shield, as shown in FIG. 13. As the shield 330 is displaced forward, the shield retainer engages the shield lock 324 on the forward end of the barrel 320 to securely close the shield in the extended position, thereby avoiding the re-exposure of the needle 160. Referring now to figures from 16 to 20, it is Ustra a fourth security medical device. The apparatus is a combination of a needle assembly 420 and a secure syringe 410. Syringe 410 is the same one used usually in unsafe hypodermic syringes. The needle assembly 420 is adapted to cooperate with syringes 410 that are currently available, so that they can be used with a secure needle assembly without modification. Specifically, the needle assembly 420 includes a needle 430 having a sharp needle and a shield 440 extending into the needle after being used to prevent accidental contact with the contaminated needle. The syringe 410 includes a hollow cylindrical barrel 415 and a plunger 417 that can reciprocate within the barrel to infuse medicament into the barrel or expel fluid from the barrel. The front end of the barrel 415 comprises a connector 419, such as a Luer connector to adhere the needle assembly to the barrel before use. In this case, the plunger 417 is illustrated as a standard plunger used in connection with hypodermic syringes, wherein the plunger comprises an axially extended plunger rod and a piston adhered to the forward end of the plunger rod. However, it may be desirable to use needle assembly 420 with syringes that are used for remove blood samples and insert guide wires. Specifically, the plunger may include a bore to receive a guide wire, along with a valve to prevent fluid from the syringe from leaking into the bore. During use, a guide wire is inserted through the plunger and fed through needle 430 into a patient. The needle assembly 420 includes a needle hub 425 for adhering the needle assembly 420 to the barrel 415. The needle hub 425 includes a connector, such as a Luer connector cooperating with the barrel connector 419 to form the barrel. an airtight seal between the assembly of the needle and the syringe. The needle 430 is fixedly attached to the hub of the needle 425. The shield 440 operates between a retracted position, in which the needle is exposed for use, as shown in Figure 17, and an extended position in which the protection covers the sharp point of the needle as shown in Figure 18. A spring 435 tilts the shield 440 to the extended position. The 445 protection retainer holds in shape the protection 440 is released in the retracted position against the inclination of the spring 435. The protection retainer 445 comprises at least one, and preferably two radially deformable arms 447. The arms 447 comprise an actuation part positioned transverse to the central axis of The syringe. The ends of the arms form bolts cooperating with the retaining openings 442 formed in the forward end of the shield 440. The ends of the arms 447 form a flange projecting radially cooperating with the first and second lock flanges. 426, 427 formed in the hub of the needle 425. Specifically, the first and second lock flanges 426, 427 are formed on the inner surface of the hub of the needle 425 that project radially inwardly. The lock flanges 426, 427 have a tapered leading edge and a perpendicular rear flange, so that the lock flanges operate as one direction latches that allow the lock flange 449 of the latch arms 447 to be displaced rearwardly in the direction of engagement. shape relative to the hub of the needle, but not forward. In this way, the lock flanges 426, 427 cooperate with the lock flange 449 to retain the retaining arms 447 in the first and second axial positions. The front flange of the needle hub 425 forms a ring configured to cooperate with the actuation portion of the retaining arms 447. During use of the apparatus, the guard retainer 445 is positioned so that the lock flange 449 engages with the first lock flange 446, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 19, after being used, pulling the protection backwards moves the protection retainer 445 rearward relatively to the hub of the needle 425. This displaces the lock flange 449 in engagement with the second lock flanges 427 whereby the protection fork 445 securely closes in a substantially permanent manner in a backward position. In addition, by pulling the protection backwards after use, the retaining arms 447 are displaced in engagement with the front ring of the needle hub 425 so that the hub of the needle displaces the arms radially. inwardly out of the socket with the openings 442 in the guard. Subsequently, the spring 435 moves the shield 440 forward in the extended position to cover the needle, as shown in figure 18. Fourth Apparatus Referring now to figures 16 to 20, a fourth medical device is illustrated of security. The apparatus is a combination of a needle assembly 420 and a secure syringe 410. Syringe 410 is the same as is normally used in unsafe hypodermic syringes. The assembly of the needle 420 is adapted to cooperate with the syringes 410 that are currently available, so they can be used with a secure needle assembly without modification. Specifically, the needle assembly 420 includes a needle 430 having a sharp needle and a shield 440 extending into the needle after being used to prevent accidental contact with the contaminated needle. The syringe 410 includes a hollow cylindrical barrel 415 and a plunger 417 that can reciprocate within the barrel to infuse medicament into the barrel or expel fluid from the barrel. barrel. The front end of the barrel 415 comprises a connector 419, such as a Luer connector for adhering the needle assembly to the barrel before use. In this case, the plunger 417 is illustrated as a standard plunger used in connection with hypodermic syringes, wherein the plunger comprises an axially extended plunger rod and a piston adhered to the forward end of the plunger rod. However, it may be desirable to use needle assembly 420 with syringes that are used to draw blood samples and insert guidewires. Specifically, the plunger may include a bore to receive a guide wire, along with a valve to prevent fluid from the syringe from leaking into the bore. During use, a guide wire is inserted through the plunger and fed through needle 430 into a patient. The needle assembly 420 includes a needle hub 425 for adhering the needle assembly 420 to the barrel 415. The needle hub 425 includes a connector, such as a Luer connector cooperating with the barrel connector 419 to form the barrel. an airtight seal between the assembly of the needle and the syringe. The needle 430 is fixedly attached to the hub of the needle 425. The shield 440 operates between a retracted position, in which the needle is exposed for use, as shown in Figure 17, and an extended position in which the protection covers the sharp point of the needle as shown in Figure 18. A spring 435 tilts the shield 440 to the extended position. The guard retainer 445 releasably holds the guard 440 in the retracted position against the tilt of the spring 435. The guard retainer 445 comprises at least one, and preferably two radially deformable arms 447. The arms 447 comprise a portion of Acting placed transversely to the central axis of the syringe. The ends of the arms form bolts cooperating with the retaining openings 442 formed in the forward end of the shield 440. The ends of the arms 447 form a flange projecting radially cooperating with the first and second lock flanges. 426, 427 formed in the hub of the needle 425. Specifically, the first and second flanges 426, 427 are formed on the inner surface of the hub of the needle 425 projecting radially inwardly. The lock flanges 426, 427 have a tapered leading edge and a perpendicular rear flange, so that the lock flanges operate as one direction latches that allow the lock flange 449 of the latch arms 447 to be displaced rearwardly in the direction of engagement. shape relative to the hub of the needle, but not forward. In this way, the lock flanges 426, 427 cooperate with the lock flange 449 to retain the retaining arms 447 in the first and second axial positions. The front flange of the needle hub 425 forms a ring configured to cooperate with the actuation portion of the retaining arms 447. During use of the apparatus, the guard retainer 445 is positioned so that the lock flange 449 engages with the first lock flange 446, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 19. With reference to FIGS. 17 and 19, after being used, pulling the protection backwards moves the protection retainer 445 backward relatively. to the needle hub 425. This displaces the lock flange 449 in engagement with the second lock flanges 427 whereby the protection fork 445 securely closes substantially permanently in a backward position. In addition, by pulling the shield back after use, the retaining arms 447 are moved in engagement with the front ring of the needle hub 425 so that the hub of the needle moves the arms radially inwardly out of the socket. with openings 442 in the protection. Later, the spring 435 moves the shield 440 forward in the extended position to cover the needle, as shown in Figure 18. Fifth Apparatus Referring now to Figures 21 and 22, a fifth medical safety device is illustrated. The apparatus is a needle assembly 510 that operates in connection with a number of standard medical devices having a cooperating connector, such as the syringe 410 illustrated and described above. However, needle assembly 510 is particularly adapted for use with a medical device for insert a guide wire 515 into a patient. The needle assembly 510 comprises a housing that is preferably formed of two pieces, ie a rear housing 520 and a front housing 525. The needle assembly also includes a needle 445 that operates between a projection position, in which the sharp point of the needle is exposed for use, and a retracted position in which the sharp tip is protected against accidental contact. A spring 540 tilts the needle back toward the retracted position, and a latch 435 releasably holds the needle in the extended position against the spring inclination. The spring 540 is directly attached to the needle along the length of the front of the needle at the rear end thereof. Preferably, the spring is attached to the needle by epoxy. The trailing edge of the spring rests against the bolt 535, thereby retaining the needle 545. A manually operable push button 537 is adhered to the bolt 535. The bolt 535 has an opening that is larger than the latch 535. diameter of spring 540. Therefore, by pressing the push button towards below the spring is aligned with the bolt opening, thus allowing the needle to retract backwards. The front end of the housing is generally closed and has a reduced diameter opening through which the needle 545 extends. A nose seal 527 is positioned within the housing adjacent to the front opening, so that at the time of retraction, The nose seal seals the front opening to prevent fluid seeping out of the needle assembly. A generally cylindrical needle chamber 530 is positioned within the housing extending between the rear housing 520 and the housing 525. The rear end of the rear housing 520 is generally open forming a connector such as a Luer fitting 522 to adhere the assembly of the needle 510 to the medical device. An end wall 524 adjacent to the Luer fitting 522 has a reduced diameter opening through which the fluid and / or a guide wire 515 can pass. A valve 550 is adhered to the rear end of the needle 545. The valve operates to prevent residual fluid in the needle from spill out of the front end of the needle, as the needle is retracted. In addition, the valve 550 includes tapered surfaces that are rearwardly oriented to align a guide wire with the opening at the rear end of the needle to thread the guide wire through the needle. Sixth Apparatus Referring now to Figures 23 and 24, a sixth safety medical device is illustrated. The apparatus is a hypodermic syringe 610 having a retractable needle 660. The syringe includes a needle retainer 640 that releasably holds the needle 660 in an extended position. A plunger 630 is configured to cooperate with the needle retainer to release the needle 660 after use. The syringe 610 includes a generally cylindrical hollow barrel 620 having a rear end open to receive the plunger 630. The forward end of the barrel 620 tapers inward to form a nose. Plunger 630 can be moved axially within the barrel, and forms a seal with the inside wall of the barrel.

The plunger is hollow, it has a cavity 632 to receive the needle 660 once it is retracted. The forward end of the plunger has an opening designed to receive the needle after it is retracted. The dissociable plunger 634 seals the opening at the front end of the plunger to prevent fluid from entering the cavity 632 during suction of the medicament in the barrel or expulsion thereof during the course of an injection. In this example, plunger 634 engages in friction with the plunger. Alternatively, the plunger may be frangibly adhered to the plunger. In any case, the connection between the plunger and the plug is greater than the hydraulic pressure to the plug during the course of an injection. The needle 660 has a sharp tip for piercing a patient, and operates between a projection position, in which the sharp tip is exposed for use, and a retracted position, in which the needle is positioned within the plunger cavity. 632 to protect the contaminated needle from accidental contact. A spring 655 attached to the needle inclines the needle to the retracted position. He needle retainer 640 releasably retains needle 660 against spring inclination. The needle retainer comprises a perforation. A needle seal 635 positioned between the perforation and the needle retainer provides a tight seal between the seal and the needle retainer comprising a perforation. A needle seal 635 positioned between the perforation and the needle retainer provides an airtight seal between the seal and the needle retainer. The seal 635 is a cup-shaped element having a substantially open front end and a substantially closed rear end. A passage for fluids extends through the closed rear end of the seal 635. The spring 655 tilts the needle 660 against the closed end of the seal 635, so that the needle rests on the fluid passage, whereby the perforation of the The needle is aligned with the fluid passage of the seal. A circumferential rib 637 projects radially outwardly around the circumference of the seal 635 and in engagement with the perforation of the needle retainer. The rib 637 provides an airtight seal between seal 635 and perforation of the needle retainer so that fluid from the barrel does not leak out of the barrel between the needle retainer and the seal. In addition, the needle retainer 640 comprises a circumferential flange 644 forming a spring fit with a recess in the nose of the barrel formed to receive the needle retainer. The fit between the flange 644 and the inner wall of the barrel forms an airtight seal so that the fluid does not leak from the barrel between the needle retainer and the wall of the barrel. The needle retainer 640 comprises a plurality of axially elongated radially deformable fingers 642. The ends of the fingers form hooks or bolts that engage the needle seal 635. Since the needle 660 rests on the seal of the needle 635 needle, the needle retainer retains the needle along with the needle seal. The rear surface of the fingers 642 tapers radially outwardly and the forward end of the plunger 630 tapers to cooperate with the tapered surfaces of the fingers. In this way, at the end of the stroke of an injection, the tapered surfaces of the plunger 630 engage with the tapered surfaces of the fingers 642, and operate in a wedge-like manner to deform the fingers radially outwardly of the socket with the needle seal 635. As the plunger moves forward, the plunger 634 At the end of the plunger, it fits with the needle seal 635 and the needle seal discharges the plug from the opening of the plunger, thereby providing access to the cavity. Therefore, once the needle retainer releases the needle seal, the spring 655 drives the needle, the needle seal and the stopper back into the plunger cavity. Seventh Apparatus Referring now to Figure 25, a seventh medical safety device is illustrated. The apparatus is a hypodermic syringe 710 having a retractable needle 760. The syringe 710 is similar to the syringe illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24. Specifically, the syringe 710 has a barrel 720, a plunger 730 and a stopper 710. needle 740 which are configured in substantially the same manner as barrel 620, plunger 630 and needle retainer 640 of the syringe illustrated in Figures 23 and 24, and described above. The syringe 710 of FIG. 25 differs from the syringe 610 in the following manner. The syringe 710 includes an axially elongated needle seal 735 having a bore for receiving the needle, and the needle is fixedly attached to the needle seal within the bore. The needle seal includes a circumferential rib 737 that forms an airtight seal between the needle seal and the perforation of the needle retainer 740, similar to the syringe 610. The syringe 710 also comprises an actuator 750 placed at the front end of the barrel. The actuator 750 is a disk-like element having a tapered surface 752 projecting from its front face. The tapered surface 752 is configured to cooperate with the needle retainer to deform the fingers of the needle retainer 742 radially outward to release the needle. The actuator is positioned between the front end of the plunger 730 and the rear end of the needle retainer 740. Therefore, at the end of the route of the injection, the plunger engages the actuator 750 by moving the actuator axially forwardly so that the tapered surface 752 fits with the needle retainer 740 to release the needle. In addition, the cap 734 seals the opening with the cavity 732 of the plunger that engages the needle seal 735, which discharges the cap as the plunger is moved forward. Therefore, once the needle is released by the needle retainer, the spring 755 moves the needle back in the retracted position in the plunger cavity, so that the sharp tip of the needle is protected against accidental contacts . Eighth Apparatus Referring now to Figures 26 through 28, an eighth medical safety device is illustrated. The apparatus is a hypodermic syringe 810 having a retractable needle 860. The syringe is similar to the syringe illustrated in Fig. 25. Specifically, syringe 810 has a barrel 820, a plunger 830 and a needle seal 835 that they are configured substantially in a manner similar to barrel 720, plunger 730 and seal of needle 735 of the syringe illustrated in Figure 25, and described above. The syringe 810 of the figures from 26 to 28 differs from the syringe 710 in the following manner. The syringe 810 includes a nozzle-type needle retainer 840 and a retaining collar 850 that cooperates with the needle retainer. Specifically, the needle retainer comprises a plurality of axially elongate fingers 842 having engagement surfaces that engage the seal side of the needle 835. The fingers 842 are inclined radially outwardly of the needle seal 835. The retaining collar 850 retains the fingers 842 inwardly in engagement with the needle seal, to retain the needle against the backward tilt of the spring 855. Specifically, the retaining collar 850 has an internal diameter that is substantially the same or less than the combined diameter of the needle seal 835 and the thickness of the fingers 842. In this way, the fingers 842 operate similarly to a nozzle to fit in the form of friction with the seal of the needle.

At the end of the stroke of an injection, the plug 834 at the front end of the plunger is discharged by the needle seal 835. The opening at the front end of the plunger 830 is larger than the diameter of the needle retainer 840, when the needle retainer is in engagement with the needle seal. Therefore, as the plunger is displaced forward, the plunger advances in the needle retainer leading the retaining collar 850 forward. As the retaining collar 850 is moved forward, the fingers 842 are released so that they move radially outwardly releasing the needle. The spring 855 then propels the needle back into the plunger so that the sharp tip of the needle is protected against accidental contact, as shown in FIG. 28. In addition, the interior of the plunger adjacent to the opening is preferably taper in form radially outwards. The outer surface of the fingers 842 fits the inner tapered surface of the plunger to prevent backward movement of the plunger, thereby securely closing the plunger in the barrel.

Ninth Apparatus Referring now to figures 29 through 35, a ninth safety medical device is illustrated. The apparatus is a fluid sample apparatus 910 having a retractable needle 960. The apparatus is particularly suitable for drawing blood samples from a patient's artery. The apparatus 910 includes a housing 920 and a needle 960 projecting forward of the housing. A spring 955 tilts the needle back toward a retracted position in which the sharp tip of the needle is stored within the housing. The needle retainer 955, in the form of a latch that engages an opening or bushing 921 in the housing, releasably retains the needle in the extended position. The needle retainer 955 is integrally formed with a mounting stem 952 that is positioned within the housing. A piston and a seal 970 are mounted on the mounting stem 952. The piston 970 forms an airtight seal inside a cylindrical barrel 940 that is positioned within the interior of the housing. Such As shown in figures from 30 to 32, the barrel 940 is displaceably relative to the housing 920 to form a fluid chamber of variable size. The fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the needle 960. Preferably, a check valve 980 is positioned within the piston 970. The check valve 980 allows fluid to flow into the fluid cavity, but prevents the fluid from flowing outside the fluid chamber through needle 960. In this example, the check valve is a ball-type check valve. Specifically, the check valve comprises an inlet port 982 for receiving fluid from needle 960, a discharge passage 984 for discharging fluid in the fluid chamber. A frusto-conical valve seat is formed adjacent to the inlet port 982. When the piston 970 is moved relative to the barrel backward, a check ball 986 sits on the valve seat to prevent fluid from flowing out of the camera through the needle. The retraction of the needle 960 is activated by manual pressure of a button, which disengages the latch of the needle retainer 955 from the housing 920. Subsequently, the spring 965 urges the needle retainer 955 back, the mounting stem 952 of the barrel 940 together with the fluid sample. As the barrel 940 is displaced rearwardly, a circumferential flange 944 which is located on the outside of the front end of the barrel, engages with an inner annular flange 932 projecting radially inwardly from a sleeve 930 which fits in the form of a plug with the housing 920. As the barrel is moved rearwardly further, the sleeve 930 is also moved rearward until a pair of lock teeth 957 connected to the mounting stem 952, engage with lock windows 926 that are in the housing , which prevents additional backward movement of the sleeve and barrel as well as the needle and the mounting stem. Preferably, the lock teeth 957 engage with the axial alignment grooves 925 that are inside the housing, which prevents the stem 952 from turning relative to the housing during retraction. Plug socket 930, It allows the use of a shorter housing, while providing a confinement long enough to hold the used needle. Referring now to Figures 33 and 34, once the needle is retracted, the fluid can be expelled from the fluid chamber located in the barrel 940. Specifically, the rear end of the barrel has a diameter opening reduced through which fluid can be expelled. The trailing end of the barrel forms a connector 942, such as a Luer fitting for cooperating with a diagnostic apparatus, such as a blood gas analyzer. The opening at the rear end of the barrel is sealed by a vent cover 945. The vent cover 945 fits with the Luer fitting to form an airtight seal. In addition, the vent cap includes a porous plug 948 that allows air to flow out of the barrel, and prevents blood from leaking out of the opening in the back of the barrel. In this way, a blood sample can be drawn and maintained in a sealed condition and injected in a diagnostic device without air pollution. Tenth Apparatus Referring to figures 36 to 40, a tenth medical safety device is illustrated. The apparatus 1010 is a syringe that has a shield 1040 to cover the needle after use. Protection 1040 surrounds barrel 1020 of the syringe. A spring 1055 leans forward the shield 1040. As shown in Figure 36A, a retainer 1025 formed on the barrel side cooperates with a recess 1049 that is in the shield, to retain the protection in a retracted position against the spring inclination, so that the needle 1050 is exposed for use. The front end of the barrel of the syringe is generally open. A separate nose piece or cap 1030 is adhered to the forward end of the barrel of the syringe. The lid has a reduced diameter opening that forms a tip in the shape of a Luer fitting 1032. In this way, the lid stores the forward end of the barrel of the syringe so that the leading end is substantially closed.

The cap 1030 is adhered to the forward end of the barrel by a plurality of annular interference seals 1034, as shown in FIG. 36B, so that the cap or nose piece forms a spring adjustment connection with the barrel of the syringe . Referring to Figure 38, at the end of the injection stroke, the piston at the forward end of the plunger 1035 fits with the nose piece. In continuous advancement of the piston moves forward the nose piece, thus leading forward the protection, which in turn releases the fit between the retainer that is in the barrel of the syringe and the recess that is in the protection. Subsequently, the spring advances the protection on the needle, so that the sharp point of the needle is stored inside the protection to avoid accidental contact with the contaminated needle. Preferably, as shown in Figure 39, the protection includes lock fabulators 1042 which prevent retraction of the protection after use. Eleventh Apparatus Referring now to figures 41 to 43, an eleventh safety medical device is illustrated. The eleventh device is a syringe. This ninth alternative modality is similar to the modalities illustrated in figures from 21 to 23, which were described above. As shown in Figure 41, the apparatus includes a needle retainer for releasably retaining the needle in an extended position against the inclination of a spring so that the sharp tip of the needle extends forward of the barrel of the needle. The syringe. The needle retainer is in the form of a disc having a central part or hub which is frangibly attached to an outer annular part. The central hub and the needle retainer are attached to the back end of the needle. At the end of the injection stroke, the front end of the plunger fits with the needle retainer. The further advancement of the plunger causes the outer annular part of the needle retainer to detach from the central hub which is adhered to the needle. In addition, a plug or seal at the front end of the plunger is displaced, establishing an opening leading to the hollow interior of the plunger. plunger. Once the needle retainer is fractured, the needle is released so that the spring urges back the needle and hub adhered into the housing, and more specifically the plunger. In addition, the plunger preferably includes a plurality of radially deformable spring locking arms that provide a lock with one direction lock to prevent removal of the plunger after the retraction actuation. The locks fit with an annular shoulder pad that is on the inside surface of the barrel of the syringe. The terms and expressions that have been used are used as terms of description and not limitation. It is not intended in the use of such terms and expressions, to exclude any equivalents of the characteristics shown and described or parts thereof. However, it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (1)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the content of the following is claimed as property: CLAIMS

1. A medical device comprising: a housing; a needle projecting forward of the accommodation; where after use, the needle is protected against accidental contact to prevent needle stings.