TWI576130B - Retractable needle device - Google Patents

Description

Retractable needle device

The present invention is directed to a newly disclosed front end attachment having a retractable needle for attachment to a conventional medical device, such as a syringe. The invention more particularly relates to a medical device that includes a needle, a needle locator, a needle retraction mechanism, a syringe engagement member having a retraction tube, in combination. The device has a needle retraction mechanism that is activated by a pinch motion and retracts the needle from the patient to advance the needle into a retraction tube that is part of the hub assembly.

A conventionally known syringe includes a generally cylindrical barrel, a fixed needle projecting forwardly from the barrel, and a slidable piston disposed in the barrel through the opening at the rear end of the barrel. More recently, syringes have been made from luer connectors on the front end of the cartridge, and the needle hub can be attached thereto to allow needles of different gauges or sizes to be used for co-constructed cartridges.

More recently, syringes with fixed or replaceable needles have been designed to reflect a variety of "safety" components in an effort to control the distribution of pathogens in the blood and contact with exposed needles or body fluids. . Although such "safe" components should be desirable, including Needle shrinkage, but many products sold as having "safe" elements include, for example, a lid or shield that is manually operated by a medical professional in charge of the injection to shield or cover the needle tip after removal of the needle from the patient.

Some previously disclosed needle retraction systems without a replaceable needle are manually or automatically activated by applying a force upon completion of the injection to force the needle and tip back into the retraction chamber. It is only known that a syringe with a replaceable retractable needle does not have a conventional Luer-type locking connection, and the retraction mechanism is initiated by applying a forwardly directed force to the piston handle after removing the needle from the patient, This exposes the needle and also exposes the user to the risk of injury to the needle.

Although there have been many advances in syringe technology in recent years, there is still a need for a front-end attachment device that can be used with a standard syringe having a conventional Luer-type locking connector that provides the advantages of a replaceable needle while combining the needle insertion into the patient At the same time, the retractable needle provides sufficient retraction force to retract the needle, and can be easily and easily activated by applying a pinching force.

The disclosed medical device features automatic needle retraction in which needle retraction is initiated by applying a relative compressive force consistent with the main sliding interface to reduce or hinder translation of one element of the device relative to another element. The possibility of sticking, breaking or tilting. As far as the syringe is applied, the medical device further comprises an automatic retraction device, wherein the needle retraction mechanism can be activated independently of the position of the piston.

The disclosed retractable needle device includes an engagement member that is selectively attachable to a co-constructed, forwardly facing portion of the medical device, such as a conventional syringe having a forward facing luer lock connector. Other medical devices that may be used with the retractable needle device may include, without limitation, other fluid collection or infusion devices that may utilize retractable needles. In addition to the engagement member, the retractable needle device desirably includes: a retraction tube; the alignment member includes a needle tube; a needle retracting mechanism that is biased backward, which is seated in the needle tube; and a retractable needle Projecting forward from the alignment member; a fluid flow path from the fluid chamber through the engagement member, the needle tube, the needle retraction mechanism, the needle; wherein the needle is retracted into the retraction tube by applying a pinching force after use. As used throughout the disclosure, the words "attachable", "detachable", "changeable" are used to define, for example, a needle or a needle/hub. The features of the anterior accessory are combined, which are selectively attachable, detachable or otherwise replaceable to a medical device such as a syringe, for example, but not limited to, a particular clinical application for selecting a particular gauge needle.

If desired, the retractable needle device as disclosed herein can also be made of a slip-fitted luer cone, buckle or other attachment mechanism rather than a conventional luer lock connector, provided that it The medical devices used were co-constructed. The retractable needle device as disclosed herein desirably includes a retractable needle and retraction is initiated by a pinch pressure applied generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis through the needle. A satisfactory retractable needle device as disclosed herein desirably has sufficient retractive force to retract the needle still inserted into the patient's body and thereby avoid exposing the contaminated needle to others. As in The retractable needle device disclosed herein desirably utilizes a retraction tube, which is not embodied, for example, in a syringe or piston handle, but instead is a component of an attachable assembly.

After injection using the medical device provided by the medical device disclosed herein, the clinical person in charge of the injection desirably applies finger pressure to the two relatively textured lugs with the thumb and other fingers. Applying the pinching pressure causes the needle holder and the needle to move relatively apart from the syringe connector and toward the retraction tube. This relative movement continues until the needle holder is aligned with the forwardly facing opening of the retraction tube, where the needle retraction mechanism advances the needle holder into the retraction tube. The needle holder carries the attached needle back to a fully retracted position where the needle is released from the patient and the needle tip no longer protrudes forward from the needle tube. At the same time, using the device disclosed herein, if the clinical person in charge of the injection needs or decides to terminate the injection, the needle can be retracted prior to infusing all of the fluid in the syringe.

10‧‧‧Syringe assembly

20‧‧‧ syringe

22‧‧‧Luer-style tip, Luer cone

23‧‧‧ internal thread

24‧‧‧ Fluid Room

25‧‧‧ collar

26‧‧‧ piston handle

27‧‧‧ thumb cap

28‧‧‧ piston seal

29‧‧‧Flange

30‧‧‧Retractable needle device

32‧‧‧ needle

34‧‧‧ tip

35‧‧‧(first) pinch

36‧‧‧Cover and syringe joint components

38‧‧‧Luer-type locking tube

41‧‧‧Sliding support surface

42‧‧‧Retraction tube

44‧‧‧Fluid seals

45‧‧‧Ontology

46‧‧‧ needle holder

47‧‧‧ head

48‧‧‧Retraction spring

49‧‧‧ annular depression

52‧‧‧Target components

54‧‧‧ needle

56‧‧‧(second) pinch

58‧‧‧Maintenance clip

62‧‧‧ holes

64‧‧‧Maintenance bracket

66‧‧‧Lock wedges

70‧‧‧ needle cap

72, 74‧‧‧ (laterally protruding) lugs

The apparatus of the present invention is further described and explained in relation to the following figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a syringe to which a retractable needle device is attached; Figure 2 is a view of the apparatus of Figure 1 along Figure 1 Figure 2 is an exploded view of the retractable needle device of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an illustration of the syringe connector and syringe of the retractable needle device Figure 5 shows the syringe and retractable needle device of Figure 1 after the syringe piston has been fully depressed; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the retractable needle device activated by the user; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the retractable needle device prior to needle retraction; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the retractable needle device after needle retraction; Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the retractable needle device of Figure 8; 10 is a cross-sectional view of the retractable needle device of FIG. 9 along line 10-10; FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the device of FIG. 1 with a needle cover; FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG.

The entire drawing uses the same reference numerals to describe the same features.

For purposes of illustration, the retractable needle device of the present invention is described below in relation to a medical device that is a syringe assembly and that has been releasable thereon to mount the retractable needle device of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the retractable needle device of the present invention can be similarly used to collect or infuse fluids, along with other medical devices that are not syringes.

1, 2, 4 show a syringe assembly 10 comprising: a syringe 20 having a luer lock connector 22, 23 disposed at a forward end; a piston handle 26 having a slidably engaging sidewall of the syringe 20 a piston seal 28; and a retractable needle device 30 attached to the luer lock The connectors 22, 23 are positioned to establish fluid communication between the fluid chamber 24 of the syringe 20 and the needle 32 of the retractable needle device 30. The piston handle 26 extends rearwardly from the back opening of the syringe 20 and is shown as possible if the tip 34 of the needle 32 is inserted into the patient prior to injecting fluid disposed in the fluid chamber 24 to the patient (not shown). It will be appreciated that the position of the piston seal 28 relative to the syringe 20 will depend on the amount of fluid drawn into the fluid chamber 24. By injecting the thumb cap 27 of the piston handle 26 while stabilizing the syringe 20 by applying an oppositely directed finger force to the forwardly facing surface of the outwardly projecting flange 29, an injection force is applied via the piston handle 26 to the fluid. Fluid in chamber 24.

3 is an exploded view of the retractable needle device 30 to further illustrate its components. The outer cover 36 preferably includes a first pinch lug 35, a luer lock tube 38, a sliding support surface 41, and a retraction tube 42. The connector tube 38 is desirably constructed to form a fluid-tight seal between the luer lock connector 22 of the syringe 20 and the needle holder 46. The fluid seal 44 desirably includes an elastomeric material, and at least a portion of the fluid seal 44 is positioned within an annular recess 49 defined by the forward facing sliding support surface 41. The fluid seal 44 provides a fluid seal between the outer shroud 36 or the luer tip 22 and the needle holder 46. The first pinch tab 35 preferably includes a ridge or other texture to provide sliding resistance when grasped with a thumb or other finger.

The front end of the fluid seal 44 is a needle holder 46 that is attached to the needle 32. The needle holder 46 includes an axial inner bore that passes through a generally cylindrical elongated body 45 and a larger diameter head 47. Body 45 is preferably slightly longer than needle tube 54. The retraction spring 48 is positioned around the body 45 and pressed Retracted between the annular frame-like projections in the front end of the needle tube 54 and the forward-facing annular shoulder between the body 45 and the head portion 47. Prior to needle retraction, the retraction spring 48 is under compression and biases the needle holder 46 and needle 32 back relative to the needle tube 54 and the outer cover 36.

The retractable needle device 30 also includes a counter member 52. The aligning member 52 includes a rearward facing surface that slidably engages the forward facing sliding surface 41 of the outer cover 36 and further includes a forwardly projecting needle tube 54 and a second pinch lug 56. The second pinch lug 56 is desirably positioned on the side of the syringe 20 relative to the first pinch tab 35. The second pinch lug 56 is preferably textured similar to the first pinch tab 35. The retaining clip 58 includes an aperture 62 that is configured to engage the needle tube 54. The retaining clip 58 also includes a retaining bracket 64 that is configured to maintain the alignment member 52 against the outer cover 36 while allowing the alignment member 52 and the outer cover when sufficient pinching force is applied to the first and second pinch lugs 35, 56. There is a slip between 36.

As shown in Figure 4, the tapered Luer-type conical member 22 includes a substantially cylindrical inner bore that cooperates with a collar 25 having internal threads 23 that are disposed in spaced relationship with the tapered Luer cone member 22 to form The luer lock connector, while being engageable with the locking wedge 66 of the outer cover 36, provides a fluid-tight seal between the outer cover 36 and the syringe 20 whenever the needle tube 54 is coaxially aligned with the barrel 20. When the syringe assembly 10 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1, a continuous fluid flow path is formed from the fluid chamber 24 (FIG. 2) through the outer shroud 36, fluid seal 44, needle holder 46 to the needle 32.

The operation of the syringe assembly 10 during filling and injection is similar to many existing syringe and needle systems, and is generally The surgeon will understand it easily. Referring to Figure 5, the syringe assembly 10 is shown as the piston handle 26 advances relative to the syringe 20 to a position that will be reached after injection when the piston seal 28 has forced fluid away from the fluid chamber 24. This is the position that the piston handle 26 will desirably maintain relative to the syringe 20 during activation of the retractable needle device 30. After the injection, the clinical person in charge of the injection can retract the needle 32 by pinching the first pinch lug 35 toward the second pinch lug 56, as exemplified in FIG.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a collapsible needle device 30 assembled prior to the retraction of the needle 32 (Figure 7) and thereafter (Figure 8). In Fig. 7, the front end of the needle holder 46 slightly protrudes beyond the front end of the needle tube 54. In Figure 8, the needle 32 and needle holder 46 have been retracted into the retraction tube 42 and are no longer visible. Figure 9 is a front elevational view of the retractable needle device 30 of Figure 8 in a retracted position. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the same retractable needle device 30 illustrating the arrangement of the needle 32 and the needle holder 46 after the needle 32 has been retracted.

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate a front view and a rotational cross-sectional view of the assembled device of Figure 1, but with a needle cap 70 mounted to protect the needle from damage or contamination prior to use of the device. In Fig. 12, laterally projecting lugs 72, 74 can be seen that engage the inwardly facing side of the pinch lug 35 to limit relative movement and premature needle retraction while the needle cap 70 is in place.

The syringe engagement member 36, the needle holder 46, the alignment member 52, the syringe 20, and the piston handle 26 are all desirably molded from a suitable moldable polymeric material. Such materials and molding methods are believed to be well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, those skilled in the art of syringe design and manufacture will appreciate, for example, the retractable needle device 30 disclosed herein. The medical device can be used with a syringe that is pre-filled or not pre-filled, and can include a component portion made of glass or other material suitable for a particular application. Similarly, it would be desirable to appreciate that the fluid seal 44 and piston seal 28 are made of a rubber or elastomeric polymeric material that is generally known for such medical use. Similarly, it will be appreciated that the materials used to make such and other medical devices must be approved by the relevant regulatory authority for use in such devices. The needle 32 as disclosed is desirably made of stainless steel, and the retraction spring 48 can be made of stainless steel or any other similarly effective medical grade material.

Other variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this disclosure and the description of the invention. The scope of the invention disclosed herein is intended to be limited only by the inventor. The broadest interpretation of the attached request.

20‧‧‧ syringe

22‧‧‧Luer-style tip, Luer cone

23‧‧‧ internal thread

25‧‧‧ collar

27‧‧‧ thumb cap

29‧‧‧Flange

30‧‧‧Retractable needle device

32‧‧‧ needle

35‧‧‧First pinch

38‧‧‧Luer-type locking tube

42‧‧‧Retraction tube

54‧‧‧ needle

56‧‧‧Second pinch

58‧‧‧Maintenance clip

66‧‧‧Lock wedges

Claims (21)

A retractable needle device selectively attachable to a fluid collection or infusion device having a connector facing forward, the retractable needle device comprising: a housing having: a rearward facing engagement member attachable a front facing forward connector; a forward facing sliding support surface having a first opening in fluid communication with the engagement member, and a second opening laterally spaced from the first opening, the second opening being communicated rearwardly a protruding needle retraction cavity; a first pinch surface; and a fluid path between the engagement member and the first opening; a needle; a counter member comprising a needle tube and a second pinch surface; needle retraction a mechanism comprising a needle holder positioned in the needle tube and configured to bias the needle rearward; and an annular fluid seal seated in the first opening and providing the outer cover and the needle holder Fluid communication; wherein the first pinch surface and the second pinch surface are configured such that a pinch force applied between the first pinch surface and the second pinch surface will cause the outer cover Relative to the needle Moving the member laterally from the first position aligned with the first opening to the second position aligned with the second opening, such that the needle retracting mechanism biases the needle to the retraction chamber In the hole. The retractable needle device of claim 1, further comprising a retaining clip configured to maintain the sliding support surface adjacent the syringe engaging member. The retractable needle device of claim 2, wherein the retaining clip comprises a forward surface, a hole defined in the forward surface and configured to surround the needle tube, and one or more lugs, at least partially constructed Extending behind the sliding support surface. The retractable needle device of claim 2, wherein the retaining clip is configured to engage at least a portion of the aiming member. The retractable needle device of claim 2, wherein the alignment member and the syringe engagement member are each made of a moldable polymeric material. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein the engagement member comprises a partial luer lock connector. A retractable needle device according to claim 6 wherein the engagement member comprises a plurality of spaced, radially projecting wedges configured to engage a threaded collar projecting forwardly from the fluid collection or infusion device. A retractable needle device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid collection or infusion device is a syringe. A retractable needle device according to claim 8 wherein the syringe has a glass cylinder. A retractable needle device according to claim 8 wherein the syringe has a plastic cartridge. A retractable needle device as claimed in claim 8 is constructed for use with a prefilled syringe. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein the fluid seal is at least partially seated in an annular recess in the first opening. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein the fluid seal comprises a fluid flow path that is coaxially aligned with the needle holder prior to retraction of the needle. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein the needle retraction mechanism further comprises a compression spring. The retractable needle device of claim 14, wherein the needle holder is biased against the sliding support surface each time the outer cover is disposed between the first position and the second position. The retractable needle device of claim 14, further comprising: an annular surface at a front end of the needle tube, and an annular shoulder defined on the needle holder, and wherein the outer cover is at the first In position, the spring is compressed between the annular surface and the annular shoulder. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the needle holder protrudes forward from the needle tube. The retractable needle device of claim 1, wherein the first and second pinch tabs are textured to improve gripping by a user. A retractable needle device according to claim 1, wherein the needle retraction mechanism provides a retractive force upon activation, which is sufficient to retract the needle directly from the patient into which the needle is inserted when the needle is retracted . A retractable needle device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with the fluid collection or infusion device. A retractable needle device according to claim 1 of the patent scope, which is combined with a needle cap.