Safety syringe abstract
A system for converting an off-the-shelf syringe into a safety
syringe for preventing accidental needle stick or infection. The
preferred embodiment of the present invention is configured to mount
to an off-the-shelf syringe via threaded, snap, permanent, or other
engagement to the cannula hub of the syringe, wherein the device
may include the needle for mounting to the syringe, or via barrel
rings configured to mount about the barrel of the syringe. The device
is configured to convert the syringe into a safety syringe including
a protective cover in longitudinal communication with the syringe
needle, the protective cover configured to longitudinally envelope
the base of the needle in a storage position, and engage and cap
the needle tip in a protected configuration after the instrument
has been utilized.
Safety syringe claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for preventing needle stick, comprising: a housing
having first and second ends, said first end having a cannula hub
affixed thereto, said cannula hub having a needle emanating therefrom,
said needle having a needle tip; an activation member having a shaft
having first and second ends, said first end having a protective
cap having a needle passage therethrough, said activation member
configured to slidingly engage said housing; bias means associated
with said activation member for urging said protective cap from
a first position in the vicinity of said cannula hub to a second
position enveloping said tip of said needle on demand.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said bias means comprises a spring
in communication with said housing and said shaft of said activation
member.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said bias means further comprises
an activation tab associated with said activation member, said activation
tab locking said protective cap in said first position until said
activation tab is manipulated by a user, whereupon said bias means
then urges said protective cap to said second position.
4. The device of claim 3 wherein said cannula hub is configured
to engage a syringe.
5. The device of claim 4 wherein the syringe has a barrel forming
a reservoir, a plunger configured to engage said reservoir, and
a collar for engaging a cannula hub, and wherein said housing is
configured to engage said barrel of said syringe.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said housing further comprises
first and second ends, and wherein there is further provided a first
ring configured to engage said barrel in the vicinity of said first
end of said housing.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said housing has formed therein
a retaining track for retaining said activation tab, said housing
further having formed therein a triggering slot associated with
said retaining track so that a user my urge said activation tab
along said retaining track toward said triggering slot, and upon
reaching said triggering slot, said bias means would urge said activation
tab through said triggering slot, so as to deploy said protective
cover from said first position to said second position.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein said housing has formed therein
a retaining track for retaining said activation tab, and wherein
said activation tab has a body and a neck, the neck formed to pass
within said retaining track, the body formed to be broken by a user,
so as to allow said neck to pass from said retaining track into
said housing.
9. The device of claim 7 wherein said plunger has a flange, and
wherein said activation tab is formed to migrate to said triggering
slot upon contact with said plunger flange, so as to activate said
bias means.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein said activation tab has a cam
formed therein to interface with said plunger flange to facilitate
migration of said activation tab to said triggering slot.
11. The device of claim 10 wherein said spring has first and second
ends, said first end engaging said second end of said housing, said
first end engaging said activation member.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing has a longitudinal
slot formed therethrough, and wherein said bias means comprises
an activation member further comprises an activation piece emanating
through said longitudinal slot, so as to allow a user to apply bias
to slide said activation piece, and thereby said activation member
and said protective cover, from said first position to said second
position.
13. Method of administering a needled device, comprising the steps
of: a. providing a device comprising: I. a housing having first
and second ends, said first end having a cannula hub affixed thereto,
said cannula hub having a needle emanating therefrom, said needle
having a needle tip; ii. an activation member having a shaft having
first and second ends, said first end having a protective cap having
a needle passage therethrough, said activation member configured
to slidingly engage said housing; iii. bias means associated with
said activation member for urging said protective cap from a first
position in the vicinity of said cannula hub to a second position
enveloping said tip of said needle on demand; b. mounting said cannula
hub of said device to a mount on a medical apparatus; c. allowing
said mounting of said cannula hub to said mount of said medical
apparatus facilitate positioning of said housing in the vicinity
of said medical apparatus; d. administering said medical apparatus;
e. initiating said bias means to slidingly traverse said housing
so as to urge said protective cap from said first position in the
vicinity of said cannula hub to said second position wherein said
protective cap envelopes said needle tip.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein there is provided the additional
step in step "e" of configuring said bias means so as
to selectively bias said activation means upon the administering
of said medical apparatus.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein there is provided the additional
step in step "d" of inserting said needle into a patient,
and in step "e" there is provided the additional step
of initiating said bias means while said needle is still in said
patient, and there is provided the additional step "e"
of withdrawing said needle from said patient while simultaneously
allowing said bias means to slide over said needle as said needle
is being removed from said skin, so as to envelope the tip of said
needle upon removal from the patient.
16. A device for preventing needle stick for a syringe having a
barrel having first and second ends, the first end engaging a cannula
hub, the second end having a flange, the barrel having a reservoir
formed therein, the cannula hub having a needle, the syringe further
having a plunger having first and second ends, the first end configured
to slidingly engage the reservoir, the second end of the plunger
having a flange, the device comprising: a housing having first and
second ends, and side configured to engage the barrel, a front ring
and a rear ring, said front ring formed to engage said cannula hub,
the rear ring formed to engage the barrel of the syringe, the said
second end of said housing having a tang emanating therefrom to
engage the flange of the second end of the syringe barrel, said
needle having a needle tip; an activation member having a shaft
having first and second ends, said first end having a protective
cap having a needle passage therethrough, said activation member
configured to slidingly engage said housing; bias means associated
with said activation member for urging said protective cap from
a first position in the vicinity of said cannula hub to a second
position enveloping said tip of said needle on demand.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein said bias means comprises a
spring in communication with said housing and said shaft of said
activation member.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein said bias means further comprises
an activation tab associated with said activation member, said activation
tab locking said protective cap in said first position until said
activation tab is manipulated by a user, whereupon said bias means
then urges said protective cap to said second position.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein said cannula hub is configured
to engage a syringe.
20. The device of claim 19 wherein the syringe has a barrel forming
a reservoir, a plunger configured to engage said reservoir, and
a cannula hub hub for engaging a cannula hub, and wherein said housing
is configured to engage said barrel of said syringe.
21. The device of claim 20 wherein said housing further comprises
first and second ends, and wherein there is further provided a first
ring configured to engage said barrel in the vicinity of said first
end of said housing.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein said housing has formed therein
a retaining track for retaining said activation tab, said housing
further having formed therein a triggering slot associated with
said retaining track so that a user my urge said activation tab
along said retaining track toward said triggering slot, and upon
reaching said triggering slot, said bias means would urge said activation
tab through said triggering slot, so as to deploy said protective
cover from said first position to said second position.
23. The device of claim 22 wherein said housing has formed therein
a retaining track for retaining said activation tab, and wherein
said activation tab has a body and a neck, the neck formed to pass
within said retaining track, the body formed to be broken by a user,
so as to allow said neck to pass from said retaining track into
said housing.
24. The device of claim 22 wherein said plunger has a flange,
and wherein said activation tab is formed to migrate to said triggering
slot upon contact with said plunger flange, so as to activate said
bias means.
25. The device of claim 24 wherein said activation tab has a cam
formed therein to interface with said plunger flange to facilitate
migration of said activation tab to said triggering slot.
26. The device of claim 22 wherein said spring has first and second
ends, said first end engaging said second end of said housing, said
first end engaging said activation member.
27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said housing has a longitudinal
slot formed therethrough, and wherein said bias means comprises
an activation member further comprises an activation piece emanating
through said longitudinal slot, so as to allow a user to apply bias
to slide said activation piece, and thereby said activation member
and said protective cover, from said first position to said second
position.
28. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said housing further comprises
a blocking member, said blocking member formed to prevent said protective
cover from being removed from the syringe needle tip.
29. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said housing further comprises
a blocking member, said blocking member formed to interface with
said actuation member so as to prevent said protective cover from
being removed from said needle tip.
30. Method of administering a syringe having a barrel having first
and second ends, the first end having a collar, the second end having
a flange, the barrel having a reservoir formed therein, the collar
having affixed thereto a cannula hub having a needle, the syringe
further having a plunger having first and second ends, the first
end configured to slidingly engage the reservoir, the second end
of the plunger having a flange, comprising the steps of: a. providing
a device comprising: I. a housing having first and second ends,
and side configured to engage the barrel, a front ring and a rear
ring, said front ring formed to engage the cannula hub of the syringe,
the rear ring formed to engage the barrel of the syringe, the said
second end of said housing having a tang emanating therefrom to
engage the flange of the second end of the syringe barrel, said
needle having a needle tip;; ii. an activation member having a shaft
having first and second ends, said first end having a protective
cap having a needle passage therethrough, said activation member
configured to slidingly engage said housing; iii. bias means associated
with said activation member for urging said protective cap from
a first position in the vicinity of said cannula hub to a second
position enveloping said tip of said needle on demand; b. sliding
said rear ring of said housing about the barrel of the syringe,
while sliding said front ring of said housing about the cannula
hub so as to engage the cannula hub of the syringe, and urging said
tang over the syringe barrel flange to lock the housing against
the barrel of the syringe; c. allowing said mounting of said cannula
hub to said mount of said syringe facilitate positioning of said
housing in the vicinity of said syringe; d. administering said medical
syringe; e. initiating said bias means to slidingly traverse said
housing so as to urge said protective cap from said first position
in the vicinity of said cannula hub to said second position wherein
said protective cap envelopes said needle tip.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein there is provided the additional
step in step "e" of configuring said bias means so as
to selectively bias said activation means upon the administering
of said syringe.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein there is provided the additional
step in step "d" of inserting said needle into a patient,
and in step "e" there is provided the additional step
of initiating said bias means while said needle is still in said
patient, and there is provided the additional step "e"
of withdrawing said needle from said patient while simultaneously
allowing said bias means to slide over said needle as said needle
is being removed from said skin, so as to envelope the tip of said
needle upon removal from the patient.
33. The method of reinforcing a syringe having a barrel having
first and second ends, the first end engaging a cannula hub, the
second end having a flange, the barrel having a reservoir formed
therein, the cannula hub having a needle, the syringe further having
a plunger having first and second ends, the first end configured
to slidingly engage the reservoir, the second end of the plunger
having a flange, comprising the steps of: a. providing a device
comprising: I. a housing having first and second ends, and side
configured to engage the barrel, a front ring and a rear ring, said
front ring formed to engage the cannula, the rear ring formed to
engage the barrel of the syringe, the said second end of said housing
having a tang emanating therefrom to engage the flange of the second
end of the syringe barrel, said needle having a needle tip; ii.
an activation member having a shaft having first and second ends,
said first end having a protective cap having a needle passage therethrough,
said activation member configured to slidingly engage said housing;
iii. bias means associated with said activation member for urging
said protective cap from a first position in the vicinity of said
cannula hub to a second position enveloping said tip of said needle
on demand; b. sliding said rear ring of said housing about the barrel
of the syringe, while sliding said front ring of said housing about
the cannula hub so as to engage the cannula hub of the syringe,
and urging said tang over the syringe barrel flange to lock the
housing against the barrel of the syringe; c. allowing said mounting
of said cannula hub to said mount of said syringe facilitate positioning
of said housing in the vicinity of said syringe; d. administering
said medical syringe; e. initiating said bias means to slidingly
traverse said housing so as to urge said protective cap from said
first position in the vicinity of said cannula hub to said second
position wherein said protective cap envelopes said needle tip;
f. allowing said protective cap enveloping said needle tip, coupled
with said front ring engaging said cannula hub, to reinforce and
isolate said needle to prevent needle stick.
Safety syringe description
TECHNICAL FIELD of the INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to systems for preventing
infection from unsterile hypodermic needles or the like, and more
particularly to a system for preventing needle stick or re-use of
unsterile hypodermic needles or like items.
[0002] The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches
a system for converting an off-the-shelf syringe into a safety syringe
for preventing accidental needle stick or infection. The preferred
embodiment is configured to mount to an off-the-shelf syringe via
threaded, snap on, adhesive, permanent, or other engagement to the
collar of the syringe, wherein the device may include the needle
with a hub for mounting to the syringe, or in an alternative embodiment,
via barrel rings configured to mount about the barrel of the syringe.
[0003] The device is configured to convert the syringe into a safety
syringe including a protective cover in longitudinal communication
with the syringe needle, the protective cover configured to longitudinally
envelope the base of the needle in a storage position, and engage
and cap the needle tip in a protected configuration after the instrument
has been utilized.
[0004] A housing is provided for enclosing a shaft longitudinally
aligned with the barrel of the syringe so that its first end is
in general communication with the protective cover, and its second
end is configured to engage an activation button generally situated
in the vicinity of the end of the syringe distal the needle, the
housing further including a spring or the like for providing bias
to urge the protective cap, via the shaft, from the base of the
needle to cover the needle tip.
[0005] An alternative embodiment of the present invention teaches
a one-piece, monolithic syringe body including the housing, while
another alternative teaches a system without a spring bias, requiring
manual manipulation of the shaft to urge the cap to the protective
position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Since the early 1980's it has been recognized that instruments
which come into contact with human tissue fluids can comprise biohazard,
particularly when those instruments come into contact with HIV,
hepatitis, and other tissue infected with contagion.
[0007] Further, it has been recognized that the sharing and re-usage
of disposable needles has transmitted HIV among intravenous drug
users.
[0008] Consequently, there has evolved a plethora of re-designs
of existing hypodermic syringes and related devices, wherein there
has been incorporated features to prevent infection and, in the
case of disposable systems, reuse.
[0009] Often, the distraction surrounding a medical emergency or
like situation may result in used syringes not being identified
as being particularly contaminated. This could result in the re-use
of the syringe by a medical professional and potential contamination
resulting therefrom.
[0010] Additionally, if the syringe is not properly disposed of
an addict may thereafter utilize it to administer illegal drugs
to himself and others, spreading the virus, bacteria, disease, or
anything else which may be present on the point and shaft of the
hollow metal needle.
[0011] It is for this reason that an easily operated, consistent
and tamper proof, syringe needle capping system is needed, so that
the utilized needle may be automatically capped immediately after
use, even in the heat of a medical emergency, without distraction
and in a consistent and unfailing manner.
[0012] Patents of relevance include:
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4702738 attempts to address the problem
of inadvertent pricks, but lacks a solid locking means as the system
would appear to be locked solely by spring force, which could be
overcome.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4725267 addresses the problem of inadvertent
pricks by covering the point of the needle, but activating it requires
the operator to work in the area of the point of the needle, increasing
the potential contamination risk simply to cover the needle. Further,
the cover could be forced back exposing the needle, potentially
causing a prick.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 4790828 issued in 1988 teaches a "Self-capping
Needle Assembly", wherein in FIGS. 1 2 and 6 there is contemplated
a locking needle capping assembly utilizing biased blockage means,
albeit distinguishable in operation and design from that contemplated
by the present invention.
[0016] Namely, the activation system which must be manually lifted
in the '828 system is more cumbersome to operate with one hand and
could actually encourage needle stick.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4804371 attempts to address the problem
of inadvertent pricks by covering the needle, but can be pushed
out of the way if one desires to overcome the system, thereby preventing
re-use.
[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4994046 issued in 1991 discloses a "Needle
Guard for Syringe", wherein there is taught a side mounted
apparatus for controlling the shield means, albeit completely distinguishable
in form and operation from the present invention.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 4863434 issued in 1989 describes an "automatic
needle sheath for disposable syringe" wherein a needle capping
assembly is disclosed (note FIG. "A") offering biased
blocking members to cover the needle. However, the '434 patent fails
to contemplate an efficient, inexpensive, and safe system as taught
in the present invention.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4936830 addresses the problem of inadvertent
pricks and reuse, but works only on pre-filled syringes.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 4986818 issued Jan. 221991 and U.S. Pat.
No. 4990141 issued Feb. 51991 also teaches single use syringes
utilizing a type of safety capping assembly again distinguishable
from the present invention, but nonetheless pertinent with respect
to the generalized concept of a single use syringe system.
[0022] U.S. Pat. No. 5026353 issued Jun. 25 1991 teaches a "multi-chamber
safety syringe", contemplating a rather bulky, complicated,
and expensive system for preventing needle stick, wherein there
is taught essentially the incorporation of dual spring biased reciprocating
pistons on opposing sides of the syringe to force forward a capping
assembly.
[0023] As taught, the device of the '353 patent may not only be
considered impractical, but also does not teach a safe locking mechanism
over the needle. In fact, as the capping system is apparently contemplated,
the cap is not locked in place over the needle and may in fact slide
out of the needle cap, if the cap is urged towards the base of the
needle, exposing it. Therefore, if one were to bump or sit atop
the cap, the cap could slide back, sticking and potentially infecting
that person.
[0024] Patent 6213987 issued Apr. 10 2001 teaches a "Shroud
for a Used Hypodermic Syringe Needle" wherein a longitudinally
situated slide is mounted to a syringe via guide rails which in
turn communicate with a front ring configured to fit a "coupling
collar", a second ring configured to encompass the syringe
barrel, and a rear tang which engages the syringe flange. Unlike
the present invention, the '987 patent relates to a specific "locking
means on said guide and said slide operable upon extension of the
slide for locking the slide extended in place relative the guide".
[0025] Further, the '987 device has a front hub which engages the
syringe collar and the protective shroud does not appear to actually
engage the needle tip; accordingly, the needle and hub (also called
cannula hub) area are not supported so that even after the device
has been engaged, the needle can still come loose separate from
the syringe, which can cause a needle stick. Further many of the
larger sized, and European syringes do not have a collar.
[0026] Finally, patents 5215534 and 5312372 to the present
applicants teach a "Safety Syringe System" which may be
implemented with an "off-the-shelf plunger type syringe"
('372 Column 5 lines 15-16), as well as other needled devices,
wherein there is shown mounted to the syringe a protective cover
configured to "longitudinally envelope the base of the needle
in a storage position, and engage and cap the needle tip in a protected
configuration after the instrument has been utilized; bias means
associated with said protective cover . . . ", and a "cap
locking hatch" associated with said protective cover "to
form a barrier juxtaposed to the needle tip and said egress aperture
of said protective cover upon said needle tip being withdrawn into
said protective cover". The contents of the U.S. Pat. Nos.
5312372 and 5215534 patents, filed May 13 1994 and Dec. 2
1991 respectively, are incorporated into the present application
by reference thereto.
[0027] There is no doubt that many patents on safety syringes have
issued since the '372 and '534 Deharde patents were issued; nonetheless,
most safety syringes on the market are still manually operated;
i.e., the operator must grasp and pull or push the protective cover
or sheath in place. Such operations does not provide the desired
"activate and forget" operation of the above DeHarde patents
and the present application, which adopts the earlier '372 and '534
patents for operations with a variety of off-the-shelf syringe configurations.
GENERAL SUMMARY DISCUSSION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The present invention provides a safety syringe system which
is effective in use, reliable in operation, inexpensive to implement,
and adaptable to a variety of needle device configurations.
[0029] Unlike the prior art, the present invention provides a simple
system for adapting an off-the-shelf syringe for push button actuation
of a needle cap after use which may include one-way (at the cap)
as well as redundant locking means, wherein locking is provided
at the cap as well as well as a locking system in the initiating
mechanism (similar to that taught in the DeHarde '372 and '534 patents).
This is done in an easy, push-button system designed to be literally
fool proof and tamper proof.
[0030] What distinguishes the present invention from the earlier
DeHarde patents is the mounting mechanism to allow the system to
be mounted to a variety of off-the-shelf needle devices, which may
include syringes, IV cannulas, and other devices.
[0031] The present invention also teaches an activation tab configuration
for initiation of the system which is believed to be more reliable
and better suited for a system configured to convert an off-the-shelf
syringe to a safety syringe.
[0032] The present invention also teaches a self-actuating safety
syringe wherein the plunger mechanism of the syringe engages the
activation tab to deploy the protective cover, providing an automatic
shielding of the needle tip once the needle has left the patient's
body.
[0033] The preferred embodiment is configured to mount to an off-the-shelf
syringe via threaded, snap, or permanent engagement to the mounting
collar of the syringe, wherein the device may include the needle
for mounting to the syringe, or in an alternative embodiment, via
barrel rings configured to mount about the barrel of the syringe.
This engagement at the cannula hub, coupled with the protective
cover which actually engages the needle tip via the hatch when in
the deployed position, actually reinforces the needle area to prevent
needle breakaway after the protective cover has been deployed over
the needle tip.
[0034] In the initiation mechanism, there is provided a spring
biased push-button or activation tab and shaft arrangement, wherein
the shaft moves longitudinally along its enveloping sleeve until
it activates a one-way locking mechanism, while simultaneously biasing
the protective cap along the needle until it covers the tip of the
needle. Once the needle tip has been covered, the one-way locking
mechanism in both the initiation mechanism and protective cover
engage, preventing any subsequent needle stick or re-use.
[0035] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
a system for preventing needle stick which incorporates protective
cover locking means configured to be mounted to an off-the-shelf
syringe.
[0036] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a system for preventing needle stick wherein there is included a
activation tab initiating system incorporating a longitudinal migrating
shaft and enveloping sheath for urging a protective cap along a
needle, covering it.
[0037] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a system for preventing needle stick, wherein there is implemented
a protective sheath or cover for the needle which permanently locks
in place once it slides over the tip of the needle.
[0038] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide
a system for converting a variety of configuration of needle device
to prevent needle stick or the like, wherein there is provided a
device configured to engage said needle device via the cannula hub,
providing a sheath which automatically covers the needle tip upon
actuation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0039] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of
the present invention, reference should be had to the following
detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which like parts are given like reference numerals,
and wherein:
[0040] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of the preferred embodiment
of the safety syringe device of the present invention, illustrating
the housing, cannula hub, and needle for attachment to an off-the-shelf
syringe.
[0041] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of the invention of FIG.
1A, illustrating the housing threadingly mounted to an exemplary
syringe via the cannula hub, and further illustrating the protective
cover at the base of the needle, longitudinal shaft, and activation
tab.
[0042] FIG. 1C illustrates the invention of FIG. 1B in a deployed
position, wherein the activation tab has been triggered, causing
the protective cover to slide over the needle tip.
[0043] FIG. 2A is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the
invention of FIG. 1A, wherein the housing is mounted to the syringe
via front and rear mounting rings.
[0044] FIG. 2B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 2A mounted
to a syringe with a protective cover at the base of the needle,
as well as the longitudinal shaft and activation tab.
[0045] FIG. 2C illustrates the invention of FIG. 1C in a deployed
position, wherein the activation tab has been triggered, causing
the protective cover to slide over the needle tip.
[0046] FIG. 3A is a close-up, isometric view of the activation
tab of the inventions of FIGS. 1A and 2A, illustrating the tab in
its un-deployed position.
[0047] FIG. 3B is a close-up, isometric view of the activation
tab of the invention of FIG. 3A, illustrating the triggering of
the tab, and its movement through the slot to allow the protective
cover to be urged over the needle tip.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a side, exploded view of the invention of FIGS.
2A-2C, illustrating the various components forming the invention
and their assembly.
[0049] FIG. 5A is a side view of the invention of FIGS. 2A-2C,
illustrating the use of a syringe in administering a shot to a patient,
and the triggering of the activation tab to cause the protective
cover to advance to the skin of the patient while the needle tip
is still in the body of the patient.
[0050] FIG. 5B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 5A, wherein
the spring bias causes the protective cover to further advance to
cover the needle tip as the needle is removed from the patient's
skin, causing covering of the needle tip concurrent with removal
of same from the patient.
[0051] FIG. 6A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention, illustrating an activation tab configured to engage the
syringe plunger flange upon the administering of the syringe upon
a patient.
[0052] FIG. 6B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 6A, wherein
the activation tab has been triggered due to contact with the plunger
flange.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a side view of still another embodiment of the
invention of FIG. 6A, wherein the plunger flange is formed to include
a cam for lifting and triggering the activation tab.
[0054] FIG. 8A is a side view of still another embodiment of the
invention, wherein there is provided an activation piece which is
manually urged toward the needle upon after administering the syringe.
[0055] FIG. 8B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 8A illustrating
the manual deployment of the protective cover by advancing the activation
piece.
[0056] FIG. 9A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention of FIG. 8A, illustrating the device with a cannula hub
attachment as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0057] FIG. 9B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 9A illustrating
the manual deployment of the protective cover by advancing the activation
piece.
[0058] FIG. 10A is a side view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention of FIG. 6A, wherein the administration of the plunger
triggers the activation tab.
[0059] FIG. 10B is a side view of the invention of FIG. 10A, illustrating
the triggering of the activation tab.
[0060] FIG. 11 is a close-up, partially cross-sectional view of
the protective cover enveloping the tip of the needle, further illustrating
the hatch in the deployed position.
Detailed Discussion of the Invention
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the preferred embodiment of the
present invention contemplates a device 1 configured to engage and
convert a syringe 2 or other needle device so as to provide enhanced
needle sheathing capability. The syringe 2 shown includes a body
or barrel 3 having an outer diameter 3', a collar 4 a reservoir
5 configured to receive a plunger 6 and first 7 and second 7' ends.
[0062] The device 1 of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes a housing 8 having a syringe engaging portion
9 configured to engage the outer sidewall of the barrel of the syringe,
first 10 and second 10' ends, and a passage 11 formed longitudinally
therethrough. Emanating from the first 10 end is a support member
12 configured to engage a cannula hub 13 having a needle 14. Thus,
in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the housing has a
cannula hub and needle engaged thereto.
[0063] Situated within the housing in the undeployed position is
an actuation member 15 having first 16 and second 16' ends, the
first end 16 communicating with a generally laterally situated support
member, the support member communicating with a protective cover
configured including a passage 20 configured to allow the passage
of the needle 14 of the device, and a hatch 21 configured to engage
the needle in the undeployed position and drop down to block the
needle tip upon deployment. The second end 16' of the actuation
member is configured to with an actuation tab 18 for activating
the system. A shaft 17 is provided between the first 16 and second
16' ends, the shaft configured to be housed within the housing when
in an undeployed position, within the longitudinal passage 11 formed
through said housing. A spring 23 is configured to engage the shaft
17 within the housing 8 to provide bias for actuating the actuating
member from an undeployed position wherein the protective cover
is situated at the base of the needle, to a deployed position wherein
the protective cover encloses the needle tip.
[0064] Continuing with FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A-3B, the second end 10'
of housing 8 has an surface 24 forming an end wall having formed
therein a retaining track 25 configured to allow the neck 31 of
activation tab 18 therethrough, the retaining track having first
upper, and second lower ends, one of said ends terminating into
a triggering slot 26 forming a passageway sufficient to allow the
activation tab 18 to pass therethrough.
[0065] In use, the activation tab 18 is situated in an engaged
position with the retaining track 25 with the actuation member
15 situated as shown in FIG. 1B, with the spring 23 engaging in
compressed fashion the second end of the shaft 17 with a bias longitudinally
in the direction of the needle.
[0066] Continuing with FIGS. 1A-1C and FIGS. 3A-3B, the activation
tab 18 is pressed tab is pressed 27 or otherwise urged to glide
down the retaining track 25 to the triggering slot 26 where the
spring and accompanying bias urges the activation button 18 through
28 the triggering slot 26 releasing the actuation member and urging
29 via deploying spring 23' the protective cover 19 over the needle
tip, the hatch 21 in the protective cap dropping 21' to block needle
egress through passage 11 thereby effectively enveloping the needle
tip, as shown in FIG. 11. As shown, the hatch may include a notch
22' for further locking the needle tip within the cap, such that
the notch angularly intersects the needle tip when the needle tip
is pressed against the hatch.
[0067] A stop 30 lock or the like may be provided in the longitudinal
passage formed in the housing to facilitate the second end of the
shaft remaining in the longitudinal passage formed in the housing,
with the protective cover enveloping the needle tip 14' with the
actuation member in the deployed position. The stop 30 may be pliant
in one direction so as to allow the second end of the actuation
member to be slipped thereby when inserting same though the opening
at the first end of the housing during assembly.
[0068] Alternatively, the activation tab could be considered as
having a body B outside of the housing, which could be broken or
snapped off by the user, so as to allow the neck portion 31 to pass
through the retaining track 25 and deploy the system.
[0069] Continuing with FIGS. 2A-2C and FIG. 4 as second embodiment
41 of the invention provides a device configured to convert an off-the-shelf
syringe to a safety syringe wherein the housing 41 has first 42
and second 42' ends, an end wall 43 and front 44 and rear 55 rings,
each ring having an inner diameter 55' sufficient to envelope the
outer diameter 3 or the syringe 2.
[0070] As further shown, the rear ring 55 is configured to slip
about the outer diameter of the barrel of the syringe, while the
front ring 44 is configured to slip about the base of the cannula
hub 48. A tang 46 is further provided to engage the flange 47 at
the syringe barrel to retain the housing in locked position over
the syringe once installed. The tang may have an upper edge in the
form of a cam 49 or otherwise angled to allow the tang 46 to slide
under then engage the side of the syringe barrel flange 47 distal
the barrel. To install, the housing is slipped over the needle end
of the syringe such that the rear ring 55 slides 53 over a portion
of the syringe barrel, and the small ring has a diameter which stops
and engages the base of the cannula hub, while simultaneously the
cam formed on the end edge of the tang contacts the flange, urging
the tang to pass under 54 then up 54' so as to engage the flange,
locking the unit in place.
[0071] The operation of the activation tab of the device, and the
activation of the unit utilizing spring 23' for bias as illustrated
in FIGS. 2C and 4 is otherwise identical to that discussed in the
preferred embodiment of the invention supra.
[0072] FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a method of use of the present
invention wherein 1) a syringe is provided, the housing is slipped
over and joined to the syringe body; 2) the needle 14 is administered
51 in a patient's body; 4) while the needle is still in the body
50 the activation tab is initiated 28 causing same to withdraw
into the housing, the spring bias 23' urging the protective cap
engage the body of the patient, and 5) the syringe withdrawn 50'
while allowing the spring bias to simultaneously urge the protective
cap over the needle tip, so as to cover 21 same as the needle tip
is removed from the patient.
[0073] Continuing with FIGS. 6A and 6B, a third embodiment of the
present invention extends the activation tab and provides a cam
57 or taper on the tip so as to communicate with the thumb flange
on the syringe plunger upon fully depressing the plunger so that,
upon the administering of a fluid to a patient via the syringe,
the plunger is depressed 59 to a point where the thumb flange 59'
engages the flange 57 directing 60 the activation tab 56 to the
triggering slot 61 so that the spring 62 within the housing 63 is
able to then urge 64 the cover 65 over the needle tip.
[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
where the plunger thumb flange 70 has a built-in cam 71 configured
to engage the activation tab 72 to urge 73 the activation tab to
the triggering slot 74 upon administering 75 the plunger.
[0075] FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate another variation of the self-actuating
syringe concept, wherein the plunger flange 92 has emanating therefrom
a angled activation member 93 configured to engage a cam 95 emanating
from the activation piece 94 to urge 97 the activation piece for
triggered activation 98' with the pressing 98 of the plunger, allowing
bias to urge 99 the protective cover over the needle tip.
[0076] FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B illustrate a fifth alternative embodiment
of the present invention, wherein the housing 82 does not utilize
a spring bias to drive the activation piece 83 instead relying
upon manual activation by the user wherein the housing has formed
therethrough a longitudinal slot 81 along its length to accommodate
the passage of an activation member 80 which in turn communicates
with the shaft at the second end of the activation piece 83 so
that urging 87 the activation member 80 along the slot from the
generally the second end 84' of the housing toward the first end
84 of the housing urges 88 the protective cover 85 over the needle
tip, which procedure is accomplished once the shot is administered
86 via the plunger.
[0077] In summary, the present invention provides a secure, reliable
device for mounting to an off-the-shelf syringe for converting same
to a safety syringe. The cannula hub connection to the housing,
via either permanent connection or cannula hub engaging ring, coupled
with the protective cover's closed enveloping of the needle tip
with the hatch, also provides a reinforced needle area when the
unit is deployed to prevent the needle from breaking from the cannula
hub or syringe, should the deployed syringe be sat or steped upon,
or otherwise jarred or stressed.
[0078] The invention embodiments herein described are done so in
detail for exemplary purposes only, and may be subject to many different
variations in design, structure, application and operation methodology.
Thus, the detailed disclosures therein should be interpreted in
an illustrative, exemplary manner, and not in a limited sense.
Elements of the Invention
[0079] Date: Tuesday, Jul. 17 2001 08:28 pm
[0080] Client: DeHarde
[0081] Title: Safety Syringe Sys III
1 Element Description 1 invention 2 syringe .sup. 3' body outer
diameter 4 collar 5 reservoir 6 plunger .sup. 7' first, second
ends 8 housing 9 syringe engaging portion .sup. 10' first, second
ends 11 passage therethrough 12 support member 13 cannula 14 needle
15 actuation member .sup. 16' first second ends 17 shaft 18 actuation
tab 19 protective cover 20 passage .sup. 21' hatch, deployed 22
lateral member, hatch notch or bend .sup. 23' spring, deployed
24 back wall 25 retaining track 26 triggering slot 27 pressure 28
sliding to triggering slot then through 29 urging longitudinal shaft,
protective cover too needle tip 30 stop 31 neck 32 33 34 35 36 37
38 39 40 second altrnative 41 housing 42 first, second ends 43 back
wall 44 front ring .sup. 55' rear ring, inner diameter 46 tang
47 flange 48 cannula 49 cam 50 skin 51 shot administered 52 53 slides
.sup. 54' down, up 45 56 activation tab 57 cam 58 .sup. 59' plunger
flange 59 plunger pressed 60 cam action 61 triggering slot 62 spring
bias 63 housing 64 urge 65 cover 66 67 68 69 70 plunger flange 71
cam 72 activation tab 73 urge 74 triggering slot 75 plunger pressed
76 77 78 79 80 activation tab 81 slot 82 housing 83 activation piece
.sup. 84' first end, secont 85 protective cover 86 administer shot
87 urge activation member towards needle 88 urging protective cover
towards needle 89 90 91 92 plunger flange 93 cam 94 activation piece
95 cam 96 housing 97 urge 98 plunger pressed .sup. 98' triggering
activation 99 urging cover over needle tip 100
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