Syringe needle abstract
A syringe needle guard is adaptable to the common syringe to provide
for protection against accidental needle sticks. The adaptable needle
guard provides a safety sleeve for use over any standard syringe
without any modification to the syringe itself. A sleeve arm is
provided on the sleeve and projects upward to lie substantially
at the same level as the syringe's plunger. This allows the arm
to be pushed down to cover the needle with only one hand. The sleeve
temporarily locks in place to secure the sleeve in either an extended
protective position or in a withdrawn needle exposing position.
In an alternate embodiment of the present invention the syringe
can be modified at the time of manufacture to contain the safety
sleeve and plunger.
Syringe needle claims
I claim:
1. For use with a syringe of the type having a syringe body internally
accepting an injection plunger to define a fluid containing space
communicating with a syringe needle for injecting fluid, said syringe
needle joined to said syringe body by fluid-tight connectors, said
connectors including a first body-type connector axially disposed
on said syringe body distal said plunger and a first needle-type
connector axially disposed on said syringe needle for mating with
said first body-type connector, said syringe body and said syringe
needle cylindrical and coaxial, said syringe body having an outer
body diameter,
a needle guard comprising:
a protective hollow sleeve axially movable along said syringe body,
said sleeve including a distal end and a proximal end, said sleeve
having an internal sleeve diameter greater than said external body
diameter for accepting said syringe body therein, said proximal
end open to accept therethrough said syringe body so that said injection
plunger extends from said proximal end;
an adapter disposed within said sleeve and slidable within said
sleeve, said adapter including a cylindrical outer adapter surface
having an outer adapter diameter less than said internal sleeve
diameter and generally equal to said external body diameter.
said adapter including a second needle-type connector axially disposed
and adapted for fluid connection to said first body-type connector
of said syringe body to join said syringe body and said adapter
into a slide unit, a second body-type connector axially disposed
and adapted for fluid connection to said first needle-type connector
of said syringe needle, and a fluid passage between said second
body-type connector and said second needle-type connector; and
a distal lock adjacent said distal end of said sleeve, and a proximal
lock adjacent said proximal end of said sleeve, said distal lock
adapted to hold said slide unit within said sleeve at a distal position
adjacent said distal end, and said proximal lock adapted to hold
said slide unit within said sleeve at a proximal position adjacent
said proximal end;
said sleeve adapted in length to substantially cover said syringe
needle when said syringe needle is joined to said slide unit and
said slide unit is in said proximal position, and to uncover said
syringe needle when said syringe needle is joined to said slide
unit and said slide unit is in said distal position.
2. For use with a syringe of the type having a syringe body internally
accepting an injection plunger to define a fluid containing space
communicating with a syringe needle for injecting fluid,
a needle guard comprising:
a protective hollow sleeve axially movable along said syringe body,
said sleeve including a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal
end adapted to accept therethrough said syringe body so that said
injection plunger extends from said proximal end;
an adapter disposed within said sleeve and slidable within said
sleeve,
said adapter including a body connector adapted for fluid connection
to said syringe body, a needle connector adapted for fluid connection
to said syringe needle, and a fluid passage between said body connector
and said needle connector;
a distal lock adjacent said distal end of said sleeve, and a proximal
lock adjacent said proximal end of said sleeve, said distal lock
adapted to hold said adapter within said sleeve at a distal position
adjacent said distal end, and said proximal lock adapted to hold
said adapter within said sleeve at a proximal position adjacent
said proximal end;
a sleeve arm mounted on to said sleeve adjacent said proximal end
of said sleeve and projecting in a proximal direction parallel said
injection plunger, said sleeve arm terminating distant from said
sleeve in a proximal sleeve arm end; and
a thumb rest fixed normally on said proximal sleeve arm end, said
thumb rest lying substantially near to the proximal end of said
injection plunger when said adapter is in said distal position;
said sleeve adapted in length to substantially cover said syringe
needle when said syringe needle is connected to said needle connector
and said adapter is in said proximal position, and to uncover said
syringe needle when said syringe needle is connected to said needle
connector and said adapter is in said distal position.
3. A needle guard according to claim 1 wherein
said locks are friction locks.
4. For use with a syringe of the type having a syringe body internally
accepting an injection plunger to define a fluid containing space
communicating with a syringe needle for injecting fluid,
a needle guard comprising:
a protective hollow sleeve axially movable along said syringe body,
said sleeve including a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal
end adapted to accept therethrough said syringe body so that said
injection plunger extends from said proximal end;
an adapter disposed within said sleeve and slidable within said
sleeve,
said adapter including a body connector adapted for fluid connection
to said syringe body, a needle connector adapted for fluid connection
to said syringe needle, and a fluid passage between said body connector
and said needle connector; and
a distal lock adjacent said distal end of said sleeve, and a proximal
lock adjacent said proximal end of said sleeve, said distal lock
adapted to hold said adapter within said sleeve at a distal position
adjacent said distal end, and said proximal lock adapted to hold
said adapter within said sleeve at a proximal position adjacent
said proximal end, the locks including
a locking nub on the surface of said adapter,
a longitudinal channel inside said protective sleeve, wherein said
locking nub slides within said channel,
a proximal detent within said channel for engaging said locking
nub to lock said adapter in said proximal position,
a distal detent within said channel for engaging said locking nub
to lock said adapter in said distal position,
said distal detent and said proximal detent adapted to require
longitudinal forces on said locking nub parallel to the length of
said sleeve for dislodging said locking nub from the detents,
said sleeve adapted in length to substantially cover said syringe
needle when said syringe needle is connected to said needle connector
and said adapter is in said proximal position, and to uncover said
syringe needle when said syringe needle is connected to said needle
connector and said adapter is in said distal position.
5. A needle guard according to claim 4 wherein
said distal lock requires less force for dislodging than does said
proximal lock.
6. A needle guard according to claim 1 wherein said locks further
comprise:
means to prevent relative axial rotation of said sleeve and said
adapter;
a locking detent mounted on to said adapter;
a proximal nub within said sleeve for engaging said locking detent
to lock said adapter in said proximal position; and
a distal nub within said sleeve for engaging said locking detent
to lock said adapter in said distal position,
said distal nub and said proximal nub adapted to require longitudinal
forces on said locking detent parallel to the length of said sleeve
for dislodging said locking detent from the nubs.
7. A needle guard according to claim 6 wherein
said distal lock requires less force for dislodging than does said
proximal lock.
8. A needle guard according to claim 1 wherein said locks further
comprise:
a circumferential locking ridge mounted on to said adapter;
a circumferential proximal detent groove within said sleeve for
engaging said locking ridge to lock said adapter in said proximal
position;
a circumferential distal detent groove within said sleeve for engaging
said locking ridge to lock said adapter in said distal position;
said distal groove and said proximal groove adapted to require
longitudinal forces on said locking ridge parallel to the length
of said sleeve for dislodging said locking ridge from the grooves.
9. A needle guard according to claim 8 wherein
said distal lock requires less force for dislodging than does said
proximal lock.
10. A needle guard according to claim 1 wherein
said distal lock requires less force for dislodging than does said
proximal lock.
11. A needle guard according to claim 1 including
a sleeve arm mounted on to said protective sleeve adjacent said
proximal end of said sleeve and projecting in a proximal direction
generally parallel said injection plunger, said sleeve arm terminating
distant from said sleeve in a proximal sleeve arm end.
12. A needle guard according to claim 11 including
a thumb rest fixed normally on said proximal sleeve arm end.
13. For use with a syringe of the type having a syringe body internally
accepting an injection plunger to define a fluid containing space
communicating with a syringe needle for injecting fluid, said syringe
needle joined to said syringe body by fluid-tight mating connectors
axially disposed, said syringe body and said syringe needle cylindrical
and coaxial, said syringe body having an outer body diameter,
a needle guard comprising:
a protective hollow sleeve axially movable along said syringe body,
said sleeve including a distal end and a proximal end, said sleeve
having an internal sleeve diameter greater than said external body
diameter for accepting said syringe body therein, said proximal
end open to accept therethrough said syringe body so that said injection
plunger extends from said proximal end;
a distal lock adjacent said distal end of said sleeve, and a proximal
lock adjacent said proximal end of said sleeve, said distal lock
adapted to hold said syringe body within said sleeve at a distal
position adjacent said distal end, and said proximal lock adapted
to hold said syringe body within said sleeve at a proximal position
adjacent said proximal end; and
a sleeve arm mounted on to said sleeve adjacent said proximal end
of said sleeve and projecting in a proximal direction parallel said
injection plunger, said sleeve arm terminating distant from said
sleeve in a proximal sleeve arm end;
said sleeve adapted in length to substantially cover said syringe
needle when said syringe needle is joined to said syringe body and
said syringe body is in said proximal position, and to uncover said
syringe needle when said syringe needle is joined to said syringe
body and said syringe body is in said distal position.
14. A needle guard according to claim 12 including
a thumb rest fixed normally on said proximal sleeve arm end, said
thumb rest lying substantially near to the proximal end of said
injection plunger when said adapter is in said distal position.
Syringe needle description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to needle guards for syringes,
and more particularly to an improved syringe needle guard, which
is adaptable to fit over standard unmodified syringes, and enables
the user to protect and shield the needle by using only one hand.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various apparatuses, such as hypodermic syringes and intravenous
needles are utilized for injecting a substance into humans and animals.
Apparatuses of this type typically comprise a body adapted to have
the substance to be injected passed therethrough and a needle mounted
on the body. The substance to be injected can be forced through
the needle in various ways, such as by a plunger carried by the
body or by external means, such as a pump or gravitational flow.
Apparatuses of this type are typically disposable and are discarded
after use. One problem presented by the disposal of these apparatuses
is in shielding the sharp end of the needle so that those handling
it will not be accidentally stuck. This is particularly important
because, following the injection, the needle may be contaminated
and spread blood-transmitted diseases, such as hepatitis or acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS is presently one of the
most dangerous diseases to contract, because it causes a breakdown
of the immune system that renders individuals vulnerable to a variety
of serious opportunistic diseases.
The need has arisen for a needle guard for a hypodermic syringe
which can be manipulated by using only one hand and which can be
installed on any common syringe, especially those of the disposable
type. It follows that any syringe needle guard with these abilities
will present a unique advancement in the art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The broad concept of providing a protective sheath or sleeve around
needles is generally known. Prior art mechanisms have generally
attached the sleeve to the syringe body while allowing for axial
movement of the sleeve. U.S. Pat. No. 4723943 issued to Spencer
discloses a syringe with a body and a needle at one end and an injection
plunger movable into the body at the opposite end. A sheath is positioned
over the syringe body with a longitudinal groove that engages a
guide lug fixed on the syringe body near the needle end. A disadvantage
to this device is that the protective sleeve cannot be used on a
normal unmodified syringe, typically of the disposable type. A further
disadvantage is that two hands are required to place the sleeve
in the protective position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4767413 issued to Haber et al. discloses a disposable
dental syringe with a protective sleeve. Upon completing an injection,
the ampule is released from the distal position and moved proximally
through the cylinder, so that the distal end of the needle is automatically
retracted within the cylinder. While this mechanism provides for
one handed needle shielding, it does not provide any means to be
adaptable to a normal unmodified syringe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4573976 issued to Sampson et al. discloses a syringe
with a needle guard which is mounted on the syringe cylinder. When
the needle guard is extended it obstructs access to the point of
the needle, and when retracted it does not materially obstruct access
to the point of the needle. While this device provides anti-stick
protection, no means are provided for one hand actuation of the
needle guard, use of the device on an unmodified, normal syringe,
or means to separate the needle from the syringe body while shielding
the needle to protect against needle sticks.
None of the above listed patents are seen to disclose the specific
arrangement of concepts disclosed by the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
By the present invention, an improved syringe needle guard which
can be adapted to any common syringe is provided. The syringe needle
guard is more appropriately called an adapter, in that it can be
adapted to fit most common disposable and non-disposable syringes.
In many medical applications it is desirable to use needles and
syringes of different sizes. An adapter, preferably utilizing Luer-Lok
type connections, is required as an intermediary between the needle
and syringe.
The present invention is particularly advantageous with arterial
blood gas syringes. An arterial blood gas syringe is used to withdraw
blood from a patient. After the blood is withdrawn, the needle is
discarded and the blood is stored in the syringe cylinder. The contents
of the syringe cylinder can then be tested. The present invention
allows the needle to be discarded while covered by a protective
sleeve. This prevents the occurrence of an accidental needle stick
after the blood withdrawal.
In the present invention the adapter is modified to allow a protective
sleeve to slide over it. A nub or ridge is placed on the adapter
and slides within a groove in the protective sleeve. Alternatively,
the nub or ridge could be placed on the inside of the protective
sleeve while the groove or channel can be on the adapter or syringe
body. A sleeve arm can be present on the protective sleeve to facilitate
manipulation of the sleeve. In operation of the device the protective
sleeve is kept in the retracted position, substantially covering
the syringe body. A temporary friction lock retains the protective
sleeve in this position. After an injection or aspiration is made
the sleeve arm is pushed down, thereby axially moving the protective
sleeve along the syringe until the needle is covered. When the protective
sleeve is in the extended position, a higher resistance friction
lock maintains the protective sleeve over the needle. A major advantage
to this type of sleeve and arm type mechanism is that the needle
can be covered and uncovered with only one hand. This allows the
other hand to be free to apply pressure to the artery or vein of
a patient.
Given the problems and challenges of proper syringe and needle
manipulation and disposal, it is an object of the present invention
to provide a syringe with an integral sheath to facilitate user
protection from inadvertent needle sticks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a syringe
needle guard that can easily be manipulated by using only one hand.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a syringe
needle guard that can be adapted to fit a large number of standard
or modified disposable and non-disposable needles and syringes.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a syringe
needle guard that includes an arm attached to the needle guard and
which lies substantially near the injection plunger of the syringe.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a syringe
needle guard which can be temporarily locked in either the retracted
or extended position, while still being able to be manipulated by
one hand.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a
syringe needle guard which allows the user to remove and discard
the needle, protective sleeve and adapter together, while separately
removing the syringe cylinder to test the withdrawn blood sample.
With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear
as the nature of the invention is better understood, the invention
consists in the novel combination and assembly of parts hereinafter
more fully described, illustrated and claimed with reference being
made to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view in section illustrating the principle
components of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of an alternate
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a further
embodiment of the present invention.
Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout
the several figures of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIG. 1 the present
invention will be understood to relate to an improved syringe needle
guard which can be adapted to fit a variety of syringe bodies and
needles. The needle guard 100 includes adapter 10 protective sleeve
12 and sleeve arm 14. The needle guard 100 can be retrofitted over
a normal syringe 16. The adapter 10 includes connectors for fluid
connection to the syringe and needle. There are typically a male
end connector 18 and female end connector 20 preferably but not
limited to the Leur-Lok type. The adapter 10 provides for free flow
of fluid from the male end 18 to the female end 20. A locking nub
22 is also attached to the adapter 10. The locking nub 22 fits into
longitudinal channel 24 in protective sleeve 12.
Two friction locks are present in the protective sleeve 12. Lock
26 is a low friction temporary lock to keep the protective sleeve
12 in a withdrawn, needle exposing position. Lock 28 is a higher
friction lock, more resistant to movement, to keep the protective
sleeve 12 in an extended, needle covering position. The sleeve arm
14 is formed integrally with the protective sleeve 12 and is used
to position the protective sleeve 12 in either the needle exposing
position, as shown in FIG. 1 or in the needle covering position,
as shown in FIG. 2. The thumb rest 30 of the injection plunger 32
can be at approximately the same level as the thumb rest 34 of sleeve
arm 14. This allows easy access to both of the thumb rests 30 and
34 with the hand that is holding the syringe 16 and needle guard
100.
Alternative structures for the locking mechanism could place the
locking nubs or circumferential ridge on the inside of the protective
sleeve, while the groove or channel could be placed on the adapter
10 or syringe body. A nub on the inside of the protective sleeve
could fit into axially extending ridges on the adapter or syringe
body. The locking mechanisms can utilize multiple locks with equal
coefficients of friction, or, multiple locks with unequal coefficients
of friction.
In FIG. 3 an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown.
This embodiment illustrates a syringe modified at the time of manufacture.
Syringe 300 includes protective sleeve 302 with sleeve arm 304.
In this embodiment a circumferential locking ring 306 can replace
the locking nub 22. Locks 308 and 310 function identically to locks
26 and 28 respectively. When the sleeve arm 304 is pushed towards
the distal end of syringe 312 the locking ring 306 will disengage
from lock 308 and the protective sleeve 302 will move axially along
syringe 312 to cover needle 314. The protective sleeve will entirely
cover needle 314 when locking ring 306 engages with lock 310.
In FIG. 4 a similar embodiment of the present invention as in FIG.
3 is shown. In this embodiment the syringe and needle guard are
formed integrally at the time of manufacture. Syringe 402 contains
a circumferential locking ring 404 about its outer diameter. The
protective sleeve 406 contains lock 408 channel 410 and lock 412.
An adapter 414 is shown attached to syringe 402 and needle 416.
The protective sleeve 406 is of a longer length than the protective
sleeve 302 to accommodate the attachment of adapter 414.
In operation of the device 100 referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the
device 100 is particularly useful in arterial blood gas syringes.
Prior to inserting the needle 36 into a patient, the protective
sleeve 12 can be covering the needle 36 as shown in FIG. 2. This
will protect against accidental needle sticks to the patient and/or
medical staff. To make the injection or aspiration, the sleeve arm
14 is pulled back towards the injection plunger 32 with the thumb
of the hand that is holding the syringe 16. The needle 36 will now
be exposed and the injection or aspiration can be made. After the
injection or aspiration is accomplished the needle is removed from
the patient, and pressure must be applied to the injection site.
The person making the injection must hold the syringe with one hand
and apply pressure with the other. With the sleeve arm of the present
invention the person who made the injection can use one hand to
push the protective sleeve 12 over needle 36. By these means the
needle 36 can always be protected or covered by protective sleeve
12 immediately prior and subsequent to injection by the use of the
same hand which is holding the syringe 16.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all
embodiments within the scope of the following claims. |