CA2010508A1 - Protective device and syringe - Google Patents
Protective device and syringeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2010508A1 CA2010508A1 CA002010508A CA2010508A CA2010508A1 CA 2010508 A1 CA2010508 A1 CA 2010508A1 CA 002010508 A CA002010508 A CA 002010508A CA 2010508 A CA2010508 A CA 2010508A CA 2010508 A1 CA2010508 A1 CA 2010508A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- syringe
- sheath
- barrel
- needle
- peripheral wall
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/32—Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body; Devices for protection of needles
- A61M5/3205—Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles
- A61M5/321—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles
- A61M5/3243—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles being axially-extensible, e.g. protective sleeves coaxially slidable on the syringe barrel
- A61M5/3271—Means for protection against accidental injuries by used needles being axially-extensible, e.g. protective sleeves coaxially slidable on the syringe barrel with guiding tracks for controlled sliding of needle protective sleeve from needle exposing to needle covering position
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/31—Details
- A61M5/3129—Syringe barrels
- A61M5/3137—Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod
- A61M2005/3139—Finger grips not integrally formed with the syringe barrel, e.g. using adapter with finger grips
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61M—DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY; DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY; DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR
- A61M5/00—Devices for bringing media into the body in a subcutaneous, intra-vascular or intramuscular way; Accessories therefor, e.g. filling or cleaning devices, arm-rests
- A61M5/178—Syringes
- A61M5/24—Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic
Abstract
PROTECTIVE DEVICE AND SYRINGE
Abstract of the Disclosure A protective device for a re-useable syringe comprising a tubular sheath mounted on the syringe barrel for reciprocal movement therein between an extended position wherein it covers the hypodermic needle connected to the syringe and a retracted position wherein the needle connecting end of the syringe barrel is exposed to enable connecting a new sterile hypodermic needle thereto. The tubular sheath has a plurality of longitudinal grooves to receive corresponding longitudinal ribs of the barrel therein to provide enhanced stability of the tubular sheath to hold it more securely in axial alignment with the syringe barrel when in the extended position to thereby prevent the wall of the tubular sheath from being moved out of axial alignment where it could come in contact with the needle which it encompasses. The tubular sheath has access openings near its rearward end which overlie the hub of the hypodermic needle when the sheath is in its extended position, thereby enabling the user to reach in and unscrew the hub of the needle assembly from the syringe barrel after the needle has been used. The disconnected needle can then be carried in the cavity of the tubular sheath while held in the horizontal position to a disposal container and dropped therein by tipping the syringe and tubular sheath downward.
The used needle can then slide out the open end of the sheath into the disposal container.
Abstract of the Disclosure A protective device for a re-useable syringe comprising a tubular sheath mounted on the syringe barrel for reciprocal movement therein between an extended position wherein it covers the hypodermic needle connected to the syringe and a retracted position wherein the needle connecting end of the syringe barrel is exposed to enable connecting a new sterile hypodermic needle thereto. The tubular sheath has a plurality of longitudinal grooves to receive corresponding longitudinal ribs of the barrel therein to provide enhanced stability of the tubular sheath to hold it more securely in axial alignment with the syringe barrel when in the extended position to thereby prevent the wall of the tubular sheath from being moved out of axial alignment where it could come in contact with the needle which it encompasses. The tubular sheath has access openings near its rearward end which overlie the hub of the hypodermic needle when the sheath is in its extended position, thereby enabling the user to reach in and unscrew the hub of the needle assembly from the syringe barrel after the needle has been used. The disconnected needle can then be carried in the cavity of the tubular sheath while held in the horizontal position to a disposal container and dropped therein by tipping the syringe and tubular sheath downward.
The used needle can then slide out the open end of the sheath into the disposal container.
Description
20~ 8 PROTE:CTIVE DEVICE AND SYRINGE
BacKaround of the Invention , This invention relates to protective devices for syringes which pr~tect the user from accidental puncture by the hypodermic needles attached to the syringe. In : I-particular, this invention relates to protective devices for ¦ the permanent type of syringe which is repeatedly re-useable for a relatively long period of time before it has to be replaced or discarded.
A protective device for a re-useable syringe should itself be re-useable for the same length of time as the ; , :.syringe,::or-re-useable for a significant period of time and ~,.readily replaceable if.w it:does have to be replaced before ,~
. : - ,' ¦- the syringe--has -to be replaced. -For this reason among ~, ¦~others, a.,,protective device for the repeatedly re-useable .,, ¦~ t,vpe of- syringe reguires various construction features-not -: ' : ¦ needed by protective devices for the one-time use disposable ,, :;
, ¦.type of syringe.
¦ Examples of pr.ior art ty,pes of protective devices for ¦ syrinqes include those shown and described in thel-following -: ¦ United States patents.
,. I Patent-No. 4,752,290 discloses a needle bearing medical ,, . device of the.disposable type having a tubular shield which .- .. can ~e held in:three positions, one of which is a releasable '~
needle covering position, the second of which is a releasable needle exposing position and the third is a non-releasable needle covering ,position from which the l shield cannot be retracted for re-use. ;~
I Patent No. 4,738,663 discloses a hypodermic needle ¦ shield which comprises a sleeve guide that i.s.mounted on.the , . , , -2- -,~
'I . ",: , 2013!~08 syringe and secured to its flange, and a shield which travels on the sieeve guide between an extended and retracted position. When in the extended position wherein the shield covers the needle, the shield is loc~ed in place where it can neither be retracted nor pulled off of the syringe but remains in place to cover the needle when the syringe with needle still attached is discarded.
Patent No. 4,737,144 discloses a syringe havinq a protective sleeve that can be pushed forward to cover the needle after it has been used, the sleeve lockinq in place in the extended position from which it cannot be retracted.
Patent No. 4,723,g43 discloses a syringe having a sheath with an elongated slot to receive a guide lug on the barrel of the syringe. The rearwardly extending end of the slot in the sheath opens to a recess having a pair of laterally e~tending pockets or slots, one of which has a snap lock iip and the other has a shape and dimension to receive the lug snugly therein when the sleeve is rotated but from which the lug can be unseated for sliding the sheath back to its retracted position. When the sheath is in the extended position and rotated the opposite wa~ for the lug to seat in the other pocket having the snap lock lip, the sheath cannot be rotated back to get the lug out of ~hat pocket. The sheath is then locked permanently in place and the entire assembly is then discarded.
Patent No. 4,702,739 discloses a syringe having a retractable sleeve coverlng the needle which retracts when the syringe is placed against the body of a patient, or self administrator, and the syringe pushed forward to insert the needle for injection of the medication. It is desiqned ~ 201L0~08 especially for those who have to administer injections to themselves, such as diabetics, and to reduce the fear or an~lety Sometlmes associated with seeinq a needle about to be inserted through a person's skin.
Patent No. ~,702,738 discloses a disposable syringe and sheath in which the sheath may be permanently locked in its extended posltion covering the needle for disposal of the entire unit after being used.
Patent No. 4,693,708 discioses a syringe of the disposable type in which the needle is permanently attached and sealed within a tubular enclosure device to protect it from contamination until ready for use, at which time the end tab is torn away to open the forward end wall for the needle to project through when the tubular device is retracted to enable insertion of the needle into a patient.
After use, the tubular device is pushed forwardly to cover the used needle and the unit then discarded.
Patent No. 4,681,567 discloses a syringe having a slidable sheath to cover the needle and lock permanently in place after the n,eedle has been used. ' Patent No. 4,631,057 discloses a syringe and sheath in which the forward end of the syringe barrel has a collar with an annular qroove to receive a corresponding annular bead of the sheath when in the retracted position, and a one-way annular qroove to receive a one~way annular snap lock projection of the sheath to lock it permanently in place when pushed to the extended position.
Patent No. 4,4~5,120 discloses a syringe and sheath in ~;
which the barrel of the sheath has a pair of lugs, and the sheath has a pair of L-shaped slots to receive respective 1 2~5~8 ones of the lugs whereby the sheath can be locked in both the retracted and extended positions by rotating to seat the respective luqs in the laterally extending leg of the respective slot.
The protective sheath in accordance with the present invention slides on the barrel of the repeatedly re-useable syringe between a retracted position, in which the screw threads of the needle connecting projection are exposed for connecting a hypodermic needle thereto, and an extended position after the needle has been used to cover the needle until it can be disposed of. Since the syringe in this case is of the re-useable ~ind, L~the used needle has to-be disconnected from the syringe. The protective sheath . .--therefore is provided with apertures:which overlie the-hub -~of .the needle assembly when the sheath is in its extended position covering the. needle, whereby the user can reach through such apertures to unscrew--the hub of the needle assembly from the threads of the needle connecting projection. The needle assembly then drops to the bottom of the extended sheath which the user holds in a horizontal position to prevent the -uncoupled needle assembly.from dropping out. The unit.-is then -carried -to a disposal container whereupon the syringe and its extended sheath can be tipped downward to let the used needle drop throu~h the open forward end wall of the sheath into the container for disposal.
The sheath and syringe barrel include cooperating stop members to prevent removal of the sheath from the forward or needle connecting end of the syringe. The sheath is removable from the syringe barrel for cleaning, 2~10~08 sterilization and the like, by unscrewing the syrlnge barrel from the plunger mechanism and sliding ~he sheath off from the rearward, or plunger connectlng end of the barrel. The sheath is replaced on the barrel from the same rearward end, and the barrel then screwed in place in the receiving recess of the plunger assembly.
Some of the -permanent re-useable syringes are of the type in which the barre~-cavity is bounded by an imperforate wall, and the cartridge of injectable material is placed in the barrel or the syringe from its rearward end while uncoupled from the plunger assembly.
Other types of permanent, re-usea~le syringes have an elongated slot in ithe wall of-the barrel wide enough and long enouqh to plac~ a cartridge having the injectable substance in the barrel through such opening-or slot in its side wall.
-The -protective -sheath in accordance with the present invention may be used with both types of permanent, re-useable syringes. ~When used with the type in which the cartridge is `placed in the syringe barrel through the opening in its side wall, the sheath is pushed forward to its extended position which exposes the elongated`slot or opening to insert the cartridge. The sheath-is then moved back -to-its retracted position~which exposes the threads of ~the needle connecting projectlon at the forward end of the syringe barrel. ~When the needle assembly is connected, the syringe is ready for use. After use on a patient, the sheath is moved to its extended position where it completely covers ¦`the used needle. The needle assembly is then disconnected as described above while the protective sheath is still in its : , `
. ' . . ~ '~
!1 -6- ~ ~
1, . ; ' 201~!~08 ¦ extenaed position and the disconnected needle then carried ¦ in the sheath held in the horizontal position to the ¦ disposal container for disposal of the used needle assembly.
¦Hypodermlc needles come in a two-part sealed cartridge, having a closed cylindrical chamber in which the needle extends with the hub frictionally held by the cylindrical wall--bounding the-opening and a removable cap which covers the hub until the user is ready to use the needle. When the cap is removed, the internal threads of the hub of the needle assembly are exposed ~or screwing on to the threaded needle connecting projection at the forward end of the syringe ~a~rel-while the needle itself is still within the ~:~ -chamber ~of -the cartridge it comes in. After-the needle assemhly has--~been screwed on to the syringe, the cartridge chamber is -pulled away to expose~-the needle. At this time, ~the sheath of the present invention may be pushed ~orward to ~its --extended position wherein it completely covers the --needle.~The syrin~e with sterile needle attached ~ay then be laid down temporarily without the needle Itouching a non-sterile ~urface. ~
-In -the -prior art practice when it became necessary to ¦ temporarily lay the-syringe down after a sterile needle had ¦ been connected and its original cartridge chamber removed, ¦-the users -would put the original cartridge chamber back~on ¦ the needle assembly to protect it from touching- a ¦ non-sterile surface. This often results in needle sti~ks ¦ while the user tries to insert the needle back into the ¦ relatively small diameter chamber of the original needle ¦ cartridge. The Center for Disease Control has now ¦ recommended that syringe needles not be re-capped after the !
!
1,1 , , . ~
original cartridge chamber has been removed in order to prevent doctors, dentists and other health care providers from accidentally receiving a needle stick while trying to re-cap the needle.
The protective sheath in accordance with this invention ma~es it unnecessary tO have other devices in the treatment area for the protection of uncapped needles connected to a syringe.
To ~ive the sheath greater stability and to help hold it in axial alignment with the syringe barrel while in the extended position, especially when laid down on a table or the like where forces may be applied against the forward end of the extended sheath tending to move it out of axial ali~nment whereby its peripheral wall could come in contact with the sterile needle, a plurality of longitudinal ribs are provided on the syringe barrel to seat in a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves formed in the wall of the sheath opening to its inner surface. The cross-sectional dimension and configuration of the sheath corresponds closely to that of the syringe barrel for a snug fit but which permits the sheath to readily slide on the barrel between its retracted and extended positions. The longitudinal ribs and grooves enhance and re-inforce the stability of the sheath in axial alignment with the syringe barrel. The sheath has a longitudinal dimension long enough to extend beyond the needle connected to the syringe and with a sufficiently long portion of sheath still on the barrel of the syringe, with the ribs of the syringe barrel seated in the grooves of the sheath, to hold the sheath in axial alignment with the syringe barrel when the sheath is 20~L05D8 in its extended posltlon.
Stop means are provided as set forth in detall in the description of the preferred embodiment to prevent the sheath from moving forward on the syringe barrel beyond its intended point. A releasabie lock member is also provided to lock the sheath in its extended position, but releasable to enable moving the sheath back to its retracted position. The lock member is-also described in detail later herein.
The sheath is preferably made of a durable long lastlng material which is also heat resistant and pressure resistant, such as autoclavable acrylic or a metal such as stainless steel. The sheath is preferably transparent, but - it need not be.
While the protective sheath in accordance with this invention is shown and described herein for use with one -kind -of- syringe, it is useable with various other types--of -syringçs -which--have an-elongated barrel, a plunger or other operating mechanism at one end and a hypodermic needle connected at the other end.
` ~ Summary of the Invention ~
- It is an object of the invention to provide a ¦ re-useable protective sheath- for- re-useable -syringes to protect against accidental needle sticks.
- It is an object of the invention - to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable ~yringes having ¦ means to enable disconnection of a used needle from the syrinqe while the sheath is in its extended position covering the needle.
It is an object of the invention to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable syringes in ~ 0~08 ¦ which the sheath and syringe have a plurality of longitudinal ribs seated in corresponding longitudinal grooves to enhance and re-inforce the ability of the sheath to stay in .axial alignment with the barrel of the syringe when in its extended position covering the needle connected to the svringe. !
It is an object of the invention to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable syringes in .
--which stop means are yrovided to prevent moving the sheath : forward on the syringe barrel beyond its intended point, wherein a sufficient portion of the sheath remains on the -.:.barrel to:hold lt in axial alignment with the barrel when-in -.-its-extended position. ~ .:
. ~ It .is -an object .of the: invention- to provide. a re-useable protective sheath for re-useab~e syringes having . . releasable lock means, to lock the sheath in its extended . .
::- position covering the needle connected to the syringe and to .~ release the sheath for movement back to its retracted :
. pos1tion for re-use wieh the re-useable syringe.
. . . ; ~
;; :. . . ' ~''' ~ ' '. . ' ' '' . ~
. ~':
,,,,, ,.. , . ..... ~
~irief DescriPtion of the Drawinq Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plunger assembly of a re-useable syringe.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a barrel of a re-useable syringe for connection to the plunger assembly of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a hypodermic needle assembly for connection to the re-useable syringe barrel shown in Fig. 2.
Fiy. 4 is a perspective view of a protective shield or tubular sheath for mounting on the barrel of the re-useable --syringe and for reciprocal movement thereon.
~ ig. 5 is a section view of the-tubular sheath taken on line S - 5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a section view of the tubular sheath taken on line 6 - 6 of-Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is -an -end view from the front of the syringe ~arrel shown-in Fig. 2.
- Fig. 8 is- an elevation view of a re-useable syringe with plunger assembly, barrei and-needle assembly connected and with the~ protective tubular sheath in it~ extended position to cover the hypodermic needle, showing the eiongated slot for placing a cartridge in the barrel cavity in plan view and with-the shorter slot on the opposite side of the barrel also vislble.
Fig. 9 is an elevation view as in Fig. 8 but with the syringe barrel rotated ninety degrees with the elongated slots opening to the barrel cavity shown in side elevation.
Fig. 10 is an elevation view of the syringe shown in Fig. 9 but with the protective tubular sheath shown in its retracted position.
l , ~ .
2 ~ 8 ¦ DescriPtion of Preferred Embodiment ¦ A protective shield 2 for s~ringes 4 in accordance with the present invention to protect users from unintended contact with attached needles 6 comprises a preferably transparent tubular sheath 8 mounted on the barrel 10 of the -anesthetic syringe 4 used in the medical and dental professlons, the tubular sheath 8 being mounted for sliding -reciprocal movement between a retracted position wherein the l attached needle 6 is exposed and an extended position ¦ wherein the attached needle 6 is bounded by and enclosed ¦ within the transparen~ tubular sheath 8.
The syrin~es for which this invention is particularly .-adapted are those which are made and designed for re-use, --and~ which -are usually made of a metal such as stainless .steel. For such syringes, the tubular sheath 8 has to be reciprocaLly movable in both directions while mounted on the . . ¦ syringe, both from :the retracted to the extended position and in the opposite direction from the extended to the retracted position. The tubular sheath 8 in accordance ~ith . the present invention lS itself re-useable as lon~ as the . syringe itself is reusable, although -t-he sheath can be removed and replaced if and when necessary. The sheath 8 is :-:made of..a durable and preferably transparent material such as an acrylic or similar synthetic plastic material. It may also be made of metal, such as stainless steel.
The barrel 10 of the re-useable syringe 4 is removable from the plunger operating mechanism 12. The plunger operating mechanism 12 includes an internally threaded plunger couplinq recess 14 to receive the corresponding , ',:.` ' ., ~ 2[)1~08 barrel 10 at its plur.ger coupling end 18. The barrel 10 terminates at its opposite end 20 in a needle couplinq assembly 22 comprising a reduced diameter externally threaded needle couplinq projection 24 to be received in the corresponding internally threaded needle coupling recess 26 in the hub 28 of one-time-use needle assemblies, such as needle assembly 30, which are screwed on to the re-useable syringe 4 for one time use on one patient. The needle assembly 3C is then unscrewed from the syringe 4 and discarded.
The barrei 10 is elongated and has an arcuate peripheral wall 3~ bounding a cyl.indrical barrel cavity 34 to receive cartridges of anesthetic material or the like (not shown) for injection into a patient through the needle 36 of the needle assembly 30 by operation of the plunger operating mechanism 12.
Some of the barrels used on re-useable syringes 4 have a completely solid arcuate peripheral wall and the cartridges of anesthetic material are inserted into the cylin~rical cavity ~by unscrewing the externally threaded plunger coupling projection 1~ of the barrel from the internally threaded coupling recess 14 of the plunger operating mechanism 12 and inserting the cartridge through the open end 36 of the barrel 10. The barrel is then re-coupled to the plunger operating mechanism, with the cartridge positioned for engagement by the plunger to expel its contents out throuqh the needle 36.
Other barrels used on re-useable syringes 4 have an elongated slot 38 or cut-away opening of approximately semi-circular cross-section opening to the cvlindrical ~ :
21):1~508 barrel cavity 34 in which the width or cross-sectional dimension of slot 38 is substantially equal to the diameter of cylindrical barrel cavity 34. The longitudinal dimension of the elongated slot 88 corresponds to that of a cartridae of anesthetic material to be received in the cylindrical barrel cavity 34, whereby such cartridge can be placed in the cylindrical barrel cavity 34 through the elongated slot 38.
A second elongated slot 40 of shorter lonqitudinal dimension and narrower cross-section than slot 38 is provided in the arcuate peripheral wall 32 opening to the cylindrical barrel cavity 34 at a location diametrically ~;1 :opposite:.from.slot 38. The slot.40 has a cross-section wide . -enough for a ..user to insert his finger tip therein far enough to push a cartrid~e out of the cavity~34 far enough to be grasped by the user's other hand for removal.
~-In~ accordance --with:the-present i~vention, the syrir.ge-barrel 10 may have one or more longitudinally extendLng ribs 42 to be received in correspondinq longitudinally extending grooves 44 formed on the inner surface 46 of the cylindricai peripheral wall 48 of the tubular sheath 8 and opening to the cylindrical sheath cavity 50. .
One -longitudlnal---extending-:rib 52 may be positioned along and parallel to one side edge 54 of elongated slot 38 and a second longitudinally extending rib 56 may be positioned along and parallel to the opposite side edge 58 of elongated slot 38. The ribs 52 and 56 extend the length, or longitudinal dimension, of the barrel 10, one end thereof termination at the externally threaded plunger coupling projection 16 of the barrel 10 and the opposite end thereof l , , ll :- ' ' l -14-1. .
~ 2010~08 erminating a~ the needle coupling pro~ection 24 of the barrel 10.
A third lonqitudinally extending rib 60 which is relatively short extends inwardly of the barrel 10 from its end adjacent the reduced diameter needle coupling projection 24, radialiy displaced ninety degrees from longitudinal ribs 52 .and 56 and in line with the mid-line of elongated slo~
38,--and terminates at the junction with slot 38. Slot 38 terminates about a quarter inch to a half inch short of the end of barrel 10 adjacent needle coupllng projection 24, so rib 60 is about a quarter inch to a half inch long.
~ I A fourth longitudinal rib 62 which is also relatively :~ ¦ short is .Located- diametricaliy opposite from the third 1~ ~ ngitudlnal--rib-:.60 on:-the barrel 10, and extends inwardly thereof from its end adjacent the reduced diameter needle .-.coupling projection 24 a short distance corresponding to -:that-:of-:-the longitudinal dimension of longitudinal-rib 60.
. i Thus rib 62 is also about a quarter inch to a half inch in length.
The tubular sheàth 8 for use on the barrel 10 havin~
: -longitudinal ribs .52, 56, 60 and 62 is provided with corresponding longitudinal ~rooves 64, 66, 68 and 70 formed on the inner surface ~6 of cylindrical peripheral wall 48 of the -tubular sheath 8 and opening to the cylindrical sheath cavity S0, each radially displaced ninety degrees from adjacent ones of said grooves. The longitudinal grooves 64, 66, ~8 and 10 extend the length of the sheath 8 and each groove opens to the forward end 72 of the sheath 8 which has an open forward end wall 74 and an open rearward end wall 16.
i . , : ''. ' !1 -15-2al0;,0s ~ ~
The ~ubuiar sheath 8 is mounted on the syringe barrel by first unscrewing the ~arrel 10 from the couplin~
recess 14 of the plunqer operating mechanism 12, and positioning the open end wail 74 of the shea~h 8 in line with the plunger couplinq end 18 of the syrinqe barrel 10, -with -open ends of-diametrically opposite grooves 64 and 66 in line-to receive corresponding dlametrically opposite ribs 52 and 56 of the barrel 10 respectively. The sheath 8 is then slid forward-on the barrel 10 until the open rearward end wall 76 of the sheath 8 passes the externally threaded plunqer- coupling projection 16 of --the barrel 10 and is immediately ad~acent,-thereto. At such time the open forward end -wall 74 of the~ sheath 8-is immediately adjacent the ~-forward-~end of-the arcuate peripheral--wall 32-of the barrel 10 --and its junction-with the ~orwardly projecting reduced diameter needle coupling projection 24.~: The length or longitudinal -dimension----of the tubular sheath 8-corresponds to that of the arcuate-peripheral wall 32 of the syringe barrel 10 between the threaded plunger coupling projection 15 at one end and the threaded needle coupling pro~ection 24 at the opposite end.
When the sheath 8 is pushed on to the syringe barrel 10 far -enough to reach the-two diametrically opposite short --longitudinal ribs-6Q and 62,-the-open ends of diametrically opposite grooves 68 and 70 are in line to receive corresponding ones of the ribs 60 and 62 respectively.
Groove 68 which receives rib 60 has a stop element ~8 at its end adjacent the rearward end wall 76 of sheath 8. Thus, when the sheath 8 is pushed further forward on the syringe barrel 10 so its forward open end wall 74 projects forwardly , I ;~ ~' . . . . ': " ' 20~0~08 beyond the forward end of the syringe barrel 10, the stop element 78 in groove 68 at its rearward end will abut against the rearward end of the short longitudinal rib 60 to prevent any further forward movement of the sheath 8 on the syringe barrel 10. At such time, the tubular sheath 8 extends forwardly of the syringe barrel 10 far enouqh to cover and surround a needle 36 o~ a needle assembly 30 coupled to the needle coupling projection 24 at the forward end of the syrlnge barrel 10.
A detent member in the form of a metal spring 80 is provided on the peripheral wall 32 of the syringe barrel 10, in line--.with and inwardly or rearwardly from the short longitudinal rib 62,~ and:positioned whereby th~ forwardly extendinq. and movable end-~82 of spring 80 clears the rearward end wall 76'-of tne sheath 8 when stop element'78 in groove 68 abuts against the rearward end of rib 60 to prevent --further.. forward movement of sheath 8 on syringe :barrel. 10. The movable end 82 of spring 80 is normally biased. outwardly from the surface of the syringe barrel 10, and the non-movable opposite end 84 of the spring 80 is welded, riveted or otherwise secured to the surface of the barrel 10 at a point rearwardly of the outwardly biased movable -end 82. Thus, the spring 80 extends at a diagonal diverging outwardly from the surface of the barrel 10 in'the direction from its non-movable end 84 to its movable end 82 and in the direction of forward movement of the sheath 8 on the syringe barrel 10. Thus, when the sheath 8 is being mounted on the barrel 10, the forward end 72 of the sheath passes over the connected non-movable end 84 of the spring and presses the dia~onally extending movable end 82 ~l 20las~s downward against the surface of the svringe barrel 10 as the tubular sheath 8 continues ~'orward on the ~arrel 10.
When the sheath 8 has been pushed forwardly to the poin~ that stop element 78 abut~ing against rib 60 prevents further forward movement of the sheath 8 on the barrel iO
: and the movable end 82 of the spring 80 clears the rearward --end -wall 76 of-the sheath 8, the outwardly blased movable end 82 of spring 80 springs outwardly a sufficient distance to face the annular'edge 86 of the rearward end wall 76 of sheath 8 to thereby-prevent the sheath 8 from beinq moved in the opposite rearward direction on the syringe barrel 10 ~: unt~li the :movabie end 82 of spring 80 is depressed against : tne .surface of the-syringe barrel 10'. The.movable end 82 of .spring -B0 then ~clears'the annular edge--86 of rearward end wall 76 permittinq the sheath ~to slide rearward on the .-s~ringe barrel 10.
. - When stop element~ 78 abuts a~ainst rib 60-and the movable end 82 of spring 80 is in line to abut against the ar.nular edge 86 of rearward end wall 76, the tubular sheath ¦ 8 1s locked~' in place in its extended position wherein the ¦ needle 36 .of an attached needle assembly 30.is bounded by ¦ and enclosed within the tubular sheath 8.
¦A.~pair of elongated .access apertures 88 and 90 are provided in -the -cylindrical peripheral wall~48 of~the tubular sheath 8, located in diametrically opposite positions theraon, aperture 88 being axially aligned with groove ~8 and aperture 90 being axially aligned with groove 70, and each aperture 88 and 90 being positioned inward of the cylindrical peripheral wall 48 of sheath 8 and forwardly from the rearward end wall 76 thereof a sufficient distance . ','''. ' , .
~010~08 for apertures 88 and 90 to overlay the hub 2~ of needle assembly 30 when the sheath 8 is locked in placed in its extended position with stop element 78 in groove 68 abutting against rib 60 on tne syringe barrel 10. Such distance of apertures 88 and 90 inward of sheath 8 and forward from its rearward end wall 76 positions the rearward edges 92 and 94 of such -apertures about one-quarter inch to about one-half inch from the rearward end wall 76, and the forward edges 96 and- 98- thereof about an inch to an inch and a half therefrom. The longitudinal dimension of apertures 88 and 90 may therefore be about three-quarters of an inch to an inch.
~heir lateral' dimension~--may ,be about a quarter-inch to a half-inch.~`-The lonqitudinal--and lateral dimension of access apertures 88 and gO is any convenient size that enables a user to insert his-thumb through one of such apertures and a finger: through the other far enough to reach the hub 28 of needle assembly 30 in,,- place---on the needle coupling projection '24 of syringe barrel 10, and to rotate it in the direction that will unscrew the hub 28 from the needle coupling projection 24 of the syrin~e 4 while the tubular sheath 8 is locked in its extended position that protects the user from accidental contact with the needle 36.
When the needle assembly 30 is uncoupled from the syringe- barrel- 10-- after its one time use wit'h a single patient the syringe 4 is held in the horizontal posltion whereupon the needle assembly 30 and its used needle 36 drop tO the inner surface 46 of the cylindrical wall 48 of tubular sheath 8. The uncoupled needle assembly 30 and needle 36 may then be carried while holding the syringe 4 in the horizontal position to a disposal container. The needle . ,.,'.
..
2~ 8 assembly 30 and used needle 36 then fall through the open forward end wall 74 of the sheath 8 and into the disposal container when the svrlnge 4 is tipped downwardly to enable the needle assembly 30 and needle 36 to slide out.
This construction makes it possible for the dentist, physician and other health care workers to remove and dispose of contaminated used hypodermic needles from re-useable syrinqes without any risk of coming in contac~
with the sharp end of the needle and in fact without cominq in contact with any part of the needle itself which had been inserted into a patient and on which contaminated blood, or other fluids, or bacteria may have become attached. The only part-of the needle assembly'-that a user can even have access to when the protective sheath in accordance with this ~--nvention-is locked in p~ace in its extended position--is the hub portion, which as the most rearward part ~f the needle assembly - lS least likely to have any contaminated substance ,~ thereon and in any event~cannot itself puncture the skin of a user.
After cleaning, and sterili~ing, the tubular sheath 8 may then be moved bac~ from its extended position to its retracted position by depressing the movable end 82 of the metal spring ~0-against the surface of the syringe barrel 10 whereby it clears the annular edge 86 of rearward end wall 76 of the sheath 8, thereby enabling the user to slide the tubular sheath rearward to its fully retracted position. At such time, the forward end wall 74 of the tubular sheath 8 lies rearward~-y of the externally threaded needle coupiing projection 24 of the syringe 4, thereby making it accessible for screwing the hub of a new needle as~embly and its needle . ".,'. ' ' -20-Z1~10~i08 ¦ thereon.
¦ New and uncontaminated needle assemblies come in a two-part protective tubular case, having a cover which when removed exposes the hub portion of the needle assembly to enable screwing the hub on to the threaded needle coupling projection of the syringe. After the hu~ has been securely threaded on to the syringe, the other part of the two-part protective tubular case is then pulled forward and away from the needle assembly thereby exposing the needle for use.
After it has been used, the protective sheath in accordance with this invention is pushed forward to its extended position and locked in place as descri~ed above which covers the needle assembly and its used needle thereby fully protecting the users while the needle assembly is disconnected from the syringe and carried to a disposal container for disposal. Thus, this invention enables the user to have protection from the time o~ initial connection of the needle to the syringe until disposal after use, where permanent types of syringes are concerned which are used over and over again with new needle assemblies connected and disconnected for each use.
BacKaround of the Invention , This invention relates to protective devices for syringes which pr~tect the user from accidental puncture by the hypodermic needles attached to the syringe. In : I-particular, this invention relates to protective devices for ¦ the permanent type of syringe which is repeatedly re-useable for a relatively long period of time before it has to be replaced or discarded.
A protective device for a re-useable syringe should itself be re-useable for the same length of time as the ; , :.syringe,::or-re-useable for a significant period of time and ~,.readily replaceable if.w it:does have to be replaced before ,~
. : - ,' ¦- the syringe--has -to be replaced. -For this reason among ~, ¦~others, a.,,protective device for the repeatedly re-useable .,, ¦~ t,vpe of- syringe reguires various construction features-not -: ' : ¦ needed by protective devices for the one-time use disposable ,, :;
, ¦.type of syringe.
¦ Examples of pr.ior art ty,pes of protective devices for ¦ syrinqes include those shown and described in thel-following -: ¦ United States patents.
,. I Patent-No. 4,752,290 discloses a needle bearing medical ,, . device of the.disposable type having a tubular shield which .- .. can ~e held in:three positions, one of which is a releasable '~
needle covering position, the second of which is a releasable needle exposing position and the third is a non-releasable needle covering ,position from which the l shield cannot be retracted for re-use. ;~
I Patent No. 4,738,663 discloses a hypodermic needle ¦ shield which comprises a sleeve guide that i.s.mounted on.the , . , , -2- -,~
'I . ",: , 2013!~08 syringe and secured to its flange, and a shield which travels on the sieeve guide between an extended and retracted position. When in the extended position wherein the shield covers the needle, the shield is loc~ed in place where it can neither be retracted nor pulled off of the syringe but remains in place to cover the needle when the syringe with needle still attached is discarded.
Patent No. 4,737,144 discloses a syringe havinq a protective sleeve that can be pushed forward to cover the needle after it has been used, the sleeve lockinq in place in the extended position from which it cannot be retracted.
Patent No. 4,723,g43 discloses a syringe having a sheath with an elongated slot to receive a guide lug on the barrel of the syringe. The rearwardly extending end of the slot in the sheath opens to a recess having a pair of laterally e~tending pockets or slots, one of which has a snap lock iip and the other has a shape and dimension to receive the lug snugly therein when the sleeve is rotated but from which the lug can be unseated for sliding the sheath back to its retracted position. When the sheath is in the extended position and rotated the opposite wa~ for the lug to seat in the other pocket having the snap lock lip, the sheath cannot be rotated back to get the lug out of ~hat pocket. The sheath is then locked permanently in place and the entire assembly is then discarded.
Patent No. 4,702,739 discloses a syringe having a retractable sleeve coverlng the needle which retracts when the syringe is placed against the body of a patient, or self administrator, and the syringe pushed forward to insert the needle for injection of the medication. It is desiqned ~ 201L0~08 especially for those who have to administer injections to themselves, such as diabetics, and to reduce the fear or an~lety Sometlmes associated with seeinq a needle about to be inserted through a person's skin.
Patent No. ~,702,738 discloses a disposable syringe and sheath in which the sheath may be permanently locked in its extended posltion covering the needle for disposal of the entire unit after being used.
Patent No. 4,693,708 discioses a syringe of the disposable type in which the needle is permanently attached and sealed within a tubular enclosure device to protect it from contamination until ready for use, at which time the end tab is torn away to open the forward end wall for the needle to project through when the tubular device is retracted to enable insertion of the needle into a patient.
After use, the tubular device is pushed forwardly to cover the used needle and the unit then discarded.
Patent No. 4,681,567 discloses a syringe having a slidable sheath to cover the needle and lock permanently in place after the n,eedle has been used. ' Patent No. 4,631,057 discloses a syringe and sheath in which the forward end of the syringe barrel has a collar with an annular qroove to receive a corresponding annular bead of the sheath when in the retracted position, and a one-way annular qroove to receive a one~way annular snap lock projection of the sheath to lock it permanently in place when pushed to the extended position.
Patent No. 4,4~5,120 discloses a syringe and sheath in ~;
which the barrel of the sheath has a pair of lugs, and the sheath has a pair of L-shaped slots to receive respective 1 2~5~8 ones of the lugs whereby the sheath can be locked in both the retracted and extended positions by rotating to seat the respective luqs in the laterally extending leg of the respective slot.
The protective sheath in accordance with the present invention slides on the barrel of the repeatedly re-useable syringe between a retracted position, in which the screw threads of the needle connecting projection are exposed for connecting a hypodermic needle thereto, and an extended position after the needle has been used to cover the needle until it can be disposed of. Since the syringe in this case is of the re-useable ~ind, L~the used needle has to-be disconnected from the syringe. The protective sheath . .--therefore is provided with apertures:which overlie the-hub -~of .the needle assembly when the sheath is in its extended position covering the. needle, whereby the user can reach through such apertures to unscrew--the hub of the needle assembly from the threads of the needle connecting projection. The needle assembly then drops to the bottom of the extended sheath which the user holds in a horizontal position to prevent the -uncoupled needle assembly.from dropping out. The unit.-is then -carried -to a disposal container whereupon the syringe and its extended sheath can be tipped downward to let the used needle drop throu~h the open forward end wall of the sheath into the container for disposal.
The sheath and syringe barrel include cooperating stop members to prevent removal of the sheath from the forward or needle connecting end of the syringe. The sheath is removable from the syringe barrel for cleaning, 2~10~08 sterilization and the like, by unscrewing the syrlnge barrel from the plunger mechanism and sliding ~he sheath off from the rearward, or plunger connectlng end of the barrel. The sheath is replaced on the barrel from the same rearward end, and the barrel then screwed in place in the receiving recess of the plunger assembly.
Some of the -permanent re-useable syringes are of the type in which the barre~-cavity is bounded by an imperforate wall, and the cartridge of injectable material is placed in the barrel or the syringe from its rearward end while uncoupled from the plunger assembly.
Other types of permanent, re-usea~le syringes have an elongated slot in ithe wall of-the barrel wide enough and long enouqh to plac~ a cartridge having the injectable substance in the barrel through such opening-or slot in its side wall.
-The -protective -sheath in accordance with the present invention may be used with both types of permanent, re-useable syringes. ~When used with the type in which the cartridge is `placed in the syringe barrel through the opening in its side wall, the sheath is pushed forward to its extended position which exposes the elongated`slot or opening to insert the cartridge. The sheath-is then moved back -to-its retracted position~which exposes the threads of ~the needle connecting projectlon at the forward end of the syringe barrel. ~When the needle assembly is connected, the syringe is ready for use. After use on a patient, the sheath is moved to its extended position where it completely covers ¦`the used needle. The needle assembly is then disconnected as described above while the protective sheath is still in its : , `
. ' . . ~ '~
!1 -6- ~ ~
1, . ; ' 201~!~08 ¦ extenaed position and the disconnected needle then carried ¦ in the sheath held in the horizontal position to the ¦ disposal container for disposal of the used needle assembly.
¦Hypodermlc needles come in a two-part sealed cartridge, having a closed cylindrical chamber in which the needle extends with the hub frictionally held by the cylindrical wall--bounding the-opening and a removable cap which covers the hub until the user is ready to use the needle. When the cap is removed, the internal threads of the hub of the needle assembly are exposed ~or screwing on to the threaded needle connecting projection at the forward end of the syringe ~a~rel-while the needle itself is still within the ~:~ -chamber ~of -the cartridge it comes in. After-the needle assemhly has--~been screwed on to the syringe, the cartridge chamber is -pulled away to expose~-the needle. At this time, ~the sheath of the present invention may be pushed ~orward to ~its --extended position wherein it completely covers the --needle.~The syrin~e with sterile needle attached ~ay then be laid down temporarily without the needle Itouching a non-sterile ~urface. ~
-In -the -prior art practice when it became necessary to ¦ temporarily lay the-syringe down after a sterile needle had ¦ been connected and its original cartridge chamber removed, ¦-the users -would put the original cartridge chamber back~on ¦ the needle assembly to protect it from touching- a ¦ non-sterile surface. This often results in needle sti~ks ¦ while the user tries to insert the needle back into the ¦ relatively small diameter chamber of the original needle ¦ cartridge. The Center for Disease Control has now ¦ recommended that syringe needles not be re-capped after the !
!
1,1 , , . ~
original cartridge chamber has been removed in order to prevent doctors, dentists and other health care providers from accidentally receiving a needle stick while trying to re-cap the needle.
The protective sheath in accordance with this invention ma~es it unnecessary tO have other devices in the treatment area for the protection of uncapped needles connected to a syringe.
To ~ive the sheath greater stability and to help hold it in axial alignment with the syringe barrel while in the extended position, especially when laid down on a table or the like where forces may be applied against the forward end of the extended sheath tending to move it out of axial ali~nment whereby its peripheral wall could come in contact with the sterile needle, a plurality of longitudinal ribs are provided on the syringe barrel to seat in a corresponding plurality of longitudinal grooves formed in the wall of the sheath opening to its inner surface. The cross-sectional dimension and configuration of the sheath corresponds closely to that of the syringe barrel for a snug fit but which permits the sheath to readily slide on the barrel between its retracted and extended positions. The longitudinal ribs and grooves enhance and re-inforce the stability of the sheath in axial alignment with the syringe barrel. The sheath has a longitudinal dimension long enough to extend beyond the needle connected to the syringe and with a sufficiently long portion of sheath still on the barrel of the syringe, with the ribs of the syringe barrel seated in the grooves of the sheath, to hold the sheath in axial alignment with the syringe barrel when the sheath is 20~L05D8 in its extended posltlon.
Stop means are provided as set forth in detall in the description of the preferred embodiment to prevent the sheath from moving forward on the syringe barrel beyond its intended point. A releasabie lock member is also provided to lock the sheath in its extended position, but releasable to enable moving the sheath back to its retracted position. The lock member is-also described in detail later herein.
The sheath is preferably made of a durable long lastlng material which is also heat resistant and pressure resistant, such as autoclavable acrylic or a metal such as stainless steel. The sheath is preferably transparent, but - it need not be.
While the protective sheath in accordance with this invention is shown and described herein for use with one -kind -of- syringe, it is useable with various other types--of -syringçs -which--have an-elongated barrel, a plunger or other operating mechanism at one end and a hypodermic needle connected at the other end.
` ~ Summary of the Invention ~
- It is an object of the invention to provide a ¦ re-useable protective sheath- for- re-useable -syringes to protect against accidental needle sticks.
- It is an object of the invention - to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable ~yringes having ¦ means to enable disconnection of a used needle from the syrinqe while the sheath is in its extended position covering the needle.
It is an object of the invention to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable syringes in ~ 0~08 ¦ which the sheath and syringe have a plurality of longitudinal ribs seated in corresponding longitudinal grooves to enhance and re-inforce the ability of the sheath to stay in .axial alignment with the barrel of the syringe when in its extended position covering the needle connected to the svringe. !
It is an object of the invention to provide a re-useable protective sheath for re-useable syringes in .
--which stop means are yrovided to prevent moving the sheath : forward on the syringe barrel beyond its intended point, wherein a sufficient portion of the sheath remains on the -.:.barrel to:hold lt in axial alignment with the barrel when-in -.-its-extended position. ~ .:
. ~ It .is -an object .of the: invention- to provide. a re-useable protective sheath for re-useab~e syringes having . . releasable lock means, to lock the sheath in its extended . .
::- position covering the needle connected to the syringe and to .~ release the sheath for movement back to its retracted :
. pos1tion for re-use wieh the re-useable syringe.
. . . ; ~
;; :. . . ' ~''' ~ ' '. . ' ' '' . ~
. ~':
,,,,, ,.. , . ..... ~
~irief DescriPtion of the Drawinq Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a plunger assembly of a re-useable syringe.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a barrel of a re-useable syringe for connection to the plunger assembly of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a hypodermic needle assembly for connection to the re-useable syringe barrel shown in Fig. 2.
Fiy. 4 is a perspective view of a protective shield or tubular sheath for mounting on the barrel of the re-useable --syringe and for reciprocal movement thereon.
~ ig. 5 is a section view of the-tubular sheath taken on line S - 5 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a section view of the tubular sheath taken on line 6 - 6 of-Fig. 4.
Fig. 7 is -an -end view from the front of the syringe ~arrel shown-in Fig. 2.
- Fig. 8 is- an elevation view of a re-useable syringe with plunger assembly, barrei and-needle assembly connected and with the~ protective tubular sheath in it~ extended position to cover the hypodermic needle, showing the eiongated slot for placing a cartridge in the barrel cavity in plan view and with-the shorter slot on the opposite side of the barrel also vislble.
Fig. 9 is an elevation view as in Fig. 8 but with the syringe barrel rotated ninety degrees with the elongated slots opening to the barrel cavity shown in side elevation.
Fig. 10 is an elevation view of the syringe shown in Fig. 9 but with the protective tubular sheath shown in its retracted position.
l , ~ .
2 ~ 8 ¦ DescriPtion of Preferred Embodiment ¦ A protective shield 2 for s~ringes 4 in accordance with the present invention to protect users from unintended contact with attached needles 6 comprises a preferably transparent tubular sheath 8 mounted on the barrel 10 of the -anesthetic syringe 4 used in the medical and dental professlons, the tubular sheath 8 being mounted for sliding -reciprocal movement between a retracted position wherein the l attached needle 6 is exposed and an extended position ¦ wherein the attached needle 6 is bounded by and enclosed ¦ within the transparen~ tubular sheath 8.
The syrin~es for which this invention is particularly .-adapted are those which are made and designed for re-use, --and~ which -are usually made of a metal such as stainless .steel. For such syringes, the tubular sheath 8 has to be reciprocaLly movable in both directions while mounted on the . . ¦ syringe, both from :the retracted to the extended position and in the opposite direction from the extended to the retracted position. The tubular sheath 8 in accordance ~ith . the present invention lS itself re-useable as lon~ as the . syringe itself is reusable, although -t-he sheath can be removed and replaced if and when necessary. The sheath 8 is :-:made of..a durable and preferably transparent material such as an acrylic or similar synthetic plastic material. It may also be made of metal, such as stainless steel.
The barrel 10 of the re-useable syringe 4 is removable from the plunger operating mechanism 12. The plunger operating mechanism 12 includes an internally threaded plunger couplinq recess 14 to receive the corresponding , ',:.` ' ., ~ 2[)1~08 barrel 10 at its plur.ger coupling end 18. The barrel 10 terminates at its opposite end 20 in a needle couplinq assembly 22 comprising a reduced diameter externally threaded needle couplinq projection 24 to be received in the corresponding internally threaded needle coupling recess 26 in the hub 28 of one-time-use needle assemblies, such as needle assembly 30, which are screwed on to the re-useable syringe 4 for one time use on one patient. The needle assembly 3C is then unscrewed from the syringe 4 and discarded.
The barrei 10 is elongated and has an arcuate peripheral wall 3~ bounding a cyl.indrical barrel cavity 34 to receive cartridges of anesthetic material or the like (not shown) for injection into a patient through the needle 36 of the needle assembly 30 by operation of the plunger operating mechanism 12.
Some of the barrels used on re-useable syringes 4 have a completely solid arcuate peripheral wall and the cartridges of anesthetic material are inserted into the cylin~rical cavity ~by unscrewing the externally threaded plunger coupling projection 1~ of the barrel from the internally threaded coupling recess 14 of the plunger operating mechanism 12 and inserting the cartridge through the open end 36 of the barrel 10. The barrel is then re-coupled to the plunger operating mechanism, with the cartridge positioned for engagement by the plunger to expel its contents out throuqh the needle 36.
Other barrels used on re-useable syringes 4 have an elongated slot 38 or cut-away opening of approximately semi-circular cross-section opening to the cvlindrical ~ :
21):1~508 barrel cavity 34 in which the width or cross-sectional dimension of slot 38 is substantially equal to the diameter of cylindrical barrel cavity 34. The longitudinal dimension of the elongated slot 88 corresponds to that of a cartridae of anesthetic material to be received in the cylindrical barrel cavity 34, whereby such cartridge can be placed in the cylindrical barrel cavity 34 through the elongated slot 38.
A second elongated slot 40 of shorter lonqitudinal dimension and narrower cross-section than slot 38 is provided in the arcuate peripheral wall 32 opening to the cylindrical barrel cavity 34 at a location diametrically ~;1 :opposite:.from.slot 38. The slot.40 has a cross-section wide . -enough for a ..user to insert his finger tip therein far enough to push a cartrid~e out of the cavity~34 far enough to be grasped by the user's other hand for removal.
~-In~ accordance --with:the-present i~vention, the syrir.ge-barrel 10 may have one or more longitudinally extendLng ribs 42 to be received in correspondinq longitudinally extending grooves 44 formed on the inner surface 46 of the cylindricai peripheral wall 48 of the tubular sheath 8 and opening to the cylindrical sheath cavity 50. .
One -longitudlnal---extending-:rib 52 may be positioned along and parallel to one side edge 54 of elongated slot 38 and a second longitudinally extending rib 56 may be positioned along and parallel to the opposite side edge 58 of elongated slot 38. The ribs 52 and 56 extend the length, or longitudinal dimension, of the barrel 10, one end thereof termination at the externally threaded plunger coupling projection 16 of the barrel 10 and the opposite end thereof l , , ll :- ' ' l -14-1. .
~ 2010~08 erminating a~ the needle coupling pro~ection 24 of the barrel 10.
A third lonqitudinally extending rib 60 which is relatively short extends inwardly of the barrel 10 from its end adjacent the reduced diameter needle coupling projection 24, radialiy displaced ninety degrees from longitudinal ribs 52 .and 56 and in line with the mid-line of elongated slo~
38,--and terminates at the junction with slot 38. Slot 38 terminates about a quarter inch to a half inch short of the end of barrel 10 adjacent needle coupllng projection 24, so rib 60 is about a quarter inch to a half inch long.
~ I A fourth longitudinal rib 62 which is also relatively :~ ¦ short is .Located- diametricaliy opposite from the third 1~ ~ ngitudlnal--rib-:.60 on:-the barrel 10, and extends inwardly thereof from its end adjacent the reduced diameter needle .-.coupling projection 24 a short distance corresponding to -:that-:of-:-the longitudinal dimension of longitudinal-rib 60.
. i Thus rib 62 is also about a quarter inch to a half inch in length.
The tubular sheàth 8 for use on the barrel 10 havin~
: -longitudinal ribs .52, 56, 60 and 62 is provided with corresponding longitudinal ~rooves 64, 66, 68 and 70 formed on the inner surface ~6 of cylindrical peripheral wall 48 of the -tubular sheath 8 and opening to the cylindrical sheath cavity S0, each radially displaced ninety degrees from adjacent ones of said grooves. The longitudinal grooves 64, 66, ~8 and 10 extend the length of the sheath 8 and each groove opens to the forward end 72 of the sheath 8 which has an open forward end wall 74 and an open rearward end wall 16.
i . , : ''. ' !1 -15-2al0;,0s ~ ~
The ~ubuiar sheath 8 is mounted on the syringe barrel by first unscrewing the ~arrel 10 from the couplin~
recess 14 of the plunqer operating mechanism 12, and positioning the open end wail 74 of the shea~h 8 in line with the plunger couplinq end 18 of the syrinqe barrel 10, -with -open ends of-diametrically opposite grooves 64 and 66 in line-to receive corresponding dlametrically opposite ribs 52 and 56 of the barrel 10 respectively. The sheath 8 is then slid forward-on the barrel 10 until the open rearward end wall 76 of the sheath 8 passes the externally threaded plunqer- coupling projection 16 of --the barrel 10 and is immediately ad~acent,-thereto. At such time the open forward end -wall 74 of the~ sheath 8-is immediately adjacent the ~-forward-~end of-the arcuate peripheral--wall 32-of the barrel 10 --and its junction-with the ~orwardly projecting reduced diameter needle coupling projection 24.~: The length or longitudinal -dimension----of the tubular sheath 8-corresponds to that of the arcuate-peripheral wall 32 of the syringe barrel 10 between the threaded plunger coupling projection 15 at one end and the threaded needle coupling pro~ection 24 at the opposite end.
When the sheath 8 is pushed on to the syringe barrel 10 far -enough to reach the-two diametrically opposite short --longitudinal ribs-6Q and 62,-the-open ends of diametrically opposite grooves 68 and 70 are in line to receive corresponding ones of the ribs 60 and 62 respectively.
Groove 68 which receives rib 60 has a stop element ~8 at its end adjacent the rearward end wall 76 of sheath 8. Thus, when the sheath 8 is pushed further forward on the syringe barrel 10 so its forward open end wall 74 projects forwardly , I ;~ ~' . . . . ': " ' 20~0~08 beyond the forward end of the syringe barrel 10, the stop element 78 in groove 68 at its rearward end will abut against the rearward end of the short longitudinal rib 60 to prevent any further forward movement of the sheath 8 on the syringe barrel 10. At such time, the tubular sheath 8 extends forwardly of the syringe barrel 10 far enouqh to cover and surround a needle 36 o~ a needle assembly 30 coupled to the needle coupling projection 24 at the forward end of the syrlnge barrel 10.
A detent member in the form of a metal spring 80 is provided on the peripheral wall 32 of the syringe barrel 10, in line--.with and inwardly or rearwardly from the short longitudinal rib 62,~ and:positioned whereby th~ forwardly extendinq. and movable end-~82 of spring 80 clears the rearward end wall 76'-of tne sheath 8 when stop element'78 in groove 68 abuts against the rearward end of rib 60 to prevent --further.. forward movement of sheath 8 on syringe :barrel. 10. The movable end 82 of spring 80 is normally biased. outwardly from the surface of the syringe barrel 10, and the non-movable opposite end 84 of the spring 80 is welded, riveted or otherwise secured to the surface of the barrel 10 at a point rearwardly of the outwardly biased movable -end 82. Thus, the spring 80 extends at a diagonal diverging outwardly from the surface of the barrel 10 in'the direction from its non-movable end 84 to its movable end 82 and in the direction of forward movement of the sheath 8 on the syringe barrel 10. Thus, when the sheath 8 is being mounted on the barrel 10, the forward end 72 of the sheath passes over the connected non-movable end 84 of the spring and presses the dia~onally extending movable end 82 ~l 20las~s downward against the surface of the svringe barrel 10 as the tubular sheath 8 continues ~'orward on the ~arrel 10.
When the sheath 8 has been pushed forwardly to the poin~ that stop element 78 abut~ing against rib 60 prevents further forward movement of the sheath 8 on the barrel iO
: and the movable end 82 of the spring 80 clears the rearward --end -wall 76 of-the sheath 8, the outwardly blased movable end 82 of spring 80 springs outwardly a sufficient distance to face the annular'edge 86 of the rearward end wall 76 of sheath 8 to thereby-prevent the sheath 8 from beinq moved in the opposite rearward direction on the syringe barrel 10 ~: unt~li the :movabie end 82 of spring 80 is depressed against : tne .surface of the-syringe barrel 10'. The.movable end 82 of .spring -B0 then ~clears'the annular edge--86 of rearward end wall 76 permittinq the sheath ~to slide rearward on the .-s~ringe barrel 10.
. - When stop element~ 78 abuts a~ainst rib 60-and the movable end 82 of spring 80 is in line to abut against the ar.nular edge 86 of rearward end wall 76, the tubular sheath ¦ 8 1s locked~' in place in its extended position wherein the ¦ needle 36 .of an attached needle assembly 30.is bounded by ¦ and enclosed within the tubular sheath 8.
¦A.~pair of elongated .access apertures 88 and 90 are provided in -the -cylindrical peripheral wall~48 of~the tubular sheath 8, located in diametrically opposite positions theraon, aperture 88 being axially aligned with groove ~8 and aperture 90 being axially aligned with groove 70, and each aperture 88 and 90 being positioned inward of the cylindrical peripheral wall 48 of sheath 8 and forwardly from the rearward end wall 76 thereof a sufficient distance . ','''. ' , .
~010~08 for apertures 88 and 90 to overlay the hub 2~ of needle assembly 30 when the sheath 8 is locked in placed in its extended position with stop element 78 in groove 68 abutting against rib 60 on tne syringe barrel 10. Such distance of apertures 88 and 90 inward of sheath 8 and forward from its rearward end wall 76 positions the rearward edges 92 and 94 of such -apertures about one-quarter inch to about one-half inch from the rearward end wall 76, and the forward edges 96 and- 98- thereof about an inch to an inch and a half therefrom. The longitudinal dimension of apertures 88 and 90 may therefore be about three-quarters of an inch to an inch.
~heir lateral' dimension~--may ,be about a quarter-inch to a half-inch.~`-The lonqitudinal--and lateral dimension of access apertures 88 and gO is any convenient size that enables a user to insert his-thumb through one of such apertures and a finger: through the other far enough to reach the hub 28 of needle assembly 30 in,,- place---on the needle coupling projection '24 of syringe barrel 10, and to rotate it in the direction that will unscrew the hub 28 from the needle coupling projection 24 of the syrin~e 4 while the tubular sheath 8 is locked in its extended position that protects the user from accidental contact with the needle 36.
When the needle assembly 30 is uncoupled from the syringe- barrel- 10-- after its one time use wit'h a single patient the syringe 4 is held in the horizontal posltion whereupon the needle assembly 30 and its used needle 36 drop tO the inner surface 46 of the cylindrical wall 48 of tubular sheath 8. The uncoupled needle assembly 30 and needle 36 may then be carried while holding the syringe 4 in the horizontal position to a disposal container. The needle . ,.,'.
..
2~ 8 assembly 30 and used needle 36 then fall through the open forward end wall 74 of the sheath 8 and into the disposal container when the svrlnge 4 is tipped downwardly to enable the needle assembly 30 and needle 36 to slide out.
This construction makes it possible for the dentist, physician and other health care workers to remove and dispose of contaminated used hypodermic needles from re-useable syrinqes without any risk of coming in contac~
with the sharp end of the needle and in fact without cominq in contact with any part of the needle itself which had been inserted into a patient and on which contaminated blood, or other fluids, or bacteria may have become attached. The only part-of the needle assembly'-that a user can even have access to when the protective sheath in accordance with this ~--nvention-is locked in p~ace in its extended position--is the hub portion, which as the most rearward part ~f the needle assembly - lS least likely to have any contaminated substance ,~ thereon and in any event~cannot itself puncture the skin of a user.
After cleaning, and sterili~ing, the tubular sheath 8 may then be moved bac~ from its extended position to its retracted position by depressing the movable end 82 of the metal spring ~0-against the surface of the syringe barrel 10 whereby it clears the annular edge 86 of rearward end wall 76 of the sheath 8, thereby enabling the user to slide the tubular sheath rearward to its fully retracted position. At such time, the forward end wall 74 of the tubular sheath 8 lies rearward~-y of the externally threaded needle coupiing projection 24 of the syringe 4, thereby making it accessible for screwing the hub of a new needle as~embly and its needle . ".,'. ' ' -20-Z1~10~i08 ¦ thereon.
¦ New and uncontaminated needle assemblies come in a two-part protective tubular case, having a cover which when removed exposes the hub portion of the needle assembly to enable screwing the hub on to the threaded needle coupling projection of the syringe. After the hu~ has been securely threaded on to the syringe, the other part of the two-part protective tubular case is then pulled forward and away from the needle assembly thereby exposing the needle for use.
After it has been used, the protective sheath in accordance with this invention is pushed forward to its extended position and locked in place as descri~ed above which covers the needle assembly and its used needle thereby fully protecting the users while the needle assembly is disconnected from the syringe and carried to a disposal container for disposal. Thus, this invention enables the user to have protection from the time o~ initial connection of the needle to the syringe until disposal after use, where permanent types of syringes are concerned which are used over and over again with new needle assemblies connected and disconnected for each use.
Claims (18)
1. A protective device for a syringe of the type having an elongated barrel to receive a cartridge therein containing a substance to be injected into a patient by operation of said syringe, having a plunger assembly connected to said barrel at one end to operate said syringe and having needle connecting means to connect a hypodermic needle to said syringe at the other end thereof, wherein said protective device comprises a sheath having a peripheral wall bounding a through channel opening at one end to an open rearward end wall and at the opposite end to an open forward end wall, said through channel having a cross-sectional dimension and configuration corresponding to that of said elongated barrel of said syringe to receive it therein and to enable sliding said sheath forwardly on said barrel in the direction toward said needle connecting means and rearwardly thereon in the direction toward said plunger assembly, said peripheral wall of said sheath having an elongated needle protective portion, said sheath being reciprocally movable on said barrel of said syringe between a retracted position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath is positioned to enable access to said needle connecting means of said syringe and an extended needle protecting position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe, said elongated needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath which extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe having a longitudinal dimension at least as great as that of a said hypodermic needle when connected to said needle connecting means of said syringe, said protective device including needle disconnect means to enable disconnecting said hypodermic needle from said syringe while said sheath is in its said extended needle protecting position.
2. A protective device for a syringe of the type having an elongated barrel to receive a cartridge therein containing a substance to be injected into a patient by operation of said syringe, having a plunger assembly connected to said barrel at one end to operate said syringe and having needle connecting means to connect a hypodermic needle to said syringe at the other end thereof, wherein said protective device comprises a sheath having a peripheral wall bounding a through channel opening at one end to an open rearward end wall and at the opposite end to an open forward end wall, said through channel having a cross-sectional dimension and configuration corresponding to that of said elongated barrel of said syringe to receive it therein and to enable sliding said sheath forwardly on said barrel in the direction toward said needle connecting means and rearwardly thereon in the direction toward said plunger assembly, said peripheral wall of said sheath having an elongated needle protective portion, said sheath being reciprocally movable on said barrel of said syringe between a retracted position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath is positioned to enable access to said needle connecting means of said syringe and an extended needle protecting position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe, said elongated needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath which extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe having a longitudinal dimension at least as great as that of a said hypodermic needle when connected to said needle connecting means of said syringe, said protective device including lock means to lock said sheath in said extended needle protecting position, said lock means being operable between a locking position to lock said sheath in said extended needle protecting position and an unlocking position to release said sheath for moving from said extended needle protecting position to said retracted needle connecting position.
3. A protective device for a syringe of the type having an elongated barrel to receive a cartridge therein containing a substance to be injected into a patient by operation of said syringe, having a plunger assembly connected to said barrel at one end to operate said syringe and having needle connecting means to connect a hypodermic needle to said syringe at the other end thereof, wherein said protective device comprises a sheath having a peripheral wall bounding a through channel opening at one end to an open rearward end wall and at the opposite end to an open forward end wall, said through channel having a cross-sectional dimension and configuration corresponding to that of said elongated barrel of said syringe to receive it therein and to enable sliding said sheath forwardly on said barrel in the direction toward said needle connecting means and rearwardly thereon in the direction toward said plunger assembly, said peripheral wall of said sheath having an elongated needle protective portion, said sheath being reciprocally movable on said barrel of said syringe between a retracted position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath is positioned to enable access to said needle connecting means of said syringe and an extended needle protecting position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe, said elongated needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath which extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe having a longitudinal dimension at least as great as that of a said hypodermic needle when connected to said needle connecting means of said syringe, said protective device including stop means to stop forward sliding movement of said sheath before the said rearward end wall thereof passes beyond the end of said barrel having said needle connecting means thereat.
4. A protective device for a syringe as set forth in claim 1, wherein said needle disconnect means includes at least one access aperture in said peripheral wall of said sheath positioned thereon to provide access to said needle connecting means while said sheath is in its said extended needle protecting position.
5. A protective device for a syringe as set forth in claim 2, wherein said lock means includes a lock member having an abutment surface positioned on said barrel of said syringe rearward of said open rearward end wall of said sheath when it is in its said extended needle protecting position, said peripheral wall of said sheath having a rear peripheral edge surrounding said open rearward end wall thereof, said abutment surface of said lock member being movable between an abutting position wherein it abuts against said rear peripheral edge to prevent rearward movement of said sheath on said barrel of said syringe and a release position wherein said sheath is released for rearward movement on said barrel of said syringe, said abutment surface of said lock member being normally biased toward its said abutting position.
6. A protective device for a syringe as set forth in claim 5, wherein said lock member comprises an elongated spring member having a stationary connecting end for connection to said barrel of said syringe and a movable end having said abutment surface thereon, said movable end of said spring member being normally-biased outwardly from said barrel of said syringe to said abutting position and movable inwardly toward and against said-barrel of said syringe to said release, position, said spring member extending at a diagonal from said barrel of said syringe when said movable end thereof is in its normally biased outwardly position and diverging therefrom as it extends in the direction toward said end of said barrel having said needle connecting means thereat.
7. A protective device for a syringe as set forth in claim 3, wherein said stop means includes a longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, an abutment surface in said longitudinal groove at the end of said sheath adjacent said rearward end wall thereof, a rib for positioning on said barrel of said syringe toward said end thereof having said needle connecting means thereat to be received in said longitudinal groove and to slide therein as said sheath is moved from said retracted position to said extended position, said rib being positioned to abut against said abutment surface in said groove and to prevent further forward movement of said sheath on said barrel of said syringe when said sheath has reached its extended needle protecting position.
8. A protective device for a syringe as set forth in claim 1, including at least one longitudinal rib for positioning on said barrel of said syringe to extend from said end thereof having said plunger assembly connected thereto to said end thereof having said needle connecting means thereat, said peripheral wall of said sheath having a corresponding longitudinal groove opening to said through channel to receive said longitudinal rib therein when said sheath is mounted on said barrel of said syringe, said longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath extending from the end thereof adjacent said open rearward end wall to the end thereof adjacent said open forward end wall, said longitudinal rib being slidable in said longitudinal groove as said sheath is moved on said barrel of said syringe between its said retracted and extended positions.
9. A protective device and syringe, wherein said syringe includes an elongated barrel to receive a cartridge therein containing an injectable substance to be injected into a patient by operation of said syringe, a plunger assembly removably connected to said barrel at a first barrel end thereof to operate said syringe, needle connecting means to connect a hypodermic needle to said syringe at the opposite second barrel end of said barrel, said protective device comprising a sheath having a peripheral wall bounding a through channel opening at a first sheath end to an open rearward end wall and at the opposite second sheath end to an open forward end wall, said through channel having a cross-sectional dimension and configuration to receive said elongated barrel of said syringe therein and to enable sliding said sheath rearwardly on said barrel in the direction toward said first barrel end and forwardly thereon toward said second barrel end, said peripheral wall of said sheath having an elongated needle protective portion, said sheath being reciprocally movable on said barrel of said syringe between a retracted needle connecting position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath is positioned to enable access to said needle connecting means of said syringe and an extended needle protecting position wherein said needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe, said elongated needle protective portion of said peripheral wall of said sheath which extends forwardly of said barrel of said syringe having a longitudinal dimension at least as great as that of a said hypodermic needle when connected to said needle connecting means of said syringe, said, syringe being made of a durable material for repeated re-use of said syringe, said barrel of said syringe and said plunger assembly being removable one from the other for thorough cleaning and re-connectible for repeated re-use of said syringe.
10. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 9, wherein said protective device includes needle disconnect means to enable disconnecting said hypodermic needle from said syringe while said sheath is in its said extended needle protecting position.
11. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 10, wherein said needle disconnect means includes at least one: access aperture in said peripheral wall of said sheath positioned thereon to provide access to said needle connecting means for disconnecting a hypodermic needle from said syringe while said sheath is in its said extended needle protecting position.
12. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 9, including lock means to lock said sheath in said extended needle protecting position, said lock means being operable between a locking position to lock said sheath in said extended needle protecting position and an unlocking position to release said sheath for moving from said extended needle protecting position to said retracted needle connecting position.
13. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 12, wherein said lock means includes a lock member having an abutment surface positioned on said barrel of said syringe rearward of said first sheath end when said sheath is in its said extended needle protecting position, said peripheral wall of said sheath having a rear peripheral edge surrounding said open rearward end wall thereof at said first sheath end, said abutment surface of said lock member being movable between an abutting position wherein it abuts against said rear peripheral edge to prevent rearward movement of said sheath on said barrel of said syringe and a release position wherein said sheath is released for rearward movement on said barrel of said syringe.
14. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 13, wherein said lock member comprises an elongated spring member having a stationary end affixed to said barrel of said syringe and a movable end having said abutment surface thereon, said movable end of said spring member being normally biased outwardly from said barrel of said syringe to said abutting position and movable inwardly toward and against said barrel of said syringe to said release position, said spring member extending at a diagonal from said barrel of said syringe when said movable end thereof is in its normally biased outwardly position and diverging therefrom as it extends in the direction toward said second barrel end.
15. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 9, including stop means to stop forward sliding movement of said sheath before the said first sheath end having said open rearward end wall thereof passes beyond the said second barrel end having said needle connecting means thereat.
16. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 15, wherein said stop means includes a longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, an abutment surface in said longitudinal groove at the said first sheath end adjacent said open rearward end wall thereof, a rib positioned on said barrel of said syringe toward said second barrel end having said needle connecting means thereat to be received in said longitudinal groove and to slide therein as said sheath is moved from said retracted position to said extended position, said rib being positioned to abut against said abutment surface in said groove and to prevent further forward movement of said sheath on said barrel of said syringe when said sheath has reached its extended needle protecting position.
17. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 9, wherein said peripheral wall of said barrel of said syringe is cylindrical, a first elongated slot in said peripheral wall of said barrel having a longitudinal and lateral dimension to receive a said cartridge having a said injectable substance through said first elongated slot to seat in said barrel in position for operable contact by said plunger assembly, a first elongated rib on said barrel extending parallel to and near one side of said first elongated slot, a second longitudinal rib on said barrel extending parallel to and near the opposite side of said first elongated slot, a first longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, a second longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, said first and second longitudinal grooves being positioned to receive respective ones of said first and second longitudinal ribs therein when said sheath is mounted on said barrel for sliding engagement therewith as said sheath is moved between its said retracted and extended positions.
18. A protective device and syringe as set forth in claim 17, wherein the lateral dimension of said first elongated slot is substantially equal to the diameter of said through channel bounded by said cylindrical peripheral wall of said barrel, said first longitudinal rib extends adjacent to one side of said first elongated slot, said second longitudinal rib extends adjacent to the opposite side of said first elongated slot, said first and second longitudinal ribs being diametrically opposite from each other, a second elongated slot in said peripheral wall of said barrel opposite from said first elongated slot, said second elongated slot having a longitudinal and lateral dimension large enough for a user to extend an object therethrough to push a said cartridge outwardly of said barrel, a short third longitudinal rib on said barrel extending from said second barrel end toward said first elongated slot and axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said first elongated slot, a short fourth longitudinal rib on said barrel extending from said second barrel end toward said second elongated slot and axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of said second elongated slot, a third longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, a fourth longitudinal groove in said peripheral wall of said sheath opening to said through channel thereof, said third and fourth longitudinal grooves being positioned to receive respective ones of said third and fourth longitudinal ribs therein when said sheath is mounted on said barrel for sliding engagement therewith as said sheath is moved between its said retracted and extended positions.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US312,794 | 1989-02-21 | ||
| US07/312,794 US4915701A (en) | 1989-02-21 | 1989-02-21 | Protective device and syringe |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2010508A1 true CA2010508A1 (en) | 1990-08-21 |
Family
ID=23213032
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002010508A Abandoned CA2010508A1 (en) | 1989-02-21 | 1990-02-20 | Protective device and syringe |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4915701A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0384744A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2010508A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (53)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5088988A (en) * | 1988-06-28 | 1992-02-18 | Sherwood Medical Company | Combined dental syringe and needle shield |
| US5217437A (en) * | 1988-06-28 | 1993-06-08 | Sherwood Medical Company | Needle protecting device |
| US4990142A (en) * | 1989-10-23 | 1991-02-05 | Gte Products Corporation | Hypodermic syringe |
| US5112307A (en) * | 1990-04-24 | 1992-05-12 | Habley Medical Technology Corp. | Dental syringe having a medication filled carpule and an automatically-detaching piston stem |
| US5437647A (en) * | 1990-05-09 | 1995-08-01 | Safety Syringes, Inc. | Disposable self-shielding aspirating syringe |
| US5624400A (en) * | 1990-05-09 | 1997-04-29 | Safety Syringes, Inc. | Disposable self-shielding aspirating syringe |
| US5045066A (en) * | 1990-06-07 | 1991-09-03 | Smith & Nephew, Inc. | Dental needle with stick resistant protective sleeve |
| US5306258A (en) * | 1991-04-03 | 1994-04-26 | Fuente Ricardo L De | Safety syringe and method of using same |
| SA90100123B1 (en) * | 1991-04-16 | 1995-12-23 | عمر محمد محمد الزين | Dentist's self-protection syringe |
| US5201721A (en) * | 1991-06-28 | 1993-04-13 | Lee Chooi T | Medical safety needle and method |
| US5163917A (en) * | 1991-09-26 | 1992-11-17 | Norman Huefner | Barrel mounted needle guard for hypodermic syringes |
| US5188612A (en) * | 1991-10-28 | 1993-02-23 | Miles Inc. | Phlebotomist protector apparatus |
| US5176657A (en) * | 1992-01-15 | 1993-01-05 | Shields Jack W | Shot gun syringe with cartridge and scabbards |
| US5217436A (en) * | 1992-01-21 | 1993-06-08 | Farkas Paul J | Remote cannula removal cartridge syringe |
| FR2698546A1 (en) * | 1992-11-27 | 1994-06-03 | Laffont Jean Michel | Injection syringe esp. for single use - has syringe body made of rigid material |
| US5451214A (en) * | 1993-03-22 | 1995-09-19 | Hajishoreh; Kaveh-Karimi | Syringe apparatus |
| US5609584A (en) * | 1994-05-18 | 1997-03-11 | Gettig Technologies, Inc. | Adaptor system for use with a syringe |
| FR2733687B1 (en) * | 1995-05-04 | 1997-10-03 | Brunel Marc | METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A PRE-FILLED INJECTION DEVICE CONTAINING A DOSE OF LIQUID TO BE INJECTED, AND INJECTION DEVICE PRODUCED |
| FR2739562B1 (en) * | 1995-10-09 | 1998-04-24 | Moreau Defarges Alain | JET INJECTION DEVICE WITHOUT NEEDLE, INCLUDING AN OVER-MOLDED CARTRIDGE |
| JP2001513656A (en) * | 1996-02-20 | 2001-09-04 | アボツト・ラボラトリーズ | Hypodermic syringe holder with disposable body |
| DE10009814B4 (en) * | 2000-03-01 | 2008-03-06 | Tecpharma Licensing Ag | Disposable injector |
| US6190361B1 (en) | 2000-04-18 | 2001-02-20 | Gettig Technologies, Inc. | Selectively lockable needle guard |
| US6547764B2 (en) | 2000-05-31 | 2003-04-15 | Novo Nordisk A/S | Double pointed injection needle |
| US6592553B2 (en) * | 2000-07-05 | 2003-07-15 | Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. | Introducer assembly and method therefor |
| DE10141039A1 (en) * | 2001-08-22 | 2003-03-13 | Disetronic Licensing Ag | Injection device and needle cover device |
| KR100879498B1 (en) * | 2001-11-30 | 2009-01-20 | 노보 노르디스크 에이/에스 | A safety needle assembly |
| EP1476210B1 (en) | 2002-02-11 | 2008-09-24 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Intradermal injector |
| DE10254195A1 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2004-06-09 | Pajunk Ohg Besitzverwaltung | Ampoule holder for injection syringes, comprises a holder body incorporating a chamber, and a protective cover slidable axially from a rest position to a safety position |
| US7731678B2 (en) | 2004-10-13 | 2010-06-08 | Hyprotek, Inc. | Syringe devices and methods for mixing and administering medication |
| JP5216328B2 (en) | 2005-01-24 | 2013-06-19 | アンタレス ファーマ インコーポレイテッド | Pre-filled needle assist syringe jet injector |
| US8372044B2 (en) * | 2005-05-20 | 2013-02-12 | Safety Syringes, Inc. | Syringe with needle guard injection device |
| US20070078408A1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2007-04-05 | Wang Hsien T | Disposable safety syringe for dispensing anesthetic |
| US20070060897A1 (en) * | 2005-09-02 | 2007-03-15 | Wang Hsien T | Disposable safety syringe for dispensing anesthetic |
| CN101365503B (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2012-02-29 | 海浦德科公司 | Syringe devices, components of syringe devices, and methods of forming components and syringe devices |
| US8251947B2 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2012-08-28 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Two-stage reconstituting injector |
| US8002737B2 (en) * | 2007-10-04 | 2011-08-23 | Hyprotek, Inc. | Mixing/administration syringe devices, protective packaging and methods of protecting syringe handlers |
| US9522097B2 (en) | 2007-10-04 | 2016-12-20 | Hyprotek, Inc. | Mixing/administration syringe devices, protective packaging and methods of protecting syringe handlers |
| US10010684B2 (en) * | 2008-02-15 | 2018-07-03 | Becton, Dickinson And Company | Safety needle assembly |
| GB2461694A (en) * | 2008-07-08 | 2010-01-13 | Weston Terence E | Side-loaded pen injector |
| ES2738539T3 (en) | 2008-08-05 | 2020-01-23 | Antares Pharma Inc | Multi dose injector |
| US8034034B2 (en) * | 2009-01-12 | 2011-10-11 | Howmedica Osteonics Corp. | Syringe and method of use |
| WO2010108116A1 (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2010-09-23 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Hazardous agent injection system |
| US8496619B2 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2013-07-30 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Injection device with cammed ram assembly |
| US9220660B2 (en) | 2011-07-15 | 2015-12-29 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Liquid-transfer adapter beveled spike |
| US9616176B2 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2017-04-11 | George Just | Syringe carpule for storing, transporting and in situ mixing of local anesthetic and buffer, and for delivery of buffered anesthetic solution and a piercing-mixing unit therefore |
| US8911395B2 (en) | 2011-11-01 | 2014-12-16 | George Just | Syringe carpule for storing, transporting and in situ mixing of lidocaine and sodium bicarbonate and delivery of buffered anesthetic solution |
| KR20150011346A (en) | 2012-04-06 | 2015-01-30 | 안타레스 팔마, 인코퍼레이티드 | Needle assisted jet injection administration of testosterone compositions |
| WO2013169800A1 (en) | 2012-05-07 | 2013-11-14 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Injection device with cammed ram assembly |
| CA2900672C (en) | 2013-02-11 | 2018-03-27 | Antares Pharma, Inc. | Needle assisted jet injection device having reduced trigger force |
| JP6030803B2 (en) | 2013-03-11 | 2016-11-24 | アンタレス・ファーマ・インコーポレーテッド | Dose syringe with pinion system |
| AU201711770S (en) * | 2016-09-27 | 2017-05-19 | Teleflex Life Sciences | Component for catheter |
| KR101911319B1 (en) * | 2017-01-06 | 2018-10-24 | 김성욱 | Medicine injection device |
| CN115813761A (en) * | 2023-02-20 | 2023-03-21 | 四川大学华西医院 | Puncture-proof blunt needle of syringe for extracting liquid medicine and use method thereof |
Family Cites Families (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1008879C2 (en) * | 1954-09-11 | 1958-03-27 | Christian Haber | Vaccination set |
| US4655751A (en) * | 1986-02-14 | 1987-04-07 | Harbaugh John T | Liquid dispensing and receiving syringe |
| GB2202748A (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1988-10-05 | Michele Minischetti | Syringe with retractable protection for the needle |
| US4772272A (en) * | 1987-05-11 | 1988-09-20 | Mcfarland Barton C | Needle protective sleeve |
| FR2616331A1 (en) * | 1987-06-15 | 1988-12-16 | Brunet Jean Louis | Safety syringe for blood sampling and injections |
| US4740205A (en) * | 1987-07-23 | 1988-04-26 | Leilani Seltzer | Disposable needle system |
| DE8804592U1 (en) * | 1988-04-07 | 1988-07-21 | Kothe, Lutz, 7760 Radolfzell, De | |
| DE8802080U1 (en) * | 1988-02-18 | 1988-04-07 | Noebel, Eberhard, 3540 Korbach, De | |
| US4840619A (en) * | 1988-05-26 | 1989-06-20 | Hughes Elaine L | Syringe |
-
1989
- 1989-02-21 US US07/312,794 patent/US4915701A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1990
- 1990-02-20 CA CA002010508A patent/CA2010508A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-02-21 EP EP19900301890 patent/EP0384744A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4915701A (en) | 1990-04-10 |
| EP0384744A2 (en) | 1990-08-29 |
| EP0384744A3 (en) | 1991-01-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2010508A1 (en) | Protective device and syringe | |
| US20220126025A1 (en) | Needle cover | |
| CA2049972C (en) | Syringe with interchangeable and retractable needle platform | |
| US6416323B1 (en) | Aspirating dental syringe with needle shield | |
| US5181524A (en) | Needle guard for blood collection | |
| KR0168416B1 (en) | Auto-injector with improved cap structure | |
| US10052438B2 (en) | Tamper evident needle guard for syringes | |
| US5429611A (en) | Syringe with automatically actuated shield | |
| US5593391A (en) | Ampule safety syringe | |
| KR900000257B1 (en) | Medical machine | |
| US5122124A (en) | Safety syringe needle device with interchangeable and retractable needle platform | |
| RU2095090C1 (en) | Syringe for hypodermic injections | |
| US5713873A (en) | Hypodermic needle assembly | |
| US4772272A (en) | Needle protective sleeve | |
| US5624400A (en) | Disposable self-shielding aspirating syringe | |
| US5330440A (en) | Reverse thread carpule dental safety syringe | |
| US5453093A (en) | Disposable dental syringe | |
| USRE34045E (en) | Needle protective sleeve | |
| JPS63290577A (en) | Syringe | |
| JP2004504889A (en) | Retractable needle medical device that injects liquid from a pre-filled cartridge | |
| JPH10127767A (en) | Needle assembly provided with needle barrier which can be operated by one hand | |
| US20050171486A1 (en) | Safety syringe | |
| US5360409A (en) | Syringe holder with retractable needle assembly | |
| JPH05261153A (en) | Throw-away self-shielded hypodermic syringe | |
| US6692470B2 (en) | Single-use hypodermic syringe having a removable needle assembly |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |