Patent ID: 6702786
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A needle protection arrangement (2), including a needle protector (2Â°) and suitable for a hypodermic syringe, the syringe having a container (10) holding a rod (11) which imparts reciprocal motion to a plunger (12) in the container and a needle (14) affixed to or fastenable to one of the container's end-parts (13), the said needle protector (2â€²) having the basic shape of a tube whose axial length is somewhat greater than the length of the needle, the tube serving as a needle protector with an inner radial-related cross-section shaped to correspond to or at least essentially correspond to the shape of the outer radial-related cross-section of the container (10), the said needle protector (2â€²) being axially movable along the container from a needle-covering position to a needle-exposing position or vice-versa, the needle protector's axial movement in relation to the container offering at least two separate, distinct positions, a first distinct position in which the needle protector protects the needle (14) and its needle point, the free end of the needle protector being located adjacent to the needle point, and a second distinct position in which the needle protector protects the needle and its needle point, the free end of the needle protector being located at a greater distance from the needle point while the needle protector still covers the needle and its point, the first distinct position being devised to pose stiff resistance to movement of the needle protector in relation to the container in order to expose the needle point, wherein the first position is defined by a loose co-action of a locking boss (40) with a first recess or groove (100) in which the groove's (100) locking boss enclosing locking surfaces have opposing beveled or rounded edges (101, 102) so the locking boss (40) is able to slide, when there is movement in both directions, along and over the said rounded edges with some intentional resistance, that the said second position is defined by the co-action of the said locking boss (40) with an adjacent second recess or a groove (200) with transverse edges (201, 202) and that the second recess or groove pertaining to said second position being located closer to the needle (14) than the first recess or groove (100) for the first position, the container (10) having a constant first wall thickness (t1), except for the first and second grooves (100, 200), extending from a bottom end-part (204) to an under end-part (206), the container (10) having constant second wall thickness (t2) at the groove (100), the constant first wall thickness being greater than the constant second wall thickness.