Patent ID: 6221052
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An operable retracting needle syringe comprising:a barrel having an inside surface defining a chamber, an open proximal end and an open distal end including a passageway therethrough having a proximal end and a distal end;a plunger slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with said inside surface of said barrel, said plunger having a distal end and a proximal end, an elongated cavity in said distal end of said plunger, and a cover element on said distal end of said plunger sealing said cavity;a needle assembly at said distal end of said barrel including a needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough, a hub having an open proximal end and a distal end connected to said proximal end of said needle cannula so that said lumen is in fluid communication with said open proximal end of said hub and said chamber, a flange on said hub, said hub being connected to said proximal end of said passageway so that said needle cannula projects distally outwardly from said distal end of said passageway, a compressed spring contained between said hub and said distal end of said passageway, a release element movably connected to a proximal end of said hub at a location which separates a dissociable outer portion of said flange from an inner portion of said flange, said release element having a distal end and a sharp proximal end projecting into said chamber; andwherein distal motion of said plunger with respect to said barrel will cause said sharp proximal end of said release element to contact and cut through said cover element and said distal end of said release element to dissociate said outer portion of said flange from said inner portion of said flange allowing said spring to expand and move said needle cannula far enough into said cavity so that said distal end of said cannula is positioned proximally of said distal end of said passageway.