Patent ID: 6290683
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M

Abstract:
A needle assembly comprising:a needle having a needle point,a plate having an aperture formed therein;a sleeve associated with said needle, andan elastic member cooperating with said sleeve that has elastic properties in a generally longitudinal direction and is adapted to take up a generally extended state when in a non-operative orientation, said sleeve in said non-operative orientation surrounding a portion of said needle including said needle point, and wherein said elastic member is further adapted to take up a compressed state when in an operative orientation, said sleeve in said operative orientation being moved to expose a portion of said needle including said needle point, said needle point passing through said aperture in said operative orientation, andwherein said sleeve comprises an aligning device for aligning said needle point with respect to said aperture such that upon a deviation of a longitudinal axis of at least one of said needle and said sleeve from a normal which passes through said aperture, said aligning device maintains said needle within said aperture,wherein said aligning device comprises:said sleeve being formed with a generally cone-shaped rigid end portion, andsaid aperture of said plate being formed with a conical engagement surface, the normal which passes through said aperture also passing generally centrally through said conical engagement surface,said cone-shaped rigid end portion being adapted for longitudinal abutment against said conical engagement surface, said rigid end portion being seated generally centrally in said conical engagement surface when abutted thereagainst.