Patent ID: 6406436
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An instrument for use by a health practitioner during a physical examination, the instrument comprising a pin prick mechanism, the pin prick mechanism comprising:(a) a removable cylindrical pin dispenser carousel which fits closely over one end of the instrument, the pin dispenser carousel comprising a plurality of adjacent pin compartments around the periphery of the pin dispenser carousel, each compartment being capable of loosely holding a straight pin; (b) a recessed band at one end of the instrument, the band's width being approximately equal to the width of the pin dispenser carousel, and the pin dispenser carousel fitting closely down over the band; and (c) a slide mechanism for pushing a portion of a single straight pin from the carousel compartment up through an aperture at the top of the pin dispenser carousel, and temporarily fixing the pin in a stationary position until use, and for pushing the pin completely through the aperture to eject it after use; and wherein the pin dispenser carousel is rotatable to a next pin position for repeated use.