Patent ID: 6149629
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A safety shield apparatus having a displaceable needle shield which is at least partially disposed about a needle connecting device associated with a medical syringe needle and which is linearly displaced to predetermined positions such that the medical syringe needle may be selectively uncovered for use and recovered for safety a number of times during a medical procedure, said apparatus comprising:the needle connecting device comprising a needle hub to which the syringe needle is securely affixed;a slotted part securely affixed relative to said needle hub, said slotted part comprising an outwardly protruding section which further comprises a linearly accessible orifice which is sized and configured to permit a distal portion of an elongated arm to pass therethrough, the outwardly protruding section being further sized and configured to be constrained to linear displacement along a track formed by a scissure in the needle shield and comprising an inwardly disposed undulating pattern with a ratchet interface and a releasable biasing member which forces engagement of the ratchet interface unless acted upon by forces, communicated through the arm, which cause the ratchet interface to be offset, disengaged and thereby released;the needle shield comprising an elongated hollow cylindrical part having the scissure disposed along the long axis of the cylindrical part to thereby provide the track for the outwardly protruding section of the slotted part whereby the hollow cylindrical part is constrained to linear displacement when said needle shield is displaced proximally and distally, said needle shield further comprising an abrupt, open distal end wherethrough the medical needle is selectively displaceable, without contacting said hollow cylindrical part;said hollow cylindrical part further comprising an end segment comprising a clasp, aligned with the scissure, for holding a distal end of the elongated arm in place such that the elongated arm is in linear alignment with said open distal end;the elongated arm being affixed at a proximal end thereof to a proximal end of said hollow cylindrical part such that said arm is disposed in alignment with the scissure, the clasp and the slotted part, said elongated arm comprising at least one set of ratchet teeth which in combination with said undulating pattern and biasing member form the ratchet interface, said arm further comprising at least one bend which provides a first pressure point, pressure upon which causes an offset which disengages the ratchet interface to permit selective proximal displacement of the needle shield and a second pressure point which, when acted upon, distally displaces the needle shield to cover the syringe needle for safety;in combination, said slotted part and said cylindrical part about said scissure comprising a releasible first stop for said needle shield whereat the needle is bared for use; andsaid ratchet interface in combination with said releasible biasing member comprising a second stop for said needle shield whereat the needle is enclosed within a selectively displaceable safety barrier.