Patent ID: 8172810
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A safety device for a medical needle having a sharp tip, which device comprises: an outer sleeve having an internal surface including a forward portion which tapers internally towards its forward end and a rearward portion defining an essentially parallel bore; a carrier for a needle supported in the bore and arranged for axial movement with respect to the forward portion of the sleeve, the carrier and forward portion having an initial position where at least the tip of the supported needle is surrounded by the forward portion and further having an injecting position where the supported needle projects from the forward portion; a locking member forwardly of the carrier and also arranged for axial movement with respect to the forward portion of the sleeve, the locking member having at least one resilient finger projecting forwardly within the sleeve, the locking member and forward portion also having an initial relative position where the forward end of the finger contacts the inner surface of the sleeve in the region of the junction between the forward and rearward portions thereof and on relative movement of the locking member and forward portion from their initial position, the finger is resiliently deformed inwardly thereby urging the locking member and carrier back to their initial positions; at least one abutment formed between the forward and rearward portions of the sleeve, which abutment is out of angular alignment with the finger when the locking member and forward portion are in their initial position; and control means for turning the locking member during relative movement between the carrier and the forward portion from their initial position thereby bringing the forward end of the finger onto the tapering internal surface of the forward portion and into angular alignment with the abutment, such that when the carrier and forward portion return to their initial position, the forward end of the finger locates behind the abutment and so blocks subsequent movement.