Abstract:
A safety system including a needle retaining device that can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle fixedly coupled to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The safety system can include a needle guard assembly, where the needle guard assembly can be configured for attachment to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The needle guard assembly can include a first cylinder, where the first cylinder can be attached to the distal end of the needle retaining device, and a second cylinder, where the second cylinder can be selectively movable relative to the first cylinder from a first position, to a second position wherein the needle is fully exposed, to a third position wherein the needle is fully covered.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/776,414, filed Mar. 11, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the technology relate, in general, to safety syringes, and in particular to passive safety systems that can be attached to a standard syringe to prevent accidental needlesticks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]    The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detailed description of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures: 
           [0004]      FIG. 1  depicts a side view of an example safety system shown attached to a syringe according to one embodiment. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  depicts a side cross-sectional view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along A-A. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1  at a first angle. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1  taken at a second angle. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  depicts a partial side view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an initial position according to one embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  depicts a partial side view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an armed position according to one embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  depicts a partial side view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 1 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an extended position according to one embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 5 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an initial position according to one embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 6 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an armed position according to one embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  depicts a perspective view of the safety system shown in  FIG. 7 , where the safety system is shown with a portion of the first cylinder cut away in an extended position according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0014]    A safety system including a needle retaining device that can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle fixedly coupled to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The safety system can include a needle guard assembly, where the needle guard assembly can be configured for attachment to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The needle guard assembly can include a first cylinder, where the first cylinder can be attached to the distal end of the needle retaining device, and a second cylinder, where the second cylinder can be selectively movable relative to the first cylinder from a first position, to a second position wherein the needle is fully exposed, to a third position wherein the needle is fully covered. 
         [0015]    A method for assembling a safety system can include providing a needle retaining device that can have a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle fixedly coupled to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The method can include providing a needle guard assembly, where the needle guard assembly can be configured for attachment to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The needle guard assembly can include a first cylinder, where the first cylinder can be attached to the distal end of the needle retaining device, and a second cylinder, where the second cylinder can be selectively movable relative to the first cylinder from a first position, to a second position wherein the needle is fully exposed, to a third position wherein the needle is fully covered. The method can include coupling the needle guard assembly and the needle retaining device. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the safety systems and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0017]    Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. 
         [0018]    The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel. 
         [0019]    Example embodiments described herein can be used to prevent accidental needlesticks. Example embodiments can include a safety system that can be attached to a standard off the shelf syringe or pre-filled cartridge. Embodiments can be Integrated into a standard prefilled syringe by, for example, a glass company. Embodiments can include automatic, passive needlestick safety protection that can comply with US and EU guidelines for needlestick safety prevention. Embodiments fo the safety system can use current stability packaging materials of a validated PFS. Embodiments can provide a needlestick safety solution that may be implemented with lower total cost than, for example, bolt-on safety solutions. 
         [0020]    Example embodiments described herein can be used with a standard needle, a standard glass hub, a standard cone, a standard needle shield, or a standard fixture to the glass hub of a syringe or pre-filled cartridge. Embodiments can include a one-step assembly of the safety system by a manufacture, where, for example, a manufacturer can pre-assemble the safety system. Embodiments can fit in standard three inch or four inch tubs and can fit in 10×16 or 10×10 tubs, for example. 
         [0021]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-10 , an automatic non-reusable needle guard  8  can include a first cylinder  10  that can be attached to a needle retaining device  28 , such as a standard syringe or pre-filled cartridge that can retain a needle  21 . The first cylinder  10  can have an inner portion  12  and an outer portion  14 . In an example embodiment, the inner portion  12  can be coupled with the neck  30  of the standard needle retaining device  28  with a snap fit, friction fit, or any other suitable coupling. It will be appreciated that needle guard  8  can have any suitable shape, size, or configuration. 
         [0022]    The automatic non-reusable needle guard  8  can include a second cylinder  16  that can be operable with the first cylinder  10  for movement of the second cylinder  16  from an initial retractable position ( FIGS. 5 and 8 ) to a released or armed position ( FIGS. 6 and 10 ) and further to an extended irreversible position ( FIGS. 7 and 10 ). The second cylinder  16  can include a plurality of flanges  23  that can extend axially along a portion of the needle retaining device  28 . The flanges may help stabilize the needle guard  8  relative to the needle retaining device  28 . In an alternate embodiment, the needle guard  8  may not have any flanges where, for example, no portion of the needle guard  8  can project proximally over the body  25  of the needle retaining device  28 . Such an alternate configuration may facilitate visualization of the contents within the needle retaining device  28 . 
         [0023]    The mechanism that can provide movement of the second cylinder  16  relative to the first cylinder  10  can incorporate a first track  20 , as shown in more detail in  FIGS. 5-10 , or a plurality of tracks, where the one or a plurality of tracks can have any suitable shape, such as a J-shape or a generally linear shape having a lateral track projection. The outer portion  14  of the first cylinder  10  can incorporate a first protruding member  18  (FIGS.  3  and  5 - 10 ) which can be formed on the outer portion  14  of the first cylinder  10  and can be positioned in the first track  20  such that the first track can guide the second cylinder from an initial usable position to a released position and further to an extended irreversible position. A spring (not shown) can be disposed between the second cylinder  16  and the inner portion  12  of the first cylinder  10  and can urge the second cylinder  16  distally away from the first cylinder  10  such that the inner cylinder  16  can be extended to the extended irreversible position. It will be appreciated that the first track  20  is shown by way of example only, where the first track  20  may have any suitable shape and configuration. It will be appreciated that one or a plurality of tracks may be incorporated to achieve a similar operation and it will be appreciated that the track and/or projection can be associated with any suitable component. 
         [0024]    Example embodiments of the automatic non-reusable needle guard  8  can also include a locking mechanism ( FIGS. 8-10 ) that can prevent retraction of the second cylinder  16 , relative to the first cylinder  10 , after the second cylinder  16  is fully extended in the extended irreversible position. A flexible hinge  24  can be associated with the outer portion  14  of the first cylinder  10  where the flexible hinge  24  can be biased radially inward. In the initial position, the flexible hinge  24  can be biased inwardly in its resting state ( FIG. 8 ) in a first position. In the released or armed position ( FIG. 9 ) the flexible hinge  24  can be flexed radially outwardly into a second position as the second cylinder  16  is rotated and axially translated relative to the first cylinder  10 . In the extended irreversible position ( FIG. 10 ), the flexible hinge  24  can flex radially inward into a third position such that the flexible hinge  24  can engage a slot  34  in the second cylinder  16 . In one embodiment, when the flexible hinge  24  has flexed radially inward into the third position and has engaged the slot  34 , the second cylinder  16  cannot be moved proximally to expose the distal tip of the needle due to the abutment between the flexible hinge  24  and the slot  34 . Such a configuration may prevent accidental needle sticks after use of the needle guard  8 . 
         [0025]    The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.