Blood collection assembly

The present disclosure is a blood collection assembly that has a needle assembly fixedly coupled to a finger-activated actuator and tubing and the needle assembly has a needle. Further, the blood collection assembly has a hub that houses the needle assembly and the hub has a channel in a top surface of the hub. Additionally, the channel slidably engages the finger-activated actuator such that when the finger-activated actuator is moved from a distal end of the hub to a proximal end of the hub the needle retracts within the hub.

BACKGROUND

Blood collection assemblies often comprise a small diameter needle having a pointed distal end and a proximal end mounted to a hub. Sometimes, the hub has wings mounted on either side. These wings may be used for a number of things. As an example, the wings may stabilize the blood collection assembly as the needle is inserted into a patient's arm.

Some blood collection assemblies have safety devices that protect users and patients from the needle after the needle has been used. For example, one blood collection assembly comprises a button that when selected actuates a spring drawing the needle into the hub. Another blood collection assembly comprises actuating wings, such that when the wings are rotated upward and together, a spring is initiated that retracts the needle. There are other types of safety devices on other blood collection assemblies.

Many of the existing safety devices are not put in place until the needle is removed from the person's arm. Thus, many existing safety devices still leave the needle exposed momentarily. This momentary exposure can lead to an accidental needle stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes an exemplary blood collection assembly. The exemplary blood collection assembly comprises a hub that contains a needle assembly. In one embodiment, the hub comprises a set of wings that are used to balance the blood collection assembly as a needle is injected into a patient's arm.

Within a top side of the hub is a channel. Slidably coupled to the channel is a finger-activated actuator. The finger-activated actuator is situated toward the distal end of the hub when the needle is in an advanced position, such as when the needle is inserted into the patient's arm. When it is time to remove the needle from the patient's arm, a user slides the finger-activated actuator toward the proximal end of the hub until the needle is completely within the hub. Thus, the needle is removed from the patient's arm with little risk of accidental sticks.

In addition, at the distal end of the hub situated above the needle when the needle is in the advanced position is a compressed cotton and plastic shield. The compressed cotton and plastic shield is inside a compartment that is situated on a top side of the hub. When the needle is retracted by the finger-activated actuator, the compressed cotton and plastic shield falls down between the distal end of the needle and the needle opening in the hub. The cotton absorbs any excess liquid or blood and the plastic protects users from the distal end of the needle ensuring that the needle does not advance.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a blood collection assembly100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure when a needle101is in an advanced position. An “advanced position” indicates that the needle is protruding for insertion into a patient's arm (not shown). The needle101protrudes from a plastic lid receptacle113to which a safety plastic lid (not shown) is coupled before use of the blood collection assembly100.

The blood collection assembly100comprises a hub102, a needle101, and flexible tubing103. In one embodiment, the flexible tubing103may comprise a clamp (not shown) for clamping the flexible tubing103to prohibit blood from fluidically travelling through the tubing. In use, the needle101is inserted in the patient's arm, blood flows through a needle assembly (not shown) that is coupled to the flexible tubing103, and the blood flows through the flexible tubing103to a reservoir (not shown).

The blood collection assembly100further comprises a substantially cuboidal-shaped channel107formed in a top surface114of the hub102. The substantially cuboidal-shaped channel107runs rectilinearly from a distal end106to a proximal end116of the hub102. Slidably engaged with the cuboidal-shaped channel107is a finger-activated actuator108, and the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly within the hub102, which is described further herein.

In operation, a user inserts the needle101in a patient's arm. Blood is collected via the flexible tubing103in the reservoir. After the blood is collected, the user places his/her finger on the finger-activated actuator108and pulls the finger-activated actuator108to the proximal end116of the hub102. Once the finger-activated actuator108has been moved to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle101is completely inside the hub102. Thus, the needle101does not pose an accidental stick risk.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises wings110and111. The wings110and111are coupled to and extend laterally from the distal end106of the hub102. The wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100while the needle101is inserted into the patient's arm. Further, the wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100post insertion while blood is being drawn. Additionally, the wings110and111stabilize the assembly100when the finger-activated actuator108is actuated.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises a compartment115. The compartment115houses a compressed cotton and plastic shield (not shown) that is housed in the hub102. While the needle101is in the advanced position, the compressed cotton and plastic shield rests above the needle101. However, when the needle101is moved to a retracted position via the finger-activated actuator108, the compressed cotton and plastic shield falls between the distal end of the needle101and the plastic lid receptacle113inside the hub102. The compressed cotton absorbs any fluid or blood that might leak from the needle101and the plastic shields the needle101from advancing through the plastic lid receptacle113.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises gripper pads112and117. The gripper pads112and117are coupled to or integral with the sides of the hub102. The gripper pads112and117enable the user to easily grip the blood collection assembly100while in use. In this regard, the gripper pads112and117allow the user to easily grasp the blood collection assembly100when the user is collecting blood from the patient's arm or when the user is actuating the finger-activated actuator108to retract the needle101.

FIG.2is a top cross-sectional view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle101is in the advanced position for insertion into a patient's arm. Note that prior to use of the blood collection assembly100, a plastic lid (not shown) is coupled to the plastic lid receptacle113on the distal end of the hub102to protect from accidental sticks. InFIG.2, the plastic lid is shown removed from the blood collection assembly100, and the needle is exposed.

Note that the gripper pads112and117are shown coupled to or integral with the sides of the hub102. As described hereinabove, the gripper pads112and117enable the user to easily grip the blood collection assembly100while in use.

Further note that the wings110and111are shown coupled to the distal end106of the hub102. As described hereinabove, the wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100while in use.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises a needle assembly200. The needle assembly is moveably contained within a chamber211of the hub102. The needle assembly200comprises a tubular member204. The tubular member204comprises a cylindrical channel204defined by an inner wall205. The needle assembly200is fixedly coupled to the needle101and the tubing103(FIG.1). Additionally, the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly200such that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved from the distal end106to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle assembly200moves with the finger-activated actuator108from the distal end106to the proximal end116of the hub102.

The needle assembly200further comprises a substantially rectangular-shaped protrusion202. In operation, when the needle assembly200is moved via the finger-activated actuator108to the proximal end116of the hub102, the rectangular-shaped protrusion202rests within a substantially rectangular-shaped indentation201in an inside surface210of the hub102. In this regard, the rectangular-shaped protrusion202locks into the rectangular-shaped indentation201thereby fixing the needle assembly200at the proximal end of the hub102. Thus, the needle assembly200, including the needle101, can no longer move toward the distal end106of the hub102. Therefore, users are protected from the needle101when the needle assembly200is in the retracted position, which is shown with reference toFIG.6.

FIG.3is a side elevational view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle is in the advanced position. In this regard, the needle assembly200comprises the tubular member204. The tubular member204comprises the cylindrical channel204defined by the inner wall205. The needle assembly200comprises the needle101that is fixedly coupled to the tubular member204. Additionally, the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly200such that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved from the distal end106to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle assembly200moves with the finger-activated actuator108to the proximal end116of the hub102.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises a compressed cotton and plastic shield301. The compressed cotton and plastic shield301is situated in the compartment115above the needle assembly200when the needle assembly200is in the advanced position. Note that as will be shown further herein, when the needle assembly200is retracted by the finger-activated actuator108, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301falls downward resting between the distal end of the needle101and the receptacle113. The compressed cotton of the shield301absorbs any excess liquid or blood from the needle101, and the plastic portion of the shield301safely ensures that the needle101does not advance outwardly through the receptacle113.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises an angled bottom surface302. In one embodiment, the surface302is angled at an acute angle θ. When the blood collection assembly100is in use, the angled bottom surface302rests on the patient's arm thereby allowing the needle101to be more easily inserted. Further, the angle bottom surface302levels the blood collection assembly100so that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved by the user, the blood collection assembly100remains stabilized.

FIG.4is an end elevational view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle assembly200is in the advanced position and the needle101protrudes from the receptacle113. Further, wings110and111protrude laterally from the hub102for stabilization of the blood collection assembly100.

The blood collection assembly100comprises the compartment115that protrudes from an upper surface400of the hub102. While the needle assembly200is in the advanced position, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301is situated within the compartment115above the needle101. As will be shown further herein, when the needle assembly200is retracted, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301falls downward and rests between the distal end of the needle101and the receptacle113.

FIG.5is a perspective view of the blood collection assembly100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure when the needle101is in a retracted position. A “retracted position” indicates that the needle has been moved from the patient's arm and is housed within the hub102. In this regard, the needle101no longer protrudes from the plastic lid receptacle113.

As described hereinabove, the blood collection assembly100further comprises the substantially cuboidal-shaped channel107formed in the top surface114of the hub102. The substantially cuboidal-shaped channel107runs rectilinearly from the distal end106to a proximal end116of the hub102. Slidably engaged with the cuboidal-shaped channel107is the finger-activated actuator108, and the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly200(FIG.2) within the hub102.

In operation, a user inserts the needle101in a patient's arm. Blood is collected via the flexible tubing103in the reservoir. After the blood is collected, the user places his/her finger on the finger-activated actuator108and pulls the finger-activated actuator108to the proximal end116of the hub102. Once the finger-activated actuator108has been moved to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle101is completely inside the hub102. Thus, the needle101no longer poses an accidental stick risk.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises the wings110and111. As described hereinabove, the wings110and111are coupled to and extend laterally from the distal end106of the hub102. The wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100while the needle101is inserted into the patient's arm. Further, the wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100post insertion while blood is being drawn.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises the compartment115. The compartment115houses the compressed cotton and plastic shield301(FIG.3) that is housed in the hub102. While the needle101is in the advanced position, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301rests above the needle101. However, when the needle101is moved to the retracted position via the finger-activated actuator108, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301falls downwardly between the distal end of the needle101and the plastic lid receptacle113inside the hub102. The compressed cotton absorbs any fluid or blood that might leak from the needle101, and the plastic shields the needle101from advancing through the plastic lid receptacle113.

As described hereinabove, the blood collection assembly100further comprises the gripper pads112and117. The gripper pads112and117are coupled to or integral with the sides of the hub102. The gripper pads112and117enable the user to easily grip the blood collection assembly100while in use.

FIG.6is a top cross-sectional view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle101is in the retracted position. Note that prior to use of the blood collection assembly100, a plastic lid (not shown) is coupled to the plastic lid receptacle113on the distal end of the hub102to protect from accidental sticks. InFIG.6, the plastic lid is shown removed from the blood collection assembly100, and the needle is retracted.

Note that the gripper pads112and117are shown coupled to or integral with the sides of the hub102. As described hereinabove, the gripper pads112and117enable the user to easily grip the blood collection assembly100while in use.

Further note that the wings110and111are shown coupled to the distal end106of the hub102. As described hereinabove, the wings110and111stabilize the blood collection assembly100while in use.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises the needle assembly200. The needle assembly200is moveably contained within the chamber211of the hub102. The needle assembly200comprises the tubular member204. The tubular member204comprises the cylindrical channel204defined by the inner wall205. The needle assembly200is fixedly coupled to the needle101and the tubing103(FIG.5). Additionally, the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly200such that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved from the distal end106to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle assembly200moves with the finger-activated actuator108.

The needle assembly200further comprises the substantially rectangular-shaped protrusion202. In operation, when the needle assembly200is moved via the finger-activated actuator108to the proximal end of the hub102, the rectangular-shaped protrusion202rests within the substantially rectangular-shaped indentation201within an inside surface210of the hub102. In this regard, the rectangular-shaped protrusion202locks into the rectangular-shaped indentation201thereby fixing the needle assembly200at the proximal end of the hub102. Thus, the needle assembly200, including the needle101, can no longer move toward the distal end106of the hub102. Therefore, users are protected from the needle101when the needle assembly200is in the retracted position.

Further, when the needle assembly200is moved to the proximal end116of the hub102, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301falls downwardly. The compressed cotton and plastic shield301rests between the distal end of the needle101and the receptacle113. Thus, the compressed cotton portion of the shield absorbs any fluid or blood that escapes the needle101. The plastic portion of the shield301safely ensures that the needle101does not advance outwardly through the receptacle113posing an accidental stick risk.

FIG.7is a side elevational view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle is in the retracted position. In this regard, the needle assembly200comprises the needle101. Additionally, the finger-activated actuator108is fixedly coupled to the needle assembly200such that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved from the distal end106to the proximal end116of the hub102, the needle assembly200moves with the finger-activated actuator108.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises the compressed cotton and plastic shield301. When in the retracted position, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301is situated between the distal end of the needle101and the receptacle113. The compressed cotton of the shield301absorbs any excess liquid or blood from the needle101, and the plastic portion of the shield301safely ensures that the needle101does not advance outwardly through the receptacle113.

The blood collection assembly100further comprises the angled bottom surface302. In one embodiment, the surface302is angled at an acute angle θ. When the blood collection assembly100is in use, the angled bottom surface302rests on the patient's arm thereby allowing the needle101to be more easily inserted. Further, the angle bottom surface302levels the blood collection assembly100so that when the finger-activated actuator108is moved by the user, the blood collection assembly100remains stabilized.

FIG.8is an end elevational view of the blood collection assembly100when the needle assembly200is in the retracted position and the needle101(FIG.6) is within the hub102.

The blood collection assembly100comprises the compartment115that protrudes from an upper surface400of the hub102and houses the compressed cotton and plastic shield301. When the needle assembly200is moved to the retracted position, the compressed cotton and plastic shield301falls downward and rests between the distal end of the needle101and the receptacle113.