# Patent

## Title
Needle shield assembly with hub engagement member for needle device

## Abstract

A passively activated needle shield assembly with a hub engagement member for a needle device is provided. The needle shield assembly includes a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position. The needle shield prevents emergence of a sharp distal end of a needle therefrom in the shielding position. An engagement member is slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging the hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position. A retainer operatively couples to the engagement member and is positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enables removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.

## Background
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/418,997, filed Dec. 2, 2010.


TECHNICAL FIELD
The disclosure relates generally to needle devices, and more particularly, to a needle shield assembly including a hub engagement member that disengages the hub from the needle shield when the needle shield moves to a shielding position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Needle shielding devices come in a variety of forms that do not allow for easy and passive activation and disconnection from a hub, such as a catheter introducer hub. Furthermore, needle shielding devices protrude into the catheter introducer hub and occupy the volume of the female luer connector, thereby interfering with hemostatic valves and seals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first aspect of the disclosure provides a needle device comprising: a hub; a needle having a longitudinal axis and a sharp distal end; and a needle shield assembly including: a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position, the needle shield preventing emergence of the sharp distal end of the needle therefrom in the shielding position; an engagement member slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging the hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position; and a retainer operatively coupled to the engagement member and positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enable removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.
A second aspect of the invention includes a needle shield assembly comprising: a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position, the needle shield preventing emergence of a sharp distal end of a needle therefrom in the shielding position; an engagement member slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging a hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position; and a retainer operatively coupled to the engagement member and positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enable removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.
The illustrative aspects of the present disclosure are designed to solve the problems herein described and/or other problems not discussed.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of this disclosure will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a needle device including a needle shield assembly in a non-shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a needle device including a needle shield assembly in a shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 3 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the needle shield assembly and hub in a non-shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 4 shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the needle shield assembly and hub in a shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 5 shows a full cross-sectional view of a needle device including a needle shield assembly in a non-shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 6 shows a full cross-sectional view of a needle device including a needle shield assembly in a shielding position according to embodiments of the invention.



It is noted that the drawings of the disclosure are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the disclosure, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings, a needle device 5 including a needle shield assembly 30 according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated. In one embodiment, as illustrated, needle device 5 takes the form of a catheter introducer assembly including a catheter hub 10, a catheter cannula 12 and an introducer needle 14. However, needle device 5 is not limited to that form, and may include any device having a hub 10, such as a blood collection device, etc.
As shown best in FIGS. 1-3, needle device 5 includes a hub 10, a needle 14 (FIG. 3) and a needle shield assembly 30. A proximal end 11 of hub 10 may include a flanged portion 104 (FIG. 3); however, the flanged portion is not necessary in all instances. Hub 10 also may include a female luer adapter 13 into which a male component, such as a blood sealing device 15 (FIG. 3, phantom in FIG. 5) such as a valve or septum can be placed in hub 10. For example, needle shield assembly 30 may be located proximal to hub 10 to provide for a hemostatic valve. Although not shown, hub 10 may also include a port. Needle 14 includes a longitudinal axis, a sharp distal end 16 (FIG. 1) and a proximal end 18 (FIGS. 5-6). As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, proximal end 18 can be secured to a distal end 106 of a needle hub 20, e.g., by glue, using a glue well 23, which is described in co-pending US Patent Application Publications Nos. 2009/0036843A1 and 2009/0032185A1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Needle hub 20 may be secured at its proximal end to a handle 74. As shown in FIG. 6, a stop flange 72 can be provided at a proximal end of sleeve 36 and a distal end of handle 74 to prevent distal movement beyond a shielding position, as described herein. Similar structures are shown in co-pending US Patent Application Publication Nos. 2008/0119795 A1, 2009/0137958 A1 and 2009/0249605 A1, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. As described herein, proximal movement of needle hub 20 (via handle 74) retracts needle 14 into needle shield assembly 30, thereby moving a needle shield 102 from a non-shielding position (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) to a shielding position (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6), and enables disconnection of hub 10 from needle shield 102. Needle 14, hub 10 and cannula 12 can be coaxial.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, needle shield assembly 30 includes a needle shield 102, an engagement member 42 and a retainer 32.
Needle shield 102 is movable between a non-shielding position (FIG. 3) and a shielding position (FIG. 4). In the shielding position, needle shield 102 prevents emergence of sharp distal end 16 of needle 14 therefrom. In one embodiment, needle shield 102 includes a sleeve 36 adjacent to hub 10 (sleeve 36 may abut proximal end 11 of hub 10 or enter luer 13) and a carrier 34 for carrying a needle blocking object 39. Needle blocking object 39, although shown as a ball, may take a variety of other forms, e.g., cylinder, etc. As illustrated, carrier 34 is positioned at least partially in sleeve 36 and includes an internal (axial) lumen 48 dimensioned such that needle 14 can slide therewithin. Carrier 34 could be formed integral with sleeve 36, if desired. As described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/817,890, filed Sep. 6, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and as shown in FIG. 4, carrier 34 may include a channel 50 or other structure for limiting radial movement of needle blocking object 39, in the shielding position of needle shield 102, to the longitudinal axis of needle 14 against the bias of a spring 41. In this illustrative embodiment, channel 50 is shaped and dimensioned so that needle blocking object 39 can be carried and can move along channel 50 and drop into place, at least partially across lumen 48, thereby blocking emergence of sharp distal end 16 of needle 14. Sleeve 36 is slidable with respect to handle 74 and needle hub 20 and may include a transparent material to allow blood flash back to be seen (see FIGS. 1 and 2). As shown in FIG. 3, sleeve 36 also includes a radial opening 40 extending through a wall of the sleeve through which needle blocking object 39 extends to engage, e.g., a distal edge 59, of an engagement member 42 in the non-shielding position. That is, needle blocking object 39 partially protrudes through radial opening 40 in sleeve 36 to abut distal edge 59 of engagement member 42. Consequently, engagement member 42 cannot move distally out of retainer 32 in the non-shielding position. Engagement member 42 also cannot move proximally due to its abutment with sleeve 36 and/or retainer 32. Although a particular embodiment of needle shield 102 has been described herein, it is emphasized that the teachings of the invention are not limited to any particular type of needle shield. Other needle shields also may be used such as a clip that snaps over the end of the needle (sometimes referred to as an introcan needle shield), or those with a different type of needle blocking object or different type of needle blocking object motion.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, engagement member 42 is slidingly disposed relative to needle shield 102. As shown in FIG. 3, engagement member 42 engages hub 10 to needle shield 102 in the non-shielding position. In one embodiment, hub 10 includes a substantially circular portion (e.g., proximal end 11), and engagement member 42 engages with a segment of a circumference of the substantially circular portion. In one embodiment, engagement member 42 includes at least one engaging element 43 for engaging proximal end 11 of hub 10 to needle shield 102 in the non-shielding position. In one embodiment, engaging element(s) 43 are in the form of fingers that engage a flanged portion 104 of hub 10. Each engagement element(s) 43 may be referred to as a hook in this instance. Each engaging element 43 may be flexible, e.g., made of a polymeric material such as polycarbonate. Each engaging element 43 may form an arc-segment. Further, each engaging element 43 may be formed in a radially open position so each engaging element 43 moves away from hub 10 when engagement member 42 slides distally out of retainer 32. However, it is emphasized that a variety of other forms of engaging element(s) 43 are considered within the scope of the invention. Other engagement member 42 structure may include but is not limited to: a friction fit engagement, a male/female engagement, etc. Any number of engaging element(s) 43 may be employed. In the embodiment illustrated, sleeve 36 may assist in engaging the engaging element(s) 43 with proximal end 11 of hub 10 by including a flange 54 at a distal end 52 of sleeve 36 abutting proximal end 11, e.g., capturing proximal end 11 between engaging element(s) 43 and sleeve 36. However, flange 54 does not necessarily have to abut proximal end 11, and may enter luer 13 in some instances. In any event, flange 54 can have a radial dimension to avoid interaction with a plurality of ribs 110 (visible in FIG. 4), which act as a position stop for proximal end 11 of hub 10 as shown in FIG. 3. As noted herein, in the non-shielding position, longitudinal distal movement of engagement member 42 is constrained by needle blocking object 39. Similarly, longitudinal proximal movement of engagement member 42 is prevented by abutment of engagement member 42 with at least one of sleeve 36 or retainer 32 in the non-shielding position.
As shown in FIG. 3, retainer 32 is operatively coupled to engagement member 42 and positioned to prevent disengagement of engaging element(s) 43 from proximal end 11 of hub 10 in the non-shielding position. As shown in FIG. 4, retainer 32 enables removal of hub 10 from needle shield 102 by disengaging engagement member 42 (e.g., engaging element(s) 43) from hub 10 when needle shield 102 moves to the shielding position. Retainer 32 may be substantially cylindrical and surround sleeve 36, forming an annular space 35. Engagement member 42 is slidingly engaged on sleeve 36 in annular space 35 between sleeve 36 and retainer 32.
In operation, as observed by comparing FIGS. 3 and 4, retainer 32 enables removal of hub 10 from needle shield 102 by longitudinal distal movement of engagement member 42 relative to retainer 32 when needle shield moves to the shielding position, i.e., after retraction of needle 14 to allow needle blocking object 39 to partially enter internal axial lumen 48 of carrier 34. To deploy needle shield assembly 30, a user pulls handle 74 and thus needle hub 20 in a proximal direction, thus drawing needle 14 along catheter cannula 12 and carrier 34, until it stops due to the interaction of flange 72. At that point, sharp distal end 16 of needle 14 has passed needle blocking object 39 which has moved partially into internal lumen 48, urged there by spring 41. Needle blocking object 39 blocks the path of sharp distal end 16 should needle 14 move in the distal direction. Movement of needle blocking object 39 to the shielding position (FIG. 4) also substantially simultaneously releases engagement member 42 so that it can move distally out from retainer 32, thereby allowing engagement member 42 (e.g., engaging element(s) 43) to disengage from hub 10.
As noted herein, prior to proximal longitudinal retraction of needle 14 using handle 74, the longitudinal distal movement of engagement member 42 is prevented by engagement of engagement member 42 with needle blocking object 39 in the non-shielding position. Engagement member 42, e.g., engaging element(s) 43, engage hub 10 to lock needle shielding assembly 30 to hub 10. Without the radial restraint of retainer 32, engagement member 42, e.g., flexible engaging element(s) 43, will release easily from hub 10. However, once needle shield 102 enters the shielding position, shown in FIG. 4, retainer 32 no longer encloses engagement member 42, i.e., engaging element(s) 43. Consequently, with a slight exertion of force (e.g., in proximal direction), engagement member 42 can be disengaged from hub 10. At the same time, needle 14 is prevented from emerging from needle shield 102 by needle blocking object 39. Engagement member 42 slides along sleeve 36, but removal from needle shield 102 in the shielding position is prevented by flange 54 on a distal end of sleeve 36. Such activation happens automatically and passively as handle 74 is withdrawn proximally until needle shield assembly 30 detaches from hub 10.
Retainer 32, engagement member 42, carrier 34, sleeve 36, spring 41 (unless a non-coil spring is used) and handle 74 may all be coaxial. In one embodiment, sleeve 36 may be formed integrally with retainer 32. In addition, carrier 34 could be integral with sleeve 36. Since needle shield assembly 30 is substantially outside hub 10 in the shielding position, it provides space within hub 10 for a blood sealing device 15, for example a septum or a valve, as well as a side port (not shown), if desired. Each of the parts of needle device 5, excepting needle 14, may be made of appropriate plastic material. As noted above, engagement member 42 may be made or include portions that are made of flexible material.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

## Claims

1. A needle device comprising:
a hub;
a needle having a longitudinal axis and a sharp distal end; and
a needle shield assembly including:
a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position, the needle shield preventing emergence of the sharp distal end of the needle therefrom in the shielding position;
an engagement member slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging an outer surface of the hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position; and
a retainer to in direct engagement with the engagement member and positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enable removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.

2. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the needle shield includes a sleeve adjacent to the hub in the non-shielding position.

3. The needle device of claim 2, wherein the engagement member is positioned to slide along the sleeve, and removal of the engagement member from the needle shield in the shielding position is prevented by a flange on a distal end of the sleeve.

4. The needle device of claim 2, wherein the engagement member is slidingly engaged on the sleeve in an annular space between the sleeve and the retainer.

5. The needle device of claim 2, wherein the sleeve includes a transparent material.

6. The needle device of claim 2, wherein the sleeve is integral with the retainer.

7. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the needle shield includes a carrier for carrying a needle blocking object, the carrier including an internal lumen through which the needle extends.

8. The needle device of claim 7, wherein the carrier includes means for limiting radial movement of the needle blocking object, in the shielding position of the needle shield, to the longitudinal axis of the needle against the bias of a spring.

9. The needle device of claim 7, wherein the needle shield includes a sleeve having a radial opening extending through a wall of the sleeve through which the needle blocking object extends to engage an internal edge of the engagement member in the non-shielding position.

10. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the retainer enables removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position by longitudinal distal movement of the engagement member relative to the retainer.

11. The needle device of claim 10, wherein the longitudinal distal movement of the engagement member is prevented by engagement of the engagement member with a needle blocking object in the non-shielding position.

12. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the engagement member includes at least one engaging element for engaging the hub.

13. The needle device of claim 12, wherein the at least one engaging element includes a hook for engaging a flanged portion of the hub.

14. The needle device of claim 13, wherein the at least one engaging element is flexible.

15. The needle device of claim 1, further comprising a needle hub coupled to a proximal end of the needle such that proximal movement of the needle hub retracts the needle into the needle shield assembly, thereby moving the needle shield from the non-shielding position to the shielding position.

16. The needle device of claim 15, further comprising a handle coupled to the needle hub.

17. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the retainer enables removal of the hub from the needle shield substantially simultaneously with the needle shield moving to the shielding position.

18. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a blood sealing device therein.

19. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a catheter introducer assembly.

20. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a blood collection tube.

21. The needle device of claim 1, wherein the hub includes a substantially circular portion, and the engagement member engages with a segment of a circumference of the substantially circular portion.

22. A needle shield assembly comprising:
a needle shield movable between a non-shielding position and a shielding position, the needle shield preventing emergence of a sharp distal end of the needle therefrom in the shielding position;
an engagement member slidingly disposed relative to the needle shield for engaging an outer surface of a hub to the needle shield in the non-shielding position; and
a retainer in direct engagement with the engagement member and positioned to prevent disengagement of the engagement member from the hub in the non-shielding position, and enable removal of the hub from the needle shield by disengaging the engagement member from the hub when the needle shield moves to the shielding position.