Abstract:
An arrangement for covering the sharp point of a needle of a syringe or similar needle device. The arrangement includes a hollow cover which exposes the needle in a retracted position and covers the needle in the deployed condition. A resilient multi-section link anchored to the syringe may propel the hollow cover to the deployed position when the link or the needle device is pressed against an environmental surface. The arrangement may be integral with the needle device or may be formed as a separate component which is attachable to the needle device. An optional cap may cover the needle when the hollow cover is in the retracted position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to protective devices for so-called medical and other “sharps” such as hypodermic needles and syringes. More particularly, the protective device is a cover which covers the exposed sharp point, and which snaps into operative position upon being pressed from the side of the syringe. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Hypodermic needles, syringes, autoinjectors, and like devices have long presented medical hazards to their users. This may include patients using such devices themselves, but also medical caregivers. The sharp point of a medical needle easily pierces human tissues, and upon doing so, may for example transfer contaminants including infectious materials such as contaminated blood to an otherwise healthy person. This is a well-known hazard which has received considerable attention in the prior art. 
         [0003]    Prior art devices for covering the sharp point of a medical needle have been proposed. However, many known protective devices suffer from various deficiencies including unduly complicated and therefore expensive construction. They may require tedious assembly and use by a person well versed in their operation. There exists a need for a practical, uncomplicated guard device for medical sharps and like devices which may be utilized for purposes other than medical. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention addresses the above stated need by providing a sharps cover or guard for a sharp point which may be formed in a single piece, and may be deployed without obliging the user to grasp the needle or any portion of a syringe or autoinjector close to the dangerous sharp point. Moreover, the novel guard may be deployed by pressing its associated needle device laterally against a solid surface such as a desk or table top. The guard may project into the deployed position covering the point very fast in what may be called snap action. 
         [0005]    The novel sharps guard may be fabricated inexpensively from a suitable synthetic polymer. The novel sharps guard may be provided as a stand-alone device which is installed on a needle device, or alternatively, may be formed as part of the needle device. 
         [0006]    It is an object of the invention to provide a sharps guard which deploys without obliging a user to grasp the needle or to have his or her fingers in close proximity to the sharp point of the needle. 
         [0007]    Another object of the invention is to enable deployment by pressing the needle device laterally against a solid surface. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
         [0009]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a partial side view of a needle device having a protective guide according to at least one aspect of the invention, showing the guard in a retracted position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but with one component deleted from the view and showing the guard in its operational or deployed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing the guard moved to a slightly different position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a guard according to a further aspect of the invention, and is drawn to scale greater than that of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a front perspective detail view taken from near the right side of  FIG. 2 , and looking from the right towards the left. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    Referring first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown according to at least one aspect of the invention a needle device  10  for containing a supply of a fluid (not shown), penetrating a substrate (not shown), and establishing fluid communication between the needle device  10  and the substrate for transfer of fluids therebetween. It is contemplated that one function of the needle device  10  is delivery of a liquid into a substrate such as human or animal bodily tissue. However, it should be recognized that the present invention may be used in delivery of fluids, which may include gases, into other substrates. Also, the reverse is true. That is, fluids may be withdrawn from a substrate and received by the needle device  10 . An example is taking blood samples from patients, although as is also true for delivery of fluids, uses other than medical are contemplated. 
         [0017]    The needle device  10  may comprise conventional fluid handling apparatus, including at a minimum a hollow housing  12  having a proximal end  14 , a distal end  16 , and a fluid chamber  18  disposed between the proximal end  14  and the distal end  16 . A piston assembly  20  is slidably disposed within the fluid chamber  18 , and may include a piston  22  disposed to exert force on fluid contained within the fluid chamber  18 . The piston  22  may be operated by a pressure head  24  which is disposed to receive manual force from a person using the needle device  10 . The pressure head  24  may be connected to the piston  22  by a shaft  26 . That end of the fluid chamber  18  located proximate the distal end  16  of the needle device  10  secures a hollow needle  28  which disposed in fluid communication with the fluid chamber  18 . The fluid chamber  18  will be understood to be suitably sealed at the proximal end  14  and the distal end  16  to prevent undesired escape of fluid to be received or injected. The hollow needle  28  has a longitudinal axis and terminates in a sharp point  30  capable of penetrating the substrate. As is typical in medical usages, the substrate is tissue of a live human or animal. Of course, fluids may be injected into or received from other objects using a needle device such as the needle device  10 . As the components described thus far may be conventional, they are not fully shown or described in full detail. 
         [0018]    The needle device  10  may include a guard  32  for covering the sharp point  30  of the needle  28 . The guard  32  may comprise a hollow cover  34  for covering the sharp point  30 . The hollow cover  34  may be cylindrical for example, and is adapted to be movable between a deployed position covering the sharp point  30  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) and a retracted position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) which leaves the sharp point  30  sufficiently exposed to be able to penetrate the substrate. An arrow  38  indicates direction of motion of the hollow cover  34  when moving to the deployed position. 
         [0019]    A spring mechanism  36  is disposed to propel the hollow cover  34  from the retracted position to the deployed position when the guard  32  is urged against an environmental object in a direction which is out of registry with the longitudinal axis of the needle  28  such that force is imposed on the spring mechanism  36 . In  FIG. 1 , should the needle device  10  be urged or pressed upwardly against an exemplary environmental surface  40 , forces will be exerted on the spring mechanism  36  which cause rapid deployment of the hollow cover  34 , or alternatively stated, cause the hollow cover  34  to move in the direction of the arrow  38  to the deployed position seen in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0020]    Specifically referring to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the spring mechanism  36  extends to the right and left and assumes a flattened configuration after deployment. 
         [0021]    It should be noted at this point that orientational terms such as left and right refer to the subject drawing as viewed by an observer. The drawing figures depict their subject matter in orientations of normal use, which could obviously change with changes in position. Therefore, orientational terms must be understood to provide semantic basis for purposes of description, and do not limit the invention or its component parts in any particular way. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the guard  32  and particularly, the hollow cover  34  and the spring mechanism  36  are fabricated monolithically as a single unit from an elastic or resilient material such as a synthetic polymer. This constituency enables the needle device  10  to be manufactured inexpensively by molding techniques, and also enables the various deflections of the guard  32  which are necessary to the functions described herein. 
         [0023]    The spring mechanism  36  may assume the construction shown in  FIG. 4 , to which reference is now made. Whereas the guard  32  has been described in terms of being integrally formed with components of the needle device  10  such as the hollow housing  12 , it would also be possible to provide the guard  32  as a separate or stand-alone device which is to be installed on a needle device which is similar to the needle device  10  but lacks the guard  32 . For example, a guard such as the stand alone guard  132  shown in FIG.  4  could be commercially available as an accessory for use with otherwise conventional needle devices. Apart from their connection to their respective associated needle devices, such as the needle device  10 , the guards  32  and  132  may be essentially similar in structure and function. 
         [0024]    The guard  132  may comprise a mount  133  which is dimensioned and configured to engage and couple to a conventional needle device such as the needle device  10  but lacking a device having the function of the guard  32  of  FIG. 1  or the guard  132  of  FIG. 4 . The mount  133  may comprise a sleeve, arm, assembly incorporating plural arms or corresponding members (only the sleeve option is shown), which engages its associated needle device by friction, by threaded connection, by bayonet connection, or in still other ways. 
         [0025]    A spring mechanism  136  which is similar in structure and function to the spring mechanism  36  of  FIG. 1  may comprise a first relatively rigid link section  135  coupled to the mount  133  and a second relatively rigid link section  137  coupled to a hollow cover  134  which hollow cover  134  may be similar in structure and function to the hollow cover  34  of  FIG. 1 . A first live hinge  139  may be disposed to couple the first relatively rigid link section  135  to the mount  133 . A hinge arrangement to be further described hereinafter may be disposed to couple the first relatively rigid link section  135  to the second relatively rigid link section  137 . A second live hinge  141  may be disposed to couple the second relatively rigid link section  137  to the hollow cover  134 . Actual connection between the second live hinge  141  and the hollow cover  134  may be accomplished using an intermediate component  143  which is coupled to both the hollow cover  134  and the second live hinge  141 . 
         [0026]    Description thus far requires that a flexible connection exist between the first relatively rigid link section  135  and the second relatively rigid link section  137 . This flexible connection may be provided by a third relatively rigid link section  145  disposed serially between the first relatively rigid link section  135  and the second relatively rigid link section  137 . The hinge arrangement incorporated into the priorly described connection may comprise a third live hinge  147  disposed to couple the first relatively rigid link section  135  to the third relatively rigid link section  145 , and a fourth live hinge  149  disposed to couple the third relatively rigid link section  145  to the second relatively rigid link section  137 . 
         [0027]    If desired, and with suitable modification to the above described assembly, the third relatively rigid link section  145  may be omitted, provided that a suitable hinge (not shown) couples the first relatively rigid link section  135  to the second relatively rigid link section  137 . Because of the possibility that the third relatively rigid link section  145  may be omitted, the invention may be described in terms of a hinge arrangement which is disposed to couple the first relatively rigid link section  135  to the second relatively rigid link section  137 , with the understanding that the hinge arrangement may rely upon the third relatively rigid link section  145  and its associated live hinges  147  and  149 , or may alternatively rely on a different arrangement. 
         [0028]    It may be mentioned here that the hinge arrangement described above relating to the guard  132  of  FIG. 4  may be provided in its essence for the guard  32  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring momentarily to  FIG. 2 , it will be seen that the spring arrangement  36  may include live hinges  39 ,  47 ,  49 , and  41  formed in the guard  32 . All live hinges referred to herein, such as the live hinges  39 ,  47 ,  49 , and  41  may be formed by a suitable reduction in thickness of the component in which they are formed. Thus it is appreciated that the guard  32  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  may function in a manner similar to that of the guard  132  of  FIG. 4 , the latter merely being described in greater detail herein. 
         [0029]    The third relatively rigid link section  145  may comprise a first abutment  151 which projects towards the second relatively rigid link section  137 . The second relatively rigid link section  137  may comprise a second abutment  153  which projects towards the first abutment  151 . The first abutment  151  and the second abutment  153  collectively develop force which urges the hollow cover  134  from the retracted position to the deployed position (in a manner similar to that shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) when the spring mechanism  136  is pressed against an environmental surface in a manner which compresses the spring mechanism  132  towards the needle, as is seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0030]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , it is seen that the hollow cover  34  comprises a forward end wall  42  bearing an opening  44  for enabling passage of and exposing the needle  28  for use when the hollow cover  34  is in the retracted position. When the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position shown in  FIG. 2 , it is possible that forceful careless handling of the needle device  10  will cause the needle  28  to protrude through the opening  44 . This may be overcome by the following expedient. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , when the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position of  FIG. 2 , the hollow cover  34  may be maneuvered relative to the needle  28  such that the hollow point  30  of the needle  28  impinges upon the end wall  42  and is thereby precluded from exiting the hollow cover  34  through the opening  44  of the end wall  42 . The spring mechanism  32  may be dimensioned and configured and otherwise formed to enable the above described maneuvering. 
         [0032]    Again referring to  FIG. 2 , the guard  32  may comprise a guide disposed between the point of connection of the guard  32  to its associated needle device (such as the needle device  10 ) and the hollow cover  34 . The guide is disposed to engage the needle  28  and maintain the needle  28  in a position generally aligned with the hollow cover  34  when the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position. The guide may comprise a first hook shaped arm  46  which is mounted to the spring mechanism  36 , which projects from the spring mechanism  36  towards the needle  28  when the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position, and which at least partially encircles the needle  28  when the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position. The guide may also comprise a second hook shaped arm  48  which is essentially similar to the first hook shaped arm  46 , but is preferably formed in mirror image opposition thereto, or alternatively stated, faces in a direction opposite that of the first hook shaped arm  46  relative to the needle  28  when the hollow cover  34  is in the deployed position. 
         [0033]    The nature of the first hook shaped arm  46  and the second hook shaped arm  48  is better revealed in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0034]    Returning to  FIG. 4 , the guard  132  may comprise a cap  154  which is removably engageable with the guard  132  so as to seal the hollow cover  134  against casual contamination by dirt and microbes and the like, and to cover the needle (such as the needle  28 ) when the hollow cover  134  is in the retracted position. The cap  154  may snap fit to the intermediate component  143  or otherwise removably engage the guard  132 . Of course, the guard  32  of  FIG. 1  may have a cap (not shown) corresponding in structure and function to the cap  154  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]    Although the invention has been described in terms of certain components being referred to in either the singular or the plural, other arrangements are possible. For example, it is to be understood that due to the conceptual description presented herein, components presented in the singular may be provided in the plural. Illustratively, 
         [0036]    The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts. For example the guard  32  may be held in any desired position in order to engage an environmental surface for deployment. Although the force which enables the spring mechanism such as the spring mechanism  36  to operate is shown as being perpendicular to the axis of the needle associated with the spring mechanism, such as the needle  28 , it would be possible to arrange the spring mechanism to operate responsive to forces imposed from other directions. It would also be possible to form the spring mechanism which corresponds in function to the spring mechanism  36  in other ways, for example, comprising a single deflectable spring, rather than comprising discrete relative rigid components such as the link arrangement described herein. 
         [0037]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.