Abstract:
Devices, systems and methods of supplying needle covers to be used to cover or shield the sharp and contaminated ends of used syringe-needles. The devices, systems and methods can include a delivery mechanism sized and configured to supply a plurality of needle-shielding members arranged to automatically advance into a preferred position as each individual needle-shielding member is engaged and subsequently removed from the delivery mechanism.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/902,733 filed Feb. 22, 2007. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to supplying needle covers to be used to cover or shield the sharp and contaminated ends of used syringe-needles, and more specifically to devices, mechanisms, systems and methods of having a delivery mechanism sized and configured to supply a plurality of needle-shielding members arranged to automatically advance into position as each individual needle-shielding member is engaged and subsequently removed from the delivery mechanism or system. 
     BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
     Safe, convenient, cost-effective disposal of contaminated, used syringe needles remains elusive. Various shielding, cutting, melting and re-capping strategies have emerged and have been met with only limited success or acceptance. With the rise in the number and virulence of infectious diseases, the use of syringe needles by dentists, doctors, nurses, and other medical and emergency response personnel has made these individuals susceptible to injury and infection. 
     The inventor&#39;s prior invention discloses a base unit that contains a plurality of individual needle-shields that are sized and configured to stick onto a needle when said needle is inserted into the needle-shield. The individual needle-shields are arranged in a densely packed configuration. A preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of hexagon-shaped needle-shields packed in the configuration of a honeycomb. The distance between each needle-shield is very small so that a user of the device does not have to “aim” carefully at a single needle-shield element. A single disadvantage arises as the individual needle-shields are removed randomly. Empty pockets develop as the needle-shields are removed. At some point there are more empty pockets than there are filled pockets. 
     There remains a need for a needle-shield delivery mechanism that provides protection to healthcare workers from accidental pricks from used syringe needles. There is a further need for needle-shield system that provides a plurality of needle-shields in position for attachment to a needle at all times. An additional need exists for a user-friendly needle-shield mechanism that allows the healthcare practitioner to continue to perform their duties while availing themselves of the protections of this system. A still further need exists to provide a needle-shield delivery system that prevents exposure of the syringe needle once it has been covered with the shield. 
     Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide devices, systems and methods for supplying needle covers to be used to cover or shield the sharp and contaminated ends of used syringe-needles. 
     Another feature of the invention is to provide a novel and improved devices, systems and methods for covering potentially dangerous and biohazardous implements comprising a new and improved delivery system which is easy to use and has a small footprint. 
     It is also a feature of the invention to provide a novel and improved devices, systems and methods for covering potentially dangerous and biohazardous implements, for example, hypodermic needles, by preventing contact between the potentially contaminated implement and the user. 
     It is another feature of the invention to provide a novel and improved devices, systems and methods for protecting individuals handling potentially dangerous and biohazardous implements, for example, syringe-needles by facilitating a person&#39;s ability to recognize when the delivery system has been entirely depleted. 
     In view of the foregoing, it is still another feature of the present invention, in embodiments, to provide a dispenser of needle-shields that automatically places a needle-shield in a position that allows a user to insert a needle-point into an easily accessible recess and withdraw a needle-shield when the needle is removed from the recess. In embodiments, as each needle-shield is removed, the next needle-shield in a spiral groove is automatically advanced into the “pick-up” position. There is, therefore, never an “empty pocket” until all needle-shields are used. 
     Further features, aspects, objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique top view of the present invention and a syringe with a needle attached 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique top view of the dispenser system of the present invention with a needle-shield attached to a syringe needle 
         FIG. 3  is a users-eye-view of the dispenser system of the present invention with a needle-shield attached to a syringe needle 
         FIG. 4  is an oblique top view of the present invention with the lid removed revealing the advancing groove and coil spring 
         FIG. 5  is an oblique, exploded view revealing the individual components 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of an embodiment of the invention with the individual components exploded to the side 
         FIG. 7  is a top view 
         FIG. 8  is a side view 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed, enlarged top view of the base portion of the present invention with the lid removed 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective, top section-view of the base 
         FIG. 11  is perspective, side section-view of the base 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the base from a top-view showing the placement of a coil spring 
         FIG. 13  is a side view 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment in use 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective top view of an alternate embodiment comprising a linear delivery 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of a linear arrangement with the cover removed 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective top view of a linear arrangement with the cover removed 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     In embodiments, the present invention provides a needle-shield storage and delivery devices, systems and methods comprising: a storage base having a delivery groove; a spring within said delivery groove; a plurality of needle-shields stored within said groove and held in sequential compression by said spring; and a base-cap sized and configured to hold said spring and plurality of needle-shields within said groove, the cap having an opening for releasing said needle-shields individually therefrom. 
     With reference to the drawings  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4  a dispensing mechanism  10  can comprise, in embodiments, a container base  20 , a lid  40 , a spring  80  and a plurality of individual needle-shields  200 . A syringe  100  needle  110  can be inserted into a needle-shield  200  that is automatically advanced into position  50  by the continuous load of a coil spring  80  within a spiral pathway  22 . The needle-shield  200  is withdrawn from position  50  when the needle  110  is removed from the dispensing mechanism  10  and remains attached to the needle  110 . At this point the needle  110  can be safely re-capped or disposed of in an approved container. The individual needle-shields  200  can be comprised of, for example, a metal, celluloid, rayon, phenonlic, and polystyrene, and the like. The needle-shields  200  can also comprise, for example, a polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polymethyl and methacrylate. 
     In other embodiments, the needle-shields  200  can further comprise acrylics, silicones, polyurethanes, elastomers and engineering plastics. In embodiments, the individual needle-shields  200  can form, for example, the shape of a tube, cone, or sphere that is closed at one end and filled with, for example, an adhesive, glue, elastomer, foam or mechanical trap. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  embodiments of the invention can comprise a base  20  that is sized and configured to contain a plurality of individual needle-shields  200 , a coil spring  80 , a winding-wheel  90  and a lid  40 . The base  20  is supplied with a spiral slot or groove  22  that originates at the outer edge  21  of the base  20  and extends continuously inward to the center of the base  20  where it terminates at a point  24  adjacent to a central cavity or central bore  25 . In embodiments, the termination point  24  is aligned with a graduated lead-in  45  associated with a lid  40  that fits onto the base  20  in alignment with the graduated lead-in  45 . The graduated lead-in  45  can, in embodiments, form the shape of a circle, sphere, or cone. A portion  27  of the spiral groove  22  extends beyond the termination point  24  and is sized and configured to allow movement of the coil spring  80  as it winds upon the winding-wheel  90 . The individual needle-shields  200  are held at the central termination point  24  by the constant force of the coil spring  80 . In embodiments, the coil spring  80  can be comprised of, for example, aluminum, tin, silver, gold, copper, brass, bronze, carbon steel, chrome, titanium, and the like. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10  it can be seen that embodiments contemplate that the lead-in  45  associated with the lid or base-cap  40  can be somewhat off-center with respects to the overall shape of the base  20  and lid  40 . The off-center configuration provides a maximum spring-length and total number of individual needle-shields  200  within the spiral groove  22 . It can be seen that the general shape of the base  20  and lid  40  can vary. It could be round, oval, square and so on. The spiral grove  22  can be any of a number of pathways that represent a continuous groove from the edge  31  of the base  20  to the central bore  25 . However, a preferred embodiment contemplates a substantially circular configuration since frictional forces are distributed somewhat equally along the spiral pathway  22 . Embodiments also contemplate the use of round-tubular needle-shields  200  that are smoothly closed at the distal end. The round-tubular configuration allows the individual needle-shields  200  to rotate axially as they are advanced centrally under the influence of a constant force spring or a clock-spring  80 . Allowance for axial rotation can minimize binding or friction in the event of an irregularity in the finish of an individual needle-shield  200  such as a burr or nick. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 ,  12 ,  13  and  14  the base  20  of the present invention can be molded of a lubricious plastic, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, polycarbonate, vinyl, ABS, PVC or the like. A hard-surfaced material can also be used, for example, cellulose or metal. The material selected provides low frictional resistance to the advancing needle-shield  200  so that the coil spring  80  can consist of a very thin material. A thin-metal coil or spring provides adequate continuous force to advance a plurality of needle-shields  200  into the termination point  24  for attachment to a needle  110 . In embodiments, the coil spring  80  can have a thickness of from about 0.001 to about 0.01 inches, more particularly from about 0.001 to about 0.008 inches, and most particularly of from about 0.003 to about 0.005 inches. The coil spring  80  is first wound upon the winding-wheel  90  and inserted into the central bore  25  of the base  20 . The winding-wheel  90  is configured to remain in place axially and not rotate within the central bore  25 . The distal end  81  of the coil spring  80  is extended toward the outer end  23  the spiral groove  22 . The spring coil  80  is then properly tensioned and has sufficient “potential energy” to advance the needle-shields  200  within the spiral groove  22 . 
     The entire spiral groove  22  is filled with individual needle-shields  200 . As the needle-shield  200  at the central termination point  24  is removed, the next needle-shield  200  in the spiral groove  22  is advanced into the central termination point  28 ,  50 , until all of the needle-shields  200  are removed from the spiral groove  22  of the base  20 . In embodiments, needle-shields are present in an amount of from about 1 to about 1000 needle-shields. In other embodiments, needle shields are present in an amount of from about 1 to about 500 needle-shields and in still further embodiments from about 1 to about 200 needle-shields. In embodiments, the dispensing mechanism  10  can be fully disposable or can be refilled with needle-shields  200 . 
     The invention can be used to shield sharp needles  110  in preparation for re-capping or disposal. A user will aim the used needle  110  at the central graduated entry feature  45  or delivery channel  50  associated with the lid or base cap  40 . the funnel, conical, or tubular shaped feature  45 ,  48  guides the sharp point of the needle  110  into the needle-shield  200  where it becomes attached to the contents of the needle-shield  200 . In embodiments, the contents comprise materials chosen for tenacious adhesion to stainless steel needles  110 . The attached needle  110  is withdrawn from the delivery channel  50  of the lid  40  and remains attached to the needle-shield  200 . The force required to remove the needle-shield  200  from the delivery channel  50  is less that the force required to remove the needle-shield  200  from the needle  110  itself. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14-17  an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown where the arrangement of needle-shield elements comprises an open channel  370  sized and configured to contain a plurality of needle-shield elements  365  in a linear, rectangular, modified rectangle, or square configuration and the like. The alternate embodiment can also comprise a straight channel or a plurality of converging channels that deliver a single needle-shield  365  into a preferred dispensing position  360 . As illustrated, a base  320  can have an open channel  370  defined by a back wall  374 , opposing side walls  372  and a front wall  373  that is configured to focus the advancement of needle-shields  365  to a central location  360 . The needle-shields  365  are advanced by a driver  380  that is sized and configured to move linearly within the open channel  370  of the base  320 . The motion of the advancing driver  380  is supplied by a compression spring  385  located between the rear-facing portion of the driver  380  and the back wall  374  of the base  320 . The front portion  382  of the driver  380  is shaped so as to advance the needle-shields  365  in proportion to the shape of the front wall  373  of the base  320  so that the needle-shields  365  sequentially roll into the central position  360  beneath the entry cone  340  associated with the base-cover  330 . 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.