Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9504786B2/en
Timestamp: 2018-11-13 16:24:18
Document Index: 720853629

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2529946', 'Application No. 2006', 'Application No. 2010', 'Application No. 04777300', 'Application No. 2529946', 'Application No. 25299946', 'Application No. 04777300']

US9504786B2 - Safety needle shield apparatus - Google Patents
US9504786B2
US9504786B2 US13932390 US201313932390A US9504786B2 US 9504786 B2 US9504786 B2 US 9504786B2 US 13932390 US13932390 US 13932390 US 201313932390 A US201313932390 A US 201313932390A US 9504786 B2 US9504786 B2 US 9504786B2
US13932390
US20140018740A1 (en )
Stephen B. Earhart
This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,825, filed Jan. 30, 2006, which was a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/609,304, filed Jun. 27, 2003, both of which are incorporated by reference.
Various shielding arrangements have been developed to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,108,376, 5,085,639, 4,676,783, 5,799,679, 5,928,199. These types of shielding arrangements, however, may still disadvantageously require the use of two hands to move the shield over the contaminated needle. These types of structures can also be prone to unreliable motion due to their complicated arrangements. Another drawback is that these types of devices also require complicated molds from manufacturers resulting in high production costs.
FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines 5B-5B of FIG. 5A;
In the figures, like components are designated by like reference numerals throughout the several views. Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated a safety shield apparatus 20, constructed in accordance with the principals of the present disclosure. A housing 22 extends from a proximal end 24 to a distal end 26 and defines a cavity, such as, for example hub retention opening 28 in a sidewall 30 of housing 22. Housing 22 may include one or a plurality of cavities. Distal end 26 includes a cover 32 having a movable tab such as, for example, outer button 34. Cover 32 may include one or a plurality of movable tabs.
A needle hub 36 is disposed for movement within housing 22. Needle hub 36 includes a needle cannula 38 having a distal end 40 and a movable projection, such as, for example, compressible bumps 42 (See FIGS. 5-5B). Needle hub 36 may include one or a plurality of movable projections. Needle hub 36 is biased between an extended position (FIG. 2), such that distal end 40 of needle cannula 38 is exposed and compressible bumps 42 are releasably disposed within hub retention opening 28, and a retracted position (FIG. 3) whereby distal end 40 is disposed within housing 22. Outer button 34 is engageable with compressible bumps 42 to release compressible bumps 42 from hub retention opening 28 of housing 22 to facilitate movement of needle hub 36 to the retracted position. This configuration of safety shield apparatus 20 advantageously reduces the occurrence of contaminated needlestick injuries and reduces exposure to pathogens via one-hand operation, as will be discussed, although two handed use is also contemplated. Further, needle cannula 38 can be completely contained in housing 22 to prevent exposure to the end and sides of needle cannula 38, thereby reducing the opportunity for exposure to, for example, blood born pathogens, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 6-9, cover 32 is separately formed and mounted to distal end 26 of housing 22. Outer buttons 34 pivotably extend from cover 32 in a distal direction. Outer buttons 34 are diametrically disposed on cover 32 corresponding to hub retention openings 28. Outer buttons 34 are oriented to overlap compressible bumps 42, disposed within hub retention openings 28, and in substantial alignment with openings 28. Outer buttons 34 define inner surface 56 that conforms to the configuration of the outer surface of compressible bumps 42. It is contemplated that all or portions of cover 32 may be monolithically formed with housing 22. In an alternate embodiment of safety shield apparatus 20, as shown in FIG. 14, cover 32′ is monolithically formed with housing 22′.
Outer buttons 34 enclose hub retention openings 28 after movement of needle hub 36 to the retracted position, further concealing needle cannula 38 and preventing hazardous exposure. Outer buttons 34 provide concealment for needle cannula 38 after activation. Outer button 34 may have an easily accessible larger outer surface that, when depressed, projects into hub retention opening 28 to dislodge needle hub 36. This configuration facilitates uniform and reliable activation. It is contemplated that outer buttons 34 may not be required. For example, in an alternate embodiment of safety shield apparatus shown generally as 120, as shown in FIG. 15, housing 122 does not include outer buttons. As such, compressible bumps 142 are directly engageable for release from hub retention openings 128 to activate safety features of safety shield apparatus 120, as discussed herein.
Referring again to FIGS. 6-9, cover 32 includes wings 58 that extend laterally therefrom to facilitate manipulation of safety shield apparatus 20. Outer buttons 34 and compressible bumps 42 may be disposed behind needle cannula 38, such that when needle hub 36 is in the extended position, the activating hand of a practitioner remains positioned behind needle cannula 38. This feature allows the hands of the practitioner to be positioned behind wings 58 and not repositioned or placed over an unprotected needle cannula 38.
Referring also to FIGS. 4-5B, needle hub 36 is disposed for slidable movement with housing 22. Needle cannula 38 is mounted to a distal end 60 of needle hub 36 and extends therefrom in a distal direction. Distal end 40 of needle cannula 38 extends through an opening 62 formed in cover 32 of housing 22 for employment during a medical needle application.
Referring to FIGS. 5-5B, compressible bumps 42 are diametrically disposed about a proximal portion 64 of needle hub 32 and pivotably extend therefrom. Compressible bumps 42 project radially outward from opposing cantilever members 66 of needle hub 36. Cantilever members 66 extend in a proximal direction from needle hub 36 and are flexible such that compressible bumps 42 are biased radially outward. As compressible bumps 42 are depressed radially inward, a resilient spring force is generated in cantilever members 66 causing a resilient bias of compressible bumps 42 radially outward. This configuration facilitates disposal of compressible bumps 42 within for example, hub retention openings 28 and groove 50.
Referring to FIGS. 10-12, an alternate embodiment of the presently disclosed safety shield apparatus shown generally as 220 is shown. Distal end 226 of housing 222 includes a rigid transverse wall 200 that defines an opening 202 for passage of needle cannula 238. Transverse wall 200 further defines a circumferential lip 204 disposed about opening 202. Lip 204 is configured to capture distal end 240 of needle cannula 238, in the retracted position of needle hub 236, as shown in FIG. 10. It is contemplated that lip 204 may be disposed about all or, alternatively, only a portion of opening 202. Opening 202 is configured to receive and slidably support needle hub 236. The surface of opening 202 engages distal end 260 of needle hub 236 to advantageously provide stability during operation of safety shield apparatus 220.
Needle cannula 238 is oriented into a position for capture of distal end 240 due to the configuration of needle hub 236. Needle hub 236 defines an angled distal surface 206 (FIG. 12). Distal surface 206 is oriented at an angle α, which is measured from a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis x of safety shield apparatus 220. It is envisioned that angle a may include various degrees of inclination, according to the requirements of a particular medical needle application. Other structure may be employed with safety shield apparatus 220 for orienting needle cannula 238 into a capture position, such as, for example, pivot structure, ball joint, etc.
In the extended position (not shown), needle cannula 238 extends from housing 222 and orients needle cannula 238 in substantial alignment with longitudinal axis x of housing 222. Coil spring 263 engages angled distal surface 206 and the inner surface of housing 222. Coil spring 263 is compressed and generates a resilient spring force that biases needle hub 236 to the retracted position, similar to that discussed. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a safety shield apparatus 20′ is in the extended position. In the extended position, needle cannula 38′ extends from housing 22′ and orients needle cannula 38′ out of alignment with longitudinal axis x of housing 22′. This configuration results in a non-axial needle alignment that reduces stress on the puncture site of a subject by allowing safety shield apparatus 20′ to lay flatter when taped down to the subject.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, safety shield apparatus 22, similar to that described above, is assembled, sterilized and packaged for use. In operation, safety shield apparatus 20 is removed from a package. First end 72 of intravenous transfer tubing 74 is connected to extension 70 of safety shield apparatus 20. Second end 76 of tubing 74, including luer connector 78, is connected to an appropriate fluid circuit of a fluid administration apparatus (not shown). Sheath 44 is removed from safety shield apparatus 20.
a housing having a longitudinal axis and a distal end including a transverse wall having a first opening;
a needle cannula supported on a needle hub, the needle hub being slidably supported within the housing for movement between an advanced position, in which the needle cannula is in a first position extending from the housing through the first opening, and a retracted position, in which the needle is located in a second position within the housing; and
a biasing member positioned in the housing between the transverse wall of the housing and the needle hub and biasing the needle cannula toward its second position;
wherein at least one of the needle hub and the housing having a planar engagement surface that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis for urging the needle cannula toward a side wall of the housing, thereby moving the needle cannula out of alignment with the longitudinal axis of the housing when the needle cannula is located in the retracted position and the needle is in the second position, the biasing member engaging the inclined planar engagement surface.
2. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an annular lip formed about the first opening positioned to capture the needle cannula after the needle cannula has been moved to its second position.
3. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the needle cannula is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing in its first position.
4. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the needle hub includes a movable projection and the housing includes a cavity, the movable projection being releasably disposed within the cavity to retain the needle cannula in its first position.
5. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein the movable projection is inwardly deformable to release the projection from the cavity and permit the hub to move toward the retracted position.
6. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the housing has a proximal end opposite the distal end, the proximal end having a groove on an inner surface thereof that is configured for fixed disposal of the movable projection when the hub is in the retracted position.
7. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the movable projection pivotally extends from the hub and is biased radially outward.
8. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein needle hub includes two movable projections and the housing includes two cavities, each movable projection being releasably disposed within one of said two cavities to retain the needle cannula in its first position.
9. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inclined engagement surface is formed on the needle hub.
10. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein the inclined engagement surface comprises a distal facing surface.
11. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:
a cover mounted to the distal end of the housing, the cover having a second opening, the cover and the housing defining a fluid chamber therebetween;
wherein the second opening is larger in diameter than the first opening, the first opening being dimensioned to scrape fluid from the needle cannula as the needle cannula moves from the first position toward the second position.
12. A safety shield apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein the fluid chamber is positioned to collect the fluid scraped from the needle cannula.
US13932390 2003-06-27 2013-07-01 Safety needle shield apparatus Active 2025-06-18 US9504786B2 (en)
US20140018740A1 true US20140018740A1 (en) 2014-01-16
US9504786B2 true US9504786B2 (en) 2016-11-29
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US5545146A (en) 1996-08-13 Catheter apparatus having a retractable intravenous needle assembly