Blood collection tube holder with slide-activated needle retraction
Inventors
Shaw, Thomas J. • Small, Mark • Zhu, Ni
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10568554-B2
Publication Date
2020-02-25
Expiration Date
Abstract
A blood collection tube holder embodying two coaxially alignable needles, the first needle being a forwardly facing venipuncture needle and the second needle being a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle. The first and second needles are satisfactorily supported by a frontal attachment and body, respectively, that are disposed in relative sliding engagement along an interface that is transverse to the first and second needle and that extends at least from the second needle to an opening into a needle retraction chamber that projects rearwardly from the body. The subject device is configured to receive and support a conventional blood collection tube of the type used to collect blood samples.
Core Innovation
The blood collection tube holder comprises a body and a frontal attachment disposed in transverse sliding relation to the body. The body includes a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle and a needle retraction chamber laterally spaced apart from the fluid discharge needle. The frontal attachment comprises a needle retraction mechanism with a forwardly projecting venipuncture needle that is coaxially aligned with the fluid discharge needle in a first position.
When the body is repositioned laterally relative to the frontal attachment to a second position, the venipuncture needle coaxially aligns with and is retractable into the needle retraction chamber. The assembly enables selective lateral sliding of the frontal attachment across the body to reposition the venipuncture needle for retraction. Retraction of the venipuncture needle into the needle retraction chamber reduces needlestick and contamination risk after blood collection.
Claims Coverage
The claims identify five inventive features covering a blood collection tube holder with a laterally sliding arrangement for aligning and retracting a venipuncture needle, alongside associated structural configurations.
Laterally sliding needle alignment and retraction
The body comprises a rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle and a needle retraction chamber laterally spaced apart from the fluid discharge needle. A frontal attachment is disposed in transverse sliding relation to the body and comprises a needle retraction mechanism with a forwardly projecting venipuncture needle. In a first position, the venipuncture needle is coaxially aligned with the rearwardly facing fluid discharge needle; after lateral repositioning to a second position, it is coaxially aligned with and retractable into the needle retraction chamber.
Blood collection tube receptacle
A rearwardly projecting cylindrical receptacle is configured to receive and support a blood collection tube.
Flash chamber between the needles
A flash chamber is disposed between the venipuncture needle and the fluid discharge needle.
Transverse sliding interface
The frontal attachment slidably engages the body along a transverse interface substantially perpendicular to the fluid discharge needle and extending at least from that needle to the needle retraction chamber.
Sliding controls and interference element
Oppositely directed digital pressure on oppositely facing touchpads initiates relative sliding, and at least one interference element mechanically impedes relative sliding before at least part of the needle retracts into the chamber.
The claims center on a blood collection tube holder whose transverse sliding arrangement changes the venipuncture needle from alignment with the fluid discharge needle to coaxial alignment with, and retraction into, a laterally spaced chamber, complemented by a tube receptacle, flash chamber, sliding-interface features, touchpads, and an interference element.
Stated Advantages
Retraction of the venipuncture needle after collection reduces needlestick and contamination risk.
Documented Applications
A blood collection tube holder with a venipuncture needle and a fluid discharge needle, configured for blood collection and retraction of the venipuncture needle into a needle retraction chamber after collection.
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