Needle tip shielding device and catheter hub therefore
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Publication Number
US-11202887-B2
Publication Date
2021-12-21
Expiration Date
Abstract
A needle tip shielding device, comprising a base plate with a hole extending there through from the proximal side of the base plate to the distal side of the base plate, and at least one resilient arm extending at an attachment point at said base plate (101) is provided. The resilient arm has a resting state wherein a distal hook of the resilient arm will coincide with a straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through said hole in the axial direction of said base plate. The resilient arm comprises a knob at its distal end, said knob extending laterally from the resilient arm. The knob is shaped with an outer curvature in the transversal plane around an axis parallel to the central axis of the needle tip shielding device and said knob is shaped with an outer curvature in the midsaggital plane around an axis perpendicular to the central axis of the needle tip shielding device.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a needle tip shielding device for an IV catheter that is monolithically injection-molded as a spring clip needle tip shielding device. The device includes a base plate with a hole extending from a proximal side to a distal side, and a sloped wall configured to engage a bore of a catheter hub. The base plate is configured to be received within the bore of the catheter hub, and at least one resilient arm extends from the base plate, offset inward from the outer diameter of the base plate.
Each resilient arm has a resting state in which a distal hook coincides with a straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole in an axial direction of the base plate. A resilient arm includes an outer surface and a knob extending laterally from a distal end of the resilient arm, where the knob includes an outer curvature and lateral end surfaces. The knob outer curvature is defined in specific planes, including a transversal plane around an axis parallel to a central axis and a midsagital plane around an axis perpendicular to the central axis.
The knob is mechanically configured to cooperate with circumferential grooves and ridges inside the catheter hub interior cavity so that the shield locks and shields the needle tip upon withdrawal, and reversibly locks/unlocks. The device is further defined by the cooperating geometry of the knob and the hub grooves, including a defined outer curvature and relative axial positioning between the knob and the groove/ridge. Material and molded structure are described in relation to injection-molded monolithic plastic needle shield and creep/tension maintenance for prolonged storage in assembled ready mode.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims, each centered on a needle tip shielding device that uses a base plate with a through-hole, resilient arms with distal hooks aligning in a resting state, and a knob with a defined outer curvature that is received in cooperating hub features.
Through-hole base plate engaging catheter hub bore with sloped wall
A needle tip shielding device comprising a base plate with a hole extending therethrough from a proximal side to a distal side, the base plate having a first wall, a second wall parallel to the first wall, and a sloped wall operable to engage a bore of a catheter hub, with the base plate outer diameter configured to be received within the bore.
Offset inward resilient arm with distal hook coincident with an imaginary longitudinal line
At least one resilient arm extending at an attachment point on said base plate, the at least one resilient arm offset inward from the outer diameter of the base plate, wherein said at least one resilient arm has a resting state wherein a distal hook of the at least one resilient arm will coincide with a straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through said hole in an axial direction of said base plate.
Laterally extending knob with outer curvature and lateral end surfaces
The at least one resilient arm comprises an outer surface and a knob extending laterally from a distal end of the at least one resilient arm, wherein said knob includes an outer curvature and lateral end surfaces.
First and second resilient arms with inward distal hooks aligned in resting state
A needle tip shielding device comprising a base plate with a hole extending therethrough from a proximal side to a distal side and a first and second resilient arm extending from said base plate, wherein both arms have a resting state wherein, in the resting state of the first resilient arm, the distal hook of the first resilient arm coincides with a straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through said hole extending in an axial direction of said base plate.
Knob outer curvature defined in a transversal plane around an axis parallel to a central axis
Wherein the first resilient arms has a knob extending laterally from a distal end of the first resilient arm, and the knob having an outer curvature and lateral end surfaces, the outer curvature being in a transversal plane around an axis parallel to a central axis of the needle tip shielding device.
Hub with two axially spaced grooves receiving respective arm knobs
A needle tip shielding device comprising a base plate having a central axis and a hole extending from a proximal side to a distal side, a first resilient arm and a second resilient arm extending from said base plate, and a hub operable to receive said first and second resilient arms, the hub having an interior cavity with a first groove and a second groove spaced apart axially from said first groove.
Each knob operable to be received in its corresponding groove
Wherein each resilient arm includes a distal hook and a knob, the knob of the first resilient arm is operable to be received within the first groove, and the knob of the second resilient arm is operable to be received within the second groove, wherein each knob includes an outer curvature and lateral end surfaces.
Across the independent claims, the core structure is a through-hole base plate engaging a catheter hub bore, inward-offset resilient arms with distal hooks that coincide with an imaginary longitudinal line in a resting state, and laterally extending knobs with defined outer curvature that are received by axially located hub grooves.
Stated Advantages
Reduced risk of microscopic plastic chips and/or metal particles compared with metal spring clips.
Smoother interaction with less scratching and vibration.
Improved reliability through curvature-defined knob geometry that spreads forces and avoids sharp-corner behavior.
Plastic creep/tension maintenance for prolonged storage in assembled ready mode.
Documented Applications
A safety IV catheter instrument with a needle tip shielding device that shields the needle tip upon withdrawal and automatically locks in a catheter hub.
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