Passive safety needle shield
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11559632-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A passive safety needle shield (300) is provided. The needle shield comprises a base (302) fixed to a proximal end of a needle, and an enclosure housing (304) initially disposed at a distal end of the needle, and enclosing the end of the needle. A hinged arm (306) connects the base (302) and the enclosure housing (304). The enclosure housing (304) is slidable along the needle length, and the hinged arm (306) flexes to permit the enclosure housing (304) to move along the needle as the needle is inserted into a user, thereby hiding the needle end, and providing support to the needle to avoid bends or buckles in the needle. The hinged arm (306) is biases in the initial position so that the enclosure housing (304) returns to the end of the needle as the needle is withdrawn.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a safety shield for a needle that includes a base member fixed to a proximal end of the needle. The safety shield further includes an enclosure housing that is adapted to contact the skin of a patient and to guide the needle into the patient during insertion, and that is movably connected to the needle and slidable along the length of the needle.
A first arm hinged to the base member and extending axially from the needle, together with a second arm hinged to the first arm, biases the enclosure housing toward the distal end of the needle. In another embodiment, a curved biasing arm formed as a single member and curved and flexible along its entire length biases the enclosure housing toward the distal end of the needle.
The biasing arrangement causes the enclosure housing to auto-retract toward the distal end of the needle during withdrawal, thereby keeping the needle tip hidden. The biasing is used to displace buckling load away from the needle to reduce bending, buckling, and kinking. The safety shield also includes a locking mechanism to prevent the enclosure housing from sliding proximally from the distal end of the needle after a first use.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims, each defining a safety shield for a needle with a proximal base, a distal enclosure housing that contacts patient skin and guides needle insertion, and a biasing arrangement that biases the enclosure housing toward the distal end; one claim further adds a locking mechanism to prevent proximal sliding after first use. The claims cover three inventive features.
Hinged axially extending arm biasing a distal enclosure housing
A safety shield for a needle comprising a base member fixed to a proximal end of a needle, a first arm hinged to the base member and extending axially from the needle, and a second arm hinged to the first arm and to an enclosure housing movably connected to a portion of the needle distal to the proximal end of the needle and slidable along the length of the needle; the enclosure housing is adapted to contact the skin of a patient and guide the needle into the patient during insertion, and the first and second arm bias the enclosure housing toward the distal end of the needle.
Snap hook locking mechanism preventing proximal enclosure sliding after first use
A safety shield for a needle of the hinged arm configuration further comprising a locking mechanism to prevent the enclosure housing from sliding proximally from the distal end of the needle after a first use; the locking mechanism comprises a snap hook member surrounding the needle and located adjacent to the base prior to first use, with a plurality of barbs oriented inwardly and proximally and biased against the needle.
Curved flexible single-member biasing arm
A safety shield for a needle comprising a base member fixed to a proximal end of a needle, a curved biasing arm formed as a single member that is curved and flexible along its entire length and connected to the base member and to an enclosure housing movably connected to a portion of the needle distal to the proximal end of the needle and slidable along the length of the needle; the enclosure housing is adapted to contact the skin of a patient and guide the needle into the patient during insertion, and the curved biasing arm biases the enclosure housing toward the distal end of the needle.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage centers on an enclosure housing that is slidable along the needle and contacts patient skin to guide insertion, combined with a biasing structure that biases the enclosure housing toward the distal end. One claim family further includes a snap hook with inwardly oriented barbs to prevent proximal sliding after first use.
Stated Advantages
keeps the needle tip hidden during withdrawal by biasing the enclosure housing toward the distal end of the needle
displaces buckling load to reduce bending, buckling, and kinking
prevents re-use by locking the enclosure housing so it does not slide proximally after a first use
Documented Applications
pen needle application is described
single-sided patient end safety is described
during insertion into a patient, the enclosure housing contacts the skin of a patient and guides the needle into the patient
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