Combined medical device with sliding frontal attachment and retractable needle
Inventors
Shaw, Thomas J • Small, Mark • Zhu, Ni
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12161851-B2
Publication Date
2024-12-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical device having a frontal attachment and a connector housing having at least a body part of an associated medical apparatus, the frontal attachment slidably engaging the connector housing and having a forwardly projecting, rearwardly biased needle and a needle retraction assembly, and the connector housing having a needle retraction cavity laterally offset from the needle in a first position, the needle retraction cavity being selectively movable relative to the frontal attachment following use to reposition the needle retraction cavity into alignment with the needle to permit retraction.
Core Innovation
A medical device includes a frontal attachment and a connector housing that are maintained in closely spaced, laterally slidable relation to each other. A lateral sliding interface is provided along an interface transverse to a longitudinal axis through a forwardly projecting retractable needle, using structural elements connected to at least one of the frontal attachment and connector housing. This arrangement maintains the frontal attachment and connector housing close together while enabling lateral sliding.
The connector housing further includes a needle retraction chamber, a needle retraction cavity, and a connector attachable to an associated medical apparatus. The needle retraction chamber is coaxially aligned with the needle retraction cavity but is laterally offset from the forwardly projecting retractable needle prior to needle retraction, while the connector is coaxially aligned with the forwardly projecting retractable needle prior to needle retraction. A linear fluid flow path is established between the connector and the forwardly projecting needle prior to needle retraction.
At least one stop member restricts lateral sliding motion of the connector housing relative to the frontal attachment sufficiently to prevent accidental separation. A fluid seal disposed between the frontal attachment and the connector housing limits leakage associated with the established linear fluid flow path. The disclosed configuration includes additional features in embodiments, including a locking needle cover/needle cap, and mechanisms that address retraction timing and prevention of reactivation and reuse.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim provides the core coverage. It includes at least four main inventive features: closely spaced frontal attachment and connector housing with a lateral sliding interface transverse to the needle axis, a needle retraction chamber/cavity arrangement that is coaxially aligned with each other but laterally offset from the forwardly projecting needle prior to retraction while the connector is coaxially aligned prior to retraction, a linear fluid flow path between the connector and the forwardly projecting needle prior to retraction, and at least one stop member to prevent accidental separation.
Transversely maintained lateral sliding interface between frontal attachment and connector housing
Maintaining the frontal attachment and connector housing in closely spaced, laterally slidable relation using structural elements to provide a lateral sliding interface that is at all points along the interface transverse to a longitudinal axis through the forwardly projecting retractable needle.
Coaxially aligned but laterally offset needle retraction cavity and chamber arrangement
Providing a needle retraction chamber and a needle retraction cavity that are coaxially aligned with each other but laterally offset from the forwardly projecting retractable needle prior to needle retraction, while the connector is coaxially aligned with the forwardly projecting retractable needle prior to needle retraction.
Linear fluid flow path established prior to needle retraction
Establishing a linear fluid flow path between the connector and the forwardly projecting retractable needle prior to needle retraction.
Stop member restricting lateral sliding to prevent accidental separation
Configuring at least one stop member to restrict lateral sliding motion of the connector housing relative to the frontal attachment sufficiently to prevent accidental separation of the frontal attachment and the connector housing.
The claim coverage centers on a retractable-needle medical device where close lateral sliding is maintained transverse to the needle axis, a coaxial/offset needle retraction cavity and chamber are used to control retraction alignment while the connector remains coaxially aligned before retraction, a linear fluid flow path exists prior to retraction, and a stop member prevents accidental separation between the frontal attachment and the connector housing.
Stated Advantages
Prevents accidental separation of the frontal attachment and the connector housing.
Limits leakage via the fluid seal.
Establishes a linear fluid flow path between the connector and the forwardly projecting needle prior to needle retraction.
Documented Applications
Used as a retractable-needle medical device associated with an IV-catheter insertion device, an infusion set, and/or a fluid collection device, and including connector types such as a luer lock connector.
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