Filter needle
Inventors
Assignees
Publication Number
US-8002751-B2
Publication Date
2011-08-23
Expiration Date
2027-10-17
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Abstract
A single in-line filter hollow needle has an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end with a pointed tip and a central opening between the ends for communicating fluids therethrough. The proximal end is secured to a luer lock for removable connection to a syringe. A filter is located in the central opening proximate to the tip. The outer wall of the needle has a frangible deformation proximate to the filter and remote from the end of the needle whereby the needle may be broken to expose a fresh point after fluid is aspirated through the needle to the syringe is filtered.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a single in-line filtering needle having an outer wall, a proximal end secured to a luer lock for removable connection to a syringe, and a distal end with a pointed tip and a central opening for fluid communication. A filter is located in the central opening proximate to the tip to filter contaminants such as glass debris when withdrawing fluids. A frangible deformation is formed on the outer wall of the needle proximate to the filter and remote from the end, allowing the needle to be broken to expose a fresh piercing point after fluid is aspirated through the filter.
This device addresses the problem of filtering debris, such as glass shards, from drugs aspirated from glass ampoules. Known devices require multiple steps involving two separate needles: one with a filter for aspirating and one without a filter for dispensing. These multi-step procedures are cumbersome, increase bio-hazard waste and risk of needle stick injuries, and increase cost. The invention provides a single-step, disposable injection device that integrates filtering and administration functions into one needle, improving safety, reducing bio-hazard and waste volume, and lowering costs.
The needle has an integral shaft with a central passageway for fluid communication, a filter positioned near the sharp distal tip, and a frangible deformation formed proximally and upstream of the filter. After aspirating the liquid through the filter into the syringe, the needle shaft can be fractured at the deformation by applying lateral forces transferred through a flexible cover. This breaks off the contaminated distal portion with the filter and sharp tip, exposing a fresh sharp end for dispensing the filtered liquid, thereby enabling single-step fluid aspiration and dispensing with improved safety and efficiency.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains two independent claims covering a method of using a disposable injection device and the disposable injection device itself. There are two inventive features described, focusing on the method steps and the structural elements of the device.
Method of using a disposable injection device with frangible needle and filter
The method involves aspirating liquid through a cylindrical needle having a proximal inlet and distal outlet with a filter near the distal end and a frangible deformation in the outer surface. The liquid is filtered while aspirated, then the needle is broken at the frangible deformation by applying shear forces transferred via a resilient cover enclosing the deformation, separating the distal portion with the filter and forming a fresh piercing point for dispensing.
Disposable injection device with integrated filter, frangible deformation, and resilient cover
The device comprises a cylindrical needle having an integral shaft with a proximal inlet, distal outlet with a sharp point, and a central passageway, a luer lock for connection to a syringe, a filter positioned near the distal sharp point for filtering contaminants, a frangible deformation formed proximate and upstream of the filter on the needle's outer surface, and an elongated resilient flexible cover enclosing the needle and frangible deformation. The cover transfers applied force to the needle to break it at the deformation, separating the contaminated distal portion and exposing a fresh sharp point for dispensing.
These inventive features enable safe filtering of contaminated liquids and single-step switching to dispensing through a fresh sharp point after breaking the needle at a frangible deformation, reducing steps, bio-hazard risks, and waste.
Stated Advantages
Reduces complexity and cumbersomeness by integrating filtering and dispensing functions into a single needle, allowing single-step operation without external attachments.
Improves safety for health care providers by minimizing needle handling, reducing needle stick injury risk, and enclosing broken contaminated needle portions in a resilient cover during disposal.
Decreases bio-hazard waste volume by eliminating the need for multiple needles in the filtering and dispensing process.
Lowers cost by reducing the number of needles and equipment required for drug administration.
Documented Applications
Filtering debris, such as glass shards, from drugs aspirated from glass ampoules by insertion of the needle into the ampoule neck and aspirating filtered liquid into a syringe.
Dispensing the filtered liquid from the syringe into an IV bag or patient by using a fresh sharp end of the needle formed after breaking at the frangible deformation.
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