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Publication Number
US-9302077-B2
Publication Date
2016-04-05
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention discloses a catheter instrument 1000 comprising a needle tip shielding device 100. The needle tip shielding device 100 is comprising a body with a rear side 106, a front side 107, an outer surface 108 connecting the rear side 106 and the front side 107, a hole 102 extending from the rear side 106 to the front side 107, a resilient arm 103 extending at an attachment point 105 from the front side 107 of the body, and a longitudinal arm 112. The resilient arm 103 has a resting state, from which it may be forced to yield free passage through the hole 102 in an axial direction of the body. The resilient arm 103 is adapted for protecting a needle tip 304 of a hollow needle 303 extending through the hole 102 in a direction from the rear side 106 to the front side 07, when the resilient arm 103 is in the resting state. The resilient arm 103 has one external point of contact, the point of contact being a contact with the hollow needle 303 when the hollow needle 303 is in a forward position. The longitudinal arm 112 has one external contact point, the contact point being a contact with the hollow needle 303 when the hollow needle 303 is in a forward position. Any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole 102 in the axial direction of the body coincides with the resilient arm 103, when the resilient arm 103 is in the resting state.
Core Innovation
The invention describes a plastic needle tip shielding device for use inside a catheter hub, where the catheter hub has a proximal end and a distal end. The device includes a body with a rear side, a front side, and an outer surface connecting the rear side and the front side. The body defines a hole extending from the rear side to the front side, configured to receive a needle therethrough, and defining a longitudinal axis through the body.
The device further includes a resilient arm extending from an attachment point on the front side of the body, with a proximal end attached to the attachment point and a distal end spaced away from the proximal end. The resilient arm has a resting state, from which it may be forced to yield free passage through the hole in the axial direction, and the resilient arm is adapted for protecting or clamping a needle tip of the needle extending through the hole. A longitudinal arm is attached to the distal end of the resilient arm.
In addition, the device includes at least one protuberance defined on the outer surface of the body. The at least one protuberance contacts an inner wall portion of the catheter hub to make at least one imprint, and the protuberance inserted in a corresponding imprint is configured to restrict movement of the needle tip shielding device in the catheter hub. The attachment point is positioned radially outwardly from the hole, and straight imaginary lines extending through the hole in the axial direction coincide with the resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Claims Coverage
The document provides one independent claim directed to the structural and functional configuration of a plastic needle tip shielding device inside a catheter hub. Dependent claims refine geometry and materials, including protuberance/imprint quantity, angular and dimensional constraints, resilient arm back-hooking/L-shaped features, and selection of plastic polymers.
Plastic needle tip shielding device with hole, resilient arm resting-state clamping
A plastic needle tip shielding device for use inside a catheter hub, the device comprising a body with a hole configured to receive a needle therethrough, and a resilient arm extending from an attachment point, the resilient arm having a resting state in which it protects or clamps a needle tip, and being adapted to yield free passage through the hole in the axial direction.
Outer protuberance and imprint to restrict device movement in catheter hub
At least one protuberance defined on the outer surface of the body contacts an inner wall portion of the catheter hub to make at least one imprint, and the at least one protuberance inserted in the at least one corresponding imprint is configured to restrict movement of the needle tip shielding device in the catheter hub.
Radially outward attachment point and alignment of resilient arm with hole axial imaginary line
The attachment point is positioned radially outwardly from the hole, and any straight imaginary line extending through the hole in the axial direction coincides with the resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Overall claim coverage centers on a plastic needle tip shielding device that uses a hole-receiving body with a resilient arm that yields for passage and then protects or clamps the needle tip in a resting state, combined with outer protuberances that form imprints to restrict movement within the catheter hub.
Stated Advantages
Reduced scraping vibration and particle release compared to metal spring clips.
Improved protection against blood/body-fluid drops.
Reduced internal scratches and loose particles during withdrawal.
Low-cost manufacturability via molding as an integral piece.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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