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Publication Number
US-9642989-B2
Publication Date
2017-05-09
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention discloses a catheter instrument 1000 comprising a needle tip shielding device 100, a catheter hub 200 and a needle unit 300, wherein the needle unit 300 is provided with connecting means 301 for connection to the catheter hub 200, and with connecting means 302 for connection to an external device. 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, and a resilient arm 103 extending at an attachment point 105 from the front side 107 of the body; wherein the resilient arm 103 has a resting stale 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 being adapted for clamping 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 107, when being in the resting state.
Core Innovation
A plastic needle tip shielding device includes a body with a rear side, a front side, an outer surface connecting the rear side and the front side, and a hole extending from the rear side to the front side. The outer surface has an outer diameter configured to engage an inner surface of a catheter hub, and a resilient arm is connected to and extends from an attachment point on the front side of the body, with the attachment point located between the outer surface and the hole.
The shielding device further includes at least one protuberance on the outer surface and an elevation about the hole. The resilient arm has a resting state, from which it may be forced to yield free passage through the hole in an axial direction of the body, and it is adapted for clamping a needle tip of a hollow needle extending through the hole from the rear side to the front side when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole in the axial direction of the body coincides with the resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state. The plastic needle tip shielding device includes a thermoplastic polymer.
A catheter instrument is also disclosed that includes a catheter hub and a needle unit, together with the needle tip shielding device. The needle unit includes connecting means for connection to the catheter hub and to an external device, is fixed around a rear end of a hollow needle, and the catheter hub is connected to a catheter extending longitudinally in the same direction as the hollow needle when the needle unit is connected.
Claims Coverage
The document includes three independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features focus on a body with a through-hole, a resilient arm with a resting state that clamps in a defined axial alignment, at least one protuberance and an elevation about the hole, and a catheter instrument combination with a catheter hub and a needle unit using connecting means.
Plastic needle tip shielding device with clamping resilient arm in a resting state
A plastic needle tip shielding device comprising a body with a rear side, a front side, an outer surface connecting the rear side and the front side, and a hole extending from the rear side to the front side; the outer surface having an outer diameter configured to engage an inner surface of a catheter hub; a resilient arm connected to and extending from an attachment point on the front side of the body; the attachment point located between the outer surface and the hole; the resilient arm having a resting state from which it may be forced to yield free passage through the hole in an axial direction of the body; and the resilient arm being adapted for clamping a needle tip of a hollow needle extending through the hole from the rear side to the front side when in the resting state.
Axial alignment of resilient arm with a straight imaginary line through the hole
Any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole in the axial direction of the body coincides with the resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Outer-surface geometry with elevation about the hole and protuberance(s)
The plastic needle tip shielding device comprises at least one protuberance on the outer surface and an elevation about the hole.
Thermoplastic polymer needle tip shielding device
The plastic needle tip shielding device includes a thermoplastic polymer.
Catheter instrument combining catheter hub, needle unit, and the shielding device
A catheter instrument comprising a catheter hub and a needle unit, together with a needle tip shielding device including a body with a rear side, a front side, an outer surface connecting the rear side and the front side, and a hole extending from the rear side to the front side; the outer surface having an outer diameter configured to engage an inner surface of a catheter hub; the resilient arm connected to and extending from an attachment point on the front side of the body; at least one protuberance on the outer surface; and an elevation about the hole; wherein the needle unit is provided with connecting means for connection to the catheter hub and for connection to an external device, and is fixed around a rear end of a hollow needle; and wherein the catheter hub is connected to a catheter extending longitudinally in the same direction as the hollow needle when connected.
Shielding device with body, through-hole, resilient arm, protuberance, and elevation
A shielding device comprising a body with a rear side, a front side, an outer surface connecting the rear side and the front side, and a hole extending from the rear side to the front side; the outer surface having an outer diameter configured to engage an inner surface of a catheter hub; a resilient arm connected to and extending from an attachment point on the front side of the body; at least one protuberance on the outer surface; and an elevation about the hole.
Across the independent claims, the core claim set defines a plastic needle tip shielding device or shielding device having an axial through-hole, an outer surface configured to engage the catheter hub inner surface, and a resilient arm with a resting state that clamps a hollow needle tip while permitting forced yield for free passage. The claims also require a straight imaginary line through the hole to coincide with the resilient arm in the resting state, and include at least one protuberance and an elevation about the hole; the catheter instrument claim additionally combines the shielding device with a catheter hub and a needle unit using connecting means.
Stated Advantages
Minimizing scraping/vibration versus metal spring clips.
Improved drop/blood-fluid shielding.
Reduced loose particle release.
Easy low-cost molding/integration.
Safety mechanisms preventing unintentional detachment and backward drag.
Documented Applications
Used in a catheter instrument where a catheter hub and a needle unit include a needle tip shielding device to clamp a needle tip of a hollow needle when withdrawn.
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