Filtering needle cap having a sleeve sealing around a needle
Inventors
Carr, Sue E. • Delgado, Jessie • Browka, Edward • McCall, JR., Charles E. • Foshee, David L.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-9669164-B2
Publication Date
2017-06-06
Expiration Date
2034-05-19
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Abstract
A filtered needle for use in administering a liquid payload, including a needle and connector portion and a filtering needle cap. The filtering needle cap including a distal open end in fluid communication via an internal channel with a proximal open end of the filtering needle cap. The filtering needle cap proximal end sized to receive the distal end of the hub within the proximal end of the filtering needle cap to reversibly engage the hub when needle distal end is inserted into the internal channel. The filtering needle cap including a filter element and a seal to seal around an outside diameter of the hollow needle so that liquid payload is drawn into the lumen in the hollow needle as liquid payload is filtered and drawn into the fluid fitting. The filtering needle cap is designed to limit a dead volume of liquid payload drawn into the filtering needle cap but not entering into the distal end of the hollow needle.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a filtered needle designed for safely administering liquid payloads such as pharmaceuticals that require filtration prior to administration. The filtered needle comprises a needle and connector portion including a hollow needle with a distal end opening into a lumen and a hub, combined with a filtering needle cap that has distal and proximal open ends connected by an internal channel. The filtering needle cap is sized to reversibly engage the distal end of the hub, allowing the needle distal end to be inserted into the internal channel.
The filtering needle cap incorporates a filter element that removes debris from the liquid payload as the liquid is drawn through the cap into the hollow needle lumen. Importantly, the cap includes a seal around the outside diameter of the hollow needle to ensure liquid payload is drawn into the needle lumen during syringe operation, preventing air from entering. The seal is positioned toward the distal end of the hollow needle to minimize dead volume of liquid drawn into the cap that does not enter the needle lumen.
The problem addressed by this invention is the presence of debris such as glass shards or sediment in liquid pharmaceuticals, typically stored in sealed glass ampoules, when the ampoules are opened. Prior methods include two-step filtering processes that are complex, costly, and pose contamination risks, or one-step processes requiring specially fabricated frangible needles that are difficult to manufacture and may generate debris themselves. The invention aims to provide an inexpensive, reliable, and safer filtering system for liquids before delivery, minimizing liquid loss and contamination risk through an integrated filtering needle cap that forms a seal with the needle and includes a filter element.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes two independent claims covering a filtered needle and a method for loading filtered liquid into a syringe with specific inventive features related to design and use.
Filtered needle with filtering needle cap and sealing around hollow needle
A filtered needle comprising a connector portion with a hollow needle and hub, combined with a filtering needle cap including a filter element and seal that seals around the outside diameter of the hollow needle. The filtering needle cap proximal end is sized to reversibly engage the distal end of the hub, allowing the needle distal end to insert into the internal channel, enabling filtered liquid payload to be drawn through the filter into the needle lumen.
Method for loading filtered liquid payload into a syringe with connected hollow needle
A method involving obtaining a syringe attached to a filtered needle comprising a connector portion and filtering needle cap, drawing liquid payload through the filter element into the hollow needle's lumen, removing the filtering needle cap to expose the needle distal end, and delivering the filtered liquid payload. The method maintains the syringe connection to the hub continuously from drawing to delivery and includes steps for managing caps with specific force requirements and use with IV therapy.
The inventive features focus on the structural integration of a sealing filtering needle cap with a hollow needle allowing effective filtration and minimized dead volume, and a method ensuring continuous secure connection while drawing and delivering filtered liquid payload safely and efficiently.
Stated Advantages
Provides an inexpensive and reliable system for filtering liquid payloads before delivery.
Minimizes dead volume of liquid payload drawn into the filtering needle cap but not entering the needle lumen.
Reduces risk of bacterial contamination by maintaining the syringe connected to the filtered needle throughout the liquid drawing and delivery process.
Enables removal and disposal of the filtering needle cap with trapped debris after drawing without affecting the distal needle end used for administration, improving safety and usability.
Documented Applications
Use in safely administering pharmaceuticals requiring filtration before patient delivery.
Veterinary use for animals needing filtered liquid payload administration.
Injection of nutraceuticals and other liquid payloads through filtration prior to delivery.
Application in needle exchange programs to reduce disease spread by providing filtered needles.
Use for filtering blood products such as Prothrombin Complex C (PCC).
Delivery of filtered pharmaceuticals into patients directly or through IV therapy with the needle used optionally with a septum port in intravenous fluid bags.
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