Needle tip shielding device and fixing arrangement
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9844646-B2
Publication Date
2017-12-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A closed IV catheter system, includes a needle shield assembly positioned proximally of a catheter hub and distally of the needle hub. The needle shield assembly cooperates with the catheter hub on the outer circumferential and peripheral surface of the catheter hub. The needle shield adds additional length and width to the closed IV catheter system. An improved manufacturing process with unique materials is also presented.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to an IV catheter system having a catheter hub with a septum proximal of a catheter hub cavity and an end cavity proximal of the septum. A needle hub is arranged in the catheter hub such that the needle slides through the septum and within the lumen of the catheter hub, and the needle may be withdrawn proximally from the catheter hub. The system further includes a needle shield that is arranged to be entirely housed in the end cavity in a retained manner through direct interaction between the needle shield and an inner wall of the catheter hub body in the end cavity, and onto the needle.
In the assembled state, the needle shield comprises at least one resilient arm extending distally from a base plate with a through hole for receiving the needle. The at least one arm rests upon and is spring loaded by the needle, and the needle is slidingly arranged within the through hole of the base plate. When the needle hub is withdrawn, a bulge of the needle interacts with the base plate to release the needle shield from the catheter hub, while the at least one arm covers a tip of the needle, and the septum provides a seal.
This release mechanism thereby forms a closed system in a released state, with the needle shield remaining on the needle tip. The disclosure also addresses dimensional and fit/release behavior and includes material options for the plastic needle shield and catheter hub, including polycarbonate and copolymers of polycarbonate and polyester, with a focus on improving the interaction at mating surfaces to address an attraction effect by using different polymer materials at mating surfaces.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, each centered on a retained needle shield that is released in a controlled manner when the needle hub is withdrawn to form a closed system.
Retained, end-cavity housed needle shield with septum seal during needle withdrawal
The needle shield is entirely housed in the end cavity in a retained manner through direct interaction between the needle shield and an inner wall of the catheter hub body in said end cavity, and onto the needle, such that the at least one arm rests upon and is spring loaded by the needle, and the needle is slidingly arranged within the through hole of the base plate; wherein the bulge interacts with the base plate when the needle hub is withdrawn to release the needle shield from the catheter hub and with the at least one arm covering a tip of the needle while the septum provides a seal, thereby forming a closed system in a released state.
Catheter hub end-cavity release mechanism forming a closed system in released state
The needle shield is arranged to be entirely housed in the end cavity in a retained manner through direct interaction between the needle shield and an inner wall of the catheter hub body in said end cavity, and onto the needle, such that the at least one arm rests upon and is spring loaded by the needle, and the needle is slidingly arranged within the through hole of the base plate, in an assembled state; wherein the bulge interacts with the base plate when the needle hub is withdrawn from the catheter hub to release the needle shield from the catheter hub and with the at least one arm covering a tip of the needle while the septum provides a seal, thereby forming a closed system in a released state.
Across both independent claims, the core inventive coverage is the same: a needle shield retained in an end cavity and released by interaction of a needle bulge with a base plate during proximal needle withdrawal, while resilient arms cover the needle tip and a septum provides sealing to form a closed system in a released state.
Stated Advantages
Improved fit/release behavior of the needle shield.
Dimensional advantages.
Manufacturing/cost advantages.
Improved interaction at mating surfaces by addressing an attraction effect using different polymer materials.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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