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Publication Number
US-9844647-B2
Publication Date
2017-12-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
A spring clip needle tip shielding device for arrangement in a catheter hub of an intravenous catheter assembly is provided. The spring clip needle tip shielding device comprises a base plate with a hole extending therethrough and at least one resilient arm extending at an attachment point at said base plate. The at least one resilient arm has a resting state, from which it may be urged to yield free passage through said hole in an axial direction of said base plate in a tension state, said at least one resilient arm being adapted for clamping a needle tip of a needle extending through said hole when said resilient arm is in said resting state. Any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through said hole in the axial direction of said base plate coincides with said at least one resilient arm when said resilient arm is in said resting state of said body. The spring clip needle tip shielding device is of a rigid material, and at least a part thereof is coated with a solid lubricant. A catheter assembly including such shielding device is also provided.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a spring clip needle tip shielding device arranged in a catheter hub of an intravenous catheter assembly. The device includes a base plate with a hole extending therethrough and at least one resilient arm extending at an attachment point at the base plate. The resilient arm has a resting state configured to be urged to yield free passage through the hole in an axial direction in a tension state, and the resilient arm is adapted for clamping a needle tip of a needle extending through the hole when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
The device further includes a solid coating disposed on a contact region of the base plate or the at least one resilient arm. The solid coating on the contact region is configured to contact an inner surface of the catheter hub, and any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole coincides with the at least one resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state. The spring clip needle tip shielding device is of a rigid material.
The spring clip needle tip shielding device is arranged inside an interior cavity of the catheter hub, and the needle is arranged through the hole with the resilient arms being urged into a tension state by the needle shaft. The needle hub is connected to the proximal end of the catheter hub, and the needle shaft is arranged in a lumen of the catheter in a ready position.
The coating materials include polymeric, fluoropolymer, and other solid lubricants, including PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). The document also describes stabilizing retention through a central portion/traverse segment and releasing or loosening retention by reduced contact or friction overcome by central displacement, with the guard addressing metal-on-plastic scraping effects such as chips/particles and audible vibration.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims, covering the spring clip needle tip shielding device and a catheter instrument that includes the device together with a catheter unit and a needle unit. Across the independent claims, the core inventive features are the base plate with through-hole, resilient arms with a resting tension state that yields and clamps, alignment through the hole, and a solid coating configured to contact the inner surface of the catheter hub.
Spring clip needle tip shielding device with base plate hole and resilient arm clamping in resting tension state
A base plate with a hole extending therethrough; at least one resilient arm extending at an attachment point at the base plate; the resilient arm has a resting state configured to be urged to yield free passage through the hole in an axial direction of the base plate in a tension state; the resilient arm is adapted for clamping a needle tip of a needle extending through the hole when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Solid coating configured to contact inner surface of catheter hub
A solid coating disposed on a contact region of the base plate or the at least one resilient arm, where the solid coating on the contact region is configured to contact an inner surface of the catheter hub.
Alignment of resilient arm with any straight imaginary line through the hole
Any straight imaginary line extending longitudinally through the hole in the axial direction of the base plate coincides with the at least one resilient arm when the resilient arm is in the resting state.
Rigid material spring clip needle tip shielding device
The spring clip needle tip shielding device is of a rigid material.
Catheter instrument with shielding device arranged inside catheter hub interior cavity
A catheter instrument comprising a spring clip needle tip shielding device including a base plate with a hole and at least one resilient arm; a catheter unit; and a needle unit; the catheter unit comprises a catheter hub and a catheter extending distally from the catheter hub, with a lumen being in flow communication with an interior cavity of the catheter hub; the needle unit comprises a needle hub and a needle with a needle shaft and a needle tip; the needle hub is connected to the proximal end of the catheter hub; the needle shaft is arranged in the lumen of the catheter in a ready position; the spring clip needle tip shielding device is arranged inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub; the needle is arranged through the hole with the resilient arms being urged into its tension state by the needle shaft.
Solid coating disposed on contact region contacting inner surface in the catheter instrument
The spring clip needle tip shielding device includes a solid coating disposed on a contact region of the base plate or the at least one resilient arm, and the solid coating on the contact region being configured to contact an inner surface of the catheter hub.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a rigid spring clip needle tip shielding device with a through-hole and resilient arms that yield to allow passage and then clamp the needle tip in a resting tension state, with alignment through the hole and a solid coating on contact regions configured to contact the inner surface of the catheter hub. The catheter instrument claim integrates this device by arranging it inside the catheter hub interior cavity, with the needle shaft urging the resilient arms into the tension state in a ready position.
Stated Advantages
Addresses hazards from metal-on-plastic scraping by including a solid lubricant coating on surfaces contacting the catheter hub/needle.
Mitigates metal-on-plastic effects such as chips/particles and audible vibration.
Provides stabilization/retaining contact via a central portion/traverse segment, and loosening/release behavior enabled by central displacement.
Documented Applications
Used as a spring clip needle tip shielding device arranged in a catheter hub of an intravenous catheter assembly.
Included in a catheter instrument comprising a catheter unit and a needle unit, with the shielding device arranged inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub in a ready position.
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