Retractable safety needle
First Claim
1. A retractable safety needle apparatus comprising:
- a needle holder having an open proximal end, a distal end and a substantially tubular side wall extending between said ends, a distal end wall extending inwardly from said tubular side wall at said distal end of said needle holder and having a needle aperture extending therethrough, an actuating aperture formed through said side wall of said needle holder;
a needle assembly non-rotatably disposed in said needle holder for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position, said needle assembly having a distal needle cannula projecting through said needle aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said distal needle cannula being disposed entirely within said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said proximal position;
a spring extending between said distal wall of said needle holder and a portion of said needle assembly for biasing said needle assembly to said proximal position; and
an actuator movable with said needle assembly and deflectable relative to said needle holder, said actuator being releasably engaged in said actuating aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said actuator being selectively deflectable out of engagement with said needle holder permitting said spring to propel said needle assembly to said proximal position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable safety needle apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a needle holder with opposite proximal and distal ends. A needle assembly is mounted in the needle holder for movement from a first position where a distal cannula projects distally beyond the needle holder and a second position where the distal cannula is entirely within the needle holder. A spring is provided for propelling the needle assembly proximally and into the second position. The needle assembly includes a deflectable actuator for releasably holding the needle assembly in the first position and against the biasing forces of the spring. Portions of the needle holder adjacent the distal end are tapered to facilitate alignment of the needle assembly and to provide visual cues for proper orientation and gripping locations.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A retractable safety needle apparatus comprising:
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a needle holder having an open proximal end, a distal end and a substantially tubular side wall extending between said ends, a distal end wall extending inwardly from said tubular side wall at said distal end of said needle holder and having a needle aperture extending therethrough, an actuating aperture formed through said side wall of said needle holder;
a needle assembly non-rotatably disposed in said needle holder for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position, said needle assembly having a distal needle cannula projecting through said needle aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said distal needle cannula being disposed entirely within said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said proximal position;
a spring extending between said distal wall of said needle holder and a portion of said needle assembly for biasing said needle assembly to said proximal position; and
an actuator movable with said needle assembly and deflectable relative to said needle holder, said actuator being releasably engaged in said actuating aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said actuator being selectively deflectable out of engagement with said needle holder permitting said spring to propel said needle assembly to said proximal position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A retractable safety needle apparatus comprising:
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a needle holder having an open proximal end, a distal end and a substantially tubular side wall extending between said ends, a distal end wall extending inwardly from said tubular side wall at said distal end of said needle holder and having a needle aperture extending therethrough, portions of said side wall in proximity to said distal end including opposed top and bottom panels converging toward one another at locations closer to the distal end, recessed side panels extending between said top and bottom panels, an actuating aperture formed through said side wall of said needle holder at a location substantially symmetrically aligned with said top panel;
a needle assembly non-rotatably disposed in said needle holder for axial movement between a proximal position and a distal position, said needle assembly having a distal needle cannula with a beveled distal end projecting through said needle aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said distal needle cannula being disposed entirely within said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said proximal position;
a spring extending between said distal wall of said needle holder and a portion of said needle assembly for biasing said needle assembly to said proximal position; and
an actuator movable with said needle assembly and deflectable relative to said needle holder, said actuator having an outwardly extending actuator button symmetrical with said beveled distal end of said distal needle cannula and facing in substantially a common direction as said beveled distal end, said actuator button being releasably engaged in said actuating aperture of said needle holder when said needle assembly is in said distal position, said actuator button being selectively deflectable out of engagement with said needle holder, thereby permitting said spring to propel said needle assembly to said proximal position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification