Catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system

• US 20040019329A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy J. Erskine
• Original Assignee: Timothy J. Erskine
• Inventors: Erskine, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,344,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3232 Semi-automatic needle retraction, i.e. in which triggering of the needle retraction requires a deliberate action by the user, e.g. manual release of spring-biased retraction means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3269 guided by means not coaxially aligned with syringe barrel, e.g. channel-like member formed on exterior surface of syringe barrel for guiding a pushing rod connected to and displacing needle safety sheath

Abstract

A catheter-advancement actuated needle retraction system is disclosed herein. The invention includes a generally hollow barrel that houses a needle hub, which can include a flashback chamber. A needle is affixed to the distal end of the needle hub and is aligned to extend through an opening in the distal end of the barrel. The needle extends through a catheter hub and catheter affixed to the catheter hub. A spring is disposed in the barrel lumen to cooperate with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel. A latch actuator is releasably engaged with the catheter hub. A latch which cooperates with the latch actuator is movable between one position which maintains the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and a second position allowing the spring to urge the needle hub to the proximal end of the barrel. A mechanism may be provided to cushion the needle hub as it contacts the proximal end of the barrel by the force of the spring.

Claims

1. A needle assembly comprising:

a barrel defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end defining an opening extending therethrough;

a needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end affixed to the proximal end of the needle, the needle hub disposed with respect to the barrel such that the sharp distal tip of the needle initially extends distally of the distal end of the barrel;

a spring cooperating with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel;

a latch pivotable between a first position and a second position wherein, in the first position, the latch connects the barrel and the needle hub to maintain the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and, in the second position, the latch disengages the barrel and the needle hub such that the needle hub succumbs to the urging of the spring.

2. The needle assembly of claim 1 further comprising a latch actuator with a proximal end and a distal end slidably mounted with respect to the barrel such that movement of the latch actuator causes the latch to rotate from the first position to the second position.

3. The needle assembly of claim 1 wherein the latch is rotatably connected to the barrel.

4. A needle introducer assembly comprising:

a barrel defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end defining a distal wall with an opening extending therethrough;

a needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end affixed to the proximal end of the needle, the needle hub disposed in the barrel lumen such that the sharp distal tip of the needle initially extends distally of the distal wall of the barrel through the opening;

a spring cooperating with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel;

a latch operably engaged with the barrel to initially contact and hold the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and to be movable to a position away from contact with the needle hub;

a latch actuator with a proximal end and a distal end slidably mounted with respect to the barrel whereby movement of the latch actuator causes the latch to release the needle hub from its position adjacent to the distal end of the barrel; and

means for cushioning the proximal end of the needle hub when the needle hub is retracted against the proximal end of the barrel.

5. A method of protecting a needle comprising:

providing a catheter and needle introducer assembly including;

a barrel defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening extending therethrough;

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter hub affixed to the proximal end of the catheter and selectively disposed near to the distal end of the barrel;

a needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end affixed to the proximal end of the needle, the needle hub being positioned with respect to the barrel lumen such that the sharp distal tip of the needle initially extends distally of the barrel coaxially within the catheter;

a spring operably engaged to the needle hub, urging the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel; and

a latch, operably engaged with the barrel and the needle hub, pivotable between a first position and a second position wherein, in the first position, the latch connects the barrel and the needle hub to maintain the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and, in the second position, the latch disengages the barrel and the needle hub such that the needle hub succumbs to the urging of the spring;

rotating the latch from the first position to the second position; and

displacing sharp distal tip of the needle into the barrel lumen.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising sliding a latch actuator with respect to the barrel to cause the latch to rotate.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the latch actuator is connected to the catheter hub, and further comprising moving the catheter hub to cause the latch actuator to slide.

8. The method of claim 7 where in the catheter hub is removable attached to latch actuator, further comprising detaching the catheter hub from the latch actuator.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising cushioning the needle hub as it is retracted against the proximal end of the barrel.

10. The method of claim 5 further comprising cushioning the needle hub as it is retracted against the proximal end o f the barrel.