Retractable needle medical device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge

• US 20040249358A1
• Filed: 06/08/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Robert T. Mcwethy, Thor R. Halseth
• Original Assignee: John Barker, Michael J. Botich, Robert T. Mcwethy, Thor R. Halseth
• Inventors: Barker, John, Botich, Michael J., Halseth, Thor R., McWethy, Robert T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,458,962 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/506
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3263 Trigger provided at the distal end, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3257 Semi-automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve extension requires a deliberate action by the user, e.g. manual release of spring-biased extension means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/326 Fully automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3271 with guiding tracks for controlled sliding of needle protective sleeve from needle exposing to needle covering position

Abstract

A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Claims

1. A method for injecting medication from a medical device having a needle with a sharpened tip, comprising the steps of:

piercing a patient with the needle;

injecting fluid into the patient;

retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip is shielded against inadvertent contact;

releasably locking the needle in the retracted position;

re-extending the needle so that the sharpened tip is exposed;

piercing the patient a second time with the needle;

retracting the needle a second time so that the sharpened tip is shielded against inadvertent contact; and

permanently locking the needle in a retracted position to prevent further axial displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted the second time.

2. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of providing a biasing element for displacing the needle rearwardly during the retracting steps.

3. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of providing a pre-filled cartridge, wherein the step of the injecting comprises injecting fluid from the cartridge.

4. The method of claim 1 comprising the step of providing a lock for releasably retaining the needle in a projecting position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use.

5. A medical device, comprising:

a hollow housing having an open rearward end for receiving a cartridge containing fluid;

a needle having a sharpened tip in fluid communication with the cartridge;

a first lock releasably retaining the needle in a projecting position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use;

a second lock releasably retaining the needle in a retracted position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is shielded against inadvertent contact;

a third lock substantially permanently retaining the needle in a retracted position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is shielded against inadvertent contact, wherein the lock substantially permanently impedes axial displacement of the needle; and

a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly.

6. The medical device of claim 5 comprising a manually operable actuator for releasing the first lock to actuate retraction of the needle into displacement with the second lock.

7. The medical device of claim 6 comprising a second manually operable actuator for releasing the first lock to actuate retraction of the needle into displacement with the third lock.

8. A method for injecting medication from a medical device having a needle with a sharpened tip, comprising the steps of:

piercing a patient with the needle;

injecting fluid from a first cartridge into the patient;

retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip is shielded against inadvertent contact;

releasably locking the needle in the retracted position;

replacing the cartridge with a second cartridge containing fluid;

re-extending the needle so that the sharpened tip is exposed;

injecting fluid from the second cartridge into the patient; and

retracting the needle a second time so that the sharpened tip is shielded against inadvertent contact.

9. The method of claim 8 comprising the step of providing a biasing element for displacing the needle rearwardly during the retracting steps.

10. The method of claim 8 comprising the step of permanently locking the needle in a retracted position to prevent further axial displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted the second time.

11. The method of claim 8 comprising the step of releasably locking the needle in a projection position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use.

12. A medical device, comprising:

a hollow barrel having an open rearward end;

a cartridge containing a quantity of fluid;

an inner housing slidably displaceable within the barrel, and having an opening for receiving the cartridge;

a needle having a sharpened tip in fluid communication with the cartridge;

an axially displaceable plunger operable to expel fluid from the cartridge;

a first lock releasably retaining the needle in a projecting position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use;

a second lock releasably retaining the needle in a retracted position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is shielded against inadvertent contact; and

a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly.

13. The medical device of claim 12 comprising a manually operable actuator for releasing the first lock to actuate retraction of the needle into displacement with the second lock.

14. The medical device of claim 12 comprising a third lock substantially permanently retaining the needle in a retracted position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is shielded against inadvertent contact, wherein the lock substantially permanently impedes axial displacement of the needle.

15. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the plunger is connected to the inner housing.

16. The medical device of claim 12 comprising a guide for impeding rotation of the housing relative to the barrel during retraction.

17. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the guide comprises a groove on one of the barrel and the housing and a follower on the other of the barrel and the housing that is co-operable with the groove.

18. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the needle is attached to the housing in both the projecting position and the retracted position.

19. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the first lock comprises;

a radially deformable latch connected to one of the and the housing; and

an opening configured to cooperate with the latch on the other end of the barrel and the housing.

20. The medical device of claim 12 wherein the plunger is connected to one of the barrel and the housing, and the cartridge can be removed and replaced with another cartridge without detaching the plunger.