Needle safety device for an intravenous catheter apparatus and method of use

• US 20050277879A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 12/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rishi Baid
• Original Assignee: Universal Patents and Trademarks
• Inventors: Daga, Neha
• Granted Patent: US 7,112,191 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0618 having means for protecting only the distal tip of the needle, e.g. a needle guard
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0693 Flashback chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle

Abstract

A needle safety device for an intravenous catheter apparatus that includes a base capable of receiving a needle into opposing jaws attached to the base and capable of being influenced by the needle. The jaws move between an expanded position which interact with an obstruction within a wing housing of the intravenous catheter apparatus. The jaws permit relative movement of the needle with the base when expanded, close around a needle tip as it passes the jaws, and prevent relative movement of the needle with the base when the jaws are collapsed. The needle of the intravenous catheter apparatus may then be safely disposed with the needle tip within the needle safety device.

Claims

1. A needle safety device for an intravenous catheter apparatus, the needle safety device comprising:

a base capable of receiving a needle;

two opposing jaws attached to the base capable of being influenced by the needle;

the jaws moveable between an expanded position with the effective outer diameter of the jaws increased when a needle is through the jaws and a collapsed position when the needle is not through the jaws;

the jaws permitting relative movement of the needle with the base when expanded, closing around a needle tip, and preventing relative movement of the needle with the base when collapsed.

2. The needle safety device of claim 1 wherein the jaws have a ramp portion adapted to permit movement past an obstruction of the intravenous catheter apparatus when in the expanded position for assembly.

3. The needle safety device of claim 1 wherein the jaws have a side adapted to prevent movement past an obstruction of the intravenous catheter apparatus when in the expanded position.

4. The needle safety device of claim 1 wherein the base receives between 14 to 18 gauge needles.

5. The needle safety device of claim 1 wherein the base receives between 18 to 24 gauge needles.

6. The needle safety device of claim 1 wherein the jaws have a reverse taper adapted to create a barrier against movement of a needle tip once the jaws are moved to the collapsed position.

7. The needle safety device wherein the jaws have a tension ring positively collapsing the jaws.

8. An intravenous catheter apparatus comprising:

a flexible catheter attached to a wing housing;

an inner obstruction within the wing housing;

a needle within the flexible catheter and the wing housing;

a needle safety device having a base and jaws through which the needle passes;

the jaws upon the needle safety device moveable between an expanded position wherein the jaws are outwardly moved by the needle and prevented from movement past the inner obstruction and a collapsed position wherein the jaws close around a needle tip which permits the needle safety device to move past the obstruction while encasing the needle tip.

9. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the jaws have a ramp portion permitting movement of the needle safety device past the obstruction during assembly.

10. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one jaw has a side that prevents movement of the needle safety device past the obstruction when the jaws are expanded.

11. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein at least one jaw has a reverse taper to create a barrier to prevent accidental movement of the needle tip out of the needle safety device.

12. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a needle hub attached to the needle, an abutting chamber within the hub, the needle safety device based fitting within the abutting chamber to align the needle safety device with the needle.

13. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a catheter base within the wing housing, the needle safety device jaws abutting the catheter base to secure the needle safety device for movement within the wing housing.

14. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the obstruction is an annular ring.

15. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the wing housing has an approximately cylindrical tube in which the needle and needle safety device travels.

16. The intravenous catheter apparatus of claim 8 wherein the needle has a flared tip.

17. A method of using an intravenous catheter apparatus having an inner obstruction within the wing housing and a needle safety device that interacts with the inner obstruction, the method comprising:

inserting a needle and catheter into a patient'"'"'s vein;

withdrawing the needle from the patient by grasping a wing housing and pulling upon a need hub opposite a needle tip;

sliding the needle through the needle safety device and placing the needle tip into the needle safety device; and

moving the needle safety device past the inner obstruction.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the obstruction is an annular ring.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the needle safety device is maintained within the wing housing when the jaws upon the needle safety device expand to prevent movement of the needle safety device past the inner obstruction.