Hypodermic syringe having a protective sheath cover

• US 4,636,201 A
• Filed: 11/01/1985
• Issued: 01/13/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Du Pont De Nemours (Belgium) Bvba (DuPont de Nemours, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: American Hospital Supply Corp. (Baxter International Inc.)
• Inventors: Ambrose, William A., Garcia, Fernando A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Application Number:
  US06/793,878
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 604/263, 604/192, 604/193, 604/187
• US Class Current: 604/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3204 Needle cap remover, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices

Abstract

Described is a hypodermic syringe which includes provision for a rigid sheath cover or sleeve which encompasses the rubber needle cover and provides protection in the operating mode as well as other advantages. The rubber needle cover is placed over the needle and provides a sterile barrier for the needle after the syringe unit is sterilized.

The sheath cover can be made of plastic and includes a plurality of teeth spaced about the opening of the cover. At least some of the teeth have a small lip projecting inwardly from the end of the teeth toward the center of the opening. When the rigid sleeve is inserted over the rubber needle cover, the lips slip over the cover to grip it so that when the sleeve is removed, the rubber cover is retained within the sleeve and the two are removed together. After the medicament is administered, the needle cover and sheath are replaced. In the event the needle pierces the rubber needle cover, the sheath prevents the needle from protruding, thereby providing protection for the user. The sheath cover also protects the rubber sleeve from light thereby preventing cracking.

Claims

1. A rigid sheath cover adapted to be placed over a hypodermic syringe needle cover, the sheath cover comprising:

a hollow tubular body having a closed end and an opposing open end;

a plurality of spaced teeth projecting outwardly from the tubular body to form the open end;

the sheath cover being substantially coextensive in length with the length of the needle cover;

a lip on the end of at least two of the teeth projecting inwardly toward the center of the opening in the open end formed by the projecting teeth;

said spaced teeth and lips being adapted to grip the needle cover when the sheath is placed over the needle cover whereby the needle cover is removed together with the sheath when the sheath is removed from the hypodermic syringe and is retained within the sheath when the sheath and needle cover are replaced on the syringe.

2. The sheath cover of claim 1 wherein at least three of the spaced teeth, arranged in an opposing relationship, include a lip.

3. The sheath cover of claim 1 wherein said cover includes six spaced projecting teeth, each alternate tooth including a lip.

4. The sheath cover of claim 3 wherein the surface of said cover is adapted to receive imprinting.

5. The sheath cover of claim 4 wherein said cover is molded of a styrene plastic.

6. A hypodermic syringe comprising a barrel including a needle hub at one end thereof together with a projecting shoulder;

a needle molded into the hub and projecting outwardly from the barrel;

a plunger slideably engageable with the inside of the barrel;

a needle cover positioned over the needle and sealingly engaging the shoulder on the barrel to provide a sterile barrier for the needle after the syringe is sterilized; and

a rigid sheath cover positioned over the needle cover, the sheath cover comprising a hollow tubular body having a closed end and an opposing open end;

a plurality of spaced teeth projecting outwardly from the tubular body to form the open end;

a lip on the end of at least two of the teeth and projecting inwardly toward the center of the opening in the open end formed by the projecting teeth;

said spaced teeth and lips being adapted to grip the needle cover when the sheath is placed over the needle cover whereby the needle cover is removed together with the sheath when the sheath is removed from the hypodermic syringe and is retained within the sheath when the sheath and needle cover are replaced on the syringe.

7. The hypodermic syringe of claim 6 wherein said sheath cover includes at least three spaced teeth having a lip thereon, said teeth arranged in an opposing relationship.

8. The hypodermic syringe of claim 7 wherein said sheath cover includes six spaced, projecting teeth, each alternate tooth including a lip.