Automatic protracting and locking hypodermic needle guard

• US 4,664,654 A
• Filed: 03/07/1986
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eric C. Strauss
• Original Assignee: Eric C. Strauss
• Inventors: Strauss, Eric C.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US06/837,146
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 604/192, 604/197, 604/198
• US Class Current: 604/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3267 Biased sleeves where the needle is uncovered by insertion of the needle into a patient's body
• 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

Abstract

A tool to protect professionals who use hypodermic needles in their work from inadvertent punctures to themselves by contaminated needles comprising a sliding member (16) and a stationary member (28). The first step in using this tool is to retract sliding member (16) by compressing protruding member (24 left and 24 right) together thereby reducing the overall width of (24). (24) is then manipulated into channel (26) and retracted to the point to where leaf (18) can be depressed. The user then allows spring (30) to protract sliding member (16), beveled edge (17) of leaf (18) will then catch in groove (19), the purpose being to expose the tip (41) of tube (42) while maintaining sliding member (16) in an unlocked position. The user can then puncture the outer dermis or layer of the subject without meeting obstruction from sliding member (16). Once the surface of the subject has been punctured, the user advances the needle whereby sliding member (16) is then compressed into stationary member (18), as the needle is advanced and sliding member (16) is compressed, leaf (18) is dislodged from groove (19) and springs back to its original position thus assuring no obstruction to the protraction of sliding member (16) as the needle is withdrawn. When the needle is withdrawn, sliding member (16) protracts back to its original pre-retracted position. As protrusion (24) reaches notch (36), protrusion (24 right) will re-expand to its pre-compressed width and lock into notch (36). As an added safety feature, protrusion (24 right) has a bevel shaped corner (38) that engages with an indentation (37) that is shaped to receive corner (38), thus further assuring that sliding member (16) can not accidently be disengaged from its locked position. Following use, the entire device with the needle safely enclosed, is disposed of in the proper receptacle.

Claims

1. A device, comprising a sectional shield that encloses a hypodermic needle and includes an outer member that receives an inner, sliding member with means for said sliding member to be shiftably set in a retracted position against a forward biasing pressure means and a channel on said outer member as means to engage with a rearward mounted vertical projection on said sliding member and a vertical slot in said projection to provide a width reducing means to engage said projection into said channel and a width, re-expansion providing means on said channel for same said projection to provide securing means from said inner sliding member in a forward position that extends beyond the tip of said needle and means to hold said projection of said sliding member in said re-expansion means against any inadvertent rearward biasing force applied to said sliding member.