Hypodermic needle with protective sheath
First Claim
1. A sheathed hypodermic needle comprisinga tubular fluid handling needle having a front end adapted for hypodermic penetration and a rear end adapted for connection to fluid ejection or withdrawal means,protrusions on the exterior forward portion of said needle formed by flattening a portion of said needle near its front end to cause a portion of the needle exterior diameter to protrude outward sufficient to frictionally engage the interior of said sheath while allowing unobstructed fluid flow through the needle interior,a retractable sheath slidably mounted on said needle and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of said needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of said needle to prevent inadvertent injury by contact with said needle and to facilitate disposal of said needle,the interior of said sheath adapted to frictionally engage said protrusions in said forward protective position and cover the front end of said needle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hypodermic needle has a retractable tubular sheath slidably mounted on its forward end and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of the needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. In one embodiment, a spring within the sheath urges the sheath to the forward protective position enclosing the front end of the needle. The rear of the sheath cooperates with pins on the needle to engage them upon relative rotation in one direction to allow rotation as a single unit to connect the needle to fluid ejection or withdrawal members. Relative rotation in the opposite direction disengages the pins allowing the sheath to be moved rearward causing the front end of the needle to protrude beyond the front end of the sheath and to lock the needle and sheath together upon further relative rotation in the opposite direction to disconnect and dispose of the needle without inadvertent injury by contact with the needle. Another embodiment has protrusions on the needle and a retractable sheath slidably mounted on the needle and movable between a rearward retracted position exposing the needle front end and a forward protective position engaging the protrusions and covering the front end of the needle. A further modification has a tubular catheter slidably received on the needle for hypodermic penetration therewith which is removably connected to the sheath whereby when the sheath and needle are removed from the catheter only the catheter remains in place.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A sheathed hypodermic needle comprising
a tubular fluid handling needle having a front end adapted for hypodermic penetration and a rear end adapted for connection to fluid ejection or withdrawal means, protrusions on the exterior forward portion of said needle formed by flattening a portion of said needle near its front end to cause a portion of the needle exterior diameter to protrude outward sufficient to frictionally engage the interior of said sheath while allowing unobstructed fluid flow through the needle interior, a retractable sheath slidably mounted on said needle and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of said needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of said needle to prevent inadvertent injury by contact with said needle and to facilitate disposal of said needle, the interior of said sheath adapted to frictionally engage said protrusions in said forward protective position and cover the front end of said needle.
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7. A sheathed hypodermic needle comprising
a tubular fluid handling needle having a front end adapted for hypodermic penetration and a rear end adapted for connection to fluid ejection or withdrawal means, protrusions on the exterior forward portion of said needle, a retractable sheath slidably mounted on said needle and movable relative thereto between a rearward retracted position exposing the front end of said needle and a forward protective position enclosing the front end of said needle to prevent inadvertent injury by contact with said needle and to facilitate disposal of said needle, the interior of said sheath adapted to frictionally engage said protrusions in said forward protective position and cover the front end of said needle, said needle base has a pair of flat flexible tabs extending outwardly from its exterior in laterally opposed relation, and said sheath has a pair of flat flexible tabs extending outwardly from its exterior in laterally opposed relation to facilitate securing said needle to the patient.
Specification