Safety syringe needle device with interchangeable and retractable needle platform

• US 5,462,531 A
• Filed: 12/21/1994
• Issued: 10/31/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Inviro Medical Devices Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Inviro Medical Devices Incorporated
• Inventors: Sharp, Fraser R., McLean, Donald A., Novacek, Laurel A.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/361,227
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 604/110, 604/187, 604/195, 604/198, 604/263, 604/218, 604/220
• US Class Current: 604/110
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3101 Leak prevention means for proximal end of syringes, i.e. syringe end opposite to needle mounting end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3104 Caps for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3106 Plugs for syringes without needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3118 via the distal end of a syringe, i.e. syringe end for mounting a needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3121 via the proximal end of a syringe, i.e. syringe end opposite to needle cannula mounting end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31506 formed as a single piece, e.g. moulded
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3223 Means impeding or disabling repositioning of used needles at the syringe nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3224 Means to disalign the needle tip and syringe nozzle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3231 Proximal end of needle captured or embedded inside piston head, e.g. by friction or hooks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3279 Breaking syringe nozzles or needle hubs
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/5073 by breaking or rupturing the connection parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3134 characterised by constructional features of the distal end, i.e. end closest to the tip of the needle cannula
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3135 characterised by constructional features of the proximal end
• 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 5/322 Retractable needles, i.e. disconnected from and withdrawn into the syringe barrel by the piston devices for protecting guide needles in combination with catheters A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/347 rotatable, e.g. bayonet or screw A61M5/344 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

The syringe includes a barrel, a plunger, and an adapter for mounting the needle in the distal end of the barrel. The adapter includes a protrusion projecting away from the needle end and into the barrel defining an annular space between the barrel and the protrusion. The plunger and protrusion have complementary surfaces whereby the plunger may grip the adapter for removal of the adapter into the interior of the barrel after use. These complementary surfaces afford initial resistance to further axial movement of the plunger toward the adapter, signalling the user that further axial pressure will permanently lock the plunger and adapter to one another whereby, upon application of full axial pressure on the plunger, the complementary surfaces of the plunger and adapter permanently lock to one another to enable joint unitary movement of the plunger and adapter together with the needle carried by the adapter into the barrel. The adapter includes vent passages communicating between the central passage through the adapter and the annular space whereby air can be vented from the barrel after receiving fluid within the barrel and prior to injection. Thus, the syringe may be oriented in a vertical position needle end uppermost with the vent passages forming the most superior portion of the barrel interior whereby air may be vented.

Claims

1. A syringe comprising:

(a) a hollow, axially elongated barrel;

(b) an adapter carried by said barrel adjacent a distal end thereof and removable therefrom in response to rotation relative to said barrel, the adapter carrying a needle and providing fluid communication with the interior of said hollow barrel;

(c) a plunger axially movable in said barrel; and

(d) adapter engagement structure disposed at the distal end of the plunger and engageable with a mating connection engagement structure on the adapter, said structures having respective drive and connective engagement surfaces, said drive surfaces being engageable with one another in response to axial movement of said plunger toward the distal end of said barrel and jointly movable upon engagement to enable rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel in response to relative rotation of the plunger and barrel to cause the adapter to part from the distal end of the barrel, said connective surfaces being engageable with one another to connect the plunger and adapter one with the other and enable said adapter, when parted from the end of the barrel in response to joint rotation of said adapter and said plunger relative to said barrel, to be withdrawn with the needle into the interior of the barrel in response to joint axial movement of said plunger and said adapter in a direction away from the distal end of the barrel.

2. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said adapter engagement structure at the distal end of the plunger and said mating connection engagement structure on the adapter include respective surfaces cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel.

3. A syringe according to claim 2 wherein said respective surfaces are cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel prior to engagement of said drive surfaces with one another.

4. A syringe according to claim 2 wherein at least one of said respective surfaces is inclined relative to the axis of the barrel.

5. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said adapter engagement structure at the distal end of the plunger and said mating connection engagement structure on the adapter include respective alignment surfaces different than said drive surfaces and cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel.

6. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said plunger has a first portion projecting from a proximal end of the barrel and a second portion within the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel, said first portion being removable from said second portion.

7. A syringe according to claim 6 wherein the barrel includes a catch for preventing removal of said second portion from the proximal end of the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel.

8. A syringe according to claim 6 wherein said plunger is formed of a plastic material and includes a reduced portion of plastic material between said first and second plunger portions enabling the first portion to be broken from the second portion.

9. A syringe according to claim 6 wherein a proximal end of said first portion of said plunger and the distal end of said barrel have surfaces engageable with one another upon removal of the first plunger portion from the second plunger portion and engagement of those surfaces with one another to close the distal end of the barrel after withdrawal of the adapter and needle from the distal end of the barrel.

10. A syringe according to claim 9 wherein the surfaces on the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger and the distal end of the barrel comprise threaded surfaces.

11. A syringe according to claim 9 wherein the surfaces on the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger and the distal end of the barrel comprise female and male threads, respectively.

12. A syringe according to claim 11 wherein the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger has a recess in part defined by said female threads, the distal end of said barrel having a portion including the male threads for reception in the recess whereby the surfaces may be threadedly engaged.

13. A syringe according to claim 9 wherein said first portion of said plunger comprises a cylindrical sleeve open at said proximal end and closed at the distal end of said first portion, the interior of said sleeve forming a continuation of the interior of said barrel at the distal end thereof.

14. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said plunger is movable in said barrel between retracted and extended positions relative to said barrel and including means connecting said barrel and said plunger in the retracted position of said plunger to indicate attempted movement of said plunger and said barrel relative to one another.

15. A syringe according to claim 1 including a pair of surfaces carried by said syringe cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel and thereby enable engagement of said drive surfaces.

16. A syringe according to claim 15 wherein said pair of surfaces cooperate with one another to cause said plunger to rotate relative to said adapter in the same rotational direction as the direction of rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel which enables the adapter to part from the end of the barrel.

17. A syringe according to claim 15 wherein said pair of surfaces are engageable with one another and enable said plunger to rotate relative to said adapter in an opposite rotational direction as the direction of rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel which enables the adapter to part from the end of the barrel.

18. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said connective surfaces comprise a pair of radially directed latching elements engageable with one another with one element lying axially behind another of said elements enabling joint axial movement of the plunger and adapter in a direction away from the distal end of the barrel.

19. A syringe according to claim 18 including a pair of surfaces carried by said syringe cooperable to cause rotation of said plunger relative to said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel, said plunger rotation being in the same rotational direction as the direction of rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel which enables the adapter to part from the end of the barrel.

20. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein said plunger is movable between advanced and retracted positions relative to said barrel, a seal between said plunger and said barrel adjacent the proximal end of the barrel when the plunger lies in its advanced position, and a seal at the distal end of the barrel whereby the interior of the barrel is maintained sterile.

21. A syringe according to claim 1 wherein the adapter includes a fluid passage providing for fluid communication with the interior of said hollow barrel, said adapter having a proximal end within said barrel and a distal end, said adapter further including a fluid passage portion in communication with said fluid passage and opening into the interior of the barrel at a location between the proximal end of said adapter and the distal end of said barrel to enable air to be vented through said fluid passage upon receiving fluid into said barrel and moving said plunger toward the distal end of said barrel.

22. A syringe comprising:

(a) a hollow, axially elongated barrel;

(b) an adapter carried by said barrel adjacent a distal end thereof and removable therefrom in response to rotation relative to said barrel, the adapter having a hub for carrying a needle and providing fluid communication with the interior of said hollow barrel;

(c) a plunger axially movable in said barrel; and

(d) adapter engagement structure disposed at the distal end of the plunger and engageable with a mating connection engagement structure on the adapter, said structures having respective drive and connective engagement surfaces, said drive surfaces being engageable with one another in response to axial movement of said plunger toward the distal end of said barrel and jointly movable upon engagement to enable rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel in response to relative rotation of the plunger and barrel to cause the adapter to part from the distal end of the barrel, said connective surfaces being engageable with one another to connect the plunger and adapter one with the other and enable said adapter, when parted from the end of the barrel in response to joint rotation of said adapter and said plunger relative to said barrel, to be withdrawn with any needle carried thereby into the interior of the barrel in response to joint axial movement of said plunger and said adapter in a direction away from the distal end of the barrel.

23. A syringe comprising:

(a) a hollow, axially elongated barrel having distal and proximal ends, said barrel at said distal end having interior female threads;

(b) an adapter carried by said barrel adjacent a distal end thereof and having male threads for threaded engagement with said female threads, said adapter being unthreadable and removable from the distal end of said barrel in response to rotation of said adapter relative to said barrel, said adapter having a central fluid opening and carrying a needle for providing fluid communication with the interior of said hollow barrel;

(c) a plunger axially movable in said barrel and projecting from said proximal end thereof terminating in a finger press external of said barrel; and

(d) adapter engagement structure disposed at a distal end of the plunger and engageable with a mating plunger engagement structure on the adapter, said structures having respective drive and connective engagement surfaces, said drive surfaces being engageable with one another and jointly movable when engaged to enable rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel in response to relative rotation of the plunger and barrel to cause the adapter to unthread from the distal end of the barrel, said connective surfaces comprising a respective rib and groove engageable with one another in response to axial movement of said plunger toward said adapter to connect the plunger and adapter one with the other and enable said adapter, when unthreaded from the distal end of the barrel in response to joint rotation of said adapter and said plunger relative to said barrel, to be withdrawn with the needle into the interior of the barrel upon joint axial movement of said plunger and said adapter in a direction away from the distal end of the barrel.

24. A syringe according to claim 23 wherein said adapter engagement structure at the distal end of the plunger and said mating plunger engagement structure on the adapter include respective surfaces cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel.

25. A syringe according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the latter respective surfaces is inclined relative to the axis of the barrel.

26. A syringe according to claim 23 wherein said adapter engagement structure at the distal end of the plunger and said mating plunger engagement structure on the adapter include respective alignment surfaces different than said drive surfaces and cooperable to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel.

27. A syringe according to claim 23 wherein said plunger has a first portion projecting from the proximal end of the barrel and a second portion within the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel, said first portion being removable from said second portion.

28. A syringe according to claim 27 wherein the barrel includes a catch for preventing removal of said second portion of said plunger from the proximal end of the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel.

29. A syringe according to claim 27 wherein a proximal end of said first portion of said plunger and the distal end of said barrel have surfaces engageable with one another upon removal of the first plunger portion from the second plunger portion and engagement of those surfaces with one another to close the distal end of the barrel after withdrawal of the adapter and needle from the distal end of the barrel.

30. A syringe according to claim 29 wherein the surfaces on the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger and the distal end of the barrel comprise female and male threads, respectively, the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger having a recess in part defined by said female threads, the distal end of said barrel having a portion including said male threads for reception in the recess whereby the surfaces may be threadedly engaged.

31. A syringe according to claim 23 including a pair of alignment surfaces carried by adapter and said plunger and cooperable with one another to cause relative rotation of said plunger and said adapter in response to axial movement of the plunger toward the distal end of the barrel and thereby enable engagement of said drive surfaces, said pair of alignment surfaces being cooperable with one another to cause said plunger to rotate relative to said adapter in the same rotational direction as the direction of rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel when the adapter is unthreaded relative to the distal end of the barrel, said pair of alignment surfaces being engageable with one another and enabling said plunger to rotate relative to said adapter in an opposite rotational direction when said alignment surfaces are engaged.

32. A syringe comprising:

(a) a hollow, axially elongated barrel;

(b) an adapter carried by said barrel adjacent a distal end thereof and removable therefrom in response to rotation relative to said barrel, the adapter carrying a needle and providing fluid communication with the interior of said hollow barrel;

(c) a plunger axially movable in said barrel;

(d) adapter engagement structure disposed at the distal end of the plunger and engageable with a mating connection engagement structure on the adapter, said structures having respective drive and connective engagement surfaces, said drive surfaces being engageable with one another and jointly movable when engaged to enable rotation of the adapter relative to the barrel in response to relative rotation of the plunger and barrel to cause the adapter to part from the distal end of the barrel, said connective surfaces being engageable with one another to connect the plunger and adapter one with the other and enable said adapter, when parted from the end of the barrel in response to joint rotation of said adapter and said plunger relative to said barrel, to be withdrawn with the needle into the interior of the barrel in response to joint axial movement of said plunger and said adapter in a direction away from the distal end of the barrel; and

(e) said plunger having a first portion projecting from the proximal end of the barrel and a second portion within the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel, said first portion being removable from said second portion, said barrel including a catch for preventing removal of said second portion of said plunger from the proximal end of the barrel when the adapter and needle are withdrawn into the barrel;

a proximal end of said first portion of said plunger and the distal end of said barrel having surfaces engageable with one another upon removal of the first plunger portion from the second plunger portion and engagement of those surfaces with one another to close the distal end of the barrel after withdrawal of the adapter and needle from the distal end of the barrel.

33. A syringe according to claim 32 wherein the surfaces on the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger and the distal end of the barrel comprise female and male threads, respectively, the proximal end of the first portion of the plunger having a recess in part defined by said female threads, the distal end of said barrel having a portion including said male threads for reception in the recess whereby the surfaces may be threadedly engaged.