Holder for cartridge-needle unit

• US 5,573,514 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sterling Winthrop, Inc. (GlaxoSmithKline PLC)
• Inventors: Bergstresser, William A., Stiehl, Mark A., Niedospial, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): McDermott, Corrine M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STRIGHT, RONALD K
• Application Number:
  US08/610,511
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 604/263, 604/198, 604/195, 604/197, 604/110, 604/192, 604/187, 604/240, 604/243, 604/242, 604/181
• US Class Current: 604/198
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/2407 from the rear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/247 with fixed or steady piercing means, e.g. piercing under movement of ampoule
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/31518 designed to reduce the overall size of an injection device, e.g. using flexible or pivotally connected chain-like rod members
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3246 being squeezably deformable for locking or unlocking purposes, e.g. with elliptical cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/24 Ampoule syringes, i.e. syringes with needle for use in combination with replaceable ampoules or carpules, e.g. automatic ampoules or carpules A61J1/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31511 Piston or piston-rod constructions, e.g. connection of piston with piston-rod A61M5/5066 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/31515 Connection of piston with piston rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3243 being axially-extensible, e.g. protective sleeves coaxially slidable on the syringe barrel devices for protecting guide needles in combination with catheters A61M25/0612
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/50 having means for preventing re-use, or for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile retractable needles or needle protectors with means for preventing re-use A61M5/321

Abstract

This invention relates to a holder for use in combination with a pre-filled cartridge-needle unit, the holder comprising a hollow body sized for housing the cartridge-needle unit therein, and means for permitting the body to move axially relative to the cartridge-needle unit. In one preferred embodiment, the distal end of the body is elliptical in cross section and the proximal end of the body is circular in cross section. In another preferred embodiment, the body comprises a pair of cam slots at the distal end and a pair or retaining slots at the proximal end, the slots being sized to accept a circumferential ring on the cartridge-needle unit and positioned to hold the cartridge-needle units in use and safe positions. The holder is easier to use and manufacture and reduces the susceptibility of health care workers to accidental needle strikes.

Claims

1. A holder for use in combination with a pre-filled cartridge-needle unit, said holder comprising:

a hollow body sized for housing the cartridge-needle unit therein having proximal and distal ends said body comprising a pair of squeeze pads disposed on the distal end thereof; and

means for permitting said body to move axially relative to the cartridge-needle unit between use and safe positions;

wherein the distal end of said body is elliptical in cross-section, said ellipse having a major axis substantially longer than its minor axis, and the proximal end of said body is circular in cross-section and said body is tapered from said elliptical end to said proximal end and comprises a first pair of retaining slots at the distal end thereof and a second pair of retaining slots at the proximal end thereof, said slots being sized to accept a circumferential ring of the cartridge-needle unit and positioned to hold the cartridge-needle unit in use and safe positions.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said first pair of retaining slots are cam slots.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein said cam slots are triangular in shape.

4. The holder of claim 1 wherein the distal end of said body is squeezably deformable.

5. The holder of claim 1 further comprising retraction finger guards disposed on said hollow body approximately midway between said proximal and distal end.

6. A holder for use in combination with a pre-filled cartridge-needle unit having a circumferential ring, said holder comprising:

a hollow body sized for housing the cartridge-needle unit therein having proximal and distal ends, said body comprising a pair of squeeze pads disposed on the distal end thereof; and

means for permitting said body to move axially relative to the cartridge-needle unit between use and safe positions;

wherein said body comprises a pair of triangular cam slots at the distal end thereof and a pair of retaining slots at the proximal end thereof, said slots being sized to accept the circumferential ring and positioned to hold the cartridge-needle unit in use and safe positions

and wherein the distal end of said body is elliptical in cross section, said ellipse having a major axis substantially longer than its minor axis and the proximal end of said body is circular in cross section and said body is tapered form said distal elliptical end to said proximal circular end.

7. The holder of claim 6 wherein said body comprises an axial groove to facilitate retraction.

8. The holder of claim 6 further comprising retraction finger guards disposed on said hollow body approximately midway between said proximal and distal ends.