Augmented polymeric hypodermic devices

• US 5,607,401 A
• Filed: 03/10/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bruce H. Humphrey
• Original Assignee: Bruce H. Humphrey
• Inventors: Humphrey, Bruce H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Randall L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELGART, VANITHA M
• Application Number:
  US08/402,974
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 604/239, 604/272, 604/236, 604/264, 604/158, 604/256, 604/246, 604/273, 604/274, 604/232, 128/764, 128/770, 128/771, 606/181, 606/167, 606/182, 606/183
• US Class Current: 604/239
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• 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 5/282 by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/32 Needles; Details of needles pertaining to their connection with syringe or hub infusion needles A61M5/158; Accessories for bringing the needle into, or holding the needle on, the body A61M5/42, A61M5/46 take precedence; guide needles for catheters A61M25/065; Devices for protection of needles apparatus specially adapted for cleaning or sterilising needles A61M5/001
• 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 5/326 Fully automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve does not require a deliberate action by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3271 with guiding tracks for controlled sliding of needle protective sleeve from needle exposing to needle covering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3286 Needle tip design, e.g. for improved penetration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3287 Accessories for bringing the needle into the body; Automatic needle insertion A61M5/20, A61M5/31525 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/343 Connection of needle cannula to needle hub, or directly to syringe nozzle without a needle hub A61M5/322 takes precedence

Abstract

This invention relates to augmented polymeric hypodermic needles and lancets. The needles and lancets are stiffened by augmenting means so that they are able to pierce the skin. The devices cost less to manufacture and are safer to use than present metal hypodermic devices. They make possible new types of ampules, phlebotomy devices and intravenous catheters. Most of the models are completely burnable. This invention makes possible safe, easy to use, low cost, disposable hypodermic devices for injection, blood withdrawal and testing.

Claims

1. A hypodermic device for performing a piercing process comprising:

a non-slidable, integral combination including;

a polymeric component and

an augmenting means that extends longitudinally a substantial length of said polymeric component which stiffens said polymeric component;

wherein said integral combination forms an augmented polymeric hypodermic device having at least one lumen, and a piercing tip with a frangible seal which is non-removable.

2. The hypodermic device of claim 1 wherein said augmenting means is spirally wound.

3. The hypodermic device of claim 1 wherein said augmenting mean comprises at least one stiffening member which is selected from the group consisting of arcuate shaped and "V" shaped.

4. The hypodermic device of claim 1 wherein said augmenting means comprises filler material dispersed within said polymeric component.

5. The hypodermic device of claim 1 wherein said frangible seal comprises at least one weakened area.

6. A hypodermic device for performing a piercing process comprising:

a non-slidable, integral combination including;

a polymeric component and

an augmenting means that extends longitudinally a substantial length of said polymeric component which stiffens said polymeric component;

wherein said integral combination forms an augmented polymeric hypodermic device having at least one lumen, and a piercing tip with a frangible seal which is non-removable;

further comprising that said integral combination is communicably attached to a reservoir designed to receive bodily fluids withdrawn from a patient.

7. The hypodermic device of claim 6 wherein said augmenting means comprises at least one stiffening member which is selected from the group consisting of:

arcuate shaped and "V" shaped.

8. The hypodermic device of claim 6 wherein said reservoir is a vacuum container.

9. The hypodermic device of claim 6 wherein said reservoir contains a medium designed to perform a medical test selected from the group consisting of:

test strip and reagent.

10. The hypodermic device of claim 6 wherein said augmenting means comprises filler material dispersed within said polymeric component.

11. The hypodermic device of claim 6 wherein said frangible seal comprises at least one weakened area.

12. A hypodermic device for performing a piercing process comprising:

a non-slidable, integral combination including;

a polymeric component and

an augmenting means that extends longitudinally a substantial length of said polymeric component which stiffens said polymeric component;

wherein said integral combination forms an augmented polymeric hypodermic device having at least one lumen, and a piercing tip with a frangible seal which is non-removable;

further comprising that said integral combination is communicably attached to a reservoir designed to deliver generally fluid material to a patient.

13. The hypodermic device of claim 12 wherein said augmenting means comprises at least one stiffening member which is selected from the group consisting of:

arcuate shaped and "V" shaped.

14. The hypodermic device of claim 12 wherein said reservoir is a prefilled ampule.

15. The hypodermic device of claim 12 wherein said augmenting means comprises filler material dispersed within said polymeric component.

16. The hypodermic device of claim 12 wherein said frangible seal comprises at least one weakened area.

17. A hypodermic device for performing a piercing process comprising:

a non-slidable, integral combination including;

a polymeric component and

an augmenting means that extends longitudinally a substantial length within said polymeric component which stiffens said polymeric component;

wherein said integral combination forms an augmented polymeric hypodermic device having at least one lumen, and a piercing tip with at least one integral frangible seal which is non-removable.

18. A hypodermic device for performing a piercing process comprising:

a non-slidable, integral combination including;

a polymeric component and

an augmenting means that extends longitudinally a substantial length attached to said polymeric component which stiffens said polymeric component;

wherein said integral combination forms an augmented polymeric hypodermic device having at least one lumen, and a piercing tip with at least one integral frangible seal which is non-removable.