Ratcheting needle protector assembly

• US 5,725,503 A
• Filed: 08/07/1996
• Issued: 03/10/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Span-America Medical Systems Inc. (Savaria Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aeroquip Corporation (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Arnett, Jeffery D.
• Primary Examiner(s): YASKO JR, JOHN D
• Application Number:
  US08/694,508
• Time in Patent Office: 580 Days
• Field of Search: 604/263, 604/187, 604/192, 604/198, 604/110, 604/164, 604/165, 604/280, 604/162
• US Class Current: 604/162
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle

Abstract

A ratcheting needle protector assembly including a body, a needle hub and a needle. The body has a first end and a second end. The body defines a channel extending longitudinally between the first and second ends. The body defines receiving devices for receiving a pawl of a ratchet arm between the first and second ends. The needle hub has an external portion, an internal portion and a tracking member movably mounted on the body. The tracking member is positioned in the channel. The needle hub includes a ratchet arm having a pawl adapted to be received by the receiving devices. The needle is mounted on the internal portion of the needle hub. Movement of the needle hub from the first end to the second end of the body causes movement of the needle from outside the body to inside the body. The pawl of the ratchet arm is received by the receiving devices to prevent movement of the needle from inside the body.

Claims

1. A ratcheting needle protector assembly, comprising:

a body having a first end and a second end, said body defining a channel extending longitudinally between said first and second ends, said body defining receiving means for receiving a pawl of a ratchet arm between said first and second ends;

a needle hub having an external portion, an internal portion and a tracking member movably mounted on said body, said tracking member positioned in said channel, said needle hub including a ratchet arm having a pawl adapted to be received by said receiving means; and

a needle mounted on said internal portion of said needle hub, whereby movement of said needle hub from said first end to said second end of said body causes movement of said needle from outside said body to inside said body, said pawl being received by said receiving means to prevent movement of said needle hub and said needle from said second end to said first end.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein said body is a substantially hollow elongated cylinder.

3. The invention of claim 1, wherein said first end includes an end cap defining a needle opening for receiving a needle.

4. The invention of claim 1, wherein said receiving means consists of at least two spaced detents.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein said ratchet arm is integral with said internal portion of said needle hub.

6. The invention of claim 1, wherein said receiving means consists of at least two spaced ramps.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein said ratchet arm is integral with said external portion of said needle hub.

8. The invention of claim 1, wherein said external portion includes gripping means for gripping said needle hub during use.

9. The invention of claim 1, wherein said internal portion defines a chamber in communication with said needle for receiving fluid.

10. A ratcheting needle protector assembly, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first end and a second end, said body defining a channel extending longitudinally between said first and second ends, said body defining at least two detents on said interior surface between said first and second ends;

a needle hub having an external portion, an internal portion and a tracking member movably mounted on said body, said tracking member positioned in said channel, said internal portion including a ratchet arm having a pawl adapted to be received by said detents; and

a needle mounted on said internal portion of said needle hub, whereby movement of said needle hub from said first end to said second end of said body causes movement of said needle from outside said body to inside said body, said pawl being received by said detents to prevent movement of said needle hub and said needle from said second end to said first end.

11. A ratcheting needle protector assembly, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, a first end and a second end, said body defining a channel extending longitudinally between said first and second ends, said body defining at least two ramps on said exterior surface between said first and second ends;

a needle hub having an external portion, an internal portion and a tracking member movably mounted on said body, said tracking member positioned in said channel, said external portion including a ratchet arm having a pawl adapted to be received by said ramps; and

a needle mounted on said internal portion of said needle hub, whereby movement of said needle hub from said first end to said second end of said body causes movement of said needle from outside said body to inside said body, said pawl being received by said ramps to prevent movement of said needle hub and said needle from said second end to said first end.