Safety needle apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination:
- a. a first housing having a first end;
b. a needle secured to said first housing, extending beyond said first end, and having a point which can be injected into a patient;
c. a second housing movably captured with respect to said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end; and
d. a removable cap adapted for engaging said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle, and also adapted for engaging said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle;
wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and a needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a safety catheter that automatically sheaths the needle upon withdrawal of the needle from a patient. The catheter can include a plunger for drawing a vacuum to draw blood or alternatively may delete the plunger and use nearly identical components with the addition of a blocking plug. The catheter also includes a cap/re-cap device that provides additional sheathing of the needle during assembly, shipping, and use of the needle. It also includes raised indicia that serves as a trademark as well as a friction gripping surface. The catheter includes improved catheter hub mounting structure as well as strengthened ribbed areas for grasping during use of the catheter.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination:
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a. a first housing having a first end; b. a needle secured to said first housing, extending beyond said first end, and having a point which can be injected into a patient; c. a second housing movably captured with respect to said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end; and d. a removable cap adapted for engaging said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle, and also adapted for engaging said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle; wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and a needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination:
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a. a first housing having a first end; b. a needle having an axially extending internal passage, wherein said needle is secured to said first housing, extends beyond said first end, and has a point which can be injected into a patient; c. a second housing movably captured with respect to said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end, said second housing including a generally cylindrical internal wall defining a chamber communicating with said internal passage; d. a plunger disposed within said generally cylindrical internal wall and slidably engaging said generally cylindrical internal wall to define a piston; and e. a plunger rod having a first portion secured to said plunger and a second portion accessible to a user for sliding said plunger within said generally cylindrical internal wall; wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and a needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification