Safety shield system for prefilled syringes

• US 6,319,233 B1
• Filed: 04/12/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard J. Rodrick
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Gagnieux, Samuel, Jansen, Hubert
• Primary Examiner(s): Seidel, Richard K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIRMONS, KEVIN C
• Application Number:
  US09/290,786
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 604/40, 604/43, 604/192, 604/193, 604/194, 604/198, 604/110, 604/263, 604/187, 604/195
• US Class Current: 604/192
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3261 triggered by radial deflection of the anchoring parts between sleeve and syringe barrel, e.g. spreading of sleeve retaining hooks having slanted surfaces by engagement with conically shaped collet of the piston rod during the last portion of the injection stroke of the plunger
• 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

Abstract

A medical device is provided which includes a shield system and a syringe which is coupled to the shield system. The shield system includes a syringe holder and a shield which is slidably coupled to the holder. A spring resiliently urges the shield from a retracted position to an extended position. Stop members are provided on the holder and shield for maintaining the shield in the retracted position. The syringe is slidably coupled to the holder, and extends within the shield. Axial movement of the syringe with respect to the holder causes disengagement of the stop members, allowing the spring to move the shield to the extended position. Detents are provided on the holder for maintaining the shield in the extended position.

Claims

1. A medical device, comprising:

a substantially cylindrical barrel;

a needle connected to an end of said barrel;

a holder comprising an elongate, generally cylindrical body including a first detent and a second detent, with said second detent being axially spaced from said first detent, said holder defining an enclosure with said barrel extending at least partially within said enclosure and being axially movable with respect to said holder;

a retaining member positioned on said holder and engageable with said barrel with said barrel being slidably coupled to the holder during use of the device;

a shield positioned about at least a portion of said barrel and positioned at least partially within said holder and connected to said holder, said shield being axially movable with respect to said holder between retracted and extended positions, and said shield including a third detent positionable between said first and second detents when said shield is in the extended position;

a spring urging said shield towards its extended position;

a first stop member positioned on said shield;

a second stop member positioned on said holder and engageable with said first stop member when said shield is in its retracted position, the force of said spring being insufficient to cause disengagement of said first and second stop members; and

said barrel being operationally coupled to said shield such that sufficient axial movement of said barrel in the direction of said needle causes axial movement of said shield sufficient to cause disengagement of said first and second stop members, allowing said spring to move said shield to the extended position.

2. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said shield is positioned within said holder, said first stop member extends radially outwardly from said shield, and said spring engages said first stop member.

3. A device as described in claim 2 wherein said second stop member extends radially inwardly from said holder.

4. A device as described in claim 3 wherein said holder includes a flexible wall portion adjoining said second stop member.

5. A device as described in claim 4 including an opening extending through said holder, said opening being axially proximal to said second stop member.

6. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said retaining member being slidably mounted to said holder and engaging an end of said barrel.

7. A device as described in claim 6 wherein said barrel includes a radially outwardly extending flange which engages said retaining member.

8. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said second detent is radially deflectable with respect to said holder.

9. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said third detent is comprised of said first stop member.

10. A device as described in claim 1 wherein said barrel includes a first radially outwardly extending flange, and said holder comprises an elongate, generally cylindrical body having first and second end portions, said second end portion including a second radially outwardly extending flange and means for slidably retaining said flange of said barrel.

11. A medical device, comprising:

a generally cylindrical holder comprising an elongate body, an elongate enclosure defined by said body, first and second open ends, and first and second axially spaced and opposing abutment surfaces adjacent to said second open end;

a syringe including a barrel, a needle secured to said barrel, a piston slidably positioned within said barrel, a plunger rod engaging said piston, and a radially outwardly extending flange positioned between said first and second abutment surfaces of said holder, said syringe being coupled to said holder and slidably positioned within said enclosure, said syringe being axially slidable within said enclosure;

a generally cylindrical shield at least partially positioned within said enclosure and coupled to said holder, said shield being axially movable between a retracted position wherein said needle is at least partially exposed and an extended position wherein said shield covers said needle;

a spring urging said shield towards the extended position;

a stop member mounted to said holder and positioned to maintain said shield in the retracted position when said syringe is in a first axial position, wherein said spring urges said shield to the extended position when said syringe is moved to a sufficient distance towards said first open end of said holder.

12. A device as described in claim 11 wherein said shield includes a radially outwardly extending stop member, and said stop member of said holder extends radially inwardly, said holder further including first and second, radially inwardly extending detents, said first and second detents being positioned near said first open end of said holder and being axially spaced from each other, said radially inwardly extending stop member being positioned between said second open end of said holder and said second detent, said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield being incapable of moving past said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder under the force of said spring, but movable past said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder under a force exceeding the force of said spring, said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield being capable of moving past said second detent under the force of said spring and incapable of moving past said first detent, said second detent including a surface engageable with said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield for preventing said shield from moving towards said first open end of said holder.

13. A device as described in claim 11 wherein said shield includes a radially outwardly extending stop member, and said stop member of said holder extends radially inwardly, said holder further including first and second, radially inwardly extending detents, said first and second detents being positioned near said first open end of said holder and being axially spaced from each other, said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield being incapable of moving past said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder under the force of said spring, but movable past said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder under a force exceeding the force of said spring, said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield being capable of moving past said second detent under the force of said spring and incapable of moving past said first detent, said second detent including a surface engageable with said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield for preventing said shield from moving towards said first open end of said holder.

14. A device as described in claim 13 wherein said spring engages said radially outwardly extending stop member of said shield.

15. A device as described in claim 14 wherein said holder includes a flexible portion adjoining said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder.

16. A device as described in claim 15 including an opening extending through said holder, said opening being axially proximal to said radially inwardly extending stop member of said holder.

17. A device as described in claim 13 further comprising a retaining member positioned on said holder and engageable with said syringe.

18. A device as described in claim 17 wherein said retaining member is slidably mounted to said holder and engaging an end of said syringe.

19. A device as described in claim 18 wherein said radially outwardly extending flange of said syringe engages said retaining member.

20. A device as described in claim 13 wherein said second detent is radially detectable with respect to said holder.

21. A device as described in claim 11 wherein said second open end of said holder includes a second radially outwardly extending flange.