Syringe with needle guard injection device

• US 6,976,976 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Safety Syringes Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: Safety Syringes Incorporated (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Doyle, Mark Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, LoAn H.
• Application Number:
  US10/113,537
• Publication Number:
  US 20030187402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,364 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93.01, 604/110, 604/181, 604/187, 604/192, 604/198, 604/263, 128/919
• US Class Current: 604/198
• 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 2005/3264 Trigger provided at the proximal end, i.e. syringe end opposite to needle mounting end
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3137 Specially designed finger grip means, e.g. for easy manipulation of the syringe rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3245 Constructional features thereof, e.g. to improve manipulation or functioning
• 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: Y10S 128/919 Syringe, means to protect user

Abstract

The present invention provides for an injection device including a syringe with a proximal end, a distal end, a needle extending from the distal end, and a plunger inserted into the proximal end. A guard is slidable on the syringe, has a proximal end, a distal end, and is biased from a first position wherein the needle is exposed towards a second position wherein the guard covers the needle. The injection device includes first and second sets of cooperating detents for retaining the guard and syringe in the first and second positions, respectively. A latch member extends proximally from the guard that is engageable by the plunger as the plunger is depressed to release the first set of cooperating detents. Upon release, a spring element biases the guard towards the second position until the second set of cooperating detents engage and secure the guard in the second position.

Claims

1. An injection device, comprising:

a syringe comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a plunger extending from the proximal end;

a guard slidably attached to the syringe and having a proximal end and a distal end, the guard being biased from a first position wherein the distal end of the syringe is exposed towards a second position wherein the guard covers the distal end of the syringe;

first cooperating detents on the syringe and guard for retaining the guard in the first position;

a latch member extending proximally from the guard, the latch member being engageable by the plunger as the plunger is advanced into the syringe for releasing the first cooperating detents whereupon the guard may slide towards the second position; and

second cooperating detents on the syringe and guard for retaining the guard in the second position.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a needle extending from the distal end of the syringe.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a spring coupled to the guard and the syringe, the spring biasing the guard towards the second position.

4. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the guard further comprises a window extending along the guard, and wherein the syringe further comprises a tab configured to travel within the window.

5. The injection device of claim 4, wherein the window has a proximal edge and a distal edge, and wherein the tab abuts the proximal edge of the window when the guard is in the second position, the tab and proximal edge at least partially comprising the second cooperating detents.

6. The injection device of claim 5, wherein the tab and proximal edge prevent the guard from advancing distally beyond the second position.

7. The injection device of claim 5, wherein the tab and distal edge prevent the guard from moving proximally beyond the first position.

8. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the first cooperating detents comprise a ledge on the proximal end of the syringe and a catch on the latch member, and wherein the guard is retained in the first position when the catch engages the ledge.

9. The injection device of claim 8, wherein the latch member further comprises a proximal end for engaging the plunger, and a detent is located distally from the proximal end of the latch member.

10. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the second cooperating detents comprise a detent and detent pocket on the guard and the syringe for preventing the guard from being moved from the second position towards the first position.

11. The injection device of claim 1, wherein the guard further comprises a set of finger flanges for controlling movement of the guard from the first position towards the second position.

12. An injection device, comprising:

p1 a syringe having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plunger extending from the proximal end;

a guard slidably mounted to the syringe, the guard having a proximal end and a distal end, the guard being slidable from a first position wherein a needle is exposed towards a second position wherein the guard extends distally beyond the needle;

a latch member extending proximally from the guard and coupled with the syringe to retain the guard in the first position, the latch member being engageable by the plunger as the plunger is depressed for decoupling the latch member from the syringe, whereby the guard may be advanced towards the second position; and

cooperating detents on the guard and syringe for securing the guard in the second position when the guard advances to the second position.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a needle extending from the distal end of the syringe.

14. The device of claim 12, further comprising a hub on the distal end of the syringe, and a needle coupled to the hub.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the guard is biased to move from the first position towards the second position.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein the latch member comprises an intermediate portion for engaging a flange on the syringe and a proximal portion for engaging the plunger as the plunger is advanced into the syringe for disengaging the intermediate portion from the flange.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the guard further comprises a set of finger flanges disposed on opposite walls of the guard.