Safety syringe with needle

• US 7,278,986 B1
• Filed: 03/09/2005
• Issued: 10/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Betasys, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Betasys, Inc.
• Inventors: Frost, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; LoAn H
• Application Number:
  US11/075,994
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 604/181, 604/187, 604192-198, 128/919
• US Class Current: 604/195
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3232 Semi-automatic needle retraction, i.e. in which triggering of the needle retraction requires a deliberate action by the user, e.g. manual release of spring-biased retraction means

Abstract

A multi-use safety syringe has a retractable needle that retracts only when the user wants to retract the needle. The safety syringe has an internal moveable carriage that locks to an end cap with releasable locking elements. The safety syringe guards against premature retraction of the needle by requiring the simultaneous release of two releasable locking elements by the user. When the locking elements are released, the carriage is released. The released carriage slides backward within the barrel, retracting the needle within the barrel.

Claims

1. A safety syringe, comprising:

a barrel having a plunger end, and an opposite end cap end;

a carriage within the barrel, the carriage having a radial base, and a carriage wall extending axially from the radial base;

an inward lip at one end of the carriage wall distal to the radial base;

an end cap having a plug engaging the barrel at the end cap end, the plug having a cylindrical sidewall;

a retainer adjacent to the cylindrical sidewall of the plug;

a front wall at an end of the retainer opposite the plug;

a pair of moveable locking elements located on opposite sides of the retainer;

a spring abutting the carriage; and

a needle attaching to the carriage.

2. A safety syringe of claim 1, wherein the end cap further comprises:

an end wall in the plug adjacent the retainer and the cylindrical sidewall; and

an aperture in the end wall into which the locking element at least partially extends.

3. A safety syringe of claim 2, wherein the locking element further comprises:

a tab having an angled head; and

wherein at least part of the tab extends into the aperture.

4. A safety syringe of claim 3, wherein the tab further comprises:

a button extending outwardly.

5. A safety syringe of claim 4, further comprising:

a nose hole within the front wall of the retainer; and

a nose projecting from the front wall outside of the retainer and surrounding the nose hole.

6. A safety syringe of claim 5, further comprising:

a spring mount extending axially from a center of the radial base and engaging the needle; and

a cap spring mount projecting radially from the nose hole within the retainer and surrounding the nose hole.

7. A safety syringe of claim 6, further comprising:

an abutment ring on the exterior of the cylindrical sidewall abutting the barrel at the end cap end.

8. A safety syringe of claim 7, further comprising:

flat retainer walls located on opposite sides of the retainer and containing the tabs.

9. A safety syringe of claim 8, further comprising:

a plunger within the barrel.

10. A safety syringe, comprising:

a barrel having a plunger end, and an opposite end cap end;

a plunger within the barrel;

an end cap having a plug engaging the barrel at the end cap end, the plug having a cylindrical sidewall;

a carriage within the barrel between the plunger and the end cap, the carriage having a radial base, and a carriage wall extending axially from the radial base;

an inward lip at one end of the carriage wall distal to the radial base;

a retainer adjacent to the cylindrical sidewall of the plug;

a front wall at an end of the retainer opposite the plug;

a pair of moveable locking elements located on opposite sides of the retainer and cooperatively engaging the inward lip of the carriage wall;

a compressed spring abutting the carriage and the end cap; and

a needle extending from the carriage and through the end cap.

11. A safety syringe of claim 10, wherein the end cap further comprises:

an end wall in the plug adjacent the retainer and the cylindrical sidewall; and

an aperture in the end wall into which the locking element at least partially extends.

12. A safety syringe of claim 11, wherein the locking element further comprises:

a tab having an angled head; and

wherein at least part of the tab extends into the aperture.

13. A safety syringe of claim 12, wherein the tab further comprises:

a button extending outwardly.

14. A safety syringe of claim 13, further comprising:

a nose hole within the front wall of the retainer; and

a nose projecting from the front wall outside of the retainer and surrounding the nose hole.

15. A safety syringe of claim 14, further comprising:

a spring mount extending axially from a center of the radial base from which the needle extends; and

a cap spring mount projecting radially from the nose hole within the retainer and surrounding the nose hole.

16. A safety syringe of claim 15, further comprising:

an abutment ring on the exterior of the cylindrical sidewall abutting the barrel at the end cap end.

17. A safety syringe of claim 16, further comprising:

flat retainer walls located on opposite sides of the retainer and containing the tabs.