Intradermal needle

• US 7,674,242 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2007
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Laiosa, John, Heyman, Peter W., Alchas, Paul G., Korisch, Marina S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall; Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US11/774,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20070255225A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 604/93.01, 604116-117, 604/192, 604/198, 604240-242, 220/4.01, 220 404- 407
• US Class Current: 604/117
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/00 Devices or methods for introducing solid, liquid, or gaseous remedies or other materials into or onto the bodies of animals for reproduction or fertilisation A61D19/00 ; devices for implanting pellets, radon seeds or the like A61M37/0069
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/002 Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. for syringes or needles, kits for diabetics needle protection, e.g. caps, A61M5/3202; for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/282 by compression of deformable ampoule or carpule wall
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3202 Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps A61M5/50 takes precedence; for infusion spikes A61M5/1626; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3213 Caps placed axially onto the needle, e.g. equipped with finger protection guards axially-extensible protective sleeves A61M5/3243
• 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 5/3278 Apparatus for destroying used needles or syringes needle resheathing means destroying the needle A61M5/321
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/46 having means for controlling depth of insertion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/5086 for indicating if defective, used, tampered with or unsterile

Abstract

An intradermal needle comprising a needle cannula assembly having a limiter portion, a hub portion and a needle cannula, a protective cap having a forward and rearward cap to protect and shield a needle cannula prior to and after use, and means for engaging the needle cannula assembly and the rearward cap after use. The mated forward and rearward cap provide a sterile enclosure for the needle cannula assembly prior to use. Removing the rearward cap permits the needle cannula assembly to be coupled to a drug delivery device, while the forward cap removably shields the needle cannula. Removing the forward cap then exposes the needle cannula for use. After use, the distal end of the needle cannula assembly is placed into the rearward cap and lockingly engaged therewith.

Claims

1. An intradermal needle comprising:

a needle cannula assembly comprising;

a hub portion;

a needle cannula held by said hub portion and having a forward tip extending away from said hub portion;

a limiter portion surrounding said needle cannula and extending away from said hub portion toward said forward tip of said needle cannula, said limiter including a generally flat skin engaging surface extending in a plane generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said needle cannula, said needle cannula forward tip extending beyond said skin engaging surface;

a forward cap, having a closed end;

a first orientation of the hub and needle cannula wherein the forward tip is pointing toward the closed end of the forward cap; and

,

a rearward cap adapted to be removably matable to said forward cap and having at least one locking lug adapted for engagement to said limiter, wherein said at least one locking lug and said limiter are complementary so as to lockingly engage said needle cannula assembly in said rearward cap by an inversion of the hub from the first orientation after use of said intradermal needle whereby said needle cannula assembly is lockingly held at least partially within said rearward cap and said forward tip of said needle cannula is entirely contained within said rearward cap.

2. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said limiter further comprises a rib defined about said limiter and wherein said at least one locking lug to engage said rib.

3. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said rib comprises a continuous annular rib defined about said limiter.

4. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 2, wherein said at least one locking lug is a plurality of radially disposed lugs to engage said rib.

5. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forward cap has a closed distal end and an open proximal end, said open proximal end being sized and shaped to mate with said rearward cap, said needle cannula being located in proximity to said closed distal end prior to use of said intradermal needle.

6. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forward cap and said rearward cap form a sterile enclosure for said needle cannula assembly.

7. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said forward tip of said needle cannula extends away from said hub portion a distance of not greater than 3 mm.

8. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 7, wherein said forward tip of said needle cannula extends away from said hub portion a distance ranging from 1 mm to 2 mm.

9. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 8, wherein said forward tip of said needle cannula extends away from said hub portion a distance of 1.5 mm, ±

0.2 to 0.3 mm.

10. An intradermal needle as set forth in claim 1, wherein said skin engaging surface has a diameter ranging from 5 mm to 20 mm.