Needle tip spring protector
First Claim
1. A needle protection device comprising:
- a spring having a passage that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a diameter, the spring adapted to be wound and unwound to increase the diameter as the spring is wound and to decrease the diameter as the spring is unwound;
a needle extending into the spring passage, the spring having an armed state in which the spring is sufficiently wound such that the diameter of the passage is large enough for the needle to be slidable within the passage, the spring having a gripping state in which the spring is sufficiently unwound such that the diameter of the passage is small enough to engage the needle such as to inhibit movement of the needle within the passage in the longitudinal direction; and
a bearing surface positioned to cooperate with a first aspect of the spring to hold the spring in the armed state when the first aspect is bearing against the bearing surface, the spring being in substantial coaxial alignment with the needle in the armed state, wherein at least a segment of the spring moves out of substantial coaxial alignment with the needle to allow the first aspect to move away from the bearing surface, the spring movable to the gripping state when the first aspect is not bearing against the bearing surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A needle tip spring protector for a needle having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft extending therebetween. The needle tip spring protector includes a spring that circumferentially surrounds a portion of the needle shaft and is restrained in a state wherein its inner diameter is large enough to allow the shaft to move freely within the spring. When the needle is moved to a position in which its distal end is at least partly within the spring, at least one of the ends of the spring releases from restraint such that the spring automatically returns to a state in which its inner diameter is sized so as to grippingly engage the shaft of the needle. Thus, after activation, the spring securely surrounds the distal end of the needle to protect healthcare workers and others from accidental contact with the needle'"'"'s distal end. When used in conjunction with a catheter assembly, the needle tip spring protector may passively release from the catheter hub after the spring is automatically activated.
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Citations
50 Claims
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1. A needle protection device comprising:
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a spring having a passage that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a diameter, the spring adapted to be wound and unwound to increase the diameter as the spring is wound and to decrease the diameter as the spring is unwound; a needle extending into the spring passage, the spring having an armed state in which the spring is sufficiently wound such that the diameter of the passage is large enough for the needle to be slidable within the passage, the spring having a gripping state in which the spring is sufficiently unwound such that the diameter of the passage is small enough to engage the needle such as to inhibit movement of the needle within the passage in the longitudinal direction; and a bearing surface positioned to cooperate with a first aspect of the spring to hold the spring in the armed state when the first aspect is bearing against the bearing surface, the spring being in substantial coaxial alignment with the needle in the armed state, wherein at least a segment of the spring moves out of substantial coaxial alignment with the needle to allow the first aspect to move away from the bearing surface, the spring movable to the gripping state when the first aspect is not bearing against the bearing surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A safety catheter device comprising:
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a catheter tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a catheter hub adjacent the catheter tube proximal end; a spring having a passage that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a diameter, the spring adapted to be wound and unwound to increase the diameter as the spring is wound and to decrease the diameter as the spring is unwound; a needle extending into the spring passage, catheter hub, and catheter tube in a first position of the needle, the spring having an armed state in which the spring is sufficiently wound such that the diameter of the passage is large enough for the needle to be slidable within the passage, the spring having a gripping state in which the spring is sufficiently unwound such that the diameter of the passage is small enough to engage the needle such as to inhibit movement of the needle within the passage in the longitudinal direction; and a bearing surface positioned to cooperate with a first aspect of the spring to hold the spring in the armed state when the first aspect is bearing against the bearing surface, the spring being in substantial coaxial alignment with the needle in the armed state, wherein at least a segment of the spring moves out of substantial coaxial alignment with the needle to allow the first aspect to move away from the bearing surface, the spring movable to the gripping state when the first aspect is not bearing against the bearing surface. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A safety catheter device comprising:
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a catheter tube having a distal end and a proximal end; a catheter hub adjacent the catheter tube proximal end; a housing adjacent the catheter hub; a spring disposed in the housing and having a passage that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a diameter, the spring adapted to be wound and unwound to increase the diameter as the spring is wound and to decrease the diameter as the spring is unwound; a needle extending into the housing, spring passage, catheter hub, and catheter tube in a first position of the needle, the spring having an armed state in which the spring is sufficiently wound such that the diameter of the passage is large enough for the needle to be slidable within the passage, the spring having a gripping state in which the spring is sufficiently unwound such that the diameter of the passage is small enough to engage the needle such as to inhibit movement of the needle within the passage in the longitudinal direction; and a first bearing surface on the housing positioned to cooperate with a first aspect of the spring to hold the spring in the armed state when the first aspect is bearing against the bearing surface, the spring being in substantial coaxial alignment with the needle in the armed state, wherein at least a segment of the spring moves out of substantial coaxial alignment with the needle to allow the first aspect to move away from the bearing surface, the spring movable to the gripping state when the first aspect is not bearing against the bearing surface. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification