Non-axial return spring for safety needle

• US 9,005,167 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2010
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kpr U.S., LLC (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Jones, Scott, Clark, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons, Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall, Deanna K
• Application Number:
  US12/886,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20110009832A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,666 Days
• Field of Search: 604/900, 604/168.01, 604/165.03, 604/177
• US Class Current: 604/168.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/1588 having means for monitoring, controlling or visual inspection, e.g. for patency check, avoiding extravasation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3228 the needle being retracted by a member protruding laterally through a slot in the barrel, e.g. double-ended needles
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0637 Butterfly or winged devices, e.g. for facilitating handling or for attachment to the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/158 Needles for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body
• 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 5/3221 Constructional features thereof, e.g. to improve manipulation or functioning
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3257 Semi-automatic sleeve extension, i.e. in which triggering of the sleeve extension requires a deliberate action by the user, e.g. manual release of spring-biased extension means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3271 with guiding tracks for controlled sliding of needle protective sleeve from needle exposing to needle covering position

Abstract

A needle safety device is provided having a housing, a needle assembly movably mounted within the housing and a spring for biasing the needle assembly within the housing. The needle assembly is movable along a first axis and the spring is movable along the second axis different from the first. There is also provided a lens for enhancing visualization of the flow of fluid through the needle safety device. There is further provided a safety sheath for covering a needle of the needle assembly and restraining the needle assembly against movement due to the bias of the spring.

Claims

1. A needle safety device comprising:

a housing;

a needle assembly movably mounted within the housing, the needle assembly having a transparent portion; and

a lens positioned adjacent the needle assembly to enhance visualization of a flow of fluid through the transparent portion of the needle assembly.

2. The needle safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the needle assembly includes a hub, at least a portion of the hub being transparent.

3. The needle safety device as recited in claim 1, wherein the needle assembly includes a needle, at least a portion of the needle being transparent.

4. The needle safety device as recited in claim 1, including at least one wing extending outwardly from the housing.

5. The needle safety device as recited in claim 4, wherein the transparent portion of the needle assembly is positioned forwardly of the at least one wing.

6. The needle safety device according to claim 2, wherein a portion of the hub is geometrically configured to define the lens.

7. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the needle assembly includes a fluid tube, at least a portion of the fluid tube being transparent.

8. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is positioned on a distal end of the housing.

9. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the needle assembly includes a hub, a needle and a fluid tube, and a portion of the hub is geometrically configured to define the lens.

10. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the lens provides a degree of magnification to enhance visualization.

11. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the needle assembly includes a hub having a first diameter, the lens having a second diameter larger than the first diameter.

12. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein the lens is positioned on the housing.

13. The needle safety device according to claim 1, wherein:

the housing defines an upper chamber and a lower chamber;

the needle assembly includes a needle hub and a hollow needle supported on and extending distally from the needle hub, the needle hub being movably positioned within the lower chamber of the housing along a first axis from an extended position wherein a distal end of the hollow needle extends from the housing to a retracted position wherein the distal end of the hollow needle is positioned within the housing; and

further comprising

a biasing spring positioned in the upper chamber and connected to the needle hub about a second axis spaced from the first axis, the biasing spring configured to bias the needle hub from the extended position to the retracted position.