Blood collection safety devices and methods of use and manufacture
First Claim
1. A method of using a blood collection safety device comprising a distal needle cover, a proximal needle cover, a spring, and a needle, the method comprising:
- positioning a distal end of the needle against a patient'"'"'s skin;
applying an amount of distally-directed force on the blood collection safety device such that the distal end of the needle pierces the patient'"'"'s skin;
engaging a blood collection vial with a proximal end of the needle, thereby placing the needle in fluid communication with the blood collection vial;
allowing blood to flow from the patient into the blood collection vial via the needle;
reducing the amount of distally-directed force such that the distal needle cover is moved distally, relative to the needle, by the spring;
removing the distal end of the needle from the patient'"'"'s skin;
disengaging the blood collection vial and the proximal end of the needle; and
forming a protective enclosure around the needle, wherein forming the protective enclosure around the needle comprises;
positioning at least a portion of the distal needle cover distal of the distal end of the needle, thereby covering the distal end of the needle;
positioning at least a portion of the proximal needle cover proximal of the proximal end of the needle, thereby covering the proximal end of the needle;
passively securing the distal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the distal needle cover from moving proximal of the distal end of the needle; and
securing the proximal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the proximal needle cover from moving distal of the proximal end of the needle, wherein securing the proximal needle cover comprises disengaging a sleeve from a proximal end of the blood collection safety device, thereby engaging a locking mechanism that inhibits movement of the proximal needle cover relative to the needle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically locking safety device, e.g., for use in a blood collection procedure, can include a housing, first and second needle covers that are at least partly received in the housing, and a needle that is at least partly received in at least one of the first and second needle covers. The needle can include a proximal tip configured for placement into a patient and a distal tip configured for placement into a blood collection vial. In some embodiments, the first and second needle covers are biased by a biasing member. In some cases, one or both of the first and second needle covers can be locked to prevent axial movement thereof after the blood collection procedure. In certain embodiments, a distal end of the device is configured to connect with a medical connector, such as a needleless IV access device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method of using a blood collection safety device comprising a distal needle cover, a proximal needle cover, a spring, and a needle, the method comprising:
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positioning a distal end of the needle against a patient'"'"'s skin; applying an amount of distally-directed force on the blood collection safety device such that the distal end of the needle pierces the patient'"'"'s skin; engaging a blood collection vial with a proximal end of the needle, thereby placing the needle in fluid communication with the blood collection vial; allowing blood to flow from the patient into the blood collection vial via the needle; reducing the amount of distally-directed force such that the distal needle cover is moved distally, relative to the needle, by the spring; removing the distal end of the needle from the patient'"'"'s skin; disengaging the blood collection vial and the proximal end of the needle; and forming a protective enclosure around the needle, wherein forming the protective enclosure around the needle comprises; positioning at least a portion of the distal needle cover distal of the distal end of the needle, thereby covering the distal end of the needle; positioning at least a portion of the proximal needle cover proximal of the proximal end of the needle, thereby covering the proximal end of the needle; passively securing the distal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the distal needle cover from moving proximal of the distal end of the needle; and securing the proximal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the proximal needle cover from moving distal of the proximal end of the needle, wherein securing the proximal needle cover comprises disengaging a sleeve from a proximal end of the blood collection safety device, thereby engaging a locking mechanism that inhibits movement of the proximal needle cover relative to the needle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of using a blood collection safety device comprising a distal needle cover, a proximal needle cover, a spring, and a needle, the method comprising:
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connecting a sleeve with a housing of the blood collection safety device, the sleeve comprising an interior chamber configured to receive a distal end of a blood collection vial; in response to the connection of the sleeve and the housing, disengaging a locking mechanism that is configured to inhibit movement of the proximal needle cover relative to the needle; positioning a distal end of the needle against a patient'"'"'s skin; applying an amount of distally-directed force on the blood collection safety device such that the distal end of the needle pierces the patient'"'"'s skin; engaging the blood collection vial with a proximal end of the needle, thereby placing the needle in fluid communication with the blood collection vial; allowing blood to flow from the patient into the blood collection vial via the needle; reducing the amount of distally-directed force such that the distal needle cover is moved distally, relative to the needle, by the spring; removing the distal end of the needle from the patient'"'"'s skin; disengaging the blood collection vial and the proximal end of the needle; and forming a protective enclosure around the needle, wherein forming the protective enclosure around the needle comprises; positioning at least a portion of the distal needle cover distal of the distal end of the needle, thereby covering the distal end of the needle; positioning at least a portion of the proximal needle cover proximal of the proximal end of the needle, thereby covering the proximal end of the needle; passively securing the distal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the distal needle cover from moving proximal of the distal end of the needle; and securing the proximal needle cover to inhibit the portion of the proximal needle cover from moving distal of the proximal end of the needle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification