A tool to protect professionals who use hypodermic needles in their work from inadvertent punctures to themselves by contaminated needles comprising a sliding member (16) and a stationary member (28). The first step in using this tool is to retract sliding member (16) by compressing protruding member (24 left and 24 right) together thereby reducing the overall width of (24). (24) is then manipulated into channel (26) and retracted to the point to where leaf (18) can be depressed. The user then allows spring (30) to protract sliding member (16), beveled edge (17) of leaf (18) will then catch in groove (19), the purpose being to expose the tip (41) of tube (42) while maintaining sliding member (16) in an unlocked position. The user can then puncture the outer dermis or layer of the subject without meeting obstruction from sliding member (16). Once the surface of the subject has been punctured, the user advances the needle whereby sliding member (16) is then compressed into stationary member (18), as the needle is advanced and sliding member (16) is compressed, leaf (18) is dislodged from groove (19) and springs back to its original position thus assuring no obstruction to the protraction of sliding member (16) as the needle is withdrawn. When the needle is withdrawn, sliding member (16) protracts back to its original pre-retracted position. As protrusion (24) reaches notch (36), protrusion (24 right) will re-expand to its pre-compressed width and lock into notch (36). As an added safety feature, protrusion (24 right) has a bevel shaped corner (38) that engages with an indentation (37) that is shaped to receive corner (38), thus further assuring that sliding member (16) can not accidently be disengaged from its locked position. Following use, the entire device with the needle safely enclosed, is disposed of in the proper receptacle.
A hypodermic syringe provided with a safety hypodermic needle and shield assembly to obviate the danger of a handler thereof being accidentally pricked by the point of the needle after it has been injected in a patient and then withdrawn, the withdrawn needle possibly being contaminated with infectious microorganisms. The assembly includes a needle-supporting hub receivable in a socket formed at the front end of a fluid chamber having a projecting nozzle which is inserted in the hub to communicate with the needle. Integral with the hub is a cup-like pedestal on which is anchored a compressible helical spring that surrounds the needle and terminates in a shield having a bore therein to permit the needle to pass therethrough, the normal length of the spring being such as to place the shield just above the point of the needle. In the retracted mode of the assembly, the spring is compressed to retract the shield which is then held by a releasable latching mechanism supported on the pedestal, thereby exposing the needle to permit its use. After the needle is injected in a patient and withdrawn, the shield is unlatched to cause the assembly to assume its extended mode in which the shield covers the point of the needle to prevent human contact therewith.
A post-injection needle sheath for enclosing the sharpened end of a needle used with a syringe is shown with and without spring actuation. This sheath is initially in a compact and secured condition on the needle hub and has a substantial portion of the needle exposed for insertion into a patient or vial. Two embodiments employ a compression spring. Three embodiments avoid a spring per se, but have a corrugated portion and a flange portion that are manipulated by an attendant to urge the sheath forward to enclose the sharpened end of the needle. In all embodiments, the forward end includes a transverse wall in which is formed an aperture that is slightly larger than the shank of the needle. Protection to the exposed needle before use is provided by a conventionally removeable shield which is removed at time of use. After withdrawal of the needle from the patient, the sheath, with the cap or end portion, is moved forward to enclose the sharpened needle.
A post-injection needle sheath for enclosing the sharpened end of a needle used with a syringe is shown with and without spring actuation. This sheath is initially in a compact and secured condition on the needle hub and has a substantial portion of the needle exposed for insertion into a patient or vial. Two embodiments employ a compression spring. Three embodiments avoid a spring per se, but have a corrugated portion and a flange portion that are manipulated by the attendant to urge the sheath forward to enclose the sharpened end of the needle. In all embodiments, the forward end includes a transverse wall in which is formed an aperture that is slightly larger than the shank of the needle. Protection to the exposed needle before use is provided by a conventionally removable shield which is removed at time of use. After withdrawal of the needle from the patient, the sheath, with the cap or end portion, is moved forward to enclose the sharpened needle.
A syringe comprises a body (1) which carries the needle (6), a piston (13), a protective sheath and a spring (17) arranged between the sheath (14) and the body (1). A first and a second shoulder (21) on the outer wall of the body (1) co-operate with a first spur (19) of the sheath (14) to block the body (1) in a first direction, which a second, supple spur (20) and a third shoulder (24) block the body (1) in the other direction.
A first cylindrically shaped part surrounds and is fixed to the needle base which is mounted on the forward end of the syringe body. A second cylindrical part is mounted within the first part for axial movement between a forward position where the needle is surrounded for protection of the needle prior to mounting and between injections and a position in which the needle is exposed during an injection. A spring urges the second part towards the forward position. Locking elements are provided for permanently locking the second part in a third, axially spaced position to protect the needle after it has been discarded. Prior to and between injections, the second part may be non-permanently locked in the forward position by rotating it relative to the first part.
