1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to blood collection and more particularly to a blood collection apparatus capable of collecting blood in at least one blood collection tube in a single operation.
2. Description of Related Art
Blood collections for sampling are typically performed in blood donation stations, laboratories, or the like. It is often that different blood collection tubes for collecting blood of different volumes are required in a single operation.
However, the conventional blood collection apparatus is capable of collecting blood to store in a single blood collection tube. Unfortunately, a patient may bear a great pain due to a number of pulling of the needle and insertion of the same into the patient if a number of times of blood collection are required to complete the blood collection. Further, a medically employed may be accidentally pricked during the pulls and insertions of the needle, thereby contaminating the employee with microorganisms or blood on the needle is possible. Furthermore, a reuse of the used needle is also made possible.
Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a blood collection apparatus comprising a plurality of blood collection tubes for collecting blood in a single operation with increased efficiency, simplicity, quickness, time saving, and decreased pain born by a patient.
It is another object of the invention to provide a blood collection apparatus wherein a blood collection tube can be disengaged from the blood collection apparatus even when blood does not completely fill the blood collection tube prior to filling blood in another blood collection tube.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a blood collection apparatus wherein a plunger comprises an elongated arm including a plurality of cavities, wherein a casing tube of a blood collection assembly comprises a rear flange having a flexible projection, and wherein in a blood collection operation a pulling of the plunger and a pivotal movement of the projection engaging in one of the cavities may temporarily fasten the plunger so as to correctly flow blood from the tube casing to one of the blood collection tubes.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an arrangement for a blood collection apparatus wherein after a blood collection operation, a medical employee may pivot a safety device about a pivot member to lockingly conceal a needle in the internally hollowed safety device. This has the benefits of preventing the employee from being accidentally pricked after use, thereby no contaminating the employee with microorganisms or blood on the needle is possible. Further, a reuse of the needle is made impossible.
For achieving above and other objects, in a first aspect of the invention there is provided a blood collection apparatus comprising a blood collection assembly comprising a plurality of blood collection tubes, a plurality of adapter assemblies each including a first tube extending out of one end and a second tube extending out of an other end to insert into one of the blood collection tubes, and a casing tube including a forward nose, a plurality of connectors each connected to the first tube of each of the adapter assemblies, and a rear flange having a flexible projection; a butterfly needle assembly mounted to the nose of the casing tube; and a plunger slidably disposed in the casing tube and comprising a forward plug and an elongated arm including a plurality of cavities; wherein in a blood collection operation a pulling of the plunger moves the plug rearward and pivots the projection to engage in one of the cavities so as to flow blood from the tube casing to one of the blood collection tubes via one of the connectors and one of the adapter assemblies.
Preferably, the butterfly needle assembly comprises two wings and a tunnel interconnecting the wings.
Preferably, the butterfly needle assembly further comprises a needle housing, a forward needle mounted to the needle housing, a tubing member having a forward end fastened in the needle housing, and a housing member mounted to a rear end of the tubing member.
Preferably, there is further comprised of a projecting pivot member formed on the butterfly needle assembly, and a safety device including an internally hollowed body having a through hole at one end, the through hole being pivotably put on the pivot member so that the safety device is configured to pivot about the pivot member.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to one side, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both one side of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to a bottom, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both the bottom of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the butterfly needle assembly further comprises a needle housing integrally formed with the tunnel.
Preferably, the butterfly needle assembly further comprises a retaining ring securely put on the needle housing, and a projecting pivot member formed on the retaining ring wherein the through hole is pivotably put on the pivot member so that the safety device is configured to pivot about the pivot member.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises spaced first and second protuberances formed proximate to the through hole, wherein the pivot member comprises a peg formed on an outer surface, and wherein before the blood collection operation, the peg engages the second protuberance, and after the blood collection operation, the peg is stopped by the first protuberance.
In a second aspect of the invention there is provided an arrangement for a blood collection apparatus comprising a butterfly needle assembly comprising a needle housing, a pivot member formed on an outer surface of the needle housing, and a forward needle mounted to the needle housing; and a safety device comprising an internally hollowed body including a through hole at one end, the through hole being pivotably put on the pivot member so that the safety device is configured to pivot about the pivot member.
Preferably, the butterfly needle assembly further comprises two wings and a tunnel interconnecting the wings, and wherein the needle housing is integrally formed with the tunnel.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to one side, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both one side of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises spaced first and second protuberances formed proximate to the through hole, wherein the pivot member comprises a peg formed on an outer surface, and wherein before the blood collection operation, the peg engages the second protuberance, and after the blood collection operation, the peg is stopped by the first protuberance.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to a bottom, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both the bottom of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises spaced first and second protuberances formed proximate to the through hole, wherein the pivot member comprises a peg formed on an outer surface, and wherein before the blood collection operation, the peg engages the second protuberance, and after the blood collection operation, the peg is stopped by the first protuberance.
In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an arrangement for a blood collection apparatus comprising a butterfly needle assembly comprising a needle housing, a forward needle mounted to the needle housing, a retaining ring securely put on the needle housing, and a projecting pivot member formed on the retaining ring; a safety device comprising an internally hollowed body including a through hole at one end, the through hole being pivotably put on the pivot member so that the safety device is configured to pivot about the pivot member. Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to one side, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both one side of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises spaced first and second protuberances formed proximate to the through hole, wherein the pivot member comprises a peg formed on an outer surface, and wherein before the blood collection operation, the peg engages the second protuberance, and after the blood collection operation, the peg is stopped by the first protuberance.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises an internal space defined by the internally hollowed body and open to a bottom, and at least one blocking member disposed in the internal space wherein after the blood collection operation, a pivotal movement of the safety device about the pivot member passes the needle through both the bottom of the internal spaced and the at least one blocking member to be lockingly concealed in the internal space.
Preferably, the safety device further comprises spaced first and second protuberances formed proximate to the through hole, wherein the pivot member comprises a peg formed on an outer surface, and wherein before the blood collection operation, the peg engages the second protuberance, and after the blood collection operation, the peg is stopped by the first protuberance.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
For example, one adapter assembly 40 includes a body 41, a first tube 411 extending out of one end, and a second tube 421 extending out of the other end to insert into the blood collection tube 501. The casing tube 11 includes five aligned first, second, third, fourth, and fifth connectors 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115 on an outer surface. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth connectors 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115 are connected to the first tubes 411, 412, 413, 414 and 415 respectively. A nose 12 is formed on a forward end of the casing tube 11 and is inserted into a rear housing member 25 of a tubing member 23. A flange 13 is formed on a rear end of the casing tube 11 and has a flexible projection 131 which is configured to engage within one of first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325.
The butterfly needle assembly 20 further includes a needle housing 22, a forward needle 21 mounted to the needle housing 22, two wings 24, a tunnel 241 interconnecting the wings 24 to allow a forward end of the tubing member 23 to dispose therein and secure to the needle housing 22, a projecting pivot 26 having a conic head 261 and a slit 262 through the head 261, and a bent handle 28 besides the pivot 26.
The plunger 30 includes a front plug 31 and an elongated arm 32. The plunger 30 is snugly, slidably disposed in the casing tube 11 to prevent blood in the casing tube 11 from being leaked. The arm 32 has the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325 formed thereon. The first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cavities 321, 322, 323, 324, and 325 correspond to the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth connectors 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115 respectively.
The adapter assembly 40 includes a first tube 411, 412, 413, 414 or 415 which is connected to one of the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth connectors 111, 112, 113, 114 and 115, and a second tube (e.g., second tube 421) inserted through an adapter 511 at one end of the blood collection tube 501 to dispose in the blood collection tube 501 for flowing collected blood to the blood collection tube 501 for storage. It is noted that the blood collection tube 502 has an adapter 512, the blood collection tube 503 has an adapter 513, the blood collection tube 504 has an adapter 514, and the blood collection tube 505 has an adapter 515 respectively.
The safety device 60 includes an internally hollowed body 61 having a space 612 defined therein and a through hole 611 at one end, the through hole 611 pivotably put on a portion between the head 261 and the needle housing 22, a projecting edge 613 for facilitating pivotal movement of the safety device 60 by hand, and parallel first and second blocking members 614, 615 provided in the space 612 and the first blocking member 614 being at an angle with respect to the second blocking member 615.
In a blood collection operation, a medical employee may pull the plunger 30 rearward to move the plug 31 and pivot the projection 131 until the projection 131 is engaged within the first cavity 321 and a first orifice 101 is not blocked by the plug 31 (see
Likewise, for collecting blood in the second blood collection tube 502, a medical employee may pull the plunger 30 rearward to move the plug 31 and pivot the projection 131 until the projection 131 is engaged within the second cavity 322 and a second orifice 102 is not blocked by the plug 31 (see
Likewise, for collecting blood in the third blood collection tube 503, a medical employee may pull the plunger 30 rearward to move the plug 31 and pivot the projection 131 until the projection 131 is engaged within the third cavity 323 and a third orifice 103 is not blocked by the plug 31 (see
Operation for collecting blood in the fourth blood collection tube 504 is similar to the above description regarding the third blood collection tube 503. Likewise, for collecting blood in the fifth blood collection tube 505, a medical employee may pull the plunger 30 rearward to move the plug 31 and pivot the projection 131 until the projection 131 is engaged within the fifth cavity 325 and a fifth orifice 105 is not blocked by the plug 31 (see
After the blood collection operation, a medical employee may pivot the safety device 60 about the pivot 26 about 90 degrees by holding and pivoting the projecting edge 613 to cause the needle 21 to pass through a gap between the first blocking member 614 and the second blocking member 615 to be lockingly concealed in the space 612 (see
Referring to
The safety device 60A includes an internally hollowed body 61A having a space 612A defined therein and a through hole 611A at one end, the through hole 611A pivotably put on a portion between the pivot 26, a protrusion 613A on a top for facilitating pivotal movement of the safety device 60 by hand, and parallel first and second blocking members 614A, 615A provided in the space 612A and the first blocking member 614A being at an angle with respect to the second blocking member 615A. After the blood collection operation, a medical employee may pivot the safety device 60A about the pivot 26A about 90 degrees by holding and pivoting the protrusion 613A to cause the needle 21 to pass through a gap between the first blocking member 614A and the second blocking member 615A to be lockingly concealed in the space 612A. This has the benefits of preventing the employee from being accidentally pricked after use, thereby contaminating the employee with microorganisms or blood on the needle 21. Further, a reuse of the needle 21 is made impossible.
Referring to
The butterfly needle assembly 20A includes a retaining ring 27A tightly put on the needle housing 22A. A pivot 26A is formed on an outer surface of the retaining ring 27A and is pivotably disposed through the through hole 611 so that the safety device 60 can pivot about the pivot 26A (i.e., the butterfly needle assembly 20A). The third preferred embodiment has the same benefits as the first preferred embodiment.
Referring to
The safety device 60C includes a single blocking member 614C in the space 612. The fourth preferred embodiment has the same benefits as the first preferred embodiment.
Referring to
The butterfly needle assembly 20D includes a needle housing 22D with the forward needle 21 mounted thereto. A tunnel 241D is interconnected two opposite wings 24D to allow a forward end of the tubing member 23 to dispose therein and secure to the needle housing 22D. The butterfly needle assembly 20D includes a retaining ring 27D tightly put on the needle housing 22D. A pivot 26D is formed on an outer surface of the retaining ring 27D and is pivotably disposed through the through hole 611D so that the safety device 60D can pivot about the pivot 26D (i.e., the butterfly needle assembly 20D). Further, two spaced first and second protuberances 616D, 617D are formed on the mouth of the through hole 611D. A peg 263D is formed on an outer surface of a stem portion of the pivot 26D below the head. The peg 263D is on the same plane as the first and second protuberances 616D, 617D.
Before the blood collection operation, the peg 263D is engaged with the second protuberance 617D (see
Referring to
A tunnel 241D is interconnected two opposite wings 24D to allow a forward end of the tubing member 23 to dispose therein. The butterfly needle assembly 20D includes a retaining ring 27D tightly put on the needle housing. A pivot 26D is formed on an outer surface of the retaining ring 27D and is pivotably disposed through the through hole 611E so that the safety device 60E can pivot about the pivot 26D. Further, a protrusion 613A is formed on a top of the body 61A of the safety device 60E for facilitating pivotal movement of the safety device 60E by hand. Furthermore, two spaced first and second protuberances 616E, 617E are formed on the mouth of the through hole 611E. A peg 263D is formed on an outer surface of a stem portion of the pivot 26D below the head. The peg 263D is on the same plane as the first and second protuberances 616E, 617E.
Before the blood collection operation, the peg 263D is engaged with the second protuberance 617E (see
While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.