Patent Application
20180360364
This invention relates to needle guards and more particularly to guards into which a winged needle assembly having a needle at an end is withdrawn into.
Needle guards are protective devices into which a needle of a needle assembly can be withdrawn. Once fully withdrawn the needle is locked within the guard and cannot be accidentally extended, thus preventing accidental needle stick injury once it is within the guard.
Winged needle assemblies have a needle block with one or two flexible wings that allow the user to more easily manipulate the needle assembly.
The present invention aims to provide a novel needle guard for use with winged needle assemblies. At least some preferred embodiments aim to provide easier withdrawal into the guard, substantial sealing against liquid leakage and visual and audible feedback to the user to have confidence the withdrawn needle assembly is secured correctly.
The present invention provides a needle guard for use with a needle assembly having a needle mounted on a needle block, the guard comprising:
Preferably reception of at least one wing in the at least one slot does not move said tongue member relative to the channel member.
Preferably in the open position the tongue member lies outside the channel member. However, at least part of the tongue member may lie within the channel member.
In a preferred embodiment, when viewed side on, there is gap between the at least one side edge and the tongue member. This allows a winged needle block to be drawn into the Guard with the wings passing along the slots with no or insignificant deflection of the wings.
However, at least part of the tongue member may lie within the channel member such that, when viewed side on, there is no gap between the at least one side edge and the tongue member. The slot so defined allows a winged needle block to be drawn into the guard with the wings passing along the slots but requiring some deflection.
Preferably there is a slot defined between the tongue member and both side edges.
Preferably in the closed position the tongue member closes at least part of the at least one slot.
The needle guard preferably has at least one locking mechanism to retain the tongue in the closed position. In a preferred embodiment the locking mechanism comprises at least one protrusion on one of the tongue or the channel member and at least one recess or opening on the other for receiving the at least one protrusion. In a preferred embodiment the tongue has protrusions that engage in recesses or openings in the channel member.
Preferably in the closed position the tongue member is located within the channel member. However, in the closed position the tongue member may bear against the side edges to close the slot and have a closure portion that extends into the channel member to close the passageway.
The concave channel member may comprise a top wall and two opposed first side walls.
The tongue member may comprise a lower wall. The tongue member may have two opposed second side walls.
Preferably the separation of the first side walls is more than the width of the tongue, excluding any locking protrusions or recesses on the side walls and tongue.
The tongue preferably includes sealing structure to seal the front end of the passageway against leakage of liquid from the passageway to the environment via the front end.
In a preferred embodiment, in the open position, the at least one slot communicates with at least one wing-receiving recess, for receiving at least one wing of a winged needle block.
At least part of the at least one wing-receiving recess may be defined by the tongue member or the channel member or both the tongue member and the channel member.
Preferably, in the closed position, the wing-receiving recess is closed.
The wing-receiving portion may have at least one wing-receiving slot, for receiving a front portion of a needle block wing. The at least one wing-receiving slot may be formed in the tongue member or the channel member. The at least one wing-receiving slot may be rearward facing.
The guard preferably includes at least one guide member or surface to align the needle assembly to a first position when retracted into the needle guard.
The at least one guide member or surface may be fixed relative to one or both of the tongue member and the channel member or it may be movable relative to one or both of the tongue member and the channel member.
The at least one guide member or surface may include a slot or movable arm. The at least one guide member or surface may comprise part of the wing-receiving portion or wing-receiving slot.
The guard preferably includes at least one biasing member to bias a needle assembly to a first position when retracted into the needle guard. The at least one guide member or surface may include at least one biasing member. The at least one biasing member may include at least one guide member or surface.
The at least one biasing member may comprise a flexible arm located on or extending from either or both of the tongue member and the channel member.
The at least one biasing member may bias the needle assembly, when in the retracted position, toward the tongue or the channel member.
The at least one biasing member may bias the needle assembly, when in the retracted position, toward the tongue or the channel member so that a portion of the cannula at or near the free end of the cannula is close to or engages the surface of the respective tongue or the channel member.
Referring to
The needle guard 10 comprises concave portion 22 and tongue portion 24. Portions 22 and 24 joined together at the rear 26 of the guard.
As best seen in
However, the concave portion 22 need not have definite top and side walls and may have a continuous curve in end view, such as a semicircular or other cross section.
In the “open” position the tongue 24 lies below the lower edges 32 of side walls 30 and as seen in
The upper portion 22 and tongue 24 thus define a longitudinally extending passageway 36 with a front aperture 40 at the front end 42 of the guard. There is a rear aperture 38 in the guard's rear end 26. The guard 10 is adapted to be mounted onto the conduit 14 with the conduit 14 passing through rear aperture 38, along passageway 36 and out of front aperture 40 with the needle 16 and needle block 18 outside of the guard 10 forward of forward end 42, as seen in
The guard 10 may be moved along the conduit so as to draw the needle 16 and needle block 18 into the guard 10.
The lower edges 32 are shaped so as to curve away from the tongue 24 toward the front end 42 and so the slot 34 has a large size at the front end 42 and progressively narrows toward the rear end 26. This is not critical but aids a user in drawing the needle assembly 14 into the guard 10.
The upper extent (or upper side) of slot 34 is defined by the lower edges of side walls 30. The lower extent (or lower side) is defined by the tongue 24. In the open position the base wall 56 of tongue 24 is generally parallel with upper wall 28. Side walls 58 extend upwards from base wall 56. As best seen in
Toward the rear of the guard the side walls 58 cease to be connected to the base wall 56 and arms 60 extend rearwards, each defining a slot 62 between the arms 60 and base wall 56.
Beyond the rearward extent of the arm 60 the lower edge 32 curves downwards and joins the tongue 24 to define the rearward extent 64 of the slot 34. The lower surface 66 between the front 68 of slot 62 and rear end 64 of slot 34 may be formed with generally flat or may be formed slightly convex. The rear end 64 of the slot 34 may be a simple rounded end or may be formed with an oversized portion 70, as best seen in
At least one guide wall 72 is provided and is positioned to urge the conduit 14 and/or needle block 18 downwards toward the base wall 56 of tongue 24. The guide wall 72 may extend sideways from one or both side walls, as in this embodiment, or may extend internally in the passageway from upper wall 28. The guide wall 72 holds the needle block and wings tightly and so improves the feeling of the needle assembly being securely and safely held. Each guide wall 72 is defined by a slot 73 and so may flex upwards to increase the size of the slot 34.
After use the needle is withdrawn into the guard 10 by moment of the guard 10 relative to the conduit 14, usually by sliding the guard 10 along the conduit 14. The guard moves toward the needle and the wings engage the upper or lower edges of slot 34 and aid in guiding the needle block into the guard 10. The guard 10 continues its forward movement and the wings 20 move rearwards along slot whilst the needle 16 and needle block 18 move into the passageway 36.
Because the slot 34 is “open” when the guard 10 is in the open position drawing the needle assembly into the guard does not require any increase in separation of the tongue 24 and concave portion 22. As such there is relatively little force required to withdraw the needle assembly.
The arms 60 are primarily provided so that as the wings pass and start to change direction as the slot 34 curves downwards the arms 60 deflect downwards and so that there is less resistance (due to deflection of the wings) than otherwise. If desired the slot 62 may be omitted so that the side walls 58 are continuous.
The block 18 is moved backwards until the rear edges of the wings 20 reach the rear ends 64 of slots 34 and/or clear the free ends of arms 60.
The distance between the rear 64 of the slot 34 and the rear 74 of the arms 64 is preferably the same or more than the length of the wings 20
The needle assembly is drawn backward until the front edges 76 of the wings 20 clear the rear end 74 of arms 64 and the front edges 76 just sit behind the rear 74 of the arms 64. However the distance may be less and this may require the wings to be elastically distorted by generally “waviness” or by curving the rear end portion into the oversize rear portion of slot 34.
If desired the slot 62 may be sized so that the wings 20 can be slid forward into the slots 62 to act as an additional retention mechanism, but this is not essential. Once the wings have cleared the rear end 74 they may be moved forwards to move the front portion of the wings into slot 62. The slots 62 may preferably be configured so that forward movement of the needle assembly 12 will result in the wings 20 entering the slots 62 without the user needing to actively guide them.
The passageway 36 remains open and potentially a person could insert a body part, such as a small finger, into the open end of the guard and impale themselves on the needle 16. In addition, a person may deliberately draw the needle block backwards and manipulate the needle block to remove the wings from slot 62 and move the needle out of the guard. Accordingly the guard has a closure mechanism for the passageway, which in the preferred embodiment utilizes the tongue 24.
The lower tongue 24 may be rotated about a general hinge line 50 and/or generally flexed relative to concave portion 22 to a locked position in which all or part of the tongue lies between opposed side walls 30, as seen in
Toward the front end 44 of tongue 24 are two sideways extending wings or protrusions 46. The separation of the outer edges 48 of protrusions 46 is slightly greater than the separation of the side walls when the front end 44 of tongue 24 is against or near to the upper wall 28. Each side wall 28 has an opening 50 into which the protrusions may extend when in the closed position.
As best seen in
The guard is preferably formed of flexible plastics material and so the side walls 30 may flex outwards to accommodate the protrusions 46 as the tongue is moved to the closed position, with the side walls snapping back to their un-deflected state when the protrusions align with and enter the openings 50. The snap action provides an audible click that reassures the user that the tongue 24 is securely locked in the closed position.
In the embodiment shown each opening 50 is generally U-shaped and so defines a leg 52 that may flex, rather than relying only on flexing of the side walls 30 as a whole. However, if desired, the shape of the opening 50 may merely correspond to the shape of the protrusions, such as a rounded rectangle.
Thus once the tongue 24 has been moved to the closed position the needle assembly is substantially irreversibly locked within the guard and cannot be accidentally withdrawn.
A used needle typically has some fluids on itself and it is preferable that any such fluids remain within the guard. Accordingly, the side edges of the tongue 20 and side walls 30 may be formed to be substantially fluid tight. This may be by having an interference fit sideways between the walls 30 and tongue 20 or by having any gaps between themselves small enough to resist fluid flow.
The upper surface of the tongue 20 is preferably formed with a series of flexible sealing fins 78 located toward the front of the tongue. In the closed position the sealing fins 78 engage against the underside of upper wall 28 and substantially seal the front end of the passageway. The tongue and upper wall 28 are preferably formed so that when locked in position the tongue urges the fins against the upper wall 28. In the preferred embodiment the fins are located on the open side of the locking protrusions 48. If desired the fins may be located in the region of the locking protrusions 48 or rearwards of them.
As best seen by comparing
As best seen in
Referring to
The needle guard is adapted to be mounted on mounted on a needle assembly 12, as shown in
The needle guard 110 is similar to the needle guard 10 of the first embodiment but the arrangement for locking the needle assembly 12 is slightly different. However, for completeness the needle guard 110 will be described fully.
The needle guard 110 comprises concave portion 122 and tongue portion 124. Portions 122 and 124 joined together at the rear 126 of the guard.
As best seen in
However, the concave portion 122 need not have definite top and side walls and may have a continuous curve in end view, such as a semicircular or other cross section.
In the “open” position the tongue 124 lies below the lower edges 132 of side walls 130 and as seen in
The concave portion 122 and tongue 124 thus define a longitudinally extending passageway 136 with a front aperture 140 at the front end 142 of the guard. There is a rear aperture 138 in the guard's rear end 126. The guard 110 is adapted to be mounted onto the conduit 14 with the conduit 14 passing through rear aperture 138, along passageway 136 and out of front aperture 140 with the needle 16 and needle block 18 outside of the guard 110 forward of forward end 142, as seen in
The guard 110 may be moved along the conduit so as to draw the needle 16 and needle block 18 into the guard 110.
The lower edges 132 of side walls 130 are shaped so as to curve away from the tongue 124 toward the front end 142 and so the slot 134 has a large size at the front end 142 and progressively narrows toward the rear end 126. This is not critical but aids a user in drawing the needle assembly 14 into the guard 110.
The upper extent (or upper side) of slot 134 is defined by the lower edges 132 of side walls 130. The lower extent (or lower side) is defined by the tongue 124. In the open position the base wall 156 of tongue 124 is angled slightly downwards relative to upper wall 128 but this is not critical. Side walls 158 extend upwards from base wall 156 and provide stiffening to the tongue 124. They also serve to keep the needle assembly and conduit within the needle guard but may be replaced by other stiffening structures, such as ribs on the underside of the base wall.
Toward the rear of the guard a curved flexible arm 172 extends upwards away from the base 156 on each side of the tongue 124. A slot 173 allows the flexible arm 172 to be flexed toward the base 156. The flexible arms 172 serve a similar function as curved portions 72 in the first embodiment. There are two flexible arms 172 and each is joined to the tongue 124 at both ends. However, the flexible arm 172 may be free at its rearward end. The same applies to the guide walls 72 of the first embodiment.
On each of the side walls 130 of the channel member an arm 160 extends toward the tongue member 124, with the free end 174 of the arms 160 located forward of flexible arms 172 and close to the tongue 124. As best seen in
Instead of extending at the sides of the passageway 136 one or more flexible arms 172 may extend internally in the passageway 136 from lower wall 156. The flexible arms 172 holds the needle block and wings tightly and so improves the feeling of the needle assembly being securely and safely held.
After use the needle is withdrawn into the guard 110 by moment of the guard 110 relative to the conduit 14, usually by sliding the guard 110 along the conduit 14. The guard moves toward the needle and the wings engage the upper or lower edges of slot 134 and aid in guiding the needle block into the guard 110. The guard 110 continues its forward movement and the wings 120 move rearwards along slot whilst the needle 16 and needle block 18 move into the passageway 136.
Because the slot 134 is “open” when the guard 110 is in the open position drawing the needle assembly into the guard does not require any increase in separation of the tongue 124 and concave portion 122. As such there is relatively little force required to draw the needle assembly into the guard.
As the wings pass the arms 160, the arms 160 deflect upwards and the rear edge of the wings then engage the flexible arm 172 and deflect the flexible arm portions 172 downwards.
The block 18 is moved backwards until the rear edges of the wings 120 reach the rear ends 164 of slots 134 and/or the front edges 176 clear the free ends of arms 160.
The distance between the rear 164 of the slot 134 and the rear 174 of the arms 164 is preferably the same or more than the length of the wings 120.
The needle assembly is drawn backward until the front edges 176 of the wings 120 clear the rear end 174 of arms 164 and the front edges 176 just sit behind the rear 174 of the arms 164. However the distance may be less and this may require the wings to be elastically distorted by generally “waviness” or by curving the rear end portion into the oversize rear portion of slot 134.
Where the wings easily clear the rear end 174 of arms 164, as they do so, the arms 160 move back to their un-deflected state, reducing the size of the slot 134 to less than the thickness of the wings. Thus without any additional measures, the needle assembly is prevented from moving toward the open end. Simultaneously, the flexible arm portions 172 rotate the front of the needle assembly upwards so the wings are held against portion 166 and the needle 16 extends generally parallel to the portion 166. These two actions tend to generate a reassuring clicking sound that indicates the wings 120 have passed the arms 164.
As seen in
If desired the slot 162 may be sized so that the wings 120 can be slid forward into the slots 162 to act as an additional retention mechanism, but this is not essential.
The passageway 136 remains open and potentially a person could insert a body part, such as a small finger, into the open end of the guard. The arrangement in this embodiment with the angled upper wall portion 166 and flexible arms 172 urging the needle assembly upwards against this wall portion means that the cannula is angled toward the upper wall 128, as best seen in
As with the first embodiment, the guard has a closure mechanism for the passageway, which in the preferred embodiment utilizes the tongue 124.
The lower tongue 124 may be rotated about a general hinge line 150 and/or generally flexed relative to concave portion 122 to a locked position in which all or part of the tongue lies between opposed side walls 130, as seen in
Toward the front end 144 of tongue 124 are two sideways extending wings or protrusions 146. The separation of the outer edges 148 of protrusions 146 is slightly greater than the separation of the side walls when the front end 144 of tongue 124 is against or near to the upper wall 128. Each side wall 128 has an opening 150 into which the protrusions may extend when in the closed position.
As best seen in
The guard is preferably formed of flexible plastics material and so the side walls 130 may flex outwards to accommodate the protrusions 146 as the tongue is moved to the closed position, with the side walls snapping back to their un-deflected state when the protrusions align with and enter the openings 150. The snap action provides an audible click that reassures the user that the tongue 124 is securely locked in the closed position.
In the embodiment shown each opening 150 is generally U-shaped and so defines a leg 152 that may flex, rather than relying only on flexing of the side walls 130 as a whole. However, if desired, the shape of the opening 150 may merely correspond to the shape of the protrusions, such as a rounded rectangle.
Thus once the tongue 124 has been moved to the closed position the needle assembly is substantially irreversibly locked within the guard and cannot be accidentally withdrawn.
A used needle typically has some fluids on itself and it is preferable that any such fluids remain within the guard. Accordingly, the side edges of the tongue 120 and side walls 130 may be formed to be substantially fluid tight. This may be by having an interference fit sideways between the walls 130 and tongue 120 or by having any gaps between themselves small enough to resist fluid flow.
The upper surface of the tongue 120 is preferably formed with a series of flexible sealing fins 178 located toward the front of the tongue. In the closed position the sealing fins 178 engage against the underside of upper wall 128 and substantially seal the front end of the passageway. The tongue and upper wall 128 are preferably formed so that when locked in position the tongue urges the fins against the upper wall 128. In the preferred embodiment the fins are located on the open side of the locking protrusions 148. If desired the fins may be located in the region of the locking protrusions 148 or rearwards of them.
As best seen in
Although the preferred embodiments utilize generally planar upper, lower and side walls 28, 24 and 30 and 128, 124 and 130 respectively it will be appreciated that the concave portions 22 and 122 may be a channel or the like without specific top and side walls having an opening that receives the lower member 24 and 124. As an example a channel having a semicircular cross section would suffice. It will also be appreciated that the use of “upper” and “lower” is also for convenience and the orientation of the various components is not critical.
Whilst the preferred embodiments described have a generally planar tongue members 24 and 124 that is received within the respective concave member 22 or 122 along substantially its entire length, closure of the slot(s) may be by the tongue member having a wider portion that bears against the lower side edges of the concave members 22 or 122. The tongue members may have a narrower portion that extends into the concave portions 22 or 122 and closes the passageway.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and any claims the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
The features of the invention described or mentioned in this document may be combined in any combination of features where features are not mutually exclusive.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2016/000232 | 6/27/2016 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62185092 | Jun 2015 | US | |
| 62275326 | Jan 2016 | US |
