The present invention relates to pen needle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a single use pen needle with protective feature.
Operating and usage of injection needles or simply needles require great care to protect users and others from needle stick injury. These injuries can occur at any time when people use, disassemble, or dispose of the needles, pre- and post-used of the needles. The greatest concern of such needle stick injuries is the potential for transmitting blood-borne viruses to the others. Therefore, storage and disposal of these needles require special care to reduce the hazards.
For hygiene purposes, needles now are fabricated for single-use only, and the used needles are disposed thereafter. To make it more challenging, needles are no longer only used in a medical care facility, but in a field, and even at home. The needles operators are also not limited to trained medical personnel. Accordingly, it is desired that the needles are design at least to prevent needle stick injuries.
Among other solutions, the most straight forward solution is to cap/cover the needle tips from being reach, especially, post-used.
Pen needle is adapted for attaching to a medication delivery device, such as insulin pens for dispensing medication into human body through the skin. It is desired that the pen needle is adapted to be easily removable and replaceable on the medication delivery device.
For hygiene purposes, any such medical devices should minimize physical contact with the users.
In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pen needle having a tip of needle held by a hub centrifugally at one end thereof. The pen needle comprises a torsion spring; a pivot rotatably disposed on the hub about the needle, the pivot is engaging with the hub through a torsion spring, wherein the pivot having a ramp, the ramp further include a holding bar projected over the ramp of the pivot; and a slider installed over the hub for covering the tip of the needle, the slider is slidable linearly along a longitudinal of the center axis, with lug defined radially at the proximal end the slider. When the pen needle is assembled, the lug of the slider is parked on the holding bar supporting the slider at a position covering the tip of the needle thereunder; wherein operationally a linear movement of the slider in one linear direction revealed the tip of the needle and the lug urging the ramp to toggle rotation of the pivot to store energy in the torsion spring, and when the stored energy is released, the torsion spring urges the pivot to rotate in reverse to urge the lug lifting the slider back to cover the tip of the needle.
In one embodiment, the pen needle further comprises a channel defined between the ramp and the holding bar, operationally receiving the lug of the slider.
In another embodiment, an end of the channel may comprise a locking platform for holding the lug from moving linearly.
In yet another embodiment, the locking platform is a channel having a perpendicular inclination against center axis.
In a further embodiment, the slider is guided on the hub to move only in a linear movement.
In a further alternative embodiment, the torsion spring, the pivot and the slider are installed centrifugally and externally around the hub.
In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided another pen needle having a bub with a first cylindrical compartment and a second cylindrical compartment, wherein the first cylindrical compartment having a smaller circumferential size than the second cylindrical compartment, and a needle held by the hub across the length of the hub defining a center axis, wherein a tip of the needle is exposed within a space of the second cylindrical compartment. The pen needle comprises a spring loaded needle cover installed in the first cylindrical compartment of the hub, wherein the spring loaded needle cover comprises a distal end slidable along the center axis to cover the tip of the needle, and two opposingly cantilevered fingers, each finger further comprises a protruding peg adapted as stopper for restricting movements of the needle cover; and a retainer disposed within the second cylindrical compartment and movable linearly in a restricted manner; the retainer comprises a center aperture for receiving the spring loaded needle cover. When assembled and unused, the spring loaded needle cover is being restricted by the peg on the finger abutted against the retainer from moving towards the tip of the needle. Operationally, when the retainer is urged by an external force to pushed the needle cover entering the first cylindrical compartment further, the finger is deflected giving clearance to extend through the center aperture of the retainer to cover the tip of the needle when the external forced is removed, while the peg on the finger blocks the needle cover from returning to the first cylindrical compartment to cover the tip permanently.
In one embodiment, the pen needle further comprises a compression spring connecting to the needle cover.
In another embodiment, the pegs are tapered pegs.
In yet another embodiment, the needle cover comprises two sets of opposingly cantilevered fingers cantilevered.
In a further embodiment, wherein the second cylindrical compartment is adapted for receiving a medication delivery device.
In yet a further embodiment, the medication delivery device comprises a spout for coupling with the second cylindrical compartment, wherein when the spout is operationally inserted into and secured with the pen needle, it urges the retainer as the external forces to push the needle cover toward the first cylindrical compartment further.
This invention will be described by way of non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In line with the above summary, the following description of a number of specific and alternative embodiments are provided to understand the inventive features of the present invention. It shall be apparent to one skilled in the art, however that this invention may be practiced without such specific details. Some of the details may not be described at length so as not to obscure the invention. For ease of reference, common reference numerals will be used throughout the figures when referring to the same or similar features common to the figures.
As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words “and/or” as used herein refer to and encompass any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The words “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The words “right.” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center (or axis) of a needle, and designated parts thereof. Whenever the words “front” and “back/rear” are used, unless otherwise stated, the end with the needle for penetrating into the skin shall be taken as front end and the opposing end shall be taken as back (end) or rear end. In any event, these terms are used for case of illustrations only, not a limitations.
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From the left side of the figure, the first section 310 of the hub 105 defines a front end of the hub 105 with a smallest circumference. In general, the first section 310 forms a cylinder tube having a front aperture 215 at its front distal end and axially extending in the tube at a small length towards the rear end for receiving and supporting the needle 101. In one embodiment, the front aperture 215 axially extending in the inner side of the first section 310 defining an inner collar 216 which provide a better support to the needle 101.
The second section 320 defines the mid portion of the hub 105 has a relatively larger circumference tube bridging the first section 310 and the third section 330. The second section 320 comprises guiding channels 324 formed and arranged around circular exterior thereon, and a smooth interior surface thereunder. It is understood to a skilled person that these guiding means are facilitated to assist installation and assembly to put the components in a desired orientation and operations.
The third section 330 defines the rear end of the hub 105. In the inner surface towards a proximal rear end of third section 330, it further defines internal threads 332 for attaching to the medication delivery devices. In one embodiment, the internal threads shall be made to comply with at least ISO 11608-2:2012. The terminal rear end of the hub 105 further defines a protruding rim 334.
Referring back to the needle 101, in one embodiment, the aperture 215 is adapted to hold the needle 101 along the center axis of the pen needle 100. Preferably, the aperture is sized to snugly fits and holds the needle 101 in place. In one embodiment, it is desired that the needle is assembled to have a fixed position and orientation relative to the hub 105. The front tip 202 of the needle 101 extends beyond the first section 310 of the hub 105, with the needle body runs along the center axis towards the rear end thereof and the rear tip 204 terminates at a short distance before the rear end rim of the hub 105. In yet another embodiment, the needle 101 is defined under ISO 9626:2016.
Referring now to the rear end components, i.e. the spring 122, the needle cover 124 and the retainer 126. The spring 122 is inserted from the rear end of the hub 105 all the way into the inner space of first section 310 around the needle 101 in the hub 105. The front end of the spring 122 is fitted into a ring channel between the inner collar 216 and an outer wall of the first section 310. The length of the spring 122 is extended into the second section 320 of the hub 105.
Following the spring 122, the needle cover 124 is inserted into the hub 105 followed by the retainer 126. The needle cover 124 is adapted to fit into the second section 320 of the hub 105 with its rear end disposed in the third section 330 of the hub 105. When the needle cover 124 is inserted into the second section 320, it abuts and then compresses the spring 122. The retainer 126 is further inserted into the hub 105 through the third section 330 for holding the needle cover 124 in place such that the spring 122 remains compressed. The retainer 126 adapted with tapered pegs 226 for engaging with interior profiles in the third section 330 in a manner that the interior profiles limit the retainer 126 to back up exiting the hub 105. When the retainer 126 is in place in the hub 105, the retainer 126 urges the needle cover 124 to remain compressing the spring 122. Within the third section 330, the retainer 126 is still movable in a reciprocal manner within the third section 330. And further when the retainer 126 is in place, the rear end of the needle tip 204 is exposed in the third section 330.
A plurality of fingers 412, 414 are defined and arranged radially on the cylindrical tube 405 with their distal end suspend above the concentric inner tube 404. In such manner, the distal ends of the fingers are bendable towards the inner tube 404 when receiving external forces thereon and bounce back when the exerting force is removed. At or near the distal end of each finger 412, 414 is a free end and it defines outwardly projected pegs 422, 424. The free ends of the fingers 412 are pointing towards the front end while the fingers 414 are pointing toward the rear ends. The pegs 422, 424 is provided as snap-on mechanism for engaging and disengaging of the components.
In one specific embodiment, the pegs on the fingers 414 is tapered toward the front end such that when the needle cover 124 is forced toward the second section 320 of the hub 105 further, it depresses and bends the fingers 414 allowing the needle cover 124 to be fully inserted into the second section 320.
The guides 428 are provided for ensuring the position and orientation during assembly and operations. guides 428 are designed specific to fit the desired functionalities of the pen needle 100. Shapes and configurations can be in variant according to the actual designs.
The general outside diameter of the retainer 126 is adapted to be able to be inserted into the third section 330 of the hub 105. The inner diameter of the retainer 126 is adapted to accommodate the diameter of the outer diameter of the needle cover 124, without the pegs 422, 424. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the retainer 126 is adapted to about the same or substantially the same as the inner diameter of the second section 320 of the hub 105.
When the pen needle 100 is in used, it is attached to a medication delivery device 502 as shown in the second figure of
When the medication delivery device 502 is detached from the pen needle 100, without the spout of the medication delivery device 502 holding the parts, the needle cover 124 is freed and the spring 122 pushes the rear end of the needle cover 124 through the retainer 126. As the spring 122 pushes the needle cover 124 out from the second section 320 of the hub 105 (as shown by the arrows 524), the fingers 412 bounces back 105 as shown by the arrows 526 with the pegs 422 permanently blocking the needle cover 124 from returning into the second section 320 of the hub 105. The length if the needle cover 124 is adapted to be long enough to hide the tip of the needle 101 within the inner cylinder 404 within the path 405, hence the rear end tip of the needle 101 is no longer exposed and accessible to user after used.
The rear end of the pen needle 100 provide a configuration and mechanism that covers the tip of the needle 101 automatically after single used. As shown above, user needs to only peel off the top cover of the container then to attach the medication delivery device to the pen needle 100 without physically touching the pen needle 100. When the pen needle 100 is detached from the medication delivery device and the top at the rear end of the needle 101 is covered seamlessly without any extra effort needed from user. In this embodiment, the needle cover 124 provides a linear cover for covering the tip of the needle 101 after single use.
Now referring to the front end of the pen needle 100, which comprises the slider 114, the torsion spring 116 and the pivot 118. The components of the front end of the pen needle 100 are installed over the exterior of the hub 105 and ultimately secured by the shield 102.
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In the current embodiment, the slider 114 is restricted from any radial movements operationally and similarly the pivot 118 is restricted from any linear movement on the hub 105.
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Further in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, as the front end (except the body of the slider 114) of the pen needle 101 is mostly covered under the shield 103, one can't reverse the action.
In the present invention, the spring 122 may include a compression spring, or any flexible or resilient members adapted to engage and to force the needle cover in a lateral direction. The spring can be fabricated with any suitable material, which include plastic material. Similarly, the torsion spring 116 can also be made by any suitable resilient materials, which include plastic materials.
Further in the present invention, the pegs, lugs are referring to protrusion from a surface, usually outwardly protruded, which can be in any suitable shapes and configurations depending on its application. It a squarish block, or block with tapered surface or rounded surfaces, when applicable. A person skilled in art would appreciate the use of these pegs, lugs in conjunction with flexible fingers to achieve the objectives of the present invention. In the present invention, the inventors make use of internal and external profiles of the parts to work in correspond with another to achieve the objectives. Through the configurations, the pen needle 100 can be attached to a medication delivery device when it is still within the container 130; remove the pen needle 100 from the container 130 through the medication delivery device; penetrate the skin with the needle 101 of the pen needle 100 by pressing the slider 114 against the skin; remove the needle 101 from skin whereby the front tip of the needle is automatically covered under the slider 114; then remove the pen needle 100 from the medication delivery device whereby the rear tip of the needle is automatically covered upon removal; and disposed the pen needle 100 with both end tips of the pen needle 100 covered. All are done with a seamless flow with minimal contact with the pen needle 100 up under it is removed from the medication delivery device. Further, the present invention depends on mechanical means for automatically covering the tips of the needle 101, and there is no electricity require to operate the pen needle 100.
While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and combinations thereof could be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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PI 2022000539 | Jan 2022 | MY | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/MY2023/050005 | 1/27/2023 | WO |