Patent Application
20140257201
Embodiments of the technology relate, in general, to safety syringes, and in particular to passive safety systems that can be attached to a standard syringe to prevent accidental needlesticks.
The present disclosure will be more readily understood from a detailed description of some example embodiments taken in conjunction with the following figures:
A safety system including a needle retaining device that can include a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle fixedly coupled to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The safety system can include a needle guard assembly, where the needle guard assembly can be configured for attachment to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The needle guard assembly can include a first cylinder, where the first cylinder can be attached to the distal end of the needle retaining device, and a second cylinder, where the second cylinder can be selectively movable relative to the first cylinder from a first position, to a second position wherein the needle is fully exposed, to a third position wherein the needle is fully covered.
A method for assembling a safety system can include providing a needle retaining device that can have a proximal end, a distal end, and a needle fixedly coupled to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The method can include providing a needle guard assembly, where the needle guard assembly can be configured for attachment to the distal end of the needle retaining device. The needle guard assembly can include a first cylinder, where the first cylinder can be attached to the distal end of the needle retaining device, and a second cylinder, where the second cylinder can be selectively movable relative to the first cylinder from a first position, to a second position wherein the needle is fully exposed, to a third position wherein the needle is fully covered. The method can include coupling the needle guard assembly and the needle retaining device.
Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, and use of the safety systems and processes disclosed herein. One or more examples of these non-limiting embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that systems and methods specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting embodiments. The features illustrated or described in connection with one non-limiting embodiment may be combined with the features of other non-limiting embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.
Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with any embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” “some example embodiments,” “one example embodiment, or “in an embodiment” in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
The examples discussed herein are examples only and are provided to assist in the explanation of the apparatuses, devices, systems and methods described herein. None of the features or components shown in the drawings or discussed below should be taken as mandatory for any specific implementation of any of these the apparatuses, devices, systems or methods unless specifically designated as mandatory. For ease of reading and clarity, certain components, modules, or methods may be described solely in connection with a specific figure. Any failure to specifically describe a combination or sub-combination of components should not be understood as an indication that any combination or sub-combination is not possible. Also, for any methods described, regardless of whether the method is described in conjunction with a flow diagram, it should be understood that unless otherwise specified or required by context, any explicit or implicit ordering of steps performed in the execution of a method does not imply that those steps must be performed in the order presented but instead may be performed in a different order or in parallel.
Example embodiments described herein can be used to prevent accidental needlesticks. Example embodiments can include a safety system that can be attached to a standard off the shelf syringe or pre-filled cartridge. Embodiments can be Integrated into a standard prefilled syringe by, for example, a glass company. Embodiments can include automatic, passive needlestick safety protection that can comply with US and EU guidelines for needlestick safety prevention. Embodiments fo the safety system can use current stability packaging materials of a validated PFS. Embodiments can provide a needlestick safety solution that may be implemented with lower total cost than, for example, bolt-on safety solutions.
Example embodiments described herein can be used with a standard needle, a standard glass hub, a standard cone, a standard needle shield, or a standard fixture to the glass hub of a syringe or pre-filled cartridge. Embodiments can include a one-step assembly of the safety system by a manufacture, where, for example, a manufacturer can pre-assemble the safety system. Embodiments can fit in standard three inch or four inch tubs and can fit in 10×16 or 10×10 tubs, for example.
Referring now to
The automatic non-reusable needle guard 8 can include a second cylinder 16 that can be operable with the first cylinder 10 for movement of the second cylinder 16 from an initial retractable position (
The mechanism that can provide movement of the second cylinder 16 relative to the first cylinder 10 can incorporate a first track 20, as shown in more detail in
Example embodiments of the automatic non-reusable needle guard 8 can also include a locking mechanism (
The foregoing description of embodiments and examples has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the forms described. Numerous modifications are possible in light of the above teachings. Some of those modifications have been discussed, and others will be understood by those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best illustrate principles of various embodiments as are suited to particular uses contemplated. The scope is, of course, not limited to the examples set forth herein, but can be employed in any number of applications and equivalent devices by those of ordinary skill in the art. Rather it is hereby intended the scope of the invention to be defined by the claims appended hereto.
The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/776,414, filed Mar. 11, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61776414 | Mar 2013 | US |
