Patent Application
20250195758
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for subcutaneous infusion systems and equipment, and more particularly to a system for inserting needles into tissue and methods of use.
Infusion systems for the delivery of liquid pharmaceuticals are widely used and relied upon by patients and care givers alike.
With a typical injection, commonly referred to as a “shot” a patient is quickly injected with a medicant provided by a handheld syringe directly connected to a needle. The caregiver punctures the patient's skin with the needle to reach desired tissues or structures, depresses the plunger of the syringe to inject the medicant, and then withdraws the needle. This process is typically performed in less than one minute.
With an infusion, typically the medicant is delivered over a period of time. The needle is inserted to reach the desired tissues or structures and then remains in contact with those tissues or structures for the duration of the treatment which is typically measurable in many minutes or hours.
One form of infusion therapy is Immuno Globulin (Ig) therapy, and it is frequently used to improve the quality of life for patients with conditions such as Primary Immune Deficiency (PID), Secondary Immune Deficiency (SID), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIPD), and Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). Historically, Ig therapy has been administered intravenously (IVIg) every 3-4 weeks, which can result in inconsistent serum levels and burdensome infusion experiences for patients.
Subcutaneous Ig therapy (SCIg) is a more convenient option that allows for consistent serum levels and can be done at home. However, SCIg has its own challenges, such as the need for patients to prepare and administer the infusions themselves and potential site leakage during infusions. This device will administer therapy subcutaneously through single or multiple injection sites depending on the drug volumes prescribed.
While important in any medical setting, for home use, it is imperative that the infusion needle system assembly in particular be as simple and straightforward to use as possible.
To assist with ensuring that the needle reaches the desired tissues or structures, infusion needles are often provided in specific lengths. In addition, to help anchor the needle during the infusion procedure, these needles often have an anchor of sorts, from which the needle extends, and which is taped in place upon a patient once the needle element has been disposed into the tissue.
To further minimize the possibility of disturbing the needle, the medicant supply tubing is essentially parallel to the patient's skin, and capable of being taped in place while the delivery end of the needle is perpendicular to the skin and at the desired pre-determined depth. In some cases, such as in the case of butterfly needles, the butterfly needle itself may have an adhesive layer predisposed or otherwise incorporated in or upon the surface that is intended to contact the patient's skin.
Of course, to receive an infusion therapy, the patient or his or her caregiver must insert one or more needles into the patient's body. While some patients have no difficulty self-inserting needles or receiving needles in their body, other patients are sensitive to the pain of the injection or are uncomfortable seeing needles or injecting needles into their body. In particular, many children have difficulty receiving infusion therapy due to the pain of needle insertion or fear of needles.
The method in which the needle is injected into the tissue is relevant to preventing pain. Research has shown that the speed of the insertion of the needle is important to protect the tissue layers from excessive damage and reduce the pain of the insertion. When a needle is slowly inserted into the tissue, there is a more potential for damage to be observed in the tissue as compared to the rapid insertion of a needle into tissue.
Many of the therapies that require infusions are also given on a weekly or biweekly basis, and some even more frequently. As such, there is a desire among patients and caregivers for a simple and consistent system that provides consistent needle insertion, and potentially, a reduction in pain.
Needle insertion devices are known—indeed, US Patent Publication US 2009/0216215 to Thalmann sets forth a type of needle insertion device, which has a piston/thrust element 4 that is drawn back by hand to prepare the device for a needle insertion. For those with poor or limited hand strength, such an operation may be difficult. In addition, the Thalmann device is not appropriate for butterfly needles which have wings—the wings being advantageous for temporarily securing the inserted needle to the patient during the treatment session.
Another needle insertion device may be found in US Patent Publication US 2012/0245497 to Nicholls et al, but here again the device does not accommodate butterfly needles. U.S. Pat. No. 7,014,625 to Bengtsson discloses a Needle Insertion Device, wherein the needle and the insertion device are apparently inseparable and the entire insertion device is adhered to the patient during treatment and then removed—the device apparently being single use and therefore potentially costly.
Hence there is a need for a method and system that is capable of overcoming one or more of the above identified challenges.
Our invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a system and method for administering a butterfly needle to a patient.
In particular, and by way of example only, according to one embodiment of the present invention, provided is a system for administering a butterfly needle to a patient, including: a butterfly needle insertion device, comprising: a housing comprising a shell with a distal end and a proximal opening, the proximal opening having two opposing grooves each having a width to receive a wing of a butterfly needle, the opposing grooves extending from the proximal opening towards the distal end, and two opposing channels disposed between the opposing grooves, the opposing channels extending towards the distal end; a drive plunger occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell of the housing and in shifting engagement with the housing, wherein the drive plunger has a distal end to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger in a retracted position and a proximal end structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle with the wings extending through the opposing grooves and beyond the housing, a supply line of the butterfly needle received by one of the opposing channels; a butterfly needle retainer disposed within the housing and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle to the proximal end of the drive plunger when the drive plunger is in the retracted position prior to position prior to the butterfly needle insertion into the patient; a drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient.
For yet another embodiment, provided is a system for administering a butterfly needle to a patient, including: a butterfly needle insertion device, comprising: a housing comprising a shell with a distal end and a proximal opening, the proximal opening having two opposing grooves each having a width to receive a wing of a butterfly needle, the opposing grooves extending from the proximal opening towards the distal end, and two opposing channels disposed between the opposing grooves, the opposing channels extending towards the distal end; a drive plunger occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell of the housing and in shifting engagement with the housing, wherein the drive plunger has a distal end to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger in a retracted position and a proximal end structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle with the wings extending through the opposing grooves and beyond the housing, a supply line of the butterfly needle received by one of the opposing channels; a catch assembly disposed within the housing and providing an aperture through which at least a portion of the drive plunger moves, the catch assembly providing a pair of opposing catch springs disposed proximate to opposing sides of the drive plunger, the catch springs structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle to the proximal end of the drive plunger when the drive plunger is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle into the patient; a drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient; and an inner shell disposed within the housing and about the drive plunger, the catch assembly and the drive spring, the inner shell having a proximal end providing a proximal surface disposed at least partially about the proximal opening.
In yet another embodiment, provided is a system for administering a butterfly needle to a patient, including: a butterfly needle insertion device, comprising: a housing comprising a shell with a distal end and a proximal opening, the proximal opening having two opposing grooves each having a width to receive a wing of a butterfly needle, the opposing grooves extending from the proximal opening towards the distal end, and two opposing channels disposed between the opposing grooves, the opposing channels extending towards the distal end; a drive plunger occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell of the housing and in shifting engagement with the housing, wherein the drive plunger has a distal end to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger in a retracted position and a proximal end structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle with the wings extending through the opposing grooves and beyond the housing, a supply line of the butterfly needle received by one of the opposing channels; a butterfly needle retainer disposed within the housing and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle to the proximal end of the drive plunger when the drive plunger is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle into the patient; a drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient; and an inserter base, the inserter base structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle, the housing disposed over the inserter base and depressed down about the inserter base to retract the drive plunger within the housing and engage the butterfly needle to the butterfly needle retainer.
And, still further, for yet another embodiment, provided is a method for administering a butterfly needle to a patient, including: providing a butterfly needle insertion device, comprising: a housing comprising a shell with a distal end and a proximal opening, the proximal opening having two opposing grooves each having a width to receive a wing of a butterfly needle, the opposing grooves extending from the proximal opening towards the distal end, and two opposing channels disposed between the opposing grooves, the opposing channels extending towards the distal end; a drive plunger occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell of the housing and in shifting engagement with the housing, wherein the drive plunger has a distal end to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger in a retracted position and a proximal end structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle with the wings extending through the opposing grooves and beyond the housing, a supply line of the butterfly needle received by one of the opposing channels; a butterfly needle retainer disposed within the housing and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle to the proximal end of the drive plunger when the drive plunger is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle into the patient; a drive spring associated with the drive plunger such that when the drive plunger is driven into the housing to the retracted position, the drive spring is loaded and when the drive plunger is released, the drive plunger travels distally from the force of the drive spring unloading to deliver the butterfly needle into the patient; providing an inserter base, the inserter base structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle, the housing disposed over the inserter base and depressed down about the inserter base to retract the drive plunger within the housing and engage the butterfly needle to the butterfly needle retainer; disposing the butterfly needle upon the inserter base; disposing the housing over the inserter base; depressing the housing down upon the inserter base to retract the drive plunger into the housing and engage the butterfly needle temporarily with the butterfly needle retainer, disposing the proximal opening over an intended infusion site of the patient; and releasing the stop to dispose the butterfly needle into the patient.
Before proceeding with the detailed description, it is to be appreciated that the present teaching is by way of example only, not by limitation. The concepts herein are not limited to use or application with a specific system or method for providing a system or method for a butterfly needle assembly. Thus, although the instrumentalities described herein are for the convenience of explanation shown and described with respect to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood and appreciated that the principles herein may be applied equally in other types of injection or infusion needle assembly systems and methods.
This invention is described with respect to preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. Further, with the respect to the numbering of the same or similar elements, it will be appreciated that the leading values identify the Figure in which the element is first identified and described, e.g., element 100 appears in
Turning now to the drawings, and more specifically
To facilitate the description of systems and methods for embodiments of BNID 100, the orientation of BNID 100 as presented in the figures is referenced to the coordinate system with three axes orthogonal to one another as shown in
As this continuing description will illuminate, BNID 100 is structured and arranged to advantageously facilitate the insertion of a butterfly needle 102 into a patient.
Although the BNID 100 may advantageously assist with the insertion of a variety of different butterfly needles 102, for at least one embodiment, BNID 100 has specific features that advantageously enhance the insertion of butterfly needles provided by KORU Medical Systems, Inc. of Mahwah, New Jersey. KORU Medical Systems, Inc. of Mahwah, New Jersey, is and has been a pioneer in needle set technology and provides butterfly needles as set forth in U.S. application Ser. No. 18/216,342 entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BUTTERFLY NEEDLE ASSEMBLY, incorporated herein by reference. Indeed, for purposes of ease of illustration and discussion, the exemplary butterfly needle 102 as shown in the drawings, will be understood and appreciated as an embodiment of a butterfly needle in accordance with U.S. application Ser. No. 18/216,342, now U.S. patent Ser. No. ______, incorporated herein by reference.
For ease of discussion, it will be understood and appreciated that butterfly needle 102 provides opposing wings 104 extending away from a central region 106, the central region 106 also providing a needle hub 108, with a supply line 110. It will also be understood and appreciated, that at least some butterfly needles 102 will be provided with a needle sheath 112 which protectively covers the needle prior to use to protect from accidental needle stick and maintain sterility of the needle. The needle hub 108 may also provide side apertures 114. Of course, it will be understood and appreciated, that various embodiments of BNID 100 may be adapted for the specific elements of other butterfly needles besides those of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/216,342—and even use with a plurality of different, e.g., generic, butterfly needles without departing from the teachings herein.
As shown, BNID 100 is generally provided by a housing 116 comprising a shell 118. For at least one embodiment this shell 118 may be understood and appreciated as an outer shell, as an inner shell will be discussed below. The shell 118 has a solid distal end 120 and a proximal opening 122 opposite from the distal end 120. The proximal opening 122 has two opposing grooves 124 each having a width 126 sized to receive a wing 104 of a butterfly needle 102. As may be appreciated most easily in
The shell 118 also has two opposing channels 128 disposed between the opposing grooves 124, these opposing channels 128 likewise extending from the proximal opening 122 towards the distal end 120. These opposing channels 128 have a width sized to receive supply tubing that couples the butterfly needle 102 to a fluid reservoir (not shown). It will be appreciated that for at least one embodiment the opposing grooves 124 are substantially perpendicular to the opposing channels 128.
With respect to both the opposing grooves 124 and the opposing channels 128, it will be understood and appreciated that each extends from the proximal opening 122 towards the distal end 120 for a distance that is, in general, at least equal to if not slightly longer than the length of the needle, or longest needle, for which an embodiment of BNID 100 is intended for use.
For at least one embodiment, the housing 116 also has opposing buttons 130 at least partially disposed within the side of the housing 116, and more specifically the shell 118, proximate to the distal end 120. For at least one embodiment, the buttons 130 extend outward from the housing such that they can be easily felt and recognized by a user through tactile sensation. For yet another embodiment, the buttons 130 may be essentially flush with the shell 118. Although shown as round buttons, it will be understood and appreciated that in varying embodiments they may be various other geometric shapes, and for at least one embodiment may even appear as a compressible band around the shell 118 without departure from the scope of invention.
As may be appreciated in
The drive plunger 132 has a proximal end 136 that is structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102, and more specifically—for at least one embodiment, the needle hub of the butterfly needle 102. The drive plunger 132 also has a distal end (not shown in
As may also be appreciated in
As is conceptually shown in the drawings, the needle hub 108 has a rounded profile. Accordingly, for at least one embodiment, the proximal end 136 of the drive plunger 132 has a concave seat 140 structured and arranged to receive the needle hub 108 of the butterfly needle 102.
As noted above, shell 118 may in some embodiments be appreciated as an outer shell. Although for at least one embodiment, BNID 100 may indeed have one shell that is fabricated to a desired thickness and purpose, for at least one alternative embodiment the fabrication and assembly may be simplified by providing an inner shell 142. More specifically, as may be appreciated in
The inner shell 142 has a proximal end 144 disposed at least partially about the proximal opening 122. For at least one embodiment, this proximal end 144 may provide a proximal surface 146, which may optionally provide a component 148 such as ridges, points, bumps or other texture 150 for relieving discomfort associated with injecting the butterfly needle 102 into the patient receiving the infusion. Moreover, a plurality of contact points has been found to provide additional nerve stimulus that may mask, or at least desensitize the localized prick of the needle insertion. For at least one embodiment, the component 148 may also include a vibrator component. Further, in at least one embodiment such a vibrator element is provided a vibrator motor and power source (not shown) which may be activated by a pressure switch when the BNID 100 is disposed upon the patient, or activation of the buttons 130, or activation of a separate vibration button. For yet another embodiment, the vibrator element may be provided by a mechanical system including an off-center weight and spring system that is associated with the drive plunger 132 further described below.
With respect to
With respect to
Within the shell 118 are a drive plunger 132, a drive spring 200, a butterfly needle retainer 138, and an inner shell 142 which is disposed within the shell 118 and about the drive plunger 132, the drive spring 200, and the butterfly needle retainer 138.
As may be more fully appreciated in the enlarged and exploded depiction of the butterfly needle retainer 138, for at least one embodiment the butterfly needle retainer 138 may be further described as a catch assembly 202 providing opposing catch springs 204 which are structured and arranged to temporarily engaged and retain the butterfly needle 102, and more specifically the needle hub 108 of the butterfly needle 102. For a butterfly needle 102 providing side apertures 114 in the needle hub 108, the catch springs 204 may be positioned strategically so as to temporarily engage with these side apertures 114 for an improved temporary hold upon the retained butterfly needle 102.
More specifically, the catch assembly 202 provides an aperture 206 through which at least a portion of the drive plunger 132 moves. The catch assembly may be provided by a catch base 208 that receives the catch springs 204 on opposing sides of the aperture 206, the catch springs 204 affixed in place by mounting pins 210. For at least one embodiment, a catch top 212 is affixed to the catch base 208, such as by bolts 214 and nuts 216. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that the catch springs 204 may be affixed in place by a structure other than mounting pins, and the catch top 212 may be affixed to the catch base with structures other than nuts and bolts. Moreover, variations in embodiments of the catch assembly 202 providing the catch springs 204 beyond the specific example recited may be substituted without departure from the scope of the present invention.
The catch assembly 202 is disposed and affixed within the housing slightly below the upper end of the opposing grooves 124. The distal end 218 of the drive plunger 132 may now be appreciated in
For at least one embodiment a compression drive spring is disposed between the top of the distal end 218 of the drive plunger 132 and the underside of the distal end 120 of the housing 116. Alternatively, an optional embodiment of BNID 100 is provided by an embodiment incorporating a tension drive spring 200 that is disposed about the drive plunger and between the catch assembly 202 and the distal end 218 of the drive plunger (the spring 200 is not shown in this position). For yet a third embodiment, two drive springs 200—both a tension spring and a compression spring—may be used, the compression drive spring above the drive plunger 132 and the tension drive spring disposed about the lower portion of the drive plunger 132.
More specifically, both a compression spring and a tension spring have an unloaded state when at rest in their initial, uncompressed or un-stretched state. The action of transitioning a compression spring from an uncompressed to a compressed state, loads the compression spring with force, and likewise the action of transitioning the tension spring from an unstretched state to stretched state loads the tension spring with force. When each spring is released, e.g., unloaded, so too is the force, which is used to drive the drive plunger from its retracted position to a deployed position. Of course, it will be understood and appreciated that a compression drive spring may simply be disposed between the top of the distal end 218 of the drive plunger and the underside of the distal end 120 of the housing 116, whereas a tension drive spring 200 is hooked or otherwise affixed between the catch assembly 202 and the distal end 218 of the drive plunger 132.
As may also be appreciated in
Also shown in
Inserter base 230 also provides supports 236 to either side of the recess 234 upon which the butterfly needle is rested. As for at least one embodiment, the butterfly needle 102 may provide a closure system to close about the needle after use—such as a button and hole system disposed proximate to the edges of each wing; the inserter base 230 provides sockets 238 to receive a button if provided by a wing.
For at least one embodiment, the inserter base 230 is incorporated as a component of a disposable tray or packaging that provides the butterfly needle 102. As such a tray with the butterfly needle 102 is pre-assembled, sterilized and hermetically sealed by the providing facility, such a butterfly needle may not have a needle sheath 112 as the inserter base 230 itself upon which the butterfly needle has been disposed acts as the needle sheath. When BNID 100 is disposed upon the inserter base 230 component of such a tray and the butterfly needle 102 subsequently engaged to BNID 100, it will be understood and appreciated that the needle will be safely retained within the lower portion of BNID 100. The absence of an addition sheath, advantageously saves on the fabrication of sheath as an additional element, the time and cost of its installation about the needle, its subsequent disposal, and the need for the user to remove the sheath which also removes an opportunity for possible accidental needle stick.
As has been noted above with respect to BNID 100 in general, the inserter base 230 also will be appreciated to be substantially symmetrical, and as such may receive a butterfly needle 102 without specific orientation of only one position. More specifically, BNID 100 is advantageously bi-directional—able to receive a butterfly needle 102 in either of two orientation—the supply line 110 oriented towards the front or towards the back. In either configuration, the wings 104 will be disposed through the opposing grooves 124 and the supply line 110 will be disposed in either of the two opposing channels 128.
The drive plunger 132 also consists of a shaft 304, which for at least one embodiment is a generally rectangular element extending perpendicularly from the distal end 120. It will also be appreciated that the cross section of the shaft 304 is structured and arranged for smooth passage through the aperture 206 in the catch assembly 202. And, as the cross section of the shaft 304 and aperture 206 are for at least one embodiment, not round, they cooperatively interact to prevent rotation of the drive plunger during lateral translation within the housing 116.
For the exemplary embodiment shown, the shaft 304 provides the proximal end 136 of the drive plunger 132. As may be further appreciated in
It will also be appreciated in
Having generally described the BNID 100 and inserter base 230,
It will be understood and appreciated that for ease and simplicity of use, the inserter base 230 is to be disposed by the user upon a flat and stable surface, such as a table, counter or other appropriate and available surface.
As may be appreciated from the cut through view of BNID 100, the drive plunger 132 is in the initial position, with the proximal end 136 extending well below the catch base 208. It will also be appreciated that the drive spring 200 is also in an initial position, which is to say at rest and unloaded, as it has not been stretched into a tensioned position. The catch springs 204 are also at rest on either side of the shaft 304 of the drive plunger 132. As indicated by motion arrows 402, BIND 100 is being directed down and upon the inserter base 230.
In
In
As may also be appreciated in
Again, it will be understood and appreciated that the catch assembly 202, and more specifically the catch springs 204 are temporarily retaining the butterfly needle 102 firmly against the concave seat 140 of the drive plunger 132. As noted, the drive spring 200 is now loaded with retained force, and upon release of the stop—e.g., by depression of the buttons 130 (not shown in
To summarize the above descriptions, for at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a system for administering a butterfly needle 102 to a patient, comprising: a butterfly needle insertion device 100, comprising: a housing 116 comprising a shell 118 with a distal end 120 and a proximal opening 122, the proximal opening 122 having two opposing grooves 124 each having a width to receive a wing 104 of a butterfly needle 102, the opposing grooves 124 extending from the proximal opening 122 towards the distal end 120, and two opposing channels 128 disposed between the opposing grooves 124, the opposing channels 128 extending towards the distal end 120; a drive plunger 132 occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell 118 of the housing 116 and in shifting engagement with the housing 116, wherein the drive plunger 132 has a distal end 120 to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger 132 in a retracted position and a proximal end 136 structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102 with the wings 104 extending through the opposing grooves 124 and beyond the housing 116, a supply line of the butterfly needle 102 received by one of the opposing channels 128; a butterfly needle 102 retainer disposed within the housing 116 and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle 102 to the proximal end 136 of the drive plunger 132 when the drive plunger 132 is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle 102 into the patient; a drive spring 200 associated with the drive plunger 132 such that when the drive plunger 132 is driven into the housing 116 to the retracted position, the drive spring 200 is loaded and when the drive plunger 132 is released, the drive plunger 132 travels distally from the force of the drive spring 200 unloading to deliver the butterfly needle 102 into the patient.
For yet another embodiment, the present invention may be summarized as a system for administering a butterfly needle 102 to a patient, comprising: a butterfly needle insertion device 100, comprising: a housing 116 comprising a shell 118 with a distal end 120 and a proximal opening 122, the proximal opening 122 having two opposing grooves 124 each having a width to receive a wing 104 of a butterfly needle 102, the opposing grooves 124 extending from the proximal opening 122 towards the distal end 120, and two opposing channels 128 disposed between the opposing grooves 124, the opposing channels 128 extending towards the distal end 120; a drive plunger 132 occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell 118 of the housing 116 and in shifting engagement with the housing 116, wherein the drive plunger 132 has a distal end 120 to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger 132 in a retracted position and a proximal end 136 structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102 with the wings 104 extending through the opposing grooves 124 and beyond the housing 116, a supply line of the butterfly needle 102 received by one of the opposing channels 128; a butterfly needle 102 retainer disposed within the housing 116 and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle 102 to the proximal end 136 of the drive plunger 132 when the drive plunger 132 is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle 102 into the patient; a drive spring 200 associated with the drive plunger 132 such that when the drive plunger 132 is driven into the housing 116 to the retracted position, the drive spring 200 is loaded and when the drive plunger 132 is released, the drive plunger 132 travels distally from the force of the drive spring 200 unloading to deliver the butterfly needle 102 into the patient; and an inserter base 230, the inserter base 230 structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102, the housing 116 disposed over the inserter base 230 and depressed down about the inserter base 230 to retract the drive plunger 132 within the housing 116 and engage the butterfly needle 102 to the butterfly needle 102 retainer.
It will also be understood and appreciated that at least one embodiment of the present invention may be that of a method for administering a butterfly needle to a patient. Such a method may be summarized as providing a butterfly needle insertion device 100, comprising: a housing 116 comprising a shell 118 with a distal end 120 and a proximal opening 122, the proximal opening 122 having two opposing grooves 124 each having a width to receive a wing 104 of a butterfly needle 102, the opposing grooves 124 extending from the proximal opening 122 towards the distal end 120, and two opposing channels 128 disposed between the opposing grooves 124, the opposing channels 128 extending towards the distal end 120; a drive plunger 132 occupying at least a portion of the space defined by the shell 118 of the housing 116 and in shifting engagement with the housing 116, wherein the drive plunger 132 has a distal end 120 to be engaged by a stop to hold the drive plunger 132 in a retracted position and a proximal end 136 structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102 with the wings 104 extending through the opposing grooves 124 and beyond the housing 116, a supply line of the butterfly needle 102 received by one of the opposing channels 128; a butterfly needle 102 retainer disposed within the housing 116 and structured and arranged to temporarily hold the butterfly needle 102 to the proximal end 136 of the drive plunger 132 when the drive plunger 132 is in the retracted position prior to insertion of the butterfly needle 102 into the patient; a drive spring 200 associated with the drive plunger 132 such that when the drive plunger 132 is driven into the housing 116 to the retracted position, the drive spring 200 is loaded and when the drive plunger 132 is released, the drive plunger 132 travels distally from the force of the drive spring 200 unloading to deliver the butterfly needle 102 into the patient; providing an inserter base 230, the inserter base 230 structured and arranged to receive the butterfly needle 102, the housing 116 disposed over the inserter base 230 and depressed down about the inserter base 230 to retract the drive plunger 132 within the housing 116 and engage the butterfly needle 102 to the butterfly needle 102 retainer; disposing the butterfly needle 102 upon the inserter base 230; disposing the housing 116 over the inserter base 230; depressing the housing 116 down upon the inserter base 230 to retract the drive plunger 132 into the housing 116 and engage the butterfly needle 102 temporarily with the butterfly needle 102 retainer; disposing the proximal opening 122 over an intended infusion site of the patient; and releasing the stop to dispose the butterfly needle 102 into the patient.
Changes may be made in the above methods, systems and structures without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Indeed, many other embodiments are feasible and possible, as will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art. The claims that follow are not limited by or to the embodiments discussed herein, but are limited solely by their terms and the Doctrine of Equivalents.
