Medical needle safety apparatus and methods

Abstract

Parts which may be integrally molded with a phlebotomy barrel (10, 24) or with a Luer fitting to provide, in a single molded part, an extendable safety enclosure (140) for a medical cannula (34, 40) in phlebotomy, syringe and other general medical needle applications. Integrally molded part phlebotomy safety devices (100) are disclosed which require only the integrally-molded part (110), a medical needle (40), a label and a transport needle cover (118) to form a ready-to-use phlebotomy device (100). Upon removal of the label and needle cover (118), the device is ready for use in a medical procedure. The enclosure (140) comprises a plurality of rigid segments (150, 160, 170) serially connected by a plurality of intersegment hinges (162, 172), which are preferably living hinges. The segments (150, 160, 170) are disposed about a medical needle (40), folded upon each other during the medical procedure and extended at the end of the procedure to form a secure, substantially rigid safety shroud (140). During the procedure, the enclosure (140) is folded and conveniently disposed about a proximal portion of the needle (40). At the end of the procedure, the enclosure (140) is extended to protectively sheath and secure the needle (40) in a substantially rigid structure formed in combination by the enclosure (140) and the needle (40).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an application with an international filing date of September 3, 1998, a national application number of 98808917.3, and an invention title of "medical needle safety device and method". technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to safety devices for hollow medical needle devices, and in particular to medical phlebotomy, syringes, butterfly devices and other hollow needle products; Covers reliably. The invention is particularly concerned with sheaths or sheaths which can be extended to a position which locks and covers the needle after it has been withdrawn from the patient. Background technique [0003] Problems related to accidental needlestick injuries are among the well-known problems in blood drawing, hypodermic injections, and other medical needle handling techniques. The problem of accidental needle stick injuries is receiving increasing attention due to susceptibility to AIDS, hepatitis, and...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

One of the major disadvantages of Hollister's needle guard is the size and location of the rigid housing

The length and location of the housing components are considered by some to be inconvenient when using a component or system in a medical procedure

The second disadvantage is that you either need to use both hands to pivot the housing into engagement with the needle, or you need to find and utilize some stable support surface against the housing when turning the needle into the housing

A device is usually non-commercial if it is not sufficiently competitive in terms of improved safety or labor savings compared with other existing devices

Images