Special receptacle or package – For a tool – Body treatment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-11
2001-08-28
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
For a tool
Body treatment
C128S852000, C206S365000, C206S366000, C211S070600, C604S356000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the manipulation, storage and disposal of sharps.
As exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,724 to Dondlinger and U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,295 to Diamond, apertures of varying sizes and configurations for frictionally engaging a needle cap when capping and uncapping a syringe needle, are known. To avoid accidental sticks, single-handed manipulation of syringe needles and other sharps is desirable. Thus, it is known, as illustrated by the Dondlinger patent and U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,151 to Santilli, U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,403 to Kretzschmar et al, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,788 to Webb, to provide a receptacle for sharps disposal or assisting in capping and uncapping syringe needles, with an adhesive surface for attaching the receptacle to a surface. Furthermore, it is known, as exemplified by the Kretzschmar et al patent and U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,315 to Sincock, to use a bull's-eye ring or radially extending cap flange to guide a needle tip into a needle cap. Moreover, it is known as illustrated by the Dondlinger patent, to protectively cover a sharps disposal receptacle after use.
However, it would be advantageous if a device for manipulation of a syringe needle and for sharps disposal, were immovably fixed on a sterile field during use. Furthermore, an improved device for manipulation and containment of syringe needles and other sharps, is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a device for manipulation of a syringe needle and sharps disposal is provided in combination with a surgical drape having an adhesive surface on its underside, which enables the surgical drape to be secured to a suitable working surface and thus facilitates single-handed manipulation and sharps disposal. Beneficially, the device includes a hollow chamber for sharps disposal, a wall provided with at least one aperture adapted for capping and uncapping a syringe needle, and a base with an adhesive surface. Advantageously, the surgical drape includes a marked area on its topside indicating appropriate positioning of the device on the surgical drape, and the adhesive surface on its underside results in the device being generally immovable after the surgical drape is adhered to a suitable working surface and the device is positioned on and adhered to the surgical drape.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a device for manipulation of a syringe needle and sharps disposal includes an end wall provided with one or more of the previously described aperture, and the end wall includes advantageous features for guiding a needle tip into a needle cap, when using one-hand. Accordingly, the end wall beneficially includes at least one flange-like portion and is provided with a peripheral rim which extends from the end wall so that the aperture is within a space defined by the rim. In this aspect of the invention, the device includes a hollow chamber for sharps disposal, and an opening to the hollow chamber is in a wall disposed generally perpendicular to the end wall.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a device for manipulation of a syringe needle and sharps disposal includes a hollow chamber for sharps disposal and is provided with a cover including a leg portion adapted to frictionally engage an opening to the hollow chamber. In addition, the device includes an end wall provided with one or more of the previously described aperture, and the cover advantageously includes an end portion adapted to cover the aperture. Beneficially, the cover further includes a top portion from which the leg portion depends and to which the end portion is joined, and the top portion has a horizontal extent such that when the leg portion is frictionally engaged in the opening, the top portion extends beyond the end wall and the end portion is spaced from the end wall a distance sufficient to accommodate a needle cap in the aperture.
In yet a further aspect of the invention, a device for manipulation of a syringe needle and sharps disposal includes an end wall provided with at least one aperture adapted for capping and uncapping a syringe needle, and the aperture tapers inwardly, and the end wall structure defining the aperture is a harder material than a polypropylene needle cap such that when a polypropylene needle cap is engaged in the inwardly tapered aperture, the aperture cuts into the needle cap. In this aspect, the device includes a hollow chamber for sharps disposal.
Additional advantages and beneficial features of the present invention are set forth in the drawing and detailed description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawing and detailed description or may be learned by practice of the invention. In the drawing and detailed description, there is shown and essentially described only a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention. As will be realized, this invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and the detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4570628 (1986-02-01), Neal
patent: 4973315 (1990-11-01), Sincock
patent: 5005590 (1991-04-01), Eldridge, Jr. et al.
patent: 5097963 (1992-03-01), Chernosky et al.
patent: 5183469 (1993-02-01), Capaccio
patent: 5195538 (1993-03-01), Eldridge, Jr. et al.
patent: 5265724 (1993-11-01), Dondlinger
patent: 5279578 (1994-01-01), Cooke
patent: 5334151 (1994-08-01), Santilli
patent: 5469964 (1995-11-01), Bailey
patent: 5607403 (1997-03-01), Kretzschmar et al.
patent: 5799788 (1998-09-01), Web
patent: 5868250 (1999-02-01), Brackett
patent: 5975295 (1999-11-01), Diamond
Ballard Carol H.
Ballard Jerome D.
Giles Timothy D.
Alston & Bird LLP
Cambridge Marketing, Inc.
Gehman Bryon P.
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