Dual use needle cap

Details Dual use needle cap Dual use needle cap

1999-01-29

2001-01-16

Yasko, John D. (Department: 3763)

Surgery

Means for introducing or removing material from body for...

Treating material introduced into or removed from body...

C604S263000, C128S919000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06174301

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to caps for medical needles, and more particularly to an integrated dual use needle cap for before and after use of a syringe or other type of medical needle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The potential for an accidental needle stick is of great concern to health care providers because of the possible transmission of a deadly disease, such as a AIDS or Hepatitis. In some cases it is not always convenient for the health care provider to dispose of used needles in a sharps container during certain procedures, especially those involving the use of many syringes or needles. Thus, in these cases used syringes and/or needles often litter a treatment area while the patient is undergoing a procedure. Health care providers recognize a need to render these used needles harmless during a treatment, but without interrupting the procedure. While there is a myriad of different patented and unpatented devices for preventing accidental needle sticks, most are difficult or too expensive to manufacture, some are impractical and many more require separate pieces instead of being incorporated into the needle assembly or syringe. The present invention is directed to overcoming these and other problems associated with prior art devices and methods for preventing accidental needle sticks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A syringe with a dual use needle cap comprises a barrel and a plunger mounted to move within the barrel. A needle assembly has a base end attached to the barrel, and a needle attached to and protruding away from the base. A dual use cap has a before use portion integrated with an after use portion. The before use portion has an outer surface and an interior surface defining a sterile chamber sized to enclose the needle. The after use portion includes a living clamp and a hood attached to the outer surface adjacent opposite ends of the dual use cap. The living clamp is sized to snap fit onto at least one of the barrel or the needle assembly. Finally, the hood is sized to cover the tip of the needle.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a dual use needle cap consists essentially of a single piece of plastic that is molded to include a before use portion integrated with, but separate from, an after use portion. The before use portion has an outer surface and an interior surface defining a sterile chamber sized to enclose and maintain sterility of a needle before use. The after use portion includes a living clamp and hood molded on the outer surface adjacent its opposite ends. The living clamp is sized to snap fit onto at least one of a needle assembly or a barrel of a syringe. The hood is sized to cover the tip of a needle after use.
One object of the present invention is to reduce the risk of accidental needle sticks.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a practical yet safe method of covering used syringes and other medical needles in some medical situations.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive way of introducing additional safety into every syringe or other medical needle assembly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a visual indication of whether a syringe or other medical needle is sterile or used.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cap for needle assemblies.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4659330 (1987-04-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4950242 (1990-08-01), Alvarez
patent: 4982842 (1991-01-01), Hollister
patent: 5667496 (1997-09-01), Wilson, Jr.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Dual use needle cap does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Dual use needle cap, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dual use needle cap will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2508448