Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
A holder for a surgical needle having a sharp proximal end and a hub portion at the distal end, comprising (a) a tubular member open at one end for receiving the stopper end of a blood collection pilot tube, the inner diameter of said tubular member being slightly greater than the outer diameter of said blood collection pilot tube and the length of said tubular member being greater than the length of the needle; (b) the other end of said tubular member including an integral end wall; (c) said end wall including an integral sleeve portion defining an enlarged opening in said end wall for receiving the sharp proximal end of the needle, the outer portion of said sleeve portion having an outwardly tapered sidewall, whereby said enlarged opening becomes progressively smaller in the direction of the interior of said tubular member to guide the needle proximal end therein, the configuration of said sleeve portion corresponding with the configuration of the needle hub portion, said sleeve portion containing slots for increasing the gripping action thereof, whereby when the needle is inserted into said tubular member through said opening, the needle hub is wedged within and held by said sleeve portion to arrest the further inserting of the needle, and when a stoppered blood collection pilot tube is inserted into the tubular member open end, the sharp proximal end of the needle penetrates the stopper of the blood collection pilot tube to deposit blood into the tube via the needle while preventing the sharp proximal end of the needle from contacting the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
A holder for a surgical needle having a sharp proximal end and a hub portion at the distal end, comprising (a) a tubular member open at one end for receiving the stopper end of a blood collection pilot tube, the inner diameter of said tubular member being slightly greater than the outer diameter of said blood collection pilot tube and the length of said tubular member being greater than the length of the needle; (b) the other end of said tubular member including an integral end wall; (c) said end wall including an integral sleeve portion defining an enlarged opening in said end wall for receiving the sharp proximal end of the needle, the outer portion of said sleeve portion having an outwardly tapered sidewall, whereby said enlarged opening becomes progressively smaller in the direction of the interior of said tubular member to guide the needle proximal end therein, the configuration of said sleeve portion corresponding with the configuration of the needle hub portion, said sleeve portion containing slots for increasing the gripping action thereof, whereby when the needle is inserted into said tubular member through said opening, the needle hub is wedged within and held by said sleeve portion to arrest the further inserting of the needle, and when a stoppered blood collection pilot tube is inserted into the tubular member open end, the sharp proximal end of the needle penetrates the stopper of the blood collection pilot tube to deposit blood into the tube via the needle while preventing the sharp proximal end of the needle from contacting the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular member further includes an integral end cover for closing said open end, said end cover including a flexible hinge strap connected with said tubular member open end for movement between open and closed positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said tubular member further includes an integral mounting bracket arranged on the outer surface thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said holder is formed of synthetic plastic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said sleeve portion extends interiorly of said tubular member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said sleeve portion extends exteriorly of said tubular member.