US5358491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cartridge-needle unit having retractable needle
Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
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Filing: 1993-09-13
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Granted: 1994-10-25
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Expires: 2013-09-13
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a novel cartridge-needle unit having a retractable needle for use with disposable or reusable holders to form safety syringes. The cartridge-needle unit comprises a cartridge comprising a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of the body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of the body; a needle capable of being withdrawn within the cartridge; a hub comprising a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of the cartridge; means for retaining the needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element capable of passing through the septum. The retractable cartridge-needle unit exhibits improved reliability, reduces the tendency for body fluids and/or medication to remain in an unprotected area upon retraction of the needle and virtually eliminates the possibility that the needle can be released into the patient.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin M. Johnson
- 👤 Dennis J. O'Dea
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/31; A61M5/32; A61M5/3205; A61M5/321; A61M5/322; A61M5/24; A61M2005/2403; A61M2005/2411; A61M5/3221; A61M2005/3231; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/58; A61M2205/583; A61M5/50; A61M5/5086
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle, said element having a diameter substantially greater than said needle and wherein said element and said needle are capable of passing through said septum as an assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle, said element having a diameter substantially greater than said needle and wherein said element and said needle are capable of passing through said septum as an assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
128 words
A cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle, capable of passing through said septum, wherein said means for releasing the needle from the hub comprises: a washer, and a dart attached to said needle, wherein said dart is capable of passing through said septum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
128 words
A cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle, capable of passing through said septum, wherein said means for releasing the needle from the hub comprises: a washer, and a dart attached to said needle, wherein said dart is capable of passing through said septum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said dart is frangibly connected to said washer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said hub comprises a fluid well.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said means for retaining the septum comprises an aluminum cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said plunger comprises a stud.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said hub comprises a post capable of forcing said dart through said septum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 wherein said dart is fabricated of a brightly colored plastic.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 2 further comprising means for tilting the needle comprising a non-compliant member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A syringe assembly comprising the cartridge needle unit of claim 2 and a holder therefor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The syringe assembly of claim 10 wherein said holder is a disposable holder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The syringe assembly of claim 10 wherein said holder comprises a cap sized to prevent the plunger and needle from being pulled out of the cartridge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
A syringe assembly comprising a cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle capable of passing through said septum; and a holder for said cartridge-needle unit; wherein said holder comprises a cap and a connecting member between said cap and said holder.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
125 words
A syringe assembly comprising a cartridge-needle unit comprising: a cartridge comprising: a hollow body, a septum at the distal end of said body, means for retaining the septum, and a plunger, axially and reciprocally slidable through the interior of said body; a needle capable of being retracted within said cartridge; a hub comprising: a sleeve adapted to be snapped on the distal end of said cartridge, means for retaining said needle within the hub during an injection; and means for releasing the needle from the hub after the injection comprising an element attached to said needle capable of passing through said septum; and a holder for said cartridge-needle unit; wherein said holder comprises a cap and a connecting member between said cap and said holder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The syringe assembly of claim 13 wherein said connecting member comprises a foldable tether.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The syringe assembly of claim 13 wherein said connecting member comprises means for predisposing the connecting member to fold in an outward direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The syringe assembly of claim 15 wherein said means for predisposing the connecting member to fold comprises a biasing triangle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 1 wherein said hub comprises a fluid well.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 1 wherein said means for retaining the septum comprises an aluminum cap.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 1 wherein said plunger comprises a stud.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The cartridge-needle unit of claim 1 further comprising means for tilting the needle comprising a non-compliant member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
A syringe assembly comprising the cartridge-needle unit of claim 1 and a holder therefor.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The syringe assembly of claim 21 wherein said holder is a disposable holder.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The syringe assembly of claim 21 wherein said holder comprises a cap sized to prevent the plunger and needle from being pulled out of the cartridge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The syringe assembly of claim 21 wherein said holder comprises a cap and a connecting member between said cap and said holder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The syringe assembly of claim 24 wherein said connecting member comprises a foldable tether.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The syringe assembly of claim 24 wherein said connecting member comprises means for predisposing the connecting member to fold in an outward direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The syringe assembly of claim 26 wherein said means for predisposing the connecting member to fold comprises a biasing triangle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR26325E
Cited
US4507117A
Cited
US4507117B1
Cited
US4808169A
Cited
US4909794A
Cited
US4935014A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-10-24 | 1998-04-25 | 1998-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-24 | 2002-04-25 | 2002-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-24 | 2006-04-25 | 2006-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |