Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end with an inside surface having threads formed on at least a portion of the inside surface; a movable ram disposed inside the housing and having a proximal portion and a distal portion with external threads formed thereon that engage with the threads formed on the inside surface of the housing; a spring disposed about the ram between the ram and the housing and adapted to impart rotation to the ram; and a movable trigger catch adjacent to the ram to hold the ram against rotation by the spring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end with an inside surface having threads formed on at least a portion of the inside surface; a movable ram disposed inside the housing and having a proximal portion and a distal portion with external threads formed thereon that engage with the threads formed on the inside surface of the housing; a spring disposed about the ram between the ram and the housing and adapted to impart rotation to the ram; and a movable trigger catch adjacent to the ram to hold the ram against rotation by the spring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The needle point guard of claim 1 further comprising a collet disposed inside the housing between the proximal portion of the ram and the proximal end of the housing wherein the collet includes an annular flange adapted to engage a needle extending into the needle point guard when the collet is moved in a proximal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The needle point guard of claim 2 wherein the distal portion of the ram further includes a cam thereon that engages with the trigger catch to hold the ram against the force of the spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a movable ram disposed in the housing; a means for causing the movable ram to rotate; a means for translating rotation of the movable ram to a proximal axial movement of the movable ram so that rotation of the movable ram results in a proximal axial movement of the movable ram; and a means for preventing axial movement of a needle after the needle is withdrawn into the needle point guard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a movable ram disposed in the housing; a means for causing the movable ram to rotate; a means for translating rotation of the movable ram to a proximal axial movement of the movable ram so that rotation of the movable ram results in a proximal axial movement of the movable ram; and a means for preventing axial movement of a needle after the needle is withdrawn into the needle point guard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The needle point guard of claim 4 further including a means for temporarily holding the movable ram against the force of the spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end with an inside surface having threads formed on at least a portion of the inside surface; a movable ram disposed inside the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end; a cam connected to the distal end of the ram with external threads formed thereon that engage with the threads formed on the inside surface of the housing; a spring disposed about the ram between the ram and the housing and adapted to impart rotation to the ram; and a movable trigger catch adjacent to the cam to hold the cam against rotation by the spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A needle point guard, comprising: a generally hollow housing having a proximal end and a distal end with an inside surface having threads formed on at least a portion of the inside surface; a movable ram disposed inside the housing and having a proximal end and a distal end; a cam connected to the distal end of the ram with external threads formed thereon that engage with the threads formed on the inside surface of the housing; a spring disposed about the ram between the ram and the housing and adapted to impart rotation to the ram; and a movable trigger catch adjacent to the cam to hold the cam against rotation by the spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The needle point guard of claim 6 further comprising a collet disposed inside the housing between the proximal end of the ram and the proximal end of the housing wherein the collet includes an annular flange adapted to engage a needle extending into the needle point guard when the collet is moved in a proximal direction.