US5769827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Safety needle apparatus and method
Assignee: SAFEGUARD IV LLC
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Filing: 1997-03-25
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Granted: 1998-06-23
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Expires: 2017-03-25
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a safety catheter that automatically sheaths the needle upon withdrawal of the needle from a patient. The catheter can include a plunger for drawing a vacuum to draw blood or alternatively may delete the plunger and use nearly identical components with the addition of a blocking plug. The catheter also includes a cap/re-cap device that provides additional sheathing of the needle during assembly, shipping, and use of the needle. It also includes raised indicia that serves as a trademark as well as a friction gripping surface. The catheter includes improved catheter hub mounting structure as well as strengthened ribbed areas for grasping during use of the catheter.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis R. DeMichele
- 👤 John L. DeMichele
- 👤 Michael B. McDonald
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:29
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/01; A61M25/06; A61M25/0612; A61M25/0631; A61M5/00; A61M5/178; A61M5/31; A61M5/32; A61M5/3205; A61M5/321; A61M5/322
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination: A. a first housing having a first end; B. a needle secured to said first housing, extending beyond said first end, and having a point which can be injected into a patient; C. a second housing movably captured by said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end; and D. a removable cap adapted for engaging the first end of said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle, and also adapted for engaging the first end of said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle; wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between: a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination: A. a first housing having a first end; B. a needle secured to said first housing, extending beyond said first end, and having a point which can be injected into a patient; C. a second housing movably captured by said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end; and D. a removable cap adapted for engaging the first end of said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle, and also adapted for engaging the first end of said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle; wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between: a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a catheter, wherein said needle extends into said catheter when in said needle exposing position and is outside said catheter when in said needle sheathing position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opposite end of said second housing is disposed within at least a portion of said first housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cap has a first end adapted for engaging the first end of said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle and a second end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cap has a first end and a second end, wherein said second end is adapted for engaging the first end of said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cap has a first end adapted for engaging the first end of said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle and a second end adapted for engaging the first end of said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The needle apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cap is one piece.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-22 | 2001-12-22 | 2002-06-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-22 | 2005-12-22 | 2006-06-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-22 | 2009-12-22 | 2010-06-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |