Specialized Health Products, Inc.

Other

Sandra A Thorne

David Lynn Thorne

Gale H Thorne

Mark A Nelson

Charles V Owen

Mark Nelson

Method and apparatus associated with safe retraction of medical needles after use. Embodiments are disclosed for self-retracting needle systems for both blood draw, syringe and catheter insertion systems. Invention manufacture requires only a minimal number and complexity of parts such that a projected manufacturing cost is potentially low enough to permit the apparatus to be cost competitive with contemporary non-self retracting needle systems. Methods for making and assembling each of the disclosed the embodiments is also disclosed. One blood draw embodiment can be made with as few as three molded parts. Energy-storing, needle-retracting mechanisms comprise elastic tubing and vacuum generating piston parts. In an elastic tubing embodiment, selective, constrictive control of stretched tubing volumes effectively inhibits regurgitant flow from the needle. In all embodiments, needle retraction is a single handed operation permitting a technician's other hand to be used in wound care. A combination of parts, comprising the apparatus housing and a needle cover, are used as a transport container which protects a medical needle from inadvertent contamination with requiring special packaging, thereby, further reducing apparatus costs.

Self-retracting medical needle apparatus and methods

Self retracting medical needle apparatus and methods

Method and apparatus associated with safe retraction of medical needles after use. Embodiments are disclosed for self-retracting needle systems for both blood withdrawal and catheter insertion systems. Two blood withdrawal embodiments are disclosed. Invention manufacture requires only a minimal number and complexity of parts such that a projected manufacturing cost is potentially low enough to permit the apparatus to be cost competitive with contemporary non-self retracting needle systems. Methods for making and assembling each of the disclosed the embodiments is also disclosed. One of the blood withdrawal embodiments can be made with as few as three molded parts. Energy storing retracting mechanisms comprise elastic tubing and vacuum generating piston parts. Triggerable release mechanisms generally comprise two parts or two segments of one part molded about a medical needle. Each release mechanism involves one part or segment which is securely affixed to the needle and one part or segment which is free to slide and rotate about the needle. The blood withdrawal embodiment effectively inhibits regurgitant flow from the needle. The catheter insertion embodiment captures blood effluent from the catheter upon retraction of the needle. In all embodiments, needle retraction is a single handed operation permitting a technicians other hand to be used in wound care. Use of frangible parts permits the apparatus housing to be hermetically sealed and used as a transport container to further reduce apparatus costs.

Growing community of inventors

Bountiful, UT, United States of America

Sandra A Thorne