The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1997
Filed:
May. 03, 1996
Jack W Shields, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
I describe a an elastomeric tube whose leading end holds a tubular puncture-resistant needle shield by means of elastic recoil and whose trailing end attaches by elastic recoil to the conical hub of a hollow needle. A removable cylindric hub-cap initially covers the elastomeric tube surrounding the needle. The purpose of the assembly is to sustain needle sterility after filling from a vial and before use in a patient, as well as to prevent accidental needle sticks after use in a patient. The user attaches the tubular assembly to a Luer-Lok on a syringe or onto the leading end of tubing used for transferring fluids. He/she removes the cylindric hub-cap and inserts the needle tip into a penetrable vial cap for filling and later discharge into a patient, another vial or a capped IV infusion port. The tubular needle shield slides back over the shaft of the needle with penetration of skin or a capped vial surface, while the elastomeric tube shortens like an accordion. When the user retracts the needle from the capped vial or from a patient, elastic recoil in the tube causes the conical needle shield to slide back and automatically re-shield the exposed shaft and beveled tip.