Retracting needle safety device

Abstract

A retractable safety needle assembly is provided. The needle assembly includes a tubular outer body, a retraction assembly contained with the outer body and a biasing element for applying a retraction force therebetween. The retraction assembly includes a cannula having an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip at opposing ends. In a first position, the intravenous puncture tip extends from a first end of the tubular outer body. The retraction assembly is adapted for movement within the tubular outer body from the first position to a second position in which the intravenous puncture tip and the non-patient puncture tip are contained entirely within the tubular outer body and are offset from a general axis defining the outer body.

1 . A retractable safety needle assembly comprising: 
 a) a generally tubular outer body including a first end, a second end and a tubular wall extending along an axis from said first end to said second end to define an interior opening within said outer body, said outer body including a guide channel at least a portion of which is offset from said axis;    b) a retraction assembly positioned within said interior opening of said outer body, said retraction assembly including a cannula having an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip and including a fin for corresponding engagement with said guide channel of said outer body, said retraction assembly adapted for movement within said interior opening of said outer body from a first position in which said intravenous puncture tip extends from said first end of said outer body to a second position in which said intravenous puncture tip and said non-patient puncture tip are contained entirely within said outer body and said cannula is offset from said axis of said outer body;    c) a retaining element for preventing movement of said retraction assembly between said first position and said second position;    d) a biasing element for applying a retraction force between said retraction assembly and said outer body to move said retraction assembly from said first position to said second position upon release of said retaining element; and    e) a lock mechanism for locking said retraction assembly in said second position wherein said guide channel includes a notch, said notch acting as the lock mechanism for preventing said fin from moving within said guide channel and thereby preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.    
   
   
       2 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said biasing element comprises a compression spring.  
   
   
       3 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular wall of said outer body includes a recess extending within the interior opening of said outer body adapted for accommodating said non-patient puncture tip when said retraction assembly is in said second position.  
   
   
       4 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer body includes an opening extending through said tubular wall and said retraction assembly includes a tab extending through said opening, said retaining element comprising an interference engagement between said tab and said tubular wall.  
   
   
       5 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said retraction assembly is irreversibly movable from said first position to said second position.  
   
   
       6 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein attempted movement of said retraction assembly from said second position to said first position causes said intravenous puncture tip to contact an interior portion of said tubular outer body at said first end, thereby preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       7 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a lock mechanism for locking said retraction assembly in said second position.  
   
   
       8 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A needle assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said fin includes at least one fin finger and said guide channel includes a notch corresponding to each of said at least one fin finger, said at least one fin finger and said corresponding notch in interference engagement when said retraction assembly is in said second position, thereby acting as a lock mechanism to prevent said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       11 . A needle assembly as in  claim 10 , wherein said fin includes two fin fingers and said guide channel includes two corresponding notches.  
   
   
       12 . A needle assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said guide channel includes a stop extending from an interior surface of said tubular wall within said guide channel, said fin adapted for radial flexing when said fin contacts said stop when said retraction assembly is moved from said first position to said second position, said fin in interference engagement with said stop when said retraction assembly is in said second position to prevent said fin from moving within said guide channel and preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       13 . A needle assembly as in  claim 12 , wherein said stop includes a forward ramped surface and a rearward shoulder, said forward ramped surface permitting said fin to radially flex when said fin contacts said stop when said retraction assembly is moved from said first position to said second position, and said shoulder providing for interference engagement with said fin when said retraction assembly is in said second position to prevent said fin from moving within said guide channel.  
   
   
       14 . A needle assembly as in  claim 7 , wherein said guide channel includes a recess extending within said tubular wall of said outer body, said fin adapted for radial flexing for engagement with said recess when said retraction assembly is in said second position, thereby preventing said fin from moving within said guide channel and preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       15 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein said outer body includes a pair of guide channels on opposing sides of said tubular wall and said retraction assembly includes a pair of fins for respective corresponding engagement with said pair of guide channels.  
   
   
       16 . A needle assembly as in  claim 15 , wherein said pair of guide channels extend along opposing sides of said tubular wall and slope downwardly toward said second end of said outer body.  
   
   
       17 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising an elastomeric sleeve extending about said non-patient puncture tip.  
   
   
       18 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , further comprising a needle cover extending about said intravenous puncture tip.  
   
   
       19 . A retractable safety needle assembly comprising: 
 a) a generally tubular outer body including a first end adapted for accommodating an intravenous cannula therethrough, a second end adapted for accommodating a blood collection tube therethrough and a tubular wall extending along an axis from said first end to said second end to define an interior opening within said outer body, said outer body including an opening extending through said wall to said interior opening and a guide channel at least a portion of which is offset from said axis;    b) a retraction assembly positioned within said interior opening of said outer body, said retraction assembly including a tab for interference engagement with said wall of said outer body through said opening and a fin for corresponding engagement with said guide channel of said outer body;    c) a needle assembly fixedly attached to said retraction assembly, said needle assembly including an intravenous cannula having an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip; and    d) a biasing element adapted for applying a retraction force to said retraction assembly upon release of said interference engagement between said tab of said retraction assembly and said wall of said outer body to move said retraction assembly from a first position in which said intravenous puncture tip extends from said first end of said outer body to a second position in which said intravenous puncture tip and said non-patient puncture tip are contained entirely within said outer body and said intravenous cannula is offset from said axis of said outer body.    
   
   
       20 . A needle assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein said biasing element comprises a compression spring.  
   
   
       21 . A needle assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein said tubular wall of said outer body includes a recess extending within the interior opening of said outer body adapted for accommodating said non-patient puncture tip when said retraction assembly is in said second position.  
   
   
       22 . A needle assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein said retraction assembly is irreversibly movable from said first position to said second position.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A retractable safety needle assembly comprising: 
 a) a generally tubular outer body including a first end, a second end and a tubular wall extending along an axis from said first end to said second end to define an interior opening within said outer body;    b) a retraction assembly positioned within said interior opening of said outer body, said retraction assembly including a cannula having an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip, said retraction assembly adapted for movement within said interior opening of said outer body from a first position in which said intravenous puncture tip extends from said first end of said outer body to a second position in which said intravenous puncture tip and said non-patient puncture tip are contained entirely within said outer body; and    c) a locking mechanism for locking said retraction mechanism in said second position;    wherein attempted movement of said retraction assembly from said second position to said first position is prevented by one of said intravenous puncture tip contacting an interior portion of said tubular outer body at said first end or by said locking mechanism engaging said retraction assembly, thereby preventing movement of said retraction assembly from said second position to said first position.    
   
   
       25 . A retractable safety needle assembly comprising: 
 a) a generally tubular outer body including a first end, a second end and a tubular wall extending along an axis from said first end to said second end to define an interior opening within said outer body, said outer body including a guide channel at least a portion of which is offset from said axis;    b) an insert extending within said second end of said outer body, said insert providing structure forming at least a portion of said guide channel;    c) a retraction assembly positioned within said interior opening of said outer body, said retraction assembly including a cannula having an intravenous puncture tip and a non-patient puncture tip and including a fin for corresponding engagement with said guide channel of said outer body, said retraction assembly adapted for movement within said interior opening of said outer body from a first position in which said intravenous puncture tip extends from said first end of said outer body to a second position in which said intravenous puncture tip and said non-patient puncture tip are contained entirely within said outer body and said cannula is offset from said axis of said outer body;    d) a retaining element for preventing movement of said retraction assembly between said first position and said second position; and    e) a biasing element for applying a retraction force between said retraction assembly and said outer body to move said retraction assembly from said first position to said second position upon release of said retaining element.    
   
   
       26 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein said tubular wall of said outer body includes a recess extending within the interior opening of said outer body adapted for accommodating said non-patient puncture tip when said retraction assembly is in said second position, wherein said recess comprises structure established through engagement between said outer body and said insert extending within said second end of said outer body.  
   
   
       27 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein said outer body includes an opening extending through said tubular wall and said retraction assembly includes a tab extending through said opening, said retaining element comprising an interference engagement between said tab and said tubular wall.  
   
   
       28 . A needle assembly as in  claim 27 , further comprising a channel extending from said opening toward said second end of said outer body for slidable engagement of said tab therein, wherein said channel is formed in said insert and is established within said outer body through engagement between said outer body and said insert extending within said second end of said outer body.  
   
   
       29 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein said biasing element comprises a compression spring.  
   
   
       30 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein said retraction assembly is irreversibly movable from said first position to said second position.  
   
   
       31 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein attempted movement of said retraction assembly from said second position to said first position causes said intravenous puncture tip to contact an interior portion of said tubular outer body at said first end, thereby preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       32 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , further comprising a lock mechanism for locking said retraction assembly in said second position.  
   
   
       33 . A needle assembly as in  claim 32 , wherein said fin includes at least one fin finger and said guide channel includes a notch corresponding to each of said at least one fin finger, said at least one fin finger and said corresponding notch in interference engagement when said retraction assembly is in said second position, thereby acting as a lock mechanism to prevent said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       34 . A needle assembly as in  claim 33 , wherein said fin includes two fin fingers and said guide channel includes two corresponding notches.  
   
   
       35 . A needle assembly as in  claim 32 , wherein said guide channel includes a stop extending from an interior surface of said tubular wall within said guide channel, said fin adapted for radial flexing when said fin contacts said stop when said retraction assembly is moved from said first position to said second position, said fin in interference engagement with said stop when said retraction assembly is in said second position to prevent said fin from moving within said guide channel and preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       36 . A needle assembly as in  claim 35 , wherein said stop includes a forward ramped surface and a rearward shoulder, said forward ramped surface permitting said fin to radially flex when said fin contacts said stop when said retraction assembly is moved from said first position to said second position, and said shoulder providing for interference engagement with said fin when said retraction assembly is in said second position to prevent said fin from moving within said guide channel.  
   
   
       37 . A needle assembly as in  claim 32 , wherein said guide channel includes a recess extending within said tubular wall of said outer body, said fin adapted for radial flexing for engagement with said recess when said retraction assembly is in said second position, thereby preventing said fin from moving within said guide channel and preventing said retraction assembly from moving from said second position to said first position.  
   
   
       38 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein said outer body includes a pair of guide channels on opposing sides of said tubular wall, said insert providing structure forming at least a portion of said pair of guide channels, and said retraction assembly includes a pair of fins for respective corresponding engagement with said pair of guide channels.  
   
   
       39 . A needle assembly as in  claim 38 , wherein said pair of guide channels extend along opposing sides of said tubular wall at said insert and slope downwardly toward said second end of said outer body.  
   
   
       40 . A needle assembly as in  claim 25 , wherein a portion of said guide channel adjacent said first end of said outer body extends generally parallel to said axis and a portion of said guide channel formed by said insert is offset from said axis.  
   
   
       41 . A needle assembly as in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said guide channel adjacent said first end of said outer body extends generally parallel to said axis and a portion of said guide channel extending toward said second end of said outer body is offset from said axis.  
   
   
       42 . A needle assembly as in  claim 19 , wherein a portion of said guide channel adjacent said first end of said outer body extends generally parallel to said axis and a portion of said guide channel extending toward said second end of said outer body is offset from said axis.  
   
   
       43 . A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising: 
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container;    a double-ended needle having a forward sharpened tip and a rearward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing;    a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly;    a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position, comprising:    a track having an axial portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a transverse portion extending transverse the axis of the housing; and    a guide tab connected with the needle and projecting into operative engagement with the track;    a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the spring wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position and the guide guides the needle during retraction so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position;    a generally cylindrical insert lining the interior of the rearward portion of the housing, comprising:    a pocket formed in the wall of the insert for receiving and protecting the rearward needle tip when the needle is disposed in the retracted position;    a guide arm projecting forwardly and intersecting the track, the guide arm having a lower edge configured in the shape of the transverse portion of the track, wherein the lower edge of the guide arm forms a sidewall of the transverse portion of the track.    
   
   
       44 . The device of  claim 43 , comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer.  
   
   
       45 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the spring circumscribes the needle while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position.  
   
   
       46 . The device of  claim 43 , comprising a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container deforms the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid from leaking out the rearward needle tip.  
   
   
       47 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing.  
   
   
       48 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture.  
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 43 , comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track.  
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 43 , wherein the pocket is aligned with the transverse portion of the track.  
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 43 , comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide.  
   
   
       53 . A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising: 
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container;    a double-ended needle having a forward sharpened tip and a rearward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing;    a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly;    a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position, comprising:    a track having an axial portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a transverse portion extending transverse the axis of the housing; and    a guide tab connected with the needle and projecting into operative engagement with the track;    a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position, and the guide guides the needle during retraction so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position.    
   
   
       54 . The device of  claim 53 , comprising a pocket adjacent the rearward end of the housing for receiving and shielding the rearward sharpened needle when the needle is disposed in the retracted position.  
   
   
       55 . The device of  claim 54 , comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer.  
   
   
       56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the spring circumscribes the needle while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position.  
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 55 , comprising a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container to deform the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid from leaking out the rearward needle tip.  
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing.  
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture.  
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 55 , comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position.  
   
   
       61 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track.  
   
   
       62 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the pocket is aligned with the transverse portion of the track.  
   
   
       63 . The device of  claim 55 , comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide.  
   
   
       64 . A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising: 
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container,    a needle having a forward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing;    a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly;    a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position wherein the guide comprises a track and a follower attached to the needle and in operative engagement with the track, and    a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position, and the guide guides the needle during retraction, pivoting the needle so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position.    
   
   
       65 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the needle comprises a rearward sharpened tip, and the device comprises a pocket disposed adjacent the rearward end of the housing for receiving and protecting the rearward needle tip to protect against inadvertent contact with the rearward needle tip.  
   
   
       66 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the pocket is aligned with the track.  
   
   
       67 . The device of  claim 64 . comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer.  
   
   
       68 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the device comprises a needle hub attached to the needle, and the spring circumscribes substantially the length of the needle forward of the needle hub while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position.  
   
   
       69 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the needle comprises a rearward sharpened tip, and the device comprises a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container deforms the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid from leaking out the rearward needle tip.  
   
   
       70 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing.  
   
   
       71 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture.  
   
   
       72 . The device of  claim 64 , comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position.  
   
   
       73 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track.  
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 64 , comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide.