Needle holder

Abstract

A medical needle holder ( 10 ) having a generally hollow body ( 18 ) which extends in the direction of an axis ( 62 ) from a first end ( 20 ) to a second end ( 22 ). The first end is shaped for reception of a needle ( 50 ) therein and the second end is open to allow for insertion of a fluid receptacle ( 16 ). The first axis is substantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first end of the body. The needle holder comprises a grip portion ( 28 ) which extends outwardly from the body in a direction which is angularly offset from the first axis. The grip portion may be actuable between an in-use condition and a disposal condition in which the grip portion covers a needle in the needle holder. The body ( 18 ) may comprise control formations on its inner surface to allow for control over the insertion of a fluid receptacle ( 16 ) into the body.

1 . A medical needle holder having:
 a generally hollow body which extends in the direction of an axis from a first end to a second end, the first end being shaped for reception of a needle therein and the second end being open, wherein the axis is substantially aligned in use with a needle positioned in the first end of the body; and,   a grip portion which extends outwardly from the body in a direction which is angularly offset from the first axis.   
     
     
         2 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion is obliquely angled relative to the axis. 
     
     
         3 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle subtended between the axis and a leading edge of the grip portion is between 30° and 80°. 
     
     
         4 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion is actuable relative to the body between a first condition in which the grip portion extends outwardly of the body and a second condition in which the grip portion is disposed substantially forward of the first end of the body. 
     
     
         5 . A needle holder according to  claim 4 , wherein the grip portion covers a needle held by the needle holder in the second condition. 
     
     
         6 . A needle holder according to  claim 4 , wherein the grip portion has opposing side walls which protrude from the first end of the body on either side of the axis in the second condition so as to at least partially enclose a needle in the needle holder. 
     
     
         7 . A needle holder according to  claim 4 , wherein the grip portion is pivotable relative to the body between the first and second conditions. 
     
     
         8 . A needle holder according to  claim 4 , wherein the needle holder comprises a non-return mechanism to prevent movement from the second condition into the first condition. 
     
     
         9 . A needle holder according to  claim 4 , comprising a guard member integrally formed with the grip portion and actuable therewith, the guard member being obliquely angled relative to the axis in the first condition and arranged to rest on a patient's skin so as to support the body at a desired angle in use. 
     
     
         10 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion depends from the vicinity of the first end of the body and is angled towards the second end of the body. 
     
     
         11 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion has one or more grip formations facing towards the first end of the body. 
     
     
         12 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , wherein the grip portion comprises opposing side walls which depend from either side of the body portion. 
     
     
         13 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , comprising a guard member which protrudes beyond the first end of the body and has a guide surface adapted to rest against a patient's skin in use, wherein the guide surface is angled relative to the axis. 
     
     
         14 . A needle holder according to  claim 13 , wherein the guide surface is offset from the axis by between 10° and 30°. 
     
     
         15 . A needle holder according to  claim 13 , wherein the grip portion comprises opposing side walls which depend from either side of the body portion and wherein each side wall of the grip portion is shaped to provide a guard member. 
     
     
         16 . A needle holder according to  claim 1 , comprising one or more control formations on an inward facing surface of the body, the control formations being shaped for cooperation with one or more corresponding formations on a fluid receptacle to be inserted into the body in use. 
     
     
         17 . A needle holder according to  claim 16 , wherein the control formation is arranged obliquely to the axis so as to limit the degree of axial movement available to the fluid receptacle within the body. 
     
     
         18 . A needle holder according to  claim 16 , wherein the control formation is substantially helical in shape. 
     
     
         19 . A needle holder according to  claim 16  comprising a plurality of elongate control formations arranged about the axis such that a leading edge of one formation overlaps a trailing edge of an adjacent formation. 
     
     
         20 . A needle device comprising a needle holder according to  claim 1  and a needle assembly attached to the needle holder part way along its length such that the needle extends substantially in the direction of the axis from a free end which is outside of the body to an opposing end which is in the interior of the body.