Safety Device Actuation System

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a safety needle assembly that includes a syringe and a safety mechanism. The safety mechanism includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a shield member at least partially disposed within the internal cavity, and first and second locking members that are configured to selectively engage and maintain the shield member in one or more predetermined positions. The locking members are movable between a locked position, in which the locking members are in engagement with the shield member to substantially prevent axial movement thereof, and a release position, in which the locking members are disengaged from the shield member to permit axial movement thereof. The first and second locking members each include biasing members. The biasing member of the each locking member is positioned to cooperate with the other locking member to normally bias the locking members towards the locked position.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A method of using a safety medical device comprising:
 inserting a sharp element of the safety medical device into a patient; and   actuating a safety mechanism provided on the safety medical device to cover a tip of the sharp element with a shield member by advancing a first locking member towards a second locking member, wherein advancing the first locking member towards the second locking member increases a biasing force created in a biasing member included on the first locking member via engagement of the biasing member included on the first locking member with the second locking member.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein actuating the safety mechanism includes moving the first and second locking members towards each other. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein moving the first and second locking members towards each other increases the biasing force created in a biasing member included on the second locking member via engagement of the biasing member included on the second locking member with the first locking member. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein actuating the safety mechanism includes moving the first locking member radially inwards toward the sharp element. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein moving the first locking member radially inwards includes displacing the first locking member within a housing receiving at least a portion of the shield member. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein moving the first locking member radially inwards includes disengaging the first locking member from the shield member. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein disengaging the first locking member from the shield member includes removing a detent included on the first locking member from a corresponding first aperture defined in the shield member. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein actuating the safety mechanism includes expanding a biasing member in engagement with the shield member. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 32  further including locking the shield member such that the tip of the sharp element remains covered. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein locking the shield member includes moving the first locking member radially outwards away from the sharp element. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein moving the first locking member radially outwards includes re-engaging the first locking member with the shield member. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein re-engaging the first locking member with the shield member includes positioning the detent included on the first locking member within a corresponding second aperture defined in the shield member, the second aperture being located proximally of the first aperture. 
     
     
         38 . A method of using a safety medical device comprising:
 inserting a sharp element of the safety medical device into a patient; and   actuating a safety mechanism provided on the safety medical device to cover a tip of the sharp element with a shield member by advancing a first locking member towards an identical second locking member, wherein advancing the first locking member towards the second locking member increases a biasing force in a biasing member included on the first locking member via engagement with the second locking member.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein actuating the safety mechanism includes moving the first and second locking members towards each other. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein moving the first and second locking members towards each other increases a biasing force in a biasing member included on the second locking member via engagement of the biasing member included on the second locking with the first locking member. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein actuating the safety mechanism includes disengaging the first locking member from the shield member. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein disengaging the first locking member from the shield member includes removing a detent included on the first locking member from a corresponding aperture defined in the shield member. 
     
     
         43 . A method of manufacturing a safety device comprising:
 positioning a shield member within a housing such that the shield member covers a portion of a sharp element of the safety device;   positioning a shield biasing member within the housing in engagement with the shield member;   positioning first and second locking members within the housing to maintain the shield member in a retracted position, whereby a biasing force is generated within the shield biasing member; and   orienting the first and second locking members within the housing such that a biasing member included on the first locking member engages the second locking member, whereby the first locking member is normally biased away from the second locking member.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein orienting the first and second locking members includes engaging a biasing member included on the second locking member with the first locking member, whereby the second locking member is normally biased away from the first locking member. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein orienting the first and second locking members within the housing includes inverting one of the first and second locking members.