Safety needle device

Abstract

A safety needle device comprises a hub configured to be connected to a pen-type injector, the hub comprising a side wall and an upper wall defining a cavity between them, the cavity extending between said upper wall and a lower aperture able to receive the pen-type injector; a needle attached to the hub, the needle extending along a longitudinal direction between a distal end configured to be inserted into a patient and an opposite proximal end configured to be connected to the pen-type injector; a back end shield slidable along the longitudinal direction and rotatable about the longitudinal direction within the cavity of the hub, the back end shield being irreversibly movable from an initial position before the pen-type injector is connected to the hub, through an intermediate position, to a locked position after the pen-type injector is removed from the hub; a resilient member arranged within the cavity and acting between the upper wall and the back end shield to push the back end shield along the longitudinal direction towards the proximal end of the needle; a locking device comprising at least one first locking member formed on the back end shield and at least one second locking member formed on the hub.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a protective device that can prevent users from being accidentally or intentionally injured by needles before or after the use of a medical device. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, a safety needle device includes an elongated needle having a first distal end that can be inserted into a patient's skin and a second proximal end that can be inserted into a pen syringe for dispensing substances. The needle is embedded in a hub and partially surrounded by a housing fixed to the hub. Known devices also include a front shield and a rear shield that surround and move along the needle to protect the needle tip before and after use. The shields are actuated by a spring element inserted between the hub and the associated shield. Actuation of the front shield occurs with injection, while actuation of the rear shield occurs when the safety device is coupled to the pen syringe. Upon actuation, the shields engage in a protective configuration to prevent further use or injury. Specifically, the device includes a locking mechanism capable of locking the sliding of the front and rear shields after use.

[0003] For example, in the prior art, an elastic clamp engages with the rear end cover when it reaches a specific position that slides towards the proximal end of the needle. Other known locking devices are flexible tabs formed on the hub that engage the rear end cover to prevent further movement after use.

[0004] However, known safety needle devices have shown some drawbacks. In fact, such devices do not guarantee proper protection of the user from further use and accidental injury. Furthermore, known devices are complex because they require many components to achieve proper protection of the user, thus increasing the overall cost of production. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Against this backdrop, the technical objective of the present invention is to provide a safety needle device that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0006] Specifically, the purpose of this invention is to provide a safety needle device that can improve the usability of the device itself while ensuring the protection of the user and reducing the complexity of the back-end mechanism.

[0007] The proposed technical task and specified objectives are substantially achieved through the cooperation of protrusions formed on the rear end shield and through guides formed on the hub to guide and lock the rear end shield. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The invention will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate some embodiments of the invention.

[0009] Figure 1This is a side view of a safety pin device in its pre-use configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein some elements are hidden to better show other aspects;

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of the safety needle device;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a side view of a safety pin device in use according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein some elements are hidden to better show other aspects;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Cross-sectional view of the safety needle device;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a side view of a safety pin device in its post-use configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein some elements are hidden to better show other aspects;

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the safety needle device;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a side view of a safety pin device in a locking configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein some elements are hidden to better show other aspects;

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A cross-sectional view of the safety needle device. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Reference Figures 1 to 8 The safety needle device is represented by reference numeral 1 in the attached figure. Specifically, Figures 1 to 8 The front-end mechanism is not shown, but it is concentrated in the rear-end mechanism. The safety needle device 1 can be associated with a pen injector (not shown), which contains the substance to be injected into the patient or is filled with blood drawn from the patient.

[0018] The safety needle device 1 includes a hub 10 configured to connect to a pen syringe. The hub 10 includes a sidewall 11 and a top wall 12, which define a cavity 13 therebetween. The cavity 13 extends between the top wall 12 and a lower orifice 14 configured to receive a pen syringe.

[0019] Preferably, the hub 10 has an inner surface 10a facing the cavity 13 and an outer surface 10b facing the opposite direction.

[0020] More preferably, the hub 10 includes a retaining device 80 configured to hold a pen-type syringe. The retaining device 80 is formed on the inner surface 10a of the sidewall 11 near the hole 14.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the hub 10 has a tubular shape with a circular cross-section.

[0022] The safety needle device 1 includes a needle 20 attached to a hub 10. The needle 20 extends longitudinally XX between a distal end 21 and an opposite proximal end 22, the distal end 21 being configured for insertion into a patient and the proximal end 22 being configured for connection to a pen syringe.

[0023] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the needle 20 is disposed within the cavity 13. Preferably, the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 is disposed within the cavity 13.

[0024] The safety needle device 1 includes a rear end cover 30 that is slidable along a longitudinal direction XX and rotatable about a longitudinal direction XX within a cavity 30 of the hub 10. Specifically, the rear end cover 30 is slidable and rotatable relative to the hub 10. Preferably, the rear end cover 30 is irreversibly movable from an initial position (before the pen syringe is connected to the hub 10) through an intermediate position to a locked position (after the pen syringe is removed from the hub 10). More preferably, during the connection of the hub 10 to the pen syringe, the rear end cover 30 slides and rotates along and about the longitudinal direction XX toward the distal end 22 of the needle 20 from the initial position to the intermediate position. Furthermore, during the removal of the pen syringe, the rear end cover 30 slides and rotates along the longitudinal axis XX toward the proximal end 21 of the needle 10 from the intermediate position to the locked position.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the rear end cover 30 is configured to cover and protect the proximal end 22 of the needle 30 in a locked position. Specifically, the rear end cover 30 is configured to be locked in a locked position to prevent further sliding that would expose the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 after use.

[0026] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the initial position, the rear end cover 30 exposes the first portion 23 of the needle 20 disposed within the cavity 13 and the proximal end 22 of the needle 20. Subsequently, as... Figure 4 As shown, the rear end cover 30 in the middle position exposes the second portion 24 of the needle 20 disposed within the cavity 13 and the proximal end 22 of the needle 20. It should be noted that the first portion 23 is shorter than the second portion 24 because the rear end cover 30 has been moved toward the distal end 21 of the needle. Finally, as... Figure 6 As shown, the rear end shield 30 covers the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 in the locked position. It is noteworthy that the rear end shield 30 is configured to cover the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 when the locked position is reached. Optionally, in Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the locked position, the restricted sliding of the rear end cover 30 along the longitudinal direction XX is also permitted without exposing the proximal end 22 of the needle 20.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the rear end cover 30 includes a hollow body 31 extending between a distal portion 30a of an upper wall 12 facing the hub 10 and a proximal portion 30b of a lower bore 14 facing the hub 10. Specifically, the rear end cover 30 is preferably fully disposed within the cavity 13 in the initial and intermediate positions and at least partially disposed in the locked position. The hollow body 31 includes a lower wall 32 formed at the proximal portion 30b. This lower wall 32 has an opening 33 configured to allow a portion of the needle 20 and the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 to pass through as the rear end cover 30 moves between the initial and locked positions. The hollow body 31 also includes a sidewall 35 extending longitudinally XX from the lower wall 32 and defining a through channel 34. The through channel 34 is configured to at least partially receive the needle 20 disposed within the cavity 13. The sidewall 35 has an inner surface 35a facing the through channel 34 and an outer surface 35b facing the cavity 13 of the hub 10.

[0028] The safety needle device 1 includes an elastic member 40 disposed within a cavity 13 and acting between an upper wall 12 and a rear end shield 30 to push the rear end shield 30 longitudinally toward the proximal end 21 of the needle 10. Preferably, the elastic member 40 is configured to continuously push the rear end shield 30 toward the proximal end 22 of the needle 10. Specifically, the elastic member 40 generates a force toward the proximal end 22 of the needle 20 due to the longitudinal movement of the rear end shield 30 toward the distal end 22 of the needle 20. More specifically, the elastic member 40 is configured to be elastically compressed during engagement of the pen syringe with the hub 10 (i.e., during the movement of the rear end shield 30 from an initial position to an intermediate position) and elastically extended during removal of the pen syringe from the hub 10 when the rear end shield 30 moves from the intermediate position to a locked position. In other words, the pen syringe acts on the lower wall 32, causing the rear end shield 30 to move from the initial position to the intermediate position, and then the elastic member 40 is compressed. After the pen syringe and its action on the lower wall 32 are removed, the rear end cover 30 moves from the intermediate position to the locked position by means of the extension of the elastic member 40.

[0029] Preferably, the elastic member 40 is located between the hub 10 and the rear end cover 30 to continuously push the rear end cover 30. Specifically, the elastic member 40 is at least partially disposed within a through channel 34 configured to receive a portion of the elastic member 40. It should be noted that the arrangement of the elastic member 40 within the through channel 34 depends on the position of the rear end cover 30. That is, in the intermediate position, the elastic member 40 is fully disposed within the through channel 34. Figure 4 In the initial and locked positions, the elastic member 40 is partially disposed within the passage 34. Figure 2 , Figure 6 and Figure 8 ).

[0030] More preferably, the elastic member 40 is located between the upper wall 12 and the lower wall 32 to continuously push the rear end cover 30 toward the proximal end 22.

[0031] It should be noted that the elastic member 40 at least partially surrounds the needle 20 inside the cavity 13 of the hub 10.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic member 40 includes a spring member 41 extending along a longitudinal axis XX between a distal portion 42 and a proximal portion 43. Thus, portion 42 abuts against the upper wall 12 and the proximal portion 43 abuts against the lower wall 32.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the hollow body 31 has a tubular shape with a circular cross-section.

[0034] The safety needle device 1 includes a locking device 50 configured to guide the rear end cover 30 from an initial position to a locked position and lock the rear end cover 30 in the locked position. Preferably, the locking device 50 is configured to rotate the rear end cover 30 as it slides along the longitudinal direction XX and lock the rear end cover 30 to always cover the proximal end 22 of the needle 20.

[0035] The locking device 50 includes at least one first locking member 60 formed on the rear end cover 30 and at least one second locking member 70 formed on the hub 10. Specifically, the second locking member 70 cooperates with the first locking member 60 to guide the rear end cover 30 from an initial position to a locked position and lock the rear end cover 30 in the locked position. Preferably, the locking device 50 includes at least two first locking members 60 and at least two second locking members 70.

[0036] The second locking member 70 includes a through-guide 71 and the first locking member 60 includes a protrusion configured to engage the guide 71 and slide along the through-guide 71.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, a protrusion 61 is formed on the outer surface 35b of the rear end cover 30, preferably protruding from the outer surface 35b along a transverse YY direction perpendicular to the outer surface 33b and thus perpendicular to the longitudinal direction XX. Preferably, the protrusion 61 is formed near the distal portion 30a of the rear end cover 30. More preferably, the locking device 50 includes at least two protrusions 61 spaced apart from each other along the outer surface 35b of the rear end cover 30. Even more preferably, the two protrusions 61 are circumferentially spaced apart on the rear end cover 30. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the protrusions 61 are symmetrical and circumferentially spaced apart on the outer surface 35b of the rear end cover.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, protrusion 61 is a pin.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the second locking member 70 includes a through guide 71 formed on the sidewall 11 of the hub 10. Preferably, the through guide 71 extends from the inner surface 10a to the outer surface 10b. Specifically, the through guide 71 is an opening formed on the sidewall 11 of the hub 10. More preferably, the hub 10 includes two symmetrically spaced through guides 71 circumferentially spaced on the sidewall 11. In other words, the hub 10 has two through guides 71 spaced at an angle along the sidewall 11. This configuration allows for proper guidance of the rear end cover 30 between the initial position and the locked position and engages with a protrusion to lock the rear end cover 30 in the locked position.

[0040] It should be noted that passing through guide 71 has Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 The shape shown.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 71 includes a first stop member 72 and a second stop member 73.

[0042] The first stop member 72 is configured to engage the protrusion 61 in the initial position of the rear end cover 30 to prevent longitudinal sliding of the rear end cover 30 toward the proximal end 22 of the needle 20. Preferably, the first stop member 72 includes a first support portion 72a that retains the protrusion 61 and holds the rear end cover 30 in the initial position, and a second support portion 72b that prevents undesired rotation of the rear end cover 30 about the longitudinal direction XX. More preferably, the second support portion 72a extends along the longitudinal direction XX from the first support portion 72a toward the distal end 22 of the needle 20. Even more preferably, the first support portion 72a and the second support portion 72b define an initial lay that holds the rear end cover 30 in the initial position until the pen syringe is engaged with the hub 10. In effect, the first stop member 72 holds the rear end cover 30 against the preloaded elastic force of the elastic member 40 that applies force toward the proximal end 22.

[0043] The second stop member 73 is configured to engage the protrusion 61 in the locked position of the rear end cover 30 to prevent longitudinal sliding of the rear end cover 30 toward both the distal end 21 and proximal end 22 of the needle 10. Specifically, the second stop member 73 is configured to retain the protrusion 61 to prevent further use of the safety needle device 1 and sliding of the rear end cover along the longitudinal direction XX. Preferably, the second stop member 73 includes a first support portion 73a and a second support portion 73b, which prevent longitudinal sliding of the rear end cover 30 toward both the distal end 21 and proximal end 22 of the needle. Specifically, the first support portion 73a also limits the travel of the rear end cover 30 along the longitudinal axis XX, thereby retaining the cover 30 against the preloaded elastic force of the elastic member 40, which also continues to exert force on the rear end cover 30 toward the proximal end 21 in the locked position. More preferably, the second stop member 73 includes a third support portion 73c and a fourth support portion 73d to prevent rotation of the rear end cover 30 about the longitudinal direction XX. Specifically, the third support portion 73c extends from the first support portion 73a along the longitudinal direction XX toward the distal end 21 of the needle 20, while the fourth support portion 73d extends from the second support portion 73a along the longitudinal direction XX toward the proximal end 22 of the needle 20. Even more preferably, the supports 73a, 73b, 73c, and 74d of the second stop member 72 define a locking compartment that engages and holds the protrusion 61 when the rear end cover 30 reaches the locked position. In this way, the rear end cover is held in the locked position and the proximal end 22 of the needle is covered after the safety needle device is used.

[0044] In other words, the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 are roughly "C" shaped, wherein the "C" of the first stop is rotated ninety degrees counterclockwise.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction XX. Specifically, the first stop member 72 is disposed toward the distal end 21 of the needle 20, while the second stop member 73 is disposed toward the proximal end 22 of the needle 20. In other words, the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 are offset along the longitudinal direction XX. Preferably, the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 are circumferentially spaced apart. More preferably, the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 are spaced apart along a circumferential direction CC defined around the hub 10.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 71 includes a third stop 74 configured to engage the protrusion 61 in an intermediate position to prevent the rear end cover 30 from sliding longitudinally toward the distal end 22 of the needle 20. Preferably, the third stop 74 restricts the travel of the protrusion along the longitudinal direction XX. More preferably, the protrusion 61 abuts against the third stop 74 in the intermediate position.

[0047] It should be noted that the third stop member 74 is spaced apart from the first stop member 72 along the longitudinal direction XX toward the distal end 21 of the needle 20. Simultaneously, the third stop member 74 is circumferentially spaced apart from both the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73. Preferably, the third stop member 74 is disposed in the middle between the first stop member 72 and the second stop member 73 along the circumferential direction CC around the hub 10. Alternatively, the first stop member 72 is located in the middle between the third stop member 74 and the second stop member 73 along the longitudinal direction XX.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 71 includes a guide 77 configured to engage the protrusion 61 and guide the rear end cover 30 from the intermediate position toward the locked position. Preferably, during the movement of the rear end cover from the intermediate position to the final position, the guide 77 connects a third stop 74 to a second stop 73. The guide 78 tapers gradually along the longitudinal axis XX from the distal end 21 to the proximal end 22 of the needle 20.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, the guide 71 includes a first rotating member 75 and a second rotating member 76 configured to rotate the rear end cover 30 when sliding along the longitudinal direction XX.

[0050] The first rotating member 75 is configured to engage the protrusion 61 and rotate the rear end cover 30 as it slides along the longitudinal axis XX from an initial position toward a central position. Preferably, the first rotating member 75 is disposed between the first stop member 72 and the third stop member 73. More preferably, the first rotating member 75 is arc-shaped and allows the rear end cover 30 to rotate during sliding along the longitudinal axis XX. The combination of rotation and sliding disengages the protrusion 61 from the first stop member 72.

[0051] The second rotating member 76 is configured to engage the protrusion 61 and rotate the rear end cover 30 as it slides along the longitudinal axis XX from the intermediate position toward the locked position. Preferably, the second rotating member 76 is disposed between the third stop member 72 and the second stop member 73. More preferably, the second rotating member 76 is arcuate and allows the rear end cover 30 to rotate during sliding along the longitudinal axis XX. The combination of rotation and sliding allows the protrusion to engage with the second stop member 72.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the hub 10 includes an insertion guide 90 formed on the sidewall 11 and is configured to engage a protrusion 61 during insertion into the rear end cover 30 cavity 14 and guide the protrusion 61 to a through guide 71 at the initial position of the rear end cover 30.

Claims

1. A safety needle device (1), comprising: - Hub (10), configured to be connected to a pen injector, the hub (10) including a sidewall (11) and an upper wall (12), a cavity (13) is defined between the sidewall (11) and the upper wall (12), the cavity (13) extending between the upper wall (12) and a lower hole (14) capable of receiving the pen injector; - A needle (20) attached to the hub (10), the needle (20) extending longitudinally (XX) between a distal end (21) and an opposite proximal end (22), the distal end (21) configured for insertion into a patient, and the proximal end (22) configured for connection to the pen syringe. - A rear end cover (30) that is slidable along the longitudinal direction (XX) and rotatable about the longitudinal direction (XX) within the cavity (13) of the hub (10), the rear end cover (30) being irreversibly movable from an initial position before the pen syringe is attached to the hub (10), through an intermediate position, to a locked position after the pen syringe is removed from the hub (10). - An elastic member (40) disposed within the cavity (13) and acting between the upper wall (12) and the rear end shield (30) to push the rear end shield (30) toward the proximal end (22) of the needle (20) along the longitudinal direction (XX). - A locking device (50) comprising at least one first locking member (60) formed on the rear end cover (30) and at least one second locking member (70) formed on the hub (10), the second locking member (70) cooperating with the first locking member (60) to guide the rear end cover (30) from the initial position to the locked position and lock the rear end cover (30) in the locked position. - The second locking member (70) includes a through guide (71) formed on the sidewall (11) of the hub (10). - The first locking member (60) includes a protrusion (61) configured to engage the guide (71) and slide along the guide (71). The through guide (71) includes: - A first stop member (72) is configured to engage the protrusion (61) in the initial position of the rear end cover (30) to prevent the rear end cover (30) from sliding longitudinally toward the proximal end (22) of the needle (20); - A second stop member (73) is configured to engage the protrusion (61) in the locked position of the rear end cover (30) to prevent longitudinal sliding of the rear end cover (30) toward both the distal end (21) and the proximal end (22) of the needle (20), wherein - The rear end cover (30) in the initial position exposes the proximal end (22) of the needle (20) and the first portion (23) of the needle (20) disposed in the cavity (13); - The rear end cover (30) in the middle position exposes the proximal end (22) of the needle (20) and the second portion (24) of the needle (20) disposed in the cavity (13), the first portion (23) being shorter than the second portion (24); - The rear end shield (30) in the locked position covers the proximal end (22) of the needle (20).

2. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: - The hub (10) has an inner surface (10a) facing the cavity (13) and an outer surface (10b) facing the opposite. - The through guide (71) extends from the inner surface (10a) to the outer surface (10b).

3. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: - The first stop member (72) and the second stop member (73) are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction (XX); - The first stop member (72) is positioned toward the distal end (21) of the needle (20); - The second stop member (73) is positioned toward the proximal end (22) of the needle (20).

4. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The through guide (71) includes: - A third stop member (74) is configured to engage the protrusion (61) in the intermediate position to prevent the rear end cover (30) from sliding longitudinally toward the distal end (21) of the needle (20); - The third stop member (74) is spaced apart from the first stop member (72) along the longitudinal direction (XX) toward the distal end (21) of the needle (20).

5. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The through guide (71) includes: - A guide (77) configured to engage the protrusion (61) and guide the rear end cover (30) from the intermediate position toward the locking position; - The guide portion (77) gradually tapers from the distal end (21) to the proximal end (22) of the needle (20) along the longitudinal axis (XX).

6. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The through guide (71) includes: - A first rotating member (75) is configured to engage the protrusion (61) and rotate the rear end cover (30) as the rear end cover (30) slides along the longitudinal axis (XX) from the initial position toward the intermediate position. - A second rotating member (76) is configured to engage the protrusion (61) and rotate the rear end cover (30) as the rear end cover (30) slides along the longitudinal axis (XX) from the intermediate position toward the locked position.

7. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The rear end cover (30) includes a hollow body (31) extending between a distal portion (30a) of an upper wall (12) facing the hub (10) and a proximal portion (30b) of a lower bore (14) facing the hub (10), the hollow body (31) comprising: - A lower wall (32) formed at the proximal portion (30b) and having an opening (33) configured to allow a portion of the needle (20) and the proximal end (22) of the needle (20) to pass through the rear end shield (30) as it moves between the initial position and the locked position; - A sidewall (35) extending from the lower wall (32) along a longitudinal axis (XX) and defining a through channel (34) configured to at least partially accommodate the needle (20).

8. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that The sidewall (35) has an inner surface (35a) facing the through channel (34) and an outer surface (35b) facing the cavity (13) of the hub (10), and the protrusion (61) is formed on the outer surface (35b) of the rear end cover (30).

9. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that: - The elastic member (40) is located between the upper wall (12) of the hub (10) and the lower wall (32) of the rear end cover (30); - The elastic member (40) at least partially surrounds the needle (20) passing through the cavity (13) of the hub (10).

10. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The protrusion (61) is a pin.

11. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The elastic member (40) includes a spring element (41) extending along a longitudinal axis (XX) between a distal portion (42) and a proximal portion (43).

12. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, - The hub (10) includes two symmetrical through guides (71) spaced apart circumferentially on the sidewall (11). - The rear end cover (30) includes two symmetrical protrusions (61) spaced apart circumferentially on the rear end cover (30).

13. The safety needle device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The hub (10) includes an insertion guide (90) formed on the sidewall (11) and configured to engage the protrusion (61) during insertion of the rear end cover (30) into the cavity (13) and guide the protrusion (61) to the through guide (71) so that the rear end cover (30) is in an initial position.

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