Syringe needle shield with integrated disinfectant
Through the needle shield assembly of integrated disinfectant, the inconvenience of skin disinfection before injection in the prior art is solved, and sterile, non-contact and efficient skin disinfection is achieved, and the operation process is simplified.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380080954.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-11-22
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-04
AI Technical Summary
The prior art has inconvenience when disinfecting the patient's skin before the injection is administered, including problems such as additional space occupation, difficulty in handling, easy loss, inefficiency and direct contact contamination.
A needle shield assembly with integrated disinfectant is designed, including a needle shield, a support and a coupled disinfection pad. The disinfection pad is fixed by an adhesive and impregnated with a disinfectant such as 70% isopropanol, providing sterile non-contact disinfection technology.
It realizes simplified and sterile disinfection of the skin before the injection is applied, avoids contamination of carrying and direct contact with additional equipment, and improves the convenience and efficiency of operation.
Smart Images
Figure CN120265345A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross - Reference to Related Applications
[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 992,438, filed on November 22, 2022, entitled "Syringe Needle Shield with Integrated Disinfectant", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0003] Background of the Disclosure
[0004] Field of the Disclosure
[0005] The present disclosure generally relates to syringe needle shields.
[0006] Description of the Related Art
[0007] The most common technique for disinfecting a patient's skin at the injection site is to wipe the disinfectant onto the skin prior to a surgical or non-surgical procedure. An example of skin preparation includes wiping (or swabbing) with alcohol or other disinfecting solution prior to the administration of an injection. Current techniques have many drawbacks, including the inconvenience of having to carry separately packaged alcohol swabs as they take up additional space and are purchased and carried in bulk. Another drawback is that alcohol swabs are typically small and easily misplaced. Additionally, many diabetic patients who often have to administer injections have dexterity issues, making it difficult to open and unfold the disinfecting swab. Further, this can be inefficient as when using separately packaged alcohol wipes, single-handed operation may not be possible and some disinfectant remains in the package when the alcohol wipe is removed and not used. Yet another drawback is that this technique requires direct contact with the alcohol wipe during the disinfection process and thus may contaminate the injection site.
[0008] Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue to research and develop in the area of disinfecting prior to the administration of an injection. Summary of the Invention
[0009] A needle cap is disclosed.
[0010] In one example, the needle cap includes a needle shield and a disinfecting pad coupled to the needle shield.
[0011] The disinfection pad can have a thickness of about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The disinfection pad can be generally circular. The diameter of the disinfection pad can be about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The disinfection pad can be generally rectangular. The disinfection pad can have a width W of about 10 mm to about 30 mm and a height of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The disinfection pad can be a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant. The disinfection pad can be a pre-cut foam with a plurality of columnar structures. The disinfection pad can be a sponge. The disinfection pad can be impregnated with a disinfectant, such as about 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.
[0012] The needle cap can include a base coupled to the needle shield. The disinfection pad can be coupled to the base by an adhesive. The base can be detachably coupled to the needle shield. The base can be integrated with the needle shield such that they are a single, integral structure. The base can include a pad seat coupled to the disinfection pad and a sheath surrounding the distal end of the needle shield.
[0013] The needle cap can further include a protective film coupled to the disinfection pad.
[0014] Also disclosed is a syringe.
[0015] In one example, the syringe includes a barrel, a plunger at least partially received in the barrel, a needle hub coupled to the barrel, a needle coupled to the needle hub, and a needle cap detachably coupled to the needle hub. The needle cap includes a needle shield and a disinfection pad coupled to the needle shield.
[0016] The proximal end of the needle cap can be detachably connected to the needle hub.
[0017] Also disclosed is a method of using a syringe to administer an injectable agent to an injection site, the syringe including a barrel, a needle cap coupled to the barrel, the needle cap having a needle shield, a disinfection pad coupled to the needle shield, and a protective film coupled to the disinfection pad.
[0018] In one example, the method includes removing the protective film. The method further includes wiping the injection site with the disinfection pad. The method further includes separating the needle cap from the barrel. The method further includes administering the injectable agent to the injection site. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure and the manner of achieving them will become more apparent and the present disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of the needle cap;
[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a top-down schematic view of a portion of the needle cap of
[0022] Figure 3 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the needle cap;
[0023] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a side view schematic diagram of a part of the needle cap of
[0024] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the needle cap;
[0025] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a top view schematic diagram of a part of the needle cap of
[0026] Figure 7 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a part of the needle cap;
[0027] Figure 8 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a part of the needle cap;
[0028] Figure 9 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the syringe.
[0029] Figure 10 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the needle cap;
[0030] Figure 11 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the syringe;
[0031] Figure 12 is Figure 11 a cross-sectional side view schematic diagram of a part of the syringe of ; and
[0032] Figure 13 is a flowchart of a method for administering an injection agent to an injection site. Detailed Description
[0033] Spatial or directional terms such as "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "above", "below", etc. should not be considered restrictive because the present disclosure can adopt various alternative orientations.
[0034] All numbers used in the specification and claims should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases. "About" refers to a range of plus or minus 10% of the stated value. As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "first", "second", etc. do not refer to any particular order or sequence, but rather to different conditions, characteristics, or elements. The so-called "at least" means "greater than or equal to".
[0035] References to "one or more examples" in this document mean that one or more features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with that example are included in at least one embodiment. The phrase "one or more examples" in different places in the specification may refer to the same example or different examples.
[0036] As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or piece of hardware "configured to" perform a specified function is one that can perform the specified function without any further modification, rather than merely having the possibility of performing the specified function after further modification. In other words, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or piece of hardware "configured to" perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, used, programmed, and / or designed for performing the specified function. As used herein, "configured to" represents the existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or piece of hardware that enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or piece of hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For the purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or piece of hardware described as "configured to" perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "adapted" and / or be described as "operable to" perform that function.
[0037] Although, for purposes of illustration, the present disclosure has been described in detail based on currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that such detail is for that purpose only and that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
[0038] The present disclosure provides a simplified device for disinfecting a patient's skin prior to administering an injection. In one aspect, a needle shield assembly integrated with a disinfectant is disclosed, where the disinfectant is adhered to or integrated with the needle shield. Integrating the disinfection device with the syringe improves compliance with proper skin preparation prior to injecting the drug, which is often not achievable if a proper disinfection device is not provided at the patient's bedside. The disclosed design eliminates the need to search for / retrieve a disinfection device (e.g., alcohol swab, alcohol wipe, etc.) by integrating the disinfectant with the needle shield assembly. After wiping, the needle shield and the disinfection cap are removed together and the injection is performed.
[0039] The present disclosure can be used in all types of medical procedures that require needles, such as vaccinations, administering nutrients, or anesthesia. The present disclosure eliminates the unintentional contamination and potential associated complications related to alcohol wipes, which are currently widely used for skin disinfection. Alcohol wipes are not designed to provide a sterile non-contact technique for disinfecting the skin.
[0040] The present disclosure utilizes a disinfection pad (such as a sponge) soaked in a disinfectant to prepare and disinfect the injection site before drug administration. In one example, the disinfection pad is a sponge or foam material integrated into the distal end of the needle shield, and the disinfection pad is impregnated with 70% IPA as the disinfectant. Once the alcohol sponge is exposed, the disclosed disinfection pad can be used for wiping in a manner similar to using a marker or applicator. This achieves an aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).
[0041] On the one hand, the needle shield holds the IPA-soaked sponge in a cavity at the distal end of the needle shield. Compared with traditional methods (such as using wipes), the overall design helps the user by providing an ergonomic solution for site preparation. The barrel of the syringe or the needle shield can serve as a handle for gripping and provides better stability and usability for the user to perform an effective wipe. The present disclosure may include a top layer mesh skin or film that seals the soaked sponge from the external environment, thus ensuring container closure integrity.
[0042] The disclosed design is compatible with commercially available needle shields (such as those for subcutaneous syringes). The disclosed design can function as an additional disinfection device that can be attached to a commercially available needle shield.
[0043] Generally referring Figures 1 to 12 , a needle cap 100 is disclosed herein. The needle cap 100 is a disinfection assembly for simplifying the process of disinfecting a patient's injection site before injecting a drug via the needle of a syringe. The needle cap 100 includes a needle shield 110. The needle shield 100 can be any commercially available needle shield 100.
[0044] Specifically referring Figure 1, the needle cap 100 includes a base 120 coupled to the needle guard 110. The base 120 can be detachably coupled to the needle guard 110 such that the base is configured to slide and / or snap onto and / or off an existing needle guard 110. In another example, the base 120 can be integrated with the needle guard 110 such that they are a single, integral structure. The base 120 can include a pad seat 122 coupled to the disinfection pad 130. The pad seat 122 can have any size or shape to reflect the size and shape of the disinfection pad 130 described below. For example, the pad seat 122 can be generally circular, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, or any shape that matches the shape of the disinfection pad 120. The base 120 can also include a sheath 124 coupled to the distal end 112 of the needle guard 110. In one example, the sheath 124 surrounds the distal end 112 of the needle guard 110 such that it fits over the distal end 112 of the needle guard 110 to form a cap. In one example, the sheath 124 snaps or clips into the distal end 112 of the needle guard 110. In another example, the sheath 124 slides over the distal end 112 of the needle guard 110.
[0045] Reference Figures 1 to 12 , the needle cap 100 includes a disinfection pad 130 coupled to the base 120. The disinfection pad 130 can be coupled to the base 120 using an adhesive (e.g., glue). The adhesive can be thermally cured to seal the disinfection pad 130 to the base 120 and / or the needle guard 110. The disinfection pad 130 can be a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant. In one example, the disinfection pad 130 is impregnated with alcohol. In a specific example, the disinfection pad 130 is impregnated with a disinfectant such as approximately 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.
[0046] In one example, the disinfection pad 130 is a sponge. In another example, the disinfection pad 130 is a foam material. In yet another example, the disinfection pad 130 is a pre-cut foam having a plurality of columnar structures 134, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 . The plurality of columnar structures 134 can advantageously provide additional surfaces for containing the disinfectant, actively scrubbing the site, and disinfecting the patient before receiving a drug injection.
[0047] The disinfection pad 130 can have any size or shape sufficient to contain enough disinfectant to thoroughly disinfect the patient's injection site before receiving an injection. In one example, the disinfection pad 130 has a thickness T of about 2 mm to about 4 mm, more specifically a thickness of about 3.5 mm, see Figure 4。In a particular configuration, the disinfection pad 130 may have a volume of at least about 0.476 milliliters (cc) when compressed (relative to the preparation site), which volume is determined by the dimensions of 28 mm × 34 mm × 0.5 mm (thick) = 476 mm 3 = 0.476 cc. The dimensions of the disinfection pad 130 are designed such that the volume of IPA it can hold based on the saturation limit is at least equal to the volume of IPA filled in existing alcohol wipes / alcohol pads to achieve the required disinfection.
[0048] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the disinfection pad 130 may be generally circular and have a diameter D of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In another example, the disinfection pad 130 may be generally rectangular, see Figure 3 and Figure 4 . In an example having a generally rectangular shape, the disinfection pad 130 may have a width W of about 10 mm to about 30 mm and a height H of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the disinfection pad 130 may be generally oval.
[0049] Reference Figure 9 , the needle cap 100 may further include a protective film 132 coupled to the disinfection pad 130. The protective film 132 may be peeled off from the disinfection pad 130. The protective film 132 may serve as a barrier to hold the disinfectant in the disinfection pad 130 and prevent the disinfection pad 130 from being contaminated before use. The protective film 132 may cover the entire exposed portion of the disinfection pad 130 and may further extend beyond the disinfection pad 130 to at least a portion of the support 120 to ensure that the disinfection pad 130 is completely free from contamination.
[0050] Reference Figure 9 , a syringe 150 is disclosed. The syringe 150 includes a barrel 152, a plunger 154 at least partially received in the barrel 152, a needle hub 158 coupled to the barrel 152, and a needle 156 coupled to the needle hub 158. In one example, the proximal end 114 of the needle cap 100 is detachably coupled to the needle hub 158.
[0051] Still referring to Figure 9 , the syringe 150 further includes a needle cap 100 detachably coupled to the needle hub 158. As shown and described herein, the needle cap 100 includes a needle shield 110, a support 120 coupled to the needle shield 110, and a disinfection pad 130 coupled to the support 120. In one example, the disinfection pad 130 is impregnated with alcohol, such as about 70% isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.
[0052] Reference Figures 9 to 12, another example of the needle cap 200 is disclosed. In one example, the needle cap 200 includes a needle shield 210. The needle shield 200 can be any commercially available needle shield 200, or can be specifically designed to receive the disinfection pad 230.
[0053] Still referring to Figures 9 to 12 , the needle cap 200 includes a disinfection pad 230 directly coupled to the distal end 212 of the needle shield 210. The disinfection pad 230 can be coupled to and nested with the distal end 212 of the needle shield 210 using an adhesive (e.g., glue). The adhesive can be thermally cured to seal the disinfection pad 230 to the needle shield 210. The disinfection pad 230 can be a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant. In one example, the disinfection pad 230 is impregnated with alcohol. In a specific example, the disinfection pad 230 is impregnated with approximately 70% isopropyl alcohol.
[0054] In one example, the disinfection pad 230 is a sponge. In another example, the disinfection pad 230 is a foam material. In yet another example, the disinfection pad 230 is a pre-cut foam with a plurality of columnar structures 234. The plurality of columnar structures 234 can advantageously provide additional surfaces for holding the disinfectant at the effective scrubbing site and disinfecting the patient before receiving a drug injection.
[0055] The disinfection pad 230 can have any size or shape sufficient to hold enough disinfectant to thoroughly disinfect the patient's injection site before receiving an injection. In one example, the disinfection pad 230 has a thickness T of approximately 2 mm to approximately 4 mm. The disinfection pad can have a volume of at least approximately 0.476 cc when compressed (relative to the preparation site), which is determined by the dimensions 28 mm × 34 mm × 0.5 mm (thick) = 476 mm 3 = 0.476 cc. The dimensions of the disinfection pad 130 are designed such that the volume of IPA it can hold based on the saturation limit is at least equal to the volume of IPA filled in an existing alcohol wipe / alcohol pad to achieve the required disinfection. The disinfection pad 230 can be generally circular and have a diameter D of approximately 5 mm to approximately 15 mm. In another example, the disinfection pad 230 can be generally rectangular. In an example with a generally rectangular shape, the disinfection pad 230 can have a width W of approximately 10 mm to approximately 30 mm and a height H of approximately 5 mm to approximately 15 mm.
[0056] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12, the needle cap 200 may further include a protective film 232 coupled to the disinfection pad 230. The protective film 232 can be peeled off from the disinfection pad 230. The protective film 232 can be used as a barrier to retain the disinfectant in the disinfection pad 230 and prevent the disinfection pad 230 from being contaminated before use. The protective film 232 can cover the entire exposed portion of the disinfection pad 230 and can also extend beyond the disinfection pad 230 to at least a portion of the support 220 to ensure that the disinfection pad 230 is completely free from contamination.
[0057] Reference Figure 12 , a syringe 250 is disclosed. The syringe 250 includes a barrel 252, a plunger 254 at least partially received in the barrel 252, a needle hub 258 coupled to the barrel 252, and a needle 256 coupled to the needle hub 258. In one example, the proximal end 214 of the needle cap 200 is detachably coupled to the needle hub 258.
[0058] Still reference Figure 11 and Figure 12 , the syringe 250 further includes a needle cap 200 detachably coupled to the needle hub 258. As shown and described herein, the needle cap 200 includes a needle shield 210, a support 220 coupled to the needle shield 210, and a disinfection pad 230 coupled to the support 220. In one example, the disinfection pad 230 is impregnated with alcohol, such as about 70% isopropyl alcohol or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.
[0059] Reference Figure 13 , a method 300 for administering an injection to an injection site using a syringe 150 is disclosed. The syringe 150 includes a barrel 152 and a needle cap 100 coupled to the barrel 152. The needle cap 100 has a needle shield 110, a support 120 coupled to the needle shield 110, a disinfection pad 130 coupled to the support 120, and a protective film 132 coupled to the disinfection pad 130. The method 300 can be performed using the needle cap 100 and the syringe 150 shown and described herein.
[0060] In one example, the method 300 includes: removing 310 the protective film 132. The method 300 further includes: wiping 320 the injection site using the disinfection pad 130. The method 300 further includes: separating 330 the needle cap 100 from the barrel 152. The method 300 further includes: administering 340 the injection to the injection site.
[0061] Although non-limiting embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration and description, it should be understood that such details are for that purpose only and that the embodiments are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, these embodiments are intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it should be understood that the present disclosure contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or not disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may only directly depend on one claim, the possible embodiments disclosed include combinations of each dependent claim with each other claim in the group of claims.
Claims
1. A needle cap, the needle cap comprising: A needle shield; And A disinfection pad, the disinfection pad being coupled to the needle shield, wherein the disinfection pad is fixedly coupled to the needle shield by an adhesive, and wherein the disinfection pad is a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant.
2. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is a pre-cut foam having a plurality of columnar structures.
3. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad has a thickness (T) of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.
4. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is generally circular.
5. The needle cap according to claim 4, wherein, The disinfection pad has a diameter (D) of about 5 mm to about 15 mm.
6. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is generally rectangular.
7. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad has a width (W) of about 10 mm to about 30 mm and a height (H) of about 5 mm to about 15 mm.
8. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is impregnated with alcohol.
9. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is impregnated with about 70% isopropyl alcohol.
10. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein the needle cap further comprises a support coupled to the needle guard, wherein, The disinfection pad is coupled to the support.
11. The needle cap according to claim 1, wherein, The disinfection pad is coupled to the support by an adhesive.
12. The needle cap according to claim 11, wherein, The support is removably coupled to the needle shield.
13. The needle cap according to claim 11, wherein, The support is integrated with the needle shield such that the support and the needle shield are a single, integral structure.
14. The needle cap according to claim 11, wherein, The support includes a pad seat coupled to the disinfection pad and a sheath surrounding the distal end of the needle shield.
15. The needle cap according to claim 1, the needle cap further comprising a protective film coupled to the disinfection pad.
16. A syringe, the syringe comprising: A barrel; A plunger, the plunger being at least partially received in the barrel; A needle hub, the needle hub being coupled to the barrel; A needle, the needle being coupled to the needle hub; And A needle cap, the needle cap being removably coupled to the needle hub; the needle cap comprising: A needle shield; and A disinfection pad, the disinfection pad being coupled to the needle shield, wherein the disinfection pad is fixedly coupled to the needle shield by an adhesive, and wherein the disinfection pad is a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant.
17. The syringe according to claim 16, wherein, The proximal end of the needle cap is removably coupled to the needle hub.
18. The syringe according to claim 16, wherein, The disinfection pad is impregnated with about 70% isopropyl alcohol.
19. The syringe according to claim 16, the syringe further comprising a protective film coupled to the disinfection pad.
20. The syringe according to claim 19, the syringe further comprising a support coupled to the needle shield, wherein, The disinfection pad is coupled to the support.