Needle shield with built-in disinfectant

Abstract

The needle cover includes a needle shield, a mount coupled to the needle shield, and an antiseptic pad coupled to the mount. The antiseptic pad is fixedly coupled to the needle shield with an adhesive, and the antiseptic pad is a porous material impregnated with an antiseptic. The antiseptic pad may be a pre-cut foam having a plurality of columnar structures.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to syringe needle shields. [Background technology]

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Utility Model Application No. 17 / 992,438, entitled "Needle Shield with Integrated Disinfectant," filed November 22, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] The most common technique for disinfecting a patient's skin at an injection site is to apply an antiseptic to the skin before a surgical or nonsurgical procedure. Examples of skin preparation include wiping (or swabbing) with alcohol or other antiseptic solutions before administering an injectable drug. Current techniques have many drawbacks, including the inconvenience of having to carry individually packaged alcohol swabs, which take up extra space and are purchased and transported in bulk. Another drawback is that alcohol swabs are typically small and easily misplaced. Furthermore, many diabetic patients who must commonly administer injectable drugs have dexterity issues, making it difficult to open and unpack the antiseptic swabs. Furthermore, using separately packaged alcohol swabs can be inefficient because one-handed operation is sometimes impossible and some of the antiseptic remains in the unused portion of the package when the alcohol swabs are removed from the package. Yet another drawback is that this technique requires direct contact with the alcohol swabs during disinfection, potentially contaminating the site.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art continue to conduct research and development efforts in the area of ​​disinfection of injectables prior to administration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A needle cover is disclosed.

[0006] In one example, the needle cover includes a needle shield and an antiseptic pad coupled to the needle shield.

[0007] The antiseptic pad may have a thickness of about 2 mm to about 4 mm. The antiseptic pad may be substantially round. The antiseptic pad may have a diameter of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The antiseptic pad may be substantially rectangular. The antiseptic pad may have a width W of about 10 mm to about 30 mm and a height of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. The antiseptic pad may be a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant. The antiseptic pad may be a pre-cut foam having multiple pillar structures. The antiseptic pad may be a sponge. The antiseptic pad may be impregnated with a disinfectant, such as about 70% 2-propanol or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.

[0008] The needle cover may include a mount coupled to the needle shield. The antiseptic pad may be adhesively coupled to the mount. The mount may be removably coupled to the needle shield. The mount may be integrated with the needle shield such that they are a single monolithic structure. The mount may include a pad mount coupled to the antiseptic pad and a shield sleeve surrounding the distal end of the needle shield.

[0009] The needle cover may further include a protective film coupled with the antiseptic pad.

[0010] A syringe is also disclosed.

[0011] 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 cover removably coupled to the needle hub, the needle cover including a needle shield and an antiseptic pad coupled to the needle shield.

[0012] The proximal end of the needle cover may be removably coupled to the needle hub.

[0013] Also disclosed is a method for administering to an injection site a syringe that includes a barrel, a needle cover coupled to the barrel having a needle shield, an antiseptic pad coupled to the needle shield, and a protective film coupled to the antiseptic pad.

[0014] In one example, the method includes removing the protective film. The method further includes wiping the injection site with an antiseptic pad. The method further includes removing the needle cover from the barrel. The method further includes administering an injectable solution to the injection site. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] The above and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become apparent, and the disclosure itself will be better understood, by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective schematic view of a needle cover. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top schematic view of a portion of the needle cover of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the needle cover. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of a portion of the needle cover of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective schematic view of a needle cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top schematic view of a portion of the needle cover of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of a needle cover. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a portion of a needle cover. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective schematic view of a syringe. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective schematic view of a needle cover. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective schematic view of a syringe. [Figure 12]12 is a cross-sectional side schematic view of a portion of the syringe of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a method for administering an injection to an injection site. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Spatial or directional terms such as "left," "right," "inside," "outside," "above," "below," etc. should not be considered limiting as the present invention may assume various alternative orientations.

[0018] All numbers used in the specification and claims should be understood as modified in all instances by the term "about." By "about," it is meant a range of plus or minus ten percent 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 dictates otherwise. The terms "first," "second," etc. are not intended to refer to any particular order or temporal sequence, but instead refer to different states, properties, or elements. "At least" means "greater than or equal to."

[0019] A reference herein to "one or more examples" means that one or more features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the examples are included in at least one implementation. The phrase "one or more examples" in various places herein may or may not refer to the same examples.

[0020] As used herein, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured" to perform a specified function not only has the potential to perform the specified function after further modification, but is actually capable of performing the specified function without modification. In other words, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is "configured" to perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and / or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, "configured" refers to existing characteristics of a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that enable the system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, device, structure, article, element, component, or hardware that is described as "configured" for a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as "adapted to perform" and / or "capable of performing" that function.

[0021] While the present disclosure has been described in detail for purposes of illustration based on what are presently 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, but on the contrary 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.

[0022] The present disclosure provides a streamlined means for disinfecting a patient's skin before administering an injectable medication. In one aspect, disclosed is a needle shield assembly integrated with a disinfectant that is coupled to or integrated with the needle shield. Integrating the disinfectant device with the syringe improves compliance with proper skin preparation before injecting a medication, which is often not achieved if proper disinfection means are not provided at the patient's bedside. The disclosed design eliminates the need to search for a disinfectant device, such as an alcohol swab or wipe, but integrates the disinfectant with the needle shield assembly. After wiping, the needle shield is removed along with the disinfection cap, and the injection is administered.

[0023] The present disclosure may be useful for all types of medical procedures that require needles, such as vaccinations, nutrition, or anesthesia. The present disclosure eliminates the inadvertent contamination and potential complications associated with alcohol wipes, which are currently widely used for skin disinfection. Alcohol wipes, by design, do not provide a sterile, non-touch technique for disinfecting the skin.

[0024] The present disclosure uses an antiseptic pad, such as a sponge soaked in an antiseptic solution, to prepare and disinfect the injection site before administering a drug. In one example, the antiseptic pad is a sponge or foam material integrated into the distal end of the needle shield, and the antiseptic pad is impregnated with 70% IPA as a disinfectant. Once the alcohol sponge is exposed, it can be used to wipe a cotton swab, similar to using a marker or applicator. This allows for aseptic non-touch technique (ANTT).

[0025] In one aspect, the needle shield holds the IPA-soaked sponge within a cavity at the distal end of the needle shield. The overall design assists the user by providing an ergonomic solution for site preparation compared to traditional methods, such as using wipes. The syringe barrel or needle shield can function as a handle, providing the user with better stability and ease of use for effective wiping. The present disclosure may include a top web peel or film that seals the soaked sponge from the external environment and ensures the integrity of the container closure.

[0026] The disclosed design is compatible with commercially available needle shields, such as those used with hypodermic syringes, and can function as an additional disinfecting device that can be attached to a commercially available needle shield.

[0027] 1-12, a needle cover 100 is disclosed. The needle cover 100 is a disinfecting assembly for simplifying the process of disinfecting a patient's injection site prior to injecting medication through the needle of a syringe. The needle cover 100 includes a needle shield 110. The needle shield 100 may be any commercially available needle shield 100.

[0028] With particular reference to FIG. 1 , the needle cover 100 includes a mount 120 coupled to the needle shield 110. The mount 120 may be removably coupleable to the needle shield 110 so as to be configured to slide and / or snap on and off an existing needle shield 110. In another example, the mount 120 may be integrated with the needle shield such that they are a single, monolithic structure. The mount 120 may include a pad mount 122 coupled to the antiseptic pad 130. The pad mount 122 may be any size or shape that reflects the size and shape of the antiseptic pad 130, described below. For example, the pad mount 122 may be substantially round, oval, rectangular, square, triangular, or any shape that matches that of the antiseptic pad 120. The mount 120 may further include a shield sleeve 124 coupled to the distal end 112 of the needle shield 110. In one example, the shield sleeve 124 nests over and surrounds the distal end 112 of the needle shield 110 to form a cap. In one example, the shield sleeve 124 snaps or clicks onto the distal end 112 of the needle shield 110. In another example, the shield sleeve 124 slides over the distal end 112 of the needle shield 110.

[0029] 1-12, the needle cover 100 includes an antiseptic pad 130 coupled to the mount 120. The antiseptic pad 130 may be coupled to the mount 120 with an adhesive, such as glue. The adhesive may be heat cured to seal the antiseptic pad 130 to the mount 120 and / or needle shield 110. The antiseptic pad may be a porous material impregnated with a disinfectant. In one example, the antiseptic pad 130 is impregnated with alcohol. In one particular example, the antiseptic pad 130 is impregnated with a disinfectant, such as about 70% 2-propanol (IPA) or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.

[0030] In one example, the antiseptic pad 130 is a sponge. In another example, the antiseptic pad 130 is a foam material. In yet another example, the antiseptic pad 130, see Figures 7 and 8, is a pre-cut foam having multiple columns 134. The multiple columns 134 can advantageously provide an additional surface for retaining antiseptic, actively cleaning the site, and disinfecting the patient prior to receiving a medication injection.

[0031] The antiseptic pad 130 may be of any size or shape necessary to adequately hold enough antiseptic to thoroughly disinfect a patient's injection site prior to receiving an injection. In one example, the antiseptic pad 130 has a thickness T of about 2 mm to about 4 mm, more specifically about 3.5 mm, as shown in FIG. 4. In one particular configuration, the antiseptic pad 130 has dimensions of 28 mm x 34 mm x 0.5 mm (thickness) = 476 mm. 3 = 0.476 cc) The size of the antiseptic pad 130 is designed so that the volume of IPA it can hold based on saturation limits is at least equal to the volume of IPA loaded into existing alcohol wipes / pads to achieve the required disinfection.

[0032] 1 and 2, the antiseptic pad 130 may be substantially round and have a diameter D of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In another example, the antiseptic pad 130 may be substantially rectangular, see FIGS. 3 and 4. In an example having a substantially rectangular shape, the antiseptic 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. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the antiseptic pad 130 may be substantially oval.

[0033] 9, the needle cover 100 may further include a protective film 132 coupled to the antiseptic pad 130. The protective film 132 may be peelable from the antiseptic pad 130. The protective film 132 may act as a barrier to maintain the antiseptic agent within the antiseptic pad 130 and prevent the antiseptic pad 130 from being contaminated prior to use. The protective film 132 may cover the entire exposed portion of the antiseptic pad 130 and may further extend beyond the antiseptic pad 130 onto at least a portion of the mount 120 to ensure that the antiseptic pad 130 is fully protected from contamination.

[0034] 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 cover 100 is removably coupled to the needle hub 158.

[0035] 9, the syringe 150 further includes a needle cover 100 removably coupled to the needle hub 158. The needle cover 100 includes a needle shield 110, a mount 120 coupled to the needle shield 110, and an antiseptic pad 130 coupled to the mount 120 as shown and described herein. In one example, the antiseptic pad 130 is impregnated with an alcohol, such as about 70% 2-propanol or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.

[0036] 9-12, another example of a needle cover 200 is disclosed. In one example, the needle cover 200 includes a needle shield 210. The needle shield 200 may be any commercially available needle shield 200 or may be specially designed to accept an antiseptic pad 230.

[0037] 9-12, the needle cover 200 includes an antiseptic pad 230 directly bonded to the distal end 212 of the needle shield 210. The antiseptic pad 230 may be bonded to the distal end 212 of the needle shield 210 with an adhesive, such as glue, and nested within the needle shield 210. The adhesive may be heat cured to seal the antiseptic pad 230 to the needle shield 210. The antiseptic pad 230 may be a porous material impregnated with an antiseptic. In one example, the antiseptic pad 230 is impregnated with alcohol. In one particular example, the antiseptic pad 230 is impregnated with approximately 70% 2-propanol.

[0038] In one example, the antiseptic pad 230 is a sponge. In another example, the antiseptic pad 230 is a foam material. In yet another example, the antiseptic pad 230 is a pre-cut foam having a plurality of posts 234. The plurality of posts 234 may advantageously provide an additional surface for retaining antiseptic, actively cleaning the site, and disinfecting the patient prior to receiving a medication injection.

[0039] The antiseptic pad 230 may be of any size or shape necessary to adequately hold enough antiseptic to thoroughly disinfect a patient's injection site prior to receiving an injection. In one example, the antiseptic pad 230 has a thickness T of about 2 mm to about 4 mm. In one particular configuration, the antiseptic pad 230 has dimensions of 28 mm x 34 mm x 0.5 mm (thickness) = 476 mm. 3 The antiseptic pad 230 may have a compressed volume of at least about 0.476 cc (relative to the pre-treatment site), as determined by the dimension ∅ = 0.476 cc. The size of the antiseptic pad 130 is designed so that the volume of IPA it can hold, based on the saturation limit, is at least equal to the volume of IPA filled into an existing alcohol wipe / pad to achieve the required disinfection. The antiseptic pad 230 may be substantially round and may have a diameter D of about 5 mm to about 15 mm. In another example, the antiseptic pad 230 may be substantially rectangular. In an example having a substantially rectangular shape, the antiseptic pad 230 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.

[0040] 11 and 12, the needle cover 200 may further include a protective film 232 coupled to the antiseptic pad 230. The protective film 232 may be peelable from the antiseptic pad 230. The protective film 232 may function as a barrier to maintain the antiseptic agent within the antiseptic pad 230 and prevent the antiseptic pad 230 from being contaminated prior to use. The protective film 232 may cover the entire exposed portion of the antiseptic pad 230 and may further extend beyond the antiseptic pad 230 onto at least a portion of the mount 220 to ensure that the antiseptic pad 230 is fully protected from contamination.

[0041] 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 114 of the needle cover 100 is removably coupled to the needle hub 158.

[0042] 11 and 12, the syringe 250 further includes a needle cover 200 removably coupled to the needle hub 258. The needle cover 200 includes a needle shield 210, a mount 220 coupled to the needle shield 210, and an antiseptic pad 230 coupled to the mount 220 as shown and described herein. In one example, the antiseptic pad 230 is impregnated with an alcohol, such as about 70% 2-propanol or chlorhexidine in an IPA-based disinfectant.

[0043] 13 , a method 300 is disclosed for administering an injectable agent to an injection site using a syringe 150 including a barrel 152, a needle cover 100 coupled to the barrel 152 having a needle shield 110, a mount 120 coupled to the needle shield 110, an antiseptic pad 130 coupled to the mount 120, and a protective film 132 coupled to the antiseptic pad 130. Method 300 may be performed using the needle cover 100 and syringe 150 as shown and described herein.

[0044] In one example, the method 300 includes removing 310 the protective film 132. The method 300 further includes wiping 320 the injection site with an antiseptic pad 130. The method 300 further includes decoupling 330 the needle cover 100 from the barrel 152. The method 300 further includes administering 340 an injection to the injection site.

[0045] While non-limiting embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration and description, it should be understood that such detail is for that purpose only, and that the embodiments are not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but rather are 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 or aspect may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment or aspect. Indeed, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed herein. While each dependent claim listed below may depend directly on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with all other claims in the set of claims.

Claims

1. A needle cover, Needle shield and an antiseptic pad coupled to the needle shield, the antiseptic pad being fixedly coupled to the needle shield with an adhesive, the antiseptic pad being a porous material impregnated with an antiseptic; A needle cover.

2. The needle cover of claim 1 , wherein the antiseptic pad is a pre-cut foam having a plurality of columns.

3. 10. The needle cover of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic pad has a thickness (T) of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

4. The needle cover of claim 1 , wherein the antiseptic pad is substantially round.

5. 5. The needle cover of claim 4, wherein the antiseptic pad has a diameter (D) of about 5 mm to about 15 mm.

6. The needle cover of claim 1 , wherein the antiseptic pad is substantially rectangular.

7. 10. The needle cover of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic 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 cover of claim 1 , wherein the antiseptic pad is impregnated with alcohol.

9. 10. The needle cover of claim 1, wherein the antiseptic pad is impregnated with about 70% 2-propanol.

10. The needle cover of claim 1 , further comprising a mount coupled to the needle shield, the antiseptic pad being coupled to the mount.

11. The needle cover of claim 1 , wherein the antiseptic pad is adhesively coupled to the mount.

12. The needle cover of claim 11 , wherein the mount is removably coupleable to the needle shield.

13. 12. The needle cover of claim 11, wherein the mount is integrated with the needle shield such that they are a single monolithic structure.

14. The needle cover of claim 11 , wherein the mount comprises a pad mount coupled to the antiseptic pad and a shield sleeve surrounding the distal end of the needle shield.

15. The needle cover of claim 1 further comprising a protective film coupled to the antiseptic pad.

16. A syringe, Barrel and a plunger at least partially received within the barrel; a needle hub coupled to the barrel; a needle coupled to the needle hub; a needle cover removably coupled to the needle hub, Needle shield and a needle cover including an antiseptic pad coupled to the needle shield, the antiseptic pad being fixedly coupled to the needle shield with an adhesive, the antiseptic pad being a porous material impregnated with an antiseptic; A syringe comprising:

17. The syringe of claim 16, wherein the proximal end of the needle cover is removably coupled to the needle hub.

18. 17. The syringe of claim 16, wherein the antiseptic pad is impregnated with about 70% 2-propanol.

19. 17. The syringe of claim 16, further comprising a protective film coupled to the antiseptic pad.

20. 20. The syringe of claim 19, further comprising a mount coupled to the needle shield, the antiseptic pad being coupled to the mount.

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