U.S. patent application number 11/065579 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for safety indwelling needle.
Invention is credited to Takagi, Nobuo, Tanimoto, Masahisa.
Application Number | 20050192536 11/065579 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34752160 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050192536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takagi, Nobuo ; et
al. |
September 1, 2005 |
Safety indwelling needle
Abstract
There is provided a safety indwelling needle comprising an inner
needle unit 1 having an inner needle 11, an inner needle hub 13
provided on a proximal end of the inner needle 11 and a needle
protecting member disposed at a distal side of the inner needle hub
13, and an outer needle unit 2 having an outer needle 21,
characterized in that the needle protecting member includes an
extendable housing unit 31 and the housing unit 31 can partly store
the inner needle 11 therein in a state where the housing unit 31 is
extended.
Inventors: |
Takagi, Nobuo; (Osaka-shi,
JP) ; Tanimoto, Masahisa; (Osaka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUBOVCIK & KUBOVCIK
SUITE 710
900 17TH STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
|
Family ID: |
34752160 |
Appl. No.: |
11/065579 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/164.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 25/0618 20130101;
A61M 5/329 20130101; A61M 5/3273 20130101; A61M 2005/3247 20130101;
A61M 5/3243 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/164.08 |
International
Class: |
A61M 005/178 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2004 |
JP |
2004-51028 |
Feb 26, 2004 |
JP |
2004-51029 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A safety indwelling needle comprising: an inner needle unit
which includes an inner needle, an inner needle hub provided on a
proximal end of the inner needle, a needlepoint provided at a
distal end of the inner needle and a needle protecting member
disposed at a distal side of the inner needle hub; and an outer
needle unit which includes an outer needle having a lumen and an
outer needle hub provided on a proximal end of the outer needle,
said safety indwelling needle being characterized in that the
needle protecting member includes an extendable housing unit
disposed between a distal end of the inner needle hub and a
proximal end of the outer needle unit and being detachably
connected to said outer needle unit, said inner needle extending
through a distal end of said housing unit and through the lumen of
the outer needle in a state in which the housing unit is not
extended, and the needlepoint of the inner needle being stored in
the needle protecting member in a state in which the inner needle
is withdrawn from the lumen of the outer needle and the housing
unit is extended.
2. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, wherein the
outer needle unit further includes an outer needle connector
provided at a proximal side of the outer needle hub, a tube for
connecting the outer needle hub and the outer needle connector, and
an outer needle cap provided on a proximal end of the outer needle
connector.
3. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, characterized
in that the extendable housing unit is comprised of a plurality of
telescoped hollow housing members.
4. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, wherein the
needle protecting member further includes a needle covering member
which is connected to a distal end of the housing unit for storing
the needlepoint of the inner needle in the state in which the
housing unit is extended.
5. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 4, wherein the
needle covering member has a cylindrical-shape having an inner
diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the inner
needle.
6. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 4, wherein the
needle covering member is made of metal.
7. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, wherein a
proximal end of the housing unit is connected to a distal end of
the inner needle hub.
8. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, wherein the
inner needle is formed with an irregular portion on a surface
thereof, which irregular portion engages a proximal end of the
housing unit and causes said housing unit to extend as said inner
needle is withdrawn from the lumen of the outer needle and the
needlepoint of the inner needle to be stored in the housing unit in
the state in which the housing unit is extended.
9. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 8, wherein the
housing unit is provided with a hooking member which can be engaged
with said irregular portion on the surface of the inner needle.
10. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 8, wherein the
irregular portion on the surface of the inner needle is positioned
on a proximal side of the outer needle in a state before use where
the inner needle extends through the lumen of the outer needle.
11. The safety indwelling needle according to claim 1, wherein the
outer needle unit is provided with a projecting portion at a
proximal end thereof, the housing unit is provided with a
hook-shaped member and the housing unit is detachably connected to
the outer needle unit by detachable engagement of the hook-shaped
member with the projecting portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an indwelling needle
assembly to be used for fluid infusion, hemodialysis, and the like.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a safety
indwelling needle provided with a safety mechanism.
[0002] In recent years, a risk of transmission of AIDS, hepatitis
virus or the like to medical personnel caused by accidental
puncture by a pointed edge of an injection needle or the like,
contaminated by blood has been emerging as a problem. Therefore, a
safety indwelling needle for an indwelling needle assembly having
an inner needle and an outer needle, which prevents accidental
puncture by covering an inner needle after use without putting a
cap again thereon, has been invented. For example, there is
disclosed a safety indwelling needle in which an inner needle is
retracted and stored in a needle cover with a spring by pressing a
button provided on the indwelling needle after puncture (for
example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 52499/1998).
[0003] Also, there is disclosed a safety indwelling needle in which
a spring-type needlepoint protecting means is disposed within an
outer needle hub, and when the inner needle is pulled out, the
needlepoint protecting means comes apart from the outer needle hub
to cover an extremity of the inner needle (for example, Japanese
Patent Laid-Open No. 102345/2002).
[0004] Furthermore, there is disclosed a safety indwelling needle
characterized in that a sliding cover provided on an inner needle
is extended and the entire needle is stored therein when the inner
needle is pulled out from an outer needle (for example, Japanese
Patent No. 3400550 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
148270/1995).
[0005] In the safety indwelling needles provided with a safety
mechanism in the related art, the needlepoint protecting means for
covering the inner needle pulled out from an outer needle unit is
required to have a size that affords enough space for accommodating
the entire inner needle, and hence the size of the indwelling
needle itself is significant. Also, the safety indwelling needle
including a spring as a needlepoint protecting means has a problem
such that a force required for pulling the inner needle increases
because a friction between the inner needle and the needlepoint
protecting means increases by an urging force of the spring,
whereby the usableness is deteriorated. Also, in the safety
indwelling needle having a needlepoint protecting means for storing
the entire inner needle by a sliding cover, there is a problem such
that shortening of the length of the sliding member in a
constricted state is limited, and the structure becomes complicated
by shortening the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a safety indwelling needle to be used
for fluid infusion, hemodialysis and the like, which is provided
with an accidental puncture preventing measure and has a compact
and simple structure with greater usableness.
[0007] In other words, the present invention relates to a safety
indwelling needle comprising an inner needle unit having an inner
needle, an inner needle hub provided on a proximal end of the inner
needle and a needle protecting member disposed at a distal side of
the inner needle hub, and an outer needle unit having an outer
needle, characterized in that the needle protecting member includes
an extendable housing unit and the housing unit can partly store
the inner needle in a state that the housing unit is extended.
[0008] A safety indwelling needle according to the present
invention is configured to store a predetermined length of an inner
needle including an extremity thereof in a needle protecting member
by pulling out an inner needle unit. A compact safety indwelling
needle is obtained because the needle protecting member has an
extendable housing unit which can partly store the inner needle and
is smaller than a conventional indwelling needle. Besides,
possibility of re-projection of the extremity of the inner needle
from the needle protecting member is eliminated by preventing a
constriction of the housing unit after the inner needle is
stored.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The safety indwelling needle of the present invention is
described in detail below by referring to preferable embodiments
shown in the appended drawings. However, the present invention is
not limited to these embodiments.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle according to an embodiment of the present invention before
use.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle shown in FIG. 1 after pulling out an inner needle unit.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle according to another embodiment of the present invention
before use.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle shown in FIG. 3 after pulling out an inner needle unit.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle according to still another embodiment of the present
invention before use.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle shown in FIG. 5 after pulling out an inner needle unit.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle according to still another embodiment of the present
invention before use.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the safety indwelling
needle shown in FIG. 7 after pulling out an inner needle unit.
[0018] Within the description of the embodiments, a side toward a
medical professional during operation is referred to as a proximal
side, and a side toward a patient is referred to as a distal side.
Also, especially in an explanation of an end portion of structural
elements, an end of the element on the side of the medical
professional is referred to as a proximal end and an end of the
element on the side of the patient is referred to as a distal
end.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0019] The safety indwelling needle according to a first embodiment
shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is used as an indwelling needle
especially suitable for a blood purifying treatment such as
artificial dialysis.
[0020] The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes
an inner needle unit 1 and an outer needle unit 2. The inner needle
unit 1 includes an inner needle 11 having a sharp needlepoint 12 at
a distal end of the inner needle 11 and an inner needle hub 13 at a
proximal end of the inner needle 11, and an inner needle cap 14
attached to the inner needle hub 13.
[0021] As a needle protecting member, a housing unit 31 includes a
first housing member 33, a second housing member 34, a third
housing member 35 and a fourth housing member 36, and a needle
covering member 32 for storing and covering the needlepoint 12
which is a distal end of the inner needle 8. The housing unit 31 is
extended and covers a distal end of the inner needle 11 of the
inner needle unit 1 when the inner needle 1 is pulled out from the
outer needle unit 2. In the present embodiment, the first housing
member 33 and the inner needle hub 13 are formed integrally.
[0022] The outer needle unit 2 includes an outer needle 21 having a
lumen 22, an outer needle hub 23, an outer needle connector 24, a
tube 25 having flexibility for connecting the outer needle hub 23
and the outer needle connector 24 and an outer needle cap 26.
[0023] The outer needle 21 of the outer needle unit 2 is preferably
one having a hollow shape and suitable flexibility. A preferred
material for the outer needle 21 is a soft resin such as
ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene co-polymer (ETFE), polyurethane, a
polyether-nylon resin, polypropylene or the like. The outer needle
21 may partly or entirely provide visibility of the interior. It is
also possible to blend a contrast medium for X-ray, such as barium
sulfate, barium carbonate or the like, to the material of the outer
needle 21 for providing a radiographic function.
[0024] The distal end of the outer needle 21 is preferably formed
into a tapered shape in which an outer diameter is gradually
reduced toward the distal end for allowing puncture of a skin of a
living body to be easily performed in a less invasive manner. It is
also possible to provide one or more holes in a vicinity of the
distal end of the outer needle 21 so as to allow liquid flowing
inside of the outer needle 21 to efficiently come in and out.
[0025] The outer needle hub 23 is attached to the outer needle 21
at the proximal end thereof in a liquid-tight manner, and the lumen
22 of the outer needle 21 and an interior of the outer needle hub
23 communicate with each other. The outer needle hub 23 is
connected to the tube 25, and the tube 25 is connected to the outer
needle connector 24 having a female luer taper 27 therein to be
connected to a separate medical instrument. The outer needle
connector 24 may have a locking means 28 on an outer periphery of
the outer needle connector 24 at a proximal end thereof for
connecting the outer needle unit 2 to the separate medical
instrument. The separate medical instrument may also be connected
to the tube 25 by using flexibility of the tube 25 without
providing the outer needle unit with the outer needle connector
24.
[0026] The outer needle connector 24 is provided with the outer
needle cap 26 fitted thereon. Also, the outer needle cap 26 is
provided therein with a packing 29 having resiliency that enables
the inner needle 11 to penetrate therethrough. The packing 29
closes a through hole made by the inner needle 11 after removal
thereof, so that liquid is prevented from flowing out from a
proximal end of the outer needle unit 2.
[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the fourth housing member 36
provided in the inner needle unit 1 is detachably connected to the
outer needle cap 26. The connecting means between the outer needle
cap 26 and the fourth housing member 36 is not specifically
limited. The housing unit 31 is extended while being connected to
the outer needle cap 26 when the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out
from the outer needle unit 2. When the housing unit 31 reaches a
maximally extended state by first stoppers 37 provided on the
respective housing members 33-35, the fourth housing member 36
comes off from the outer needle cap 26 by further pulling the inner
needle unit 1.
[0028] For example, the fourth housing member 36 is detachably
connected to the outer needle cap 26 by engaging a flexible
hook-shaped member 41 provided on the fourth housing member 36 with
a projecting portion 42 provided on the outer needle cap 26.
Alternatively, the hook-shaped member may be provided on the outer
needle cap 26 and the projecting portion may be provided on the
fourth housing member 36.
[0029] The inner needle 11 is a hollow needle. The material of the
inner needle 11 may be, for example, stainless steel, aluminum,
aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium alloy. In view of
processability and cost, stainless steel is preferably used for the
inner needle 11. The inner needle 11 is formed with the sharp
needlepoint 12 at the distal end thereof. The shape of the
needlepoint 12 is not specifically limited, but in the present
embodiment, the needlepoint 12 includes a cutting surface inclined
from an axis of the inner needle 11 by a predetermined angle.
[0030] The inner needle unit 1 is inserted into a cavity of the
outer needle unit 2. The housing unit 31 through which the inner
needle 11 passes is interposed between a distal end of the inner
needle hub 13 and a proximal end of the outer needle cap 26 so as
to be detachably connected to the proximal end of the outer needle
cap 26. The proximal end of the inner needle 11 is secured to a
distal end of the first housing member 33 in a liquid-tight manner,
and a lumen of the inner needle 11 communicates with an internal
space of the first housing member 33 and the inner needle hub 13.
The inner needle hub 13 is constructed of a substantially
cylindrical hollow member. The means of fixing the inner needle 11
and the housing member 33 may be, for example, fitting, caulking,
fusion bonding, or adhesion by an adhesive agent or the like, or a
combination of these means. Furthermore, the inner needle hub 13 is
preferably transparent, colored transparent or translucent so that
the interior of the inner needle hub 13 is visible for observing
flashback of blood.
[0031] The inner needle hub 13 may be provided with a ventilation
filter 15 on a proximal end thereof. Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 1, the inner needle cap 14 provided with the ventilation
filter 15 may be attached on the proximal end of the inner needle
hub 13. The ventilation filter 15 has a characteristic that it
transmits gas but blocks liquid. For example, various sintered
porous members, a hydrophobic non-woven fabric or other porous
members may be employed as the ventilation filter 15. The sintered
porous member is preferably one obtained by sintering a powdered
polymer material such as polyethylene and a material containing
hydrophilic, water soluble or water-swelling polymer. The
ventilation filter 15 using such a sintered porous member can
prevent air from the outside from contacting with a liquid such as
blood.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the needle protecting member according
to the present embodiment includes the housing unit 31 having the
first to fourth housing members 33-36 and the needle covering
member 32.
[0033] The housing unit 31 is extended by pulling out the inner
needle unit 1 from the outer needle unit 2. The inner needle 11 can
slide relative to the needle covering member 32, and the distal end
portion of the inner needle 11 including the needlepoint 12 is
thereby covered by the needle covering member 32. Also, the
proximal end portion of the inner needle 11 is covered by the
extended housing unit 31. Therefore, the inner needle 1 is entirely
covered by the extended housing unit 31 and the needle covering
member 32.
[0034] When the housing unit 31 is extended to a maximum extended
state by the first stoppers 37, the housing unit 31 is fixed by
second stoppers 38 provided on the respective housing members 33-36
so as not to be constricted. When the inner needle unit 1 is
further pulled out in this state, the inner needle unit 1 and the
outer needle unit 2 are separated as shown in FIG. 2. The housing
members 33-36 of the housing unit 31 may be provided with a stopper
(not shown) which maintains the state in which the housing unit 31
is constricted and allows the housing member 31 to extend only when
the housing member 31 is pulled by a force of a certain degree.
[0035] Although the housing unit 31 is composed of a combination of
hollow members being different in diameter, that is, the first to
fourth housing members 33-36, in FIG. 2, the number of the housing
members is not limited. The axial length of the housing unit 31 in
the constricted state can be shortened by increasing the number of
the housing members. However, employing too many housing members is
not preferable because the structure or the housing unit 31 becomes
complicated and an outer diameter of the housing unit 31 increases
too much. In contrast, when the number of the housing members is
reduced, the structure of the housing unit 31 is simplified.
However, a total length of the housing unit 31 in a state of being
constricted cannot be shortened, thereby the total length of the
safety indwelling needle increases.
[0036] Although the housing members which are increased in diameter
toward a distal end are disposed in FIG. 2, housing members which
are decreased in diameter toward the distal end may be used.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the needle covering member 32 is
inserted into an internal space of the outer needle unit 2 when the
inner needle unit 1 and the outer needle unit 2 are assembled
before use. The length of the needle covering member 32 is
preferably such that a distal end of the needle covering member 32
extends to the vicinity of an extremity within the outer needle hub
23 in a state before use as shown in FIG. 1. Although the shape of
the needle covering member 32 is not specifically limited, it is
preferably a cylindrical-shape having an inner diameter
substantially same as an outer diameter of the inner needle 11. The
material of the needle covering member 32 may be, for example,
stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, titanium or titanium
alloy. However, in view of processability and cost, stainless steel
is preferably used. The needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11
formed of metal can be reliably covered by using metal material for
the needle covering member 32.
[0038] After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 1 is
punctured into a body, the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out from
the outer needle unit 2 to obtain the state shown in FIG. 2. At
this time, the housing unit 31 having the fourth housing member 36
is connected to the outer needle cap 26 of the outer needle unit 2.
Accordingly, as the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out from the
outer needle unit 2, the housing unit 31 is extended. When the
needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 of the inner needle unit 1 is
pulled out until it occupies the internal space of the outer needle
unit 2, the needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 is covered by the
needle covering member 32 provided on the fourth housing member 36
of the inner needle unit 1. When the housing unit 31 is extended to
the maximum extended state defined by the first stoppers 37,
connection between the fourth housing member 36 and the outer
needle cap 26 is released by the inner needle unit 1 being further
pulled, whereby the inner needle unit 1 and the outer needle unit 2
are separated as shown in FIG. 2.
[0039] The entire inner needle 11 including the needlepoint 12 of
the separated inner needle unit 1 is covered by the extended
housing unit 31 and the needle covering member 32, and the inner
needle unit 1 can be safely discarded. Also, because the extended
housing unit 31 is prevented from constricting again by the second
stoppers 38 provided on the respective housing members 33-36 of the
housing unit 31, the needlepoint 12 does not become exposed again,
whereby the inner needle unit 1 can be further safely
discarded.
Second Embodiment
[0040] The safety indwelling needle according to a second
embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is mainly used as an
indwelling needle for fluid infusion and the like. In FIGS. 3 and
4, a structural element of the safety indwelling needle of the
second embodiment, which is the same as a structural element of the
safety indwelling needle of the first embodiment, is respectively
identified using the same reference number as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0041] The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes
the inner needle unit 1 which is substantially the same as the
inner needle unit 1 of the first embodiment and an outer needle
unit 5. The outer needle unit 5 includes an outer needle 51 having
a lumen 52 and an outer needle hub 53.
[0042] The outer needle 51 of the outer needle unit 5 is employed
the same as the outer needle 2 of the outer needle unit 2 of the
first embodiment. The outer needle hub 53 is attached to the outer
needle 51 at a proximal end thereof in a liquid-tight manner, and a
lumen 52 of the outer needle 51 and an interior of the outer needle
hub 53 communicate with each other. The outer needle hub 53 is
preferably formed with a female luer taper 54 at an inner surface
thereof so as to be capable of connecting with a medical instrument
such as an fluid infusion set or a syringe. The outer needle hub 53
may have a locking means 55 on an outer periphery of the proximal
end so as to allow connection of a separate medical instrument to
the outer needle hub 53.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth housing member 36 provided on
the inner needle unit 1 is detachably connected to the outer needle
hub 53. The connecting means between the outer needle hub 53 and
the fourth housing member 36 is the same as the connecting means
between the outer needle cap 26 and the fourth housing member 36 in
the first embodiment. In the case that the outer needle hub 53 is
detachably connected to the fourth housing member 36 by engaging
the hook-shaped member 41 to a projecting portion as described in
the first embodiment, the projecting portion may be the locking
means 55 provided on the outer needle hub 53.
[0044] The inner needle unit 1 is inserted into a cavity of the
outer needle unit 5, and the housing unit 31 through which the
inner needle 11 passes is interposed between a distal end of the
inner needle hub 13 and a proximal end of the outer needle hub 53,
and is detachably connected to the proximal end of the outer needle
hub 53.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, when the inner needle unit 1 and the
outer needle unit 5 are assembled before use, the needle covering
member 32 is inserted into an internal space of the outer needle
unit 5. The length of the needle covering member 32 is preferably
such that a distal end of the needle covering member 32 extends to
a vicinity of an extremity within the outer needle hub 53 before
using the safety indwelling needle as shown in FIG. 3.
[0046] After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 3 is
punctured into the skin of a body, the inner needle unit 1 is
pulled out from the outer needle unit 5 to obtain the state shown
in FIG. 4. At this time, the housing unit 31 having the fourth
housing member 36 is connected to the outer needle hub 53.
Accordingly, as the inner needle unit 1 is pulled out from the
outer needle unit 5, the housing unit 31 is extended. When the
needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 of the inner needle unit 1 is
pulled out until it occupies the internal space of the outer needle
unit 5, the needlepoint 12 of the inner needle 11 is covered by the
needle covering member 32 provided on the fourth housing member 36
of the inner needle unit 1. When the housing unit 31 is extended to
the maximum extended state defined by the first stoppers 37,
connection between the fourth housing member 36 and the outer
needle hub 53 is released by the inner needle unit 1 being further
pulled, whereby the inner needle unit 1 and the outer needle unit 5
are separated as shown in FIG. 4.
[0047] In the safety indwelling needle of the present embodiment,
the entire inner needle 11 including the needlepoint 12 of the
separated inner needle unit 1 is covered by the housing unit 31 and
the needle covering member 32 the same as the safety indwelling
needle in the first embodiment, and the inner needle unit 1 can be
safely discarded. Also, since the extended housing unit 31 cannot
be constricted again by the second stoppers 38 provided on the
respective housing members 33-35, the needlepoint 12 does not
project again, whereby the inner needle unit 1 can be further
safely discarded.
Third Embodiment
[0048] The safety indwelling needle according to a third embodiment
shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 is mainly used as an indwelling needle
especially suitable for a blood purifying therapy such as
artificial dialysis. In FIGS. 5 and 6, a structural element of the
safety indwelling needle of the third embodiment, which is the same
as a structural element of the safety indwelling needle of the
first embodiment, is respectively identified using the same
reference number as in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0049] The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 includes
an inner needle unit 6 and an outer needle unit 2 which is the same
as the outer needle unit 2 of the first embodiment. The inner
needle unit 6 includes an inner needle 61 having a sharp
needlepoint 62 at a distal end and an inner needle hub 63 at a
proximal end, and an inner needle cap 64 attached to the inner
needle hub 63. In this embodiment, the safety indwelling needle
includes a housing unit 71, which is configured as a combination of
hollow members including a first housing member 72, a second
housing member 73 and a third housing member 74 and extendable in a
sliding manner, as a needle protecting member.
[0050] The third housing member 74 of the housing unit 71 that is
provided on the inner needle unit 6 for storing and covering the
needlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61 is detachably connected to
the outer needle cap 26 of the outer needle unit 2. The connecting
means of the outer needle cap 26 with respect to the third housing
member 74 is not specifically limited. However, preferably, the
housing unit 71 is extended by an irregular portion on the inner
needle 61 while the distal end of the housing unit 71 is connected
to the outer needle cap 26 when the inner needle unit 6 is pulled
from the outer needle unit 2, and when the housing unit 71 reaches
a maximally extended state by first stoppers 76 provided on the
respective housing members 72-73 of the housing unit 71, the
housing unit 71 comes off from the outer needle cap 26 by further
pulling the inner needle unit 6. For example, the third housing
member 74 may be detachably connected to the outer needle cap 26 by
engaging a flexible hook-shaped member 77 provided on the third
housing member 74 to a projecting portion 42 provided on the outer
needle cap 26. Alternatively, the hook-shaped member may be
provided on the outer needle cap 26 and the projecting portion may
be provided on the third housing member 74.
[0051] The inner needle 61 is employed the same as the inner needle
11 of the first embodiment. The inner needle 61 is partly formed
with an irregular portion on the surface thereof, which is intended
for starting an extending operation of the housing unit 71,
preventing dropping-out of the housing unit 71 from the inner
needle unit 6 and holding the housing unit 71 by a hooking member
78 described later. The irregular portion may be formed, for
example, by providing a projection 65 on the circumferential
surface of the inner needle 61. The projection 65 may be a
doughnut-shaped projection which is entirely provided along the
circumference thereof, or one or more projections which is or are
partly provided on the circumference thereof.
[0052] The positions of the projections 65 must be such that, as
shown in FIG. 6, the projection 65 reaches an inner surface on the
proximal end in an internal space of the housing unit 71 when the
inner needle unit 6 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2, the
housing unit 71 starts extending when the inner needle unit 6 is
further pulled, and the needlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61 is
completely stored within the housing unit 71 when the housing unit
71 is completely extended.
[0053] The projection 65 may be formed at a midsection of the inner
needle 61 so that the projection is positioned in an internal space
of the outer needle unit 2 in a state in which the inner needle
unit 6 and the outer needle unit 2 are assembled and ready to be
used for puncturing. Accordingly, since the irregular portion is
not positioned in the cavity 22 of the outer needle 21 and a
surface of the outer needle 21 is not affected, the projection 65
of the inner needle 61 does not cause any inconvenience when a
patient's skin is punctured. Therefore, a relatively large
projection 65 may be provided, and hence preventing of drop-out of
the housing unit 71 from the inner needle unit 6 and holding of the
housing unit 71 by the hooking member 78 can be reliably
achieved.
[0054] Furthermore, the projection 65 may be formed not in the
interior of the outer needle unit 2 but on the proximal side of the
inner needle 61. For example, the projection 65 may be provided at
a position where the projection 65 resides in the interior of the
housing unit 71 at a proximal side from the outer needle 21 in a
state before use where the inner needle unit 6 and the outer needle
unit 2 are assembled.
[0055] The inner needle unit 6 is inserted into the cavity of the
outer needle unit 2, and the housing unit 71 through which the
inner needle 61 passes is interposed between a distal end of the
inner needle hub 63 and a proximal end of the outer needle cap 26
so as to be detachably connected to the proximal end of the outer
needle cap 26. The proximal end of the inner needle 61 is secured
to the distal end of the inner needle hub 63 in a liquid-tight
manner, and a lumen of the inner needle 61 communicates with an
internal space of the inner needle hub 63. The inner needle hub 63
is employed the same as the inner needle hub 13 in the first
embodiment, and the means of fixing the inner needle 61 and the
inner needle hub 63 is the same as the means in the first
embodiment. Additionally, a ventilation filter 66 which is the same
as the ventilation filter 15 in the first embodiment is preferably
provided on the proximal side of the inner needle hub 63.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 6, the housing unit 71 according to the
present embodiment is composed of a combination of substantially
cylindrical hollow members of different diameters (the first to
third housing members 72-74), and may be extended in a sliding
manner. The housing unit 71 has openings through which the inner
needle 61 passes on a distal end and a proximal end. The shape of
the opening on the distal end is not specifically limited, but the
opening on the proximal end must be of a size which does not allow
the projection to pass through, and is preferably substantially a
circular shape. The housing unit 71 may be provided with a hard
O-ring (not shown) to reliably prevent the inner needle 61 from
passing through the housing unit 71. The O-ring is formed of metal
or the like and has an inner diameter that is substantially equal
to an outer diameter of the inner needle 61, allows the inner
needle 61 to pass through and does not allow the projection 65 to
pass through. The O-ring is preferably fixed to the interior of the
housing unit 71 on the proximal side.
[0057] The projection 65 comes into contact with the inner surface
of the opening of the housing unit 71 on the proximal end when the
inner needle unit 6 is pulled out from the outer needle unit 2, and
the slide-type housing unit 71 starts extending when the inner
needle unit 6 is further pulled out. At this time, the inner needle
61 provided with the projection 65, which contacts with the inner
surface of the opening of the housing unit 71 on the proximal end,
is held by the hooking member 78 provided on the housing unit 71 on
the proximal end so as not to be relatively moved with respect to
the housing unit 71. Then, when the inner needle unit 6 is further
pulled out, the housing unit 71 is extended, and when the housing
unit 71 reaches a maximally extended state by the first stoppers 75
provided on the hollow members which constitute the housing unit
71, the housing unit 71 is controlled by second stoppers 76
provided on the hollow members so as not to be constricted. The
distal side portion of the inner needle 61 from the projection 65
including the needlepoint 62 is covered by the extended housing
unit 71.
[0058] The connection between the distal end of the housing unit 71
and the outer needle cap 26 is released by further pulling the
inner needle unit 6 from a state in which the housing unit 71 is
extended to the maximum, and then the inner needle unit 6 and the
outer needle unit 2 come off as shown in FIG. 6. The housing
members which constitute the housing unit 71 may be provided with a
stopper (not shown) which maintains the state in which the housing
unit 71 is constricted and releases the state when the housing unit
71 is pulled by a force of a certain degree.
[0059] Although the housing unit 71 is composed of a combination of
the three hollow housing members 72-74 being different in diameter
in FIG. 6, the number of the housing members which constitute the
housing unit 71 is not limited. The axial length of the housing
unit 71 in the constricted state can be shortened by increasing the
number of the housing members. However, employing too many housing
members is not preferable because the structure of the housing unit
71 becomes complicated and an outer diameter of the housing unit 71
increases too much. In contrast, when the number of the housing
members is reduced, the structure of the housing unit 71 is
simplified. However, the total length of the housing unit 71 in a
state of being constricted cannot be shortened, thereby the total
length of the safety indwelling needle increases.
[0060] Although hollow members which increase in diameter toward a
distal end are shown in FIG. 6, the indwelling needle of the third
embodiment is not limited thereto, and hollow members which
decrease in diameter toward the distal end may be used (not
shown)
[0061] After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 5 is
punctured into the skin of a body, the inner needle unit 6 is
pulled out from the outer needle unit 2 to obtain the state shown
in FIG. 6. At this time, the distal end of the housing unit 71 is
connected to the outer needle cap 26 on the outer needle unit 2.
Accordingly, when the projection 65 provided on the inner needle 61
reaches the inner surface of the housing unit 71 at the proximal
end and the inner needle unit 6 is further pulled out from this
position, extension of the housing unit 71 is started. When the
housing unit 71 is extended to the maximum extended state defined
by the first stoppers 75 and the inner needle unit 6 is further
pulled out from this state, the connection between the distal end
of the housing unit 71 and the outer needle cap 26 is released, and
hence the inner needle unit 6 and the outer needle unit 2 are
separated as shown in FIG. 6.
[0062] The distal end portion of the inner needle 61 including the
needlepoint 62 of the separated inner needle unit 6 is covered by
the extended housing unit 71 and the inner needle unit 6 can be
safely discarded. Also, the extended housing unit 71 cannot be
constricted again because of the second stoppers 76 provided on the
housing unit 71, and the inner needle 61 cannot be relatively moved
with respect to the housing unit 71 because of the engaging of the
projection 65 on the inner needle 61 to the hooking member 78
within the housing unit 71. Therefore, the needlepoint 62 of the
inner needle 61 is prevented from projecting from the housing unit
71 again, and hence the inner needle 62 can be covered more safely
and more reliably.
Fourth Embodiment
[0063] The safety indwelling needle according to a fourth
embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is mainly used as an
indwelling needle for fluid infusion or the like. In FIGS. 7 and 8,
a structural element of the safety indwelling needle of the fourth
embodiment, which is the same as a structural element of the safety
indwelling needle of the second or third embodiment, is
respectively identified using the same reference number as in FIGS.
3 to 6.
[0064] The safety indwelling needle shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes
an inner needle unit 6 which is substantially the same as the inner
needle unit 6 of the third embodiment and the outer needle unit 5
which is the same as the outer needle unit 5 of the second
embodiment. The inner needle unit 6 includes inner needle 61 having
the sharp needlepoint 62 at the distal end and inner needle hub 63
at the proximal end, and inner needle cap 64 fitted on the inner
needle hub 63. In the present embodiment, the safety indwelling
needle includes the housing unit 71, which is configured as a
combination of hollow members including first housing member 72,
second housing member 73 and third housing member 74 and extendible
in a sliding manner, as the needle protecting member. The outer
needle unit 5 includes outer needle 51 having lumen 52 and outer
needle hub 53.
[0065] The outer needle hub 53 is detachably connected to the third
housing member 74 provided on the inner needle unit 6 for storing
and covering the needlepoint 62 of the inner needle 61. The
connecting means between the outer needle hub 53 and the third
housing member 74 is the same as the connecting means between the
outer needle cap 26 and the third housing member 74 in the third
embodiment. In the case that the outer needle hub 53 is detachably
connected to the third housing member 74 by engaging a hook-shaped
member 77 to the projecting portion as described in the third
embodiment, the projecting portion may be the locking means 55
provided on the outer needle hub 53.
[0066] After the safety indwelling needle shown in FIG. 7 is
punctured into a body, the inner needle unit 6 is pulled out from
the outer needle unit 5 to obtain the state shown in FIG. 8. At
this time, the distal end of the housing unit 71 is connected to
the outer needle hub 53 on the outer needle unit 5. Accordingly,
when the projection 65 provided on the inner needle 61 reaches the
inner surface of the housing unit 71 at the proximal end and the
inner needle unit 6 is further pulled out from this position,
extension of the housing unit 71 is started. When the housing unit
71 is extended to the maximum extended state defined by the first
stoppers 75 and the inner needle unit 6 is further pulled out from
this state, the connection between the distal end of the housing
unit 71 and the outer needle hub 53 is released, and hence the
inner needle unit 6 and the outer needle unit 5 are separated as
shown in FIG. 8.
[0067] In the safety indwelling needle of the present embodiment,
the distal end portion of the inner needle 61 including the
needlepoint 62 of the separated inner needle unit 6 is covered by
the extended housing unit 71 the same as the safety indwelling
needle in the third embodiment, and the inner needle unit 6 can be
safely discarded. Also, the extended housing unit 71 cannot be
constricted again due to the second stoppers 76 provided on the
housing unit 71, and the inner needle 61 cannot be relatively moved
with respect to the housing unit 71 due to engaging of the
projection 65 on the inner needle 61 to the hooking member 78
within the housing unit 71. Therefore, the needlepoint 62 of the
inner needle 61 is prevented from projecting from the housing unit
71 again, and hence the inner needle 62 can be covered more safely
and more reliably.
[0068] The present application claims priority of Japanese
application No. 2004-51028 and No. 2004-51029, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference.
* * * * *