HINGED NEEDLE SHIELD AND NEEDLE ASSEMBLIES

Organization Name

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Inventor(s)

Kevin M. Ryan of Whitehouse Station NJ (US)

Angela Huenerfauth of Morristown NJ (US)

Thomas Anthony Pick of Columbus NE (US)

Ramon Arazo of Fraga Huesca (ES)

Miguel Luis Nogues Rubio of Torrente de Cinca (ES)

HINGED NEEDLE SHIELD AND NEEDLE ASSEMBLIES - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18732859 titled 'HINGED NEEDLE SHIELD AND NEEDLE ASSEMBLIES

Simplified Explanation:

The needle shield assembly described in the patent application includes an elongate needle shield with a hub connection portion, a shield portion, and a bridge portion with a living hinge. The shield portion can pivot to protect the needle cannula.

The needle shield assembly includes a hub connection portion with a receiving ring and a flange.
The shield portion can pivot from an open position to a closed position to protect the needle cannula.
The bridge portion includes a living hinge that allows flexibility for the shield to move.

Key Features and Innovation:

Shield portion pivots to protect the needle cannula.
Living hinge in the bridge portion allows flexibility.
Hub connection portion includes a receiving ring and a flange.

Potential Applications:

The needle shield assembly can be used in medical devices such as syringes, IV catheters, and blood collection sets.

Problems Solved:

This technology addresses the need for a protective shield for needle cannulas to prevent accidental needle sticks and contamination.

Benefits:

Improved safety for healthcare workers.
Reduced risk of needlestick injuries.
Enhanced protection against contamination.

Commercial Applications:

Potential commercial applications include medical device manufacturing companies, hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities.

Questions about Needle Shield Assembly:

1. What are the key components of the needle shield assembly? 2. How does the living hinge in the bridge portion contribute to the functionality of the shield?

Original Abstract Submitted

A needle shield assembly comprises an elongate needle shield comprising a shield portion, a hub connection portion and a bridge portion including a living hinge having a thickness, the bridge portion joining the hub connection portion and the shield portion, the hub connection portion comprising a receiving ring having a diameter sized to frictionally receive the hub outer surface when the needle assembly is inserted through the receiving ring and a flange extending from the receiving ring defining a top planar surface and a bottom surface. The thickness of the flange divided by the thickness of the living hinge defines a ratio of from 1.1 to 6. The shield portion is configured to pivot from an open position in which the needle cannula is exposed, to a closed needle protecting position in which the distal end of the needle cannula is within the longitudinal opening of the shield.