Apparatus for the safe management of hypodermic needles

Abstract

An apparatus for the safe removal and replacement of hypodermic needle caps, interchanging of needles, and storage during tasks is disclosed, including a heavy base with space hollowed out to allow for cap gripping mechanism and tunnel for capped needle removal, wherein the base may be slanted slightly towards the user. The friction or mechanical needle cap gripping mechanism may be comprised of rubber, soft plastic, or the like, with a top to secure the cap gripping mechanism in the base. A ramped cone shaped opening is provided in the top to allow for the cap of a capped needle to pass through and be captured by the cap gripping mechanism, and an extended tunnel shaped opening is provided to allow for the re-capped needle to be removed and needles to be interchanged.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the safe management of hypodermic needles, comprising: a weighted base with a centrally located space to allow for secure placement of a compliant needle cap gripping mechanism, the centrally located space located within an opening in a top surface of the weighted base, the weighted base further comprising a tunnel extending laterally from the centrally located space, the tunnel being open to the top surface of the base; the needle cap gripping mechanism having a “C” shaped profile with a central opening configured to be aligned with the opening in the top surface when positioned in the centrally located space so as to allow for a needle cap to be inserted longitudinally into and captured within the central opening, the needle cap gripping mechanism comprising a channel at a periphery of the “C” shaped profile such that the central opening is exposed to the tunnel within the base through said channel, the “C” shaped profile shaped to substantially circumscribe the central opening so as to retain the needle cap when inserted into the base; wherein the channel is configured to allow one-handed manual lateral motion of the needle cap out of the central opening and into the tunnel to allow for a re-capped needle to be safely removed from the base while in a capped state.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening in the top surface of the base comprises a ramped opening to guide the needle cap to pass through and be captured by the cap gripping mechanism.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a top cap configured to be disposed over the base to secure the needle cap gripping mechanism in the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central opening of the needle cap gripping mechanism comprises internal surfaces to fix the needle cap against rotation about the longitudinal axis of the needle cap such that a needle may be twisted to free the needle from the needle cap.

5. The apparatus of claim 1: wherein the central opening of the needle cap gripping mechanism is sized and sufficiently compliant so as to secure the needle cap within the base even under longitudinal loading generated from pulling the re-capped needle from the base; and wherein the tunnel has a width larger than the central opening of the needle cap gripping mechanism so that the re-capped needle may move freely in the tunnel and be extracted from the base with the needle cap attached.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a top perspective (front) view of an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present description.

(3) FIG. 1A is the same view as FIG. 1, with the apparatus in use with an entire needle (cap, needle, and syringe) held within the capturing core.

(4) FIG. 1B is the same view as FIG. 1A, with the needle uncapped and the needle cap remaining in the capturing core.

(5) FIG. 1C is the same view as FIG. 1A, with the needle being interchanged, so the needle and cap are retained in the capturing core and the body of the syringe is absent.

(6) FIG. 2 is a left perspective (top) view of the invention.

(7) FIG. 2A is the same view as FIG. 2, with the apparatus in use with the entire needle (cap, needle, and syringe) held within the capturing core.

(8) FIG. 2B is the same view as FIG. 2A, with the needle uncapped and the needle cap remaining in the capturing core.

(9) FIG. 2C is also the same view as FIG. 2A, with the needle being interchanged, so the needle and cap are retained in the capturing core and the body of the syringe is absent.

(10) FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the device, and has the capture core installed.

(11) FIG. 3A is the same view as FIG. 3 with the capture core removed.

(12) FIG. 4 is a perspective (top-left) view of the base of the device with the capture core installed.

(13) FIG. 4A is the same view as FIG. 4 with the capture core removed.

(14) FIG. 5 is a perspective (top-left) view of the capture core.

(15) FIG. 5A is the same view as FIG. 5 with a cap and needle captured in the core.

(16) FIG. 6 is a top view of the capture core.

(17) FIG. 7 is a top view of the removable top.

(18) FIG. 8 is a perspective cross sectional view (top-left) of the device it has a needle cap captured in the capture core.

(19) FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device in a format that can house multiple capture cores, useful in settings where the simultaneous usage of multiple needles is necessary.

(20) FIG. 1 through FIG. 8 of the drawings show an embodiment of an apparatus in accordance with the present description. Reference numeral 1 represents the weighted base of the device. Reference numeral 2 represents the removable device top. Reference numeral 3 represents a ramped surface built into the top surface of the base and top cap that guides the capped needle into the removable/replaceable capture core. Reference numeral 4 represents the cap gripping mechanism, also referred to as a capture core, made of a material able to accept, grip, and retain a capped needle, wherein the core accepts and grips the needle cap to allow for the safe uncapping recapping, interchanging and storage of needles. The cap gripping mechanism 4 has a “C” shaped profile that substantially circumscribes a central opening, and a channel at one end of the periphery of the cap gripping mechanism. Reference numeral 5 represents the tunnel built into the device top cap, which is present to allow for the needle to be safely removed one handed, the walls of the tunnel are distanced in a way as to allow them to be used as a tool, to allow the syringe to be twisted off while keeping the cap secure, ultimately allowing for the interchanging of needles. The Reference numeral 6 represents the tunnel built into the base of the device, it allows for a capped needle and syringe to be safely freed, with one hand, from the capture core without accidentally unsheathing it again. As shown in FIG. 3, the cap gripping mechanism 4 is positioned in the base such that the channel of the cap gripping mechanism is open to the tunnel 5. Reference numeral 7 represents any syringe. Reference numeral 8 represents any needle cap. Reference numeral 9 represents any needle. Reference numeral 10 represents the centrally located space built into the base to accept the capture core. The tunnel 6 extends laterally from the centrally located space. Reference numeral 11 represents a fully assembled hypodermic needle, with the syringe, needle, and cap present and assembled.

(21) FIG. 9 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the device that can house multiple capture cores for use with multiple needle assemblies.

(22) In an embodiment, the base, base top, and capture core are made of a material capable of withstanding sterilization via all acceptable methods.