Blood flash needle

Abstract

A device for drawing fluid from a lumen comprising a body, a first needle portion extending from a forward portion of the body and a second needle portion extending from a rear portion of the body, wherein the body includes an observation portion adapted to allow visual observation of the fluid, and wherein the observation portion is provided with enhancement means adapted to enhance the visibility of the fluid in the observation portion.

Claims

1. A device for drawing fluid from a lumen, the device comprising: a tubular needle comprising a proximal end; a distal end; a tubular wall extending from the proximal end to the distal end thereby defining a cylindrical cavity extending from the proximal end to the distal end; an aperture formed in the tubular wall, wherein the aperture is located between the proximal end and the distal end; a first needle portion extending from the aperture to the proximal end; a second needle portion extending from the aperture to the distal end; wherein the tubular needle extends through a body of unitary construction, the body comprising a forward portion and a rear portion, wherein the first needle portion extends from the forward portion of the body and the second needle portion extends from the rear portion of the body; an annular chamber disposed concentrically along a portion of the tubular needle, the chamber being defined by an inner surface of an outer wall of the body and encloses the aperture, wherein the cylindrical cavity is in fluid communication with the annular chamber, an internal diameter of the annular chamber being greater than an outer diameter of the tubular needle such that a gap is formed between the tubular needle and an inner wall of the annular chamber for allowing flow of the fluid into the annular chamber; and an observation portion formed in the outer wall of the body, the observation portion is structured to allow a visual observation of fluid inside the annular chamber, and wherein the observation portion is provided with one or more recesses on an outer surface of the outer wall of the body, the one or more recesses being structured to enhance the visibility of the fluid in the annular chamber, and the one or more recesses are formed integrally with the outer wall of the body of the device.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first needle portion is adapted to function as a puncture needle.

3. A device according to claim 1 wherein the second needle portion is adapted to be brought into communication with a medical device.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the second needle portion is provided with a cover adapted to prevent leakage of fluid from the second needle portion before the second needle portion is brought into communication with the medical device.

5. A device according to claim 3 wherein the medical device comprises a fluid collection vessel, flexible tube, or syringe.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the fluid is blood.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein the observation portion is fabricated from a transparent or semi-transparent material and is substantially aligned with the closed, annular chamber such that fluid entering the chamber may be observed through the observation portion.

8. A device according to claim 1 wherein the one or more recesses are angled.

9. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device further comprises a retainer adapted to seal one or more ends of the body and/or to retain the first needle portion and/or second needle portion in place.

10. A device according to claim 9 wherein the retainer comprises one or more retaining caps or retaining plugs.

11. A device according to claim 1 wherein the rear portion of the body is provided with a connector adapted to allow the device to be connected to a medical device.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the connector comprises a screw-threaded portion.

13. A device according to claim 1 wherein one or both of the first and second needle portions are provided with needle caps during transportation and storage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device for drawing fluid from a lumen illustrated in FIG. 3 through section 3-3;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional perspective view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a device for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(10) It will be appreciated that the drawings have been provided for the purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the invention should not be considered to be limited solely to the features as shown in the drawings.

(11) In FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 10 comprises a body 11, a first needle portion 12 and a second needle portion (obscured) that is covered by a flexible sheath 13. During transportation and storage the first needle portion 11 is covered by a first needle cap 14 while the second needle portion (obscured) is covered by a second needle cap 15.

(12) The first needle portion 12 is in the form of a tubular puncture needle adapted to puncture a patient's skin (not shown) in order to draw fluid (such as blood) through the device 10.

(13) The device 10 is provided with retaining means 16 in a forward portion of the body 11, the retaining means 16 being adapted to retain the first needle portion 12 in place within the body 11. The rear portion of the body 11 is provided with a screw-threaded portion 17 adapted to facilitate connecting the device 10 to a complementary screw-threaded portion of a medical device (not shown). In use, when the device 10 is brought into communication with a medical device (not shown), the second needle portion (obscured) is held against a seal (such as a membrane, bung, plug or the like) in the medical device and a force is applied to the device 10 such that the second needle portion (obscured) punctures the flexible sheath 13 from within and simultaneously punctures the seal of the medical device. In this way, fluid may be retained within the device 10 until such time as the device 10 is in communication with a medical device (not shown).

(14) The body 11 includes an observation portion 18 fabricated from a transparent or semi-transparent material, and through which the fluid flash inside the body 11 may be observed. The observation portion 18 is provided with a plurality of recesses 19 in the form of channels or grooves that are adapted to refract, multiply and/or enhance the image of the fluid within the body 11.

(15) In FIG. 2 there is shown a side view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen. In this Figure, the device 10 is shown in its storage or transportation condition, wherein the first and second needle portions (obscured) are covered by the first needle cap 14 and the second needle cap 15 respectively. In this way, the device 10 may be stored and transported without damaging the needle portions and maintaining the sterility of the device 10.

(16) In FIG. 3 there is shown a side view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen. In this Figure the second needle cap (not shown) has been removed to expose the flexible sheath 13 covering the second needle portion (obscured).

(17) FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen illustrated in FIG. 3 through section 3-3. In this Figure it may be seen that the first needle cap 14 is provided with a plurality of projections 21 thereon. The projections 21 are adapted to be located in the recesses 19 in the body 11. Preferably, the projections 21 engage with the recesses 19 in a frictional engagement so as to prevent the needle cap 14 from falling off or being knocked off inadvertently during storage or transportation (or the device 10 slipping out of the needle cap 14 when being prepared for use).

(18) In addition, the projections 21 prevent the needle cap 14 from spinning on the device 10 when the device 10 is being connected to a medical device (not shown), for instance in a screw-threaded engagement. Thus, the projections 21 effectively transfer rotational torque to the device 10 so that the device 10 may be securely attached to a medical device (not shown).

(19) In this Figure, it may be seen that the first needle portion 12 extends through the body 11. The first needle portion 12 is substantially tubular such that fluid withdrawn from a lumen passes through the interior of the first needle portion 12. In addition, a chamber portion 22 in the form of an annular ring surrounding the first needle portion 12 (and substantially co-axial therewith) may be seen.

(20) In FIG. 5 a perspective view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen is shown. In this Figure, the tubular nature of the first needle section 12 may be seen, along with the retaining means 16 in a forward portion of the body 11.

(21) It may also be seen that the recesses 19 in the observation portion 18 extending substantially co-axially with the first needle portion 12. The recesses 19 are substantially concave so that even a small amount of blood flash will be refracted and multiplied so that a user will immediately be aware that the first needle portion 12 is correctly positioned.

(22) Turning now to FIG. 6, there is shown a sectional perspective view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen. In particular, the rear portion of the device 10 is shown. In this Figure the second needle portion 23 may be seen extending through the rear portion of the device 10. The second needle portion 23 is surrounded by (and substantially co-axial with) the chamber portion 22 along a portion of the length of the second needle portion 23.

(23) The second needle portion 23 is covered along a portion of its length by the flexible sheath 13 that prevents fluid in the second needle portion 23 from being lost or contaminated or from coming into contact with a user. When the second needle portion 23 is brought into contact with a medical device (not shown), the second needle portion 23 simultaneously punctures both the seal (or bung etc) of the medical device (not shown) and the flexible sheath 13, allowing fluid to flow from the second needle portion 23 into the medical device.

(24) In addition, the flexible sheath 13 is resealable, such that, if multiple medical devices (such as blood collection tubes) must be connected to the device 10 in a sequential manner, the sheath 13 will cover the second needle portion 23 once a first medical device is removed and before a second medical device is connected. In this way, the second needle portion 23 is covered to prevent accidental injury or fluid flow through the needle while no medical device is attached.

(25) FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen. In this Figure it may be seen that the first needle portion 12 and the second needle portion 23 are actually opposing ends of a single needle. The needle is provided with an aperture 24 that is aligned with the chamber portion 22 of the body 11 such that some of the fluid flowing through the needle enters the chamber portion 22 through the aperture 24. The fluid entering the chamber portion 22 may be observed through the observation portion 18 of the body 11. The plurality of recesses 19 in the observation portion 18 ensure that, even if only a small amount of fluid enters the chamber portion 22, the image of the fluid will be multiplied or enhanced such that a user will quickly and easily be able to identify the presence of the fluid. Thus, the user will immediately know that the first needle portion 12 is correctly positioned in the lumen.

(26) The forward end of the body 11 is provided with a retaining means 16 which engages with the body 11 and retains the first needle portion 12 therein.

(27) The rear end of the body comprises a screw-threaded portion 17 for allowing the device 10 to be brought into screw-threaded engagement with a suitable medical device (not shown). The flexible sheath 13 may also be seen engaged with and retained on the rear portion of the body 11.

(28) In FIG. 8 there is shown an exploded perspective view of a device 10 for drawing fluid from a lumen. All of the component parts of the device 10 may be clearly seen in this Figure.

(29) Firstly it may be seen that the first needle portion 12 and the second needle portion 23 comprise opposing ends of a single needle, the needle having an aperture 24 therein through which some of the fluid passing through the needle may exit into the chamber portion (obscured).

(30) The needle passes through and is retained in a body 11, the body 11 having an observation portion 18 fabricated from a transparent or semi-transparent material to allow inspection of the interior of the body 11. The observation portion 18 is provided with a plurality of recesses 19 that enhance, refract and/or multiply the image of the fluid in the chamber portion (obscured) making identification of the fluid (such as a blood flash) fast and easy.

(31) The rear end of the body has a flexible sheath 13 attached thereto, the flexible sheath 13 covering the second needle portion 23 to prevent leakage or contamination of the fluid in the needle, and to prevent the user from coming into contact with the fluid in the needle.

(32) The forward end of the body 11 is provided with a retaining means 16 which engages with the body and retains the first needle portion 12 therein.

(33) Finally, the device 10 is provided with a first needle cap 14 and a second needle cap 15 that protect the first needle portion 12 and the second needle portion 23 respectively from damage and contamination during storage and transportation of the device 10.

(34) It will be understood that the present invention provides a number of important advantages over the prior art. Firstly, the presence of the enhancement means allows a user to quickly and easily determine whether the first needle portion is correctly positioned, making the process of drawing the fluid faster and less uncomfortable for the patient. In addition, the ability to rapidly determine the correct location of the first needle portion reduces the likelihood of injuring the patient due to incorrect positioning.

(35) Furthermore, by providing a single needle, rather than first and second needles as in many prior art devices, the number of parts required to construct the device is reduced, as well as the cost and ease of construction. In addition, providing a single needle rather than two separate needles reduces the likelihood that a needle will come loose and fall out of the device, making the device unusable.

(36) Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It will be understood that the present invention encompasses all such variations and modifications that fall within its spirit and scope.