NEEDLE AND NEEDLE SHIELD ASSEMBLY

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a needle assembly (1) for mounting on an injection device. The needle assembly comprises; a main body (10) configured to be removably attached to the injection device in use and a needle (90) is secured in the main body (10) having a forward portion which projects forwardly from the main body. A shield (60) is pivotally connected with the body portion by a hinge portion (80). The shield (80) is rotatably movable between: a first position, in which the forward portion of the needle (90) is exposed for use, and a second position, in which the shield (60) is positioned over the forward portion of the needle (90) such that the forward portion of the needle is substantially enclosed within the shield. The shield (60) comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls (64, 66). The base of the side walls comprise a first cooperating feature (72, 74) for engaging a second cooperating feature (22, 24) of the main body (10). The cooperating features are configured to engage to hold the shield in its second position independently of the hinge.

Claims

1. A needle assembly for an injection device, comprising: a main body configured to be removably attached to the injection device when in use; a needle secured in the main body and having a forward portion which projects forwardly from the main body; and a shield pivotally connected with the main body by a hinge portion provided between the shield and the main body, wherein the shield is rotatably movable between: a first position, in which the forward portion of the needle is exposed for use, and a second position, in which the shield is positioned over the forward portion of the needle such that the forward portion of the needle is substantially enclosed within the shield, and wherein the shield comprises a pair of spaced apart side walls, a base of the walls being adjacent to the main body when the shield is in the second position, and wherein the base of the walls comprise a first cooperating feature for engaging a second cooperating feature of the main body, and wherein the first and second cooperating features are configured to engage to hold the shield in the second position independently of the hinge.

2. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first cooperating feature comprises tabs provided on one of the shield and the main body, and the second cooperating feature comprises slots provided in the other of the shield and the main body, and wherein the slots are configured to receive the locking tabs and the tabs are arranged to resiliently engage the slots.

3. The needle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the shield portion is integrally formed with the main body.

4. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is an integrally formed flexible portion provided between the shield and the main body.

5. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the shield is provided on a forward portion of the main body.

6. The needle assembly according to claim 5, wherein the hinge substantially extends along a circumferential section between an upper portion of the body and the shield.

7. The needle assembly according to claim5, wherein the hinge extends substantially tangentially to a forward periphery of the main body.

8. The needle assembly according to claim 7, wherein an interface surface between the forward periphery of the main body and a forward surface of the shield is a sloped surface.

9. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cooperating features extend from the base of each of the walls.

10. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pair of walls are side walls, which are connected by a rear wall, the rear wall having an outer profile provided with gripping means.

11. The needle assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second cooperating features are configured to provide an audible and/or tactile indication as they engage.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. A needle assembly comprising: a main body; a needle secured with the main body and having a forward portion that projects from the main body; and a shield pivotally connected with the main body by a hinge, the shield including a pair of spaced apart side walls, and a base of the walls including a first cooperating feature for engaging a second cooperating feature of the main body, wherein the shield is movable between: a first position, in which the forward portion of the needle is exposed for use, and a second position, in which the shield is positioned over the forward portion of the needle such that the forward portion of the needle is substantially enclosed within the shield, wherein the base of the walls is adjacent to the main body when the shield is in the second position, and wherein the first and second cooperating features are configured to engage to hold the shield in the second position independently of the hinge.

15. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the hinge is a butterfly hinge.

16. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the hinge is an integrally formed flexible portion provided between the shield and the main body.

17. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first cooperating feature comprises tabs provided on one of the shield and the main body, and the second cooperating feature comprises slots provided in the other of the shield and the main body.

18. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein an interface surface between a forward surface of the main body and a forward surface of the shield is a sloped surface.

19. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the cooperating features extend from the base of each of the walls.

20. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the pair of walls are connected by a rear wall, the rear wall having an outer profile provided with gripping means.

21. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first and second cooperating features are configured to provide an audible or tactile indication as they engage.

22. The needle assembly according to claim 14, wherein when the shield is in the second position, the needle is completely covered by the shield.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first needle assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in a first configuration, with the needle in an exposed condition ready to deliver an injection;

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the needle assembly of FIG. 1;

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through line B-B of the retractable needle assembly of FIG. 2;

[0075] FIG. 4 shows an end view of the needle assembly of FIG. 1;

[0076] FIG. 5 shows the first needle assembly in a second configuration, with the needle shielded;

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the needle assembly of FIG. 5;

[0078] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view through line C-C of the needle assembly of FIG. 6;

[0079] FIG. 8 shows an end view of the needle assembly of FIG. 5;

[0080] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a second needle assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in a first configuration with the needle in an exposed condition; and

[0081] FIGS. 10A and 10B show a perspective view of the second needle assembly in a second configuration, with the needle shielded.

[0082] The embodiments illustrated in the Figures are needle assemblies intended to be screwed or otherwise attached to the forward end of a syringe, cartridge or injection device to allow injection of a substance.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0083] In the following embodiments, the terms “forward” and “front” refer to the patient end of the needle assembly or component thereof, and the term “rear” refers to the non-patient end of the needle assembly or component thereof. In other words, the term “rear” means distant or remote from the injection site during use. FIG. 1 shows a needle assembly 1 in a first configuration, which is the configuration of the assembly before and during injection. The needle assembly 1 includes a main body 10, a needle 90, and a shield 60.

[0084] The main body 10 has a front portion 12 and a rear portion 14. The rear portion 14 includes a rear cavity with a threaded portion 16 for attaching the needle assembly to the front end of a syringe, cartridge or other injection device. The main body 10 includes a central portion 20 having a needle bore 22 extending through it (FIG. 3). The needle 90 extends longitudinally along a needle axis. An intermediate portion of the needle 90 is secured in the central portion 20; a forward end 92 of the needle extends forwardly from the needle bore 22 and a rear end 94 of the needle extends rearwardly in the rear portion 14.

[0085] A slot 24, 26 is provided each side of the central portion on a forward facing surface of the main body 10.

[0086] A shield portion 60 is integrally formed with the main body 10 via a living hinge 80. In FIGS. 1-4, the shield 60 is in a first, open position. The hinge 80 is a butterfly-type hinge, although any type of hinge may be used. The hinge line 80 is formed along a line which is substantially tangential to the forward peripheral edge of the main body 10. The shield 80 can be pivoted about the hinge to move it from the first position (FIG. 1) to a second, closed position (FIG. 5).

[0087] As can be seen in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the forward facing or front surface 28 of the main body 10 is a sloped surface, or in other words it extends towards the hinge 80 in a plane at an oblique angle to the needle axis. The forward surface 78 of the shield 60 extends substantially continuously from the main body, along the same plane as the sloped forward surface 28 of the main body (FIG. 2).

[0088] The shield 60 includes a cavity 62 (FIGS. 1 and 4) which is defined by side walls 64, 66 and a rear wall 68 extending between the side walls. The cavity 62 is open towards the forward direction (the forward face) and in a direction away from the main body (the outer face). In other embodiments, not shown, the cavity is partially open towards the forward direction and in a direction away from the main body. In other words, the forward face and/or the outer face of the cavity are not completely open. For example, the forward face may include a wall having a central opening, the opening being configured to allow the needle to move into the cavity as the shield moves into the second position.

[0089] The forward ends, or bases, of the side walls 64, 66 are provided with latches or tabs 72, 74 which extending inwardly into the cavity 62. In other embodiments, not shown, the latches extend outwardly.

[0090] The shield 60 is provided with an ergonomic profile, for example a grip surface 70, on the non-patient or rear surface of the rear wall 68, thus, the surface may be clearly distinguishable as the surface on which the user pushes to move the shield 60.

[0091] In FIGS. 5-8, the needle assembly 1 is in its second configuration in which the front end of the needle 92 is covered or shielded. The shield 60 has been pivoted about the hinge 80 to the second position, in which the forwardly projecting end of the needle 92 is entirely located inside the cavity 62. The latches 72, 74 protrude into the slots 24, 26 on the front surface 28 of the main body (FIG. 7) and resiliently engage with protrusions 20a, 20b which extend outwardly from the central portion 20. This locks the shield 60 in its second position.

[0092] As can be seen from FIG. 7, the needle 90 remains in the same orientation when the shield is moved into the second position. The needle remains extending longitudinally along the needle axis and it is undeformed.

[0093] FIG. 9 shows a second needle assembly 1 in a first configuration, which is the configuration of the assembly before and during injection. The needle assembly 101 includes a main body 110, a needle 190, and a shield 160.

[0094] The main body 110 has a front portion 112 and a rear portion 114 having a threaded portion 116. The main body 110 includes a central portion 120 having a needle bore 122 extending through it (FIG. 10B). Two slots 124, 26 are provided on a forward facing surface 128 of the main body, one each side of the central bore 122.

[0095] A shield portion 160 is integrally formed with the main body 110 via a living hinge 180. In this embodiment, the forward facing surface 128 of the main body 110 is substantially perpendicular to the needle axis. The forward surface 178 of the shield 160 extends continuously with the forward surface 128, along the same plane as the forward surface 128. The shield 160 includes a cavity 162 (FIG. 9), which is open towards the forward direction, and is defined by side walls 164, 166 and a rear wall 168. In this embodiment the latches 172, 174 extend outwardly. In other embodiments, not shown, the latches may extend inwardly into the cavity.

[0096] FIGS. 10A and 10B show the needle assembly in the second, closed or safe configuration. The shield 160 has been pivoted into to its second position. The latches 172, 174 engage with projections 124a, 126a which extend rearwardly from outer edges of the slots 124, 126 (FIG. 10B). This locks the shield 160 in its second position.

[0097] In use, the needle assembly 1, 101 is attached on to the front end of an injection device (not shown). The shield remains attached to the injection device, in the first or open position when it is mounted or attached to an injection device, and during operation of the injection device. Since the needle shield is provided integrally with and securely attached to the main body, it will not easily become detached and lost. The forward of the needle is fully exposed during the injection providing visual confirmation of the injection to the user. After the injection is complete, the user can simply press on the grip features with a thumb or other digit to pivot the needle shield 60, 160 to its second position. Alternatively, the user can press the grip features against a table or other surface. Only limited force is required by the user to rotate the shield. As the shield 60, 160 is pushed into its second position, the latches 72 and 74, 172 and 174 positively engage in the slots 24 and 26, 124 and 126. The user can feel the positive engagement and hear a clicking noise. This provides a positive indication that the needle assembly is securely held in the second, safe configuration. The user can then safely remove the needle assembly from the injection device and disposed of it without any risk of needle-stick injury.

[0098] Since the shield is held securely in the second position, the needle assembly is essentially locked against further opening. This prevents the needle from being used again and reduces the risk of infection and injury due to blunting of the needle which results from multiple uses. As the latches are configured to independently retain the shield in the second position the integrity of the hinge is not essential to the safety state of the needle assembly after use.

[0099] In the above embodiments of the invention, the needle assembly is formed as a single moulded plastic component. The configuration of the invention is simple and easy to manufacture and assemble, which means the cost is low. This is important for single use or disposable needle assemblies.

[0100] In any embodiments of the invention, the needle assembly may also be provided with needle cover or sheath (not shown) which covers the forward end of the needle prior to use. The needle assembly is provided ready for use with the needle cover mounted over the forward end of the needle. This protects the user from needle-stick injury when attaching the needle assembly to the injection device.

[0101] In other embodiments (not shown), the shield portion is connected to the main body by a hinge. The main body is provided with an integrally formed hinge element. The shield portion is provided with an integrally formed hinge element, the shield hinge element being configured to cooperate with the main body hinge element to form the hinge.

[0102] In other embodiments (not shown) the main body is made of up two components. A first body component is a substantially standard needle hub. The rear portion of hub includes a threaded section for connection to the injection device. The intermediate portion of the needle is secured, for example by gluing, into the hub. The main body also includes a second forward component having a recess into which the hub is mounted. A needle bore extends centrally in the second component from the recess to a forward surface, so that when the hub and needle are mounted in the recess, the forward portion of the needle extends forwardly from the main body. The shield is formed integrally with the main body in the same way as described in the previous embodiments.

[0103] The needle assembly may also be provided with a further indicator (not shown) which provides at least one of a tactile, an audible and a visual indication that the shield is secured to the main body portion.