Abstract: A needle removal/destruction apparatus for pulling a metal needle free from a plastic hypodermic syringe, while also deforming the metal needle to prevent reuse thereof. The apparatus includes a container having a rotatable needle removing fixture mounted therein. A metal needle hypodermic syringe is inserted within the rotatable needle removing fixture, which is thereafter rotated to pull the needle free of the needle hub while also permanently deforming the needle to prevent subsequent reuse thereof.

Abstract: A single use syringe and a plunger rod locking device for such a syringe are provided. The locking device and plunger rod include features that cause the plunger rod to be locked with respect to the syringe barrel upon completion of an injection stroke. A cutting member is provided at the distal end of the locking device. The cutting member will penetrate, and thereby disable the stopper affixed to the plunger rod in an attempt to retract the plunger rod following the injection stroke. The locking device includes barbs for engaging the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a distally-facing annular sealing surface includes an outer hub having a conduit therethrough, a proximally facing annular sealing surface and means for connecting the outer hub to the syringe barrel. An inner hub having a passageway therethrough is provided. The inner hub includes a distally extending stem and a proximal flange for releasably engaging the outer hub. A needle having a sharp distal end and a proximal end is mounted in the passageway of the inner hub so that the sharp distal end projects distally outwardly. An elongate spring is disposed about the stem of the inner hub and is deflected to provide a bias between the inner hub and the outer hub. A hollow sleeve sized to fit within the conduit of the outer hub over the spring is provided. The sleeve has a sharp edge at its distal end for cutting through the flange to activate the retracting needle feature.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an elongate barrel having an open proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver. The syringe has a hollow elongate plunger with an open proximal end and a closed distal end. The syringe has an elongate hub having a passageway therethrough, a distally extending stem, and a proximal flange with an engagement for engaging said barrel. The syringe has an elongate needle having a fluid path therethrough, a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is mounted in the passageway so that the distal end projects distally outwardly. The syringe has an elongate spring disposed about the stem of the hub that is compressed between the flange and the receiver to provide a bias. There is a hollow sleeve sized to fit within the receiver over the elongate spring with a proximal sharpened end facing the flange.

Abstract: A needle guard assembly is provided for mounting to the hub of a needle assembly. The needle guard assembly includes a guide that is engageable on the hub. An elongate U-shaped cover is hingedly mounted to the guide and can be rotated from a first position where the needle cannula is substantially surrounded by the U-shaped walls of the cover into a second position where the needle cannula is exposed for use. The needle guard assembly further includes a slide that is slidably engaged in the guide and movable from a first position where the slide cooperatively engages the cover for completely surrounding the needle cannula to a second position where the slide is spaced proximally from the cover, thereby permitting the cover to rotate into its second position.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a cylindrical collar and a plunger having a release element with a sharp distal end includes an outer hub having a passageway therethrough and an inner hub having a proximal end, a distal end and a conduit therethrough. The proximal end of the inner hub has an inner portion and a dissociable outer portion connected to the inner portion. The dissociable outer portion is further connected to the outer hub. The distal end of the inner hub is smaller than the passageway of the outer hub at the distal end of the outer hub and projects distally outwardly therefrom. A needle cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough is connected to the inner hub so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the conduit. An energized spring is contained between the inner and outer hub. Structure is provided for connecting the outer hub to the collar of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe with a selectively retractable includes an barrel having an proximal end and a distal end that defines a receiver with a shoulder. The barrel has a hollow bore therethrough and the receiver includes a plurality of inwardly projecting cams distal to the shoulder. There is an elongate plunger with a proximal end and a distal end sized to fit slidably within the bore of the barrel to define a chamber. There is a hub with a flange and a stem that has a passageway therethrough extending distally into the receiver. The stem has distal recesses disposed to engage the projecting cams so that the hub is retained with the distal end of the stem in the receiver. The syringe includes a needle mounted in the passageway in the hub with the distal point projecting distally and the fluid path communicates with the chamber. There is a clip about the elongate plunger initially allowing movement of the plunger for drawing and expelling fluid.

Abstract: A method of making a retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a cylindrical collar and a plunger having a release element with a sharp distal end includes an outer hub having a passageway therethrough and an inner hub having a proximal end, a distal end and a conduit therethrough. The proximal end of the inner hub has an inner portion and a dissociable outer portion connected to the inner portion. The dissociable outer portion is further connected to the outer hub. The distal end of the inner hub is smaller than the passageway of the outer hub at the distal end of the outer hub and projects distally outwardly therefrom. A needle cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough is connected to the inner hub so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the conduit. An energized spring is contained between the inner and outer hub. Structure is provided for connecting the outer hub to the collar of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A retracting needle assembly for use with a syringe barrel having a cylindrical collar and a plunger having a release element with a sharp distal end includes an outer hub having a passageway therethrough and an inner hub having a proximal end, a distal end and a conduit therethrough. The proximal end of the inner hub has an inner portion and a dissociable outer portion connected to the inner portion. The dissociable outer portion is further connected to the outer hub. The distal end of the inner hub is smaller than the passageway of the outer hub at the distal end of the outer hub and projects distally outwardly therefrom. A needle cannula having a distal end, a proximal end, and a lumen therethrough is connected to the inner hub so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the conduit. An energized spring is contained between the inner and outer hub. Structure is provided for connecting the outer hub to the collar of the syringe barrel.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from the distal end and having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A collar surrounds the tip and includes at least one deflectable locking tab projecting radially inwardly from the collar. The locking tab is adapted to engage the hub of a needle assembly to prevent removal of a needle assembly away from the tip. The locking tab is configured to allow the assembly of the needle assembly to the barrel through axial motion of the hub toward the barrel. A plunger is provided for drawing fluid into and out of the barrel. The plunger includes an elongated plunger rod having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection. The breakable connection is strong enough to hold the proximal portion and distal portion together during normal use of the syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to the proximal portion.

Abstract: A retracting needle syringe includes a barrel having a chamber, an open proximal end and an open distal end including a passageway therethrough having a proximal end and a distal end. A plunger is slidably positioned in fluid-tight engagement with an inside surface of the barrel. The plunger has an elongated cavity in its distal end and a cover element sealing the cavity. A needle assembly at the distal end of the barrel includes a needle cannula and a hub having an open proximal end and a distal end connected to the needle cannula so that the lumen of the needle cannula is in fluid communication with the chamber. A flange portion of the inner hub is positioned in the proximal end of the passageway so that the needle cannula projects distally outwardly from a distal end of the passageway. A spring is contained between the hub and the distal end of the passageway. A circular release element is movably connected to a proximal end of the hub.

Abstract: The ophthalmic surgical sponge is described which includes a base and a corneal shield assembly. The base allows absorption of corneal fluid during eye surgery. The corneal shield assembly is used as an absorption structure and a structure to protect the corneal cap which is formed during eye surgery, particularly in surgeries that remove tissue from the corneal stroma. The corneal shield assembly protects the corneal cap as well as the hinge of the flap during the actual tissue removal from either a laser or other tissue removing devices. Thus, the corneal cap is protected from scatter rays from the laser or other debris created from tissue removal of the cornea. Wetting the ophthalmic sponge creates a co-hesive seal so that the corneal shield assembly can seal the corneal cap securely. This seal is removable after the surgery is completed to re-expose the corneal cap and replace the cap on the cornea.

Abstract: A syringe includes a barrel having a fluid chamber, a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated tip extending from the distal end and having a passageway therethrough in fluid communication with the chamber. A plunger is provided for drawing fluid into and out of the barrel. The plunger includes an elongated plunger rod having a proximal portion and a distal portion connected by a breakable connection. The breakable connection is strong enough to hold the proximal portion and distal portion together during normal use of the syringe and breakable upon application of additional force to the proximal portion.

Abstract: A method of using an ophthalmic surgical sponge is described. The sponge includes a base and a corneal shield assembly. The base allows absorption of corneal fluid during eye surgery. The corneal shield assembly is used as an absorption structure and a structure to protect the corneal cap which is formed during eye surgery, particularly in surgeries that remove tissue from the corneal stroma. The corneal shield assembly protects the corneal cap as well as the hinge of the flap during the actual tissue removal from either a laser or other tissue removing means. Thus, the corneal cap is protected from scatter rays from the laser or other debris created from tissue removal of the cornea. Wetting the ophthalmic sponge creates a co-hesive seal so that the corneal shield assembly can seal the corneal cap securely. This seal is removable after the surgery is completed to re-expose the corneal cap and replace the cap on the cornea.