Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.

Abstract: A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes forward and rearward stops for impeding displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted. A seal prevents contaminants from entering the device after the needle is retracted. A safety sampling access port adapter for obtaining fluid samples from a fluid line is also provided. The sampling adapter includes a first end configured to cooperate with an access port attached to the fluid line. The sampling adapter further includes a collapsible socket configured to cooperate with a fluid container such as a vacuum tube. A needle assembly disposed within the housing of the sampling adapter is operable to pierce the seal on the fluid container.

Abstract: A hypodermic injection system with a retractable needle wherein the needle retracts within an interior cavity of a syringe plunger, such that the needle is confined within the plunger. A spring biases the needle rearwardly into the plunger, and a needle retainer releasably retains the needle against the bias of the spring. The plunger has a frangible end, which dissociates when the plunger engages the needle retainer, allowing the coiled spring to eject the needle into the interior cavity of the plunger. A body fluid sampling embodiment employs the same functional elements except the plunger is shorter and contains a linking that communicates with a vacuum container. The container allows fluid sampling and provides the structure to release the spring retracting the needle.

Abstract: A method for withdrawing a fluid sample from a patient is disclosed comprising the steps of: a) providing a sampling device (10) having a housing (20) and a needle (40) having a sharpened tip for piercing the skin of the patient; b) withdrawing fluid from the patient into the housing; c) retracting the needle so that the sharpened tip of the needle is enclosed within the housing; and d) expelling the fluid from the housing after the needle is retracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a medical device (10) comprised of a medical apparatus (20) and a needle assembly (30). The needle assembly includes a needle (70) having a sharpened tip. Preferably, the medical apparatus (20) is a standard apparatus, such as a syringe or phlebotomy device. The medical apparatus (20) includes a connector (24), such as a Luer connector. The needle assembly (30) is configured so that it can be attached to the medical apparatus (20) and the sharpened tip of the needle (70) is automatically shielded after use to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle.

Abstract: An infusion device is provided for use with an intravenous catheter connected to a primary fluid supply. A Y site (92) is in fluid communication with the catheter (90). The infusion device is releasably connectable with the Y site (92) to connect a secondary fluid supply (97) to the catheter (40). The infusion device includes a retractable needle (70) that is retractable after use.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device. The device further allows the operator to intervene to delay retraction if desired.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (10) for administering injections of medicinal fluids to a patient or withdrawal of fluid, such as blood from a patient. More specifically the present invention is a syringe device (10) for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein after use the needle (60) is shielded (15) against inadvertent contact to prevent needle sticks.

Abstract: Pre-filled injection ampoules for administering a readily-available dose of fluid medication, are provided with a retractable needle. The needle is held in a projecting configuration from a barrel against a rearward bias exerted on the needle by a spring located within a spring housing. A piston is positioned within the barrel for expelling the fluid medication therefrom. The piston is configured to release the needle after completion of an injection stroke and to receive the needle in an internal cavity. In alternative embodiments, a retractable-needle injection device includes a housing for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge of the type having a slidable piston positioned therein. A stationary plunger is located within the housing for maintaining the piston at a fixed location as the cartridge is urged into the housing to administer an injection. After the end of an injection stroke, the cartridge is further urged into the housing to release a effectuate retraction.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.

Abstract: A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes forward and rearward stops for impeding displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted. A seal prevents contaminants from entering the device after the needle is retracted. A safety sampling access port adapter for obtaining fluid samples from a fluid line is also provided. The sampling adapter includes a first end configured to cooperate with an access port attached to the fluid line. The sampling adapter further includes a collapsible socket configured to cooperate with a fluid container such as a vacuum tube. A needle assembly disposed within the housing of the sampling adapter is operable to pierce the seal on the fluid container.

Abstract: A safety needle-bearing medical advice (10) is provided. Specifically, a safety device for injecting medicinal fluid into a patient is provided. The device comprises a hollow housing (20), a needle assembly (40) and a plunger (30). The needle assembly (40) releasably retains a needle (45) in an extended position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is exposed for use. At the end of an injection stroke, the plunger (30) engages the needle assembly (40), such that the needle (45) is released and retracted into a cavity (38) within the plunger. The device (10) includes structure for reducing the dead-space volume, which represents the amount a fluid remaining in the device at the end of an injection stroke. In addition, preferably the device (10) includes structure for minimizing the volume of potential air bubbles trapped in the medicinal fluid prior to an injection.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device includes a tube holder, a fluid container, a double ended needle with forward sharpened tip, and rearward sharpened tip. Fluid is withdrawn or injected into a patient from the tip, and into fluid contained.

Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled vial is provided. After use, the needle is retracted into the body of the device to prevent inadvertent contact with the sharpened end of the needle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a manually actuable button that effectuates retraction of the needle after use. In another embodiment, retraction is effectuated automatically after the injection is complete.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for using a medical device (10) comprised of a medical apparatus (20) and a needle assembly (30). The needle assembly includes a needle (70) having a sharpened tip. Preferably, the medical apparatus (20) is a standard apparatus, such as a syringe or phlebotomy device. The medical apparatus (20) includes a connector (24), such as a Luer connector. The needle assembly (30) is configured so that it can be attached to the medical apparatus (20) and the sharpened tip of the needle (70) is automatically shielded after use to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for collecting fluid samples from a patient, such as blood samples. The device includes a needle having a forward sharpened tip that is retracted into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The rearward end of the housing is open, forming a socket for receiving a fluid container, such as a vacuum tube, that will receive the fluid sample. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the extended position against the rearward bias of a biasing element. After use, the medical professional retracts the needle by pressing an actuation button, allowing the biasing element to displace the needle rearwardly. A guide track guides the needle during retraction, tilting the needle off-axis.

Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled vial is provided. After use, the needle is retracted into the body of the device to prevent inadvertent contact with the sharpened end of the needle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a manually actuable button that effectuates retraction of the needle after use. In another embodiment, retraction is effectuated automatically after the injection is complete.