Needle device having slideable member providing enhanced safety

Abstract

A medical device, such as a Huber-type device, includes a structure that enhances operator safety by reducing the likelihood that a needle will accidentally injure an operator. In one embodiment, the device includes a collapsible structure that can move from a use position to a non-use position. The device includes first and second wing portions and a channel for covering the needle as it is extracted from the patient. The structure enables the operator to leverage applied pressure for a smooth removal of the needle into the device for safe disposal.

1 . A medical device having a user position and a non-use position, comprising:
 a housing having first and second portions each having respective first and second ends, the second portion having a first position in the use position and a second position in the non-use position;   a longitudinal member having first and second ends, the longitudinal member extending from the housing in the use position and being captured by the first housing portion in the non-use position; and   a needle extending from the device in the use position and not extending from the device in the non-use position.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the first end of the longitudinal member is coupled to a first end of the second housing portion. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the second end of the first housing portion is coupled to the second end of the second housing portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein the second housing portion includes first and second pieces pivotably coupled to each other. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the second housing portion includes a slot for enabling transition of the device from the use position to the non-use position unencumbered by the needle. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , further including first and second wing portions extending from the housing to receive finger pressure from a user to transition the device from the use position to the non-use position. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member includes a channel to enable longitudinal movement of the longitudinal member unimpeded by the needle. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member includes at least one locking member. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion includes at least one locking member. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal member includes at least one locking member and the first housing portion includes at least one locking member for engaging the longitudinal member at least one locking member in the non-use position. 
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a needle retaining member to secure the needle in position. 
     
     
         12 . A medical device, comprising:
 a housing having first and second housing portions, the first housing portion having first and second ends and the second housing portion having first and second ends, the second housing portion having pivotably coupled first and second pieces;   a longitudinal member having first and second ends, a channel, and at least one locking member, the longitudinal member being movable from a use position in which the longitudinal member is extended from the housing and a non-use position in which the longitudinal member is captured by the first housing portion, the first end of the second housing portion being connected to the first end of the longitudinal member and the second end of the first housing portion being connected to the second end of the second housing portion; and   a needle extending from the needle retaining member through the channel in the longitudinal member in the use position,   wherein pressure applied to the longitudinal member in the use position biases the second housing portion away from first housing portion as the first and second pieces of the second housing portion pivot with respect to each other.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein the longitudinal member includes at least one locking mechanism. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first housing portion includes at least one locking mechanism for engaging the longitudinal member at least one locking member in the non-use position. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 11 , wherein the second housing portion includes a slot to enable a transition to the non-use position free of interference from the needle. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 11 , further including first and second wing portions extending from the housing for receiving pressure from a user to promote transition of the device to the non-use position. 
     
     
         17 . A method of providing safety in medical device having a use position and a non-use position, comprising:
 providing a housing for receiving a longitudinal member having first and second ends and a channel, the housing having first and second portions each having first and second ends;   connecting the first end of the first housing portion to the first end of the longitudinal member;   connecting the second end of the first housing portion to the second end of the second housing portion; and   affixing a needle to the device extending from the first housing portion through the channel in the use position;   wherein axial pressure at the first end of the longitudinal member in the use position forces the first and second housing portions to pivot and extend from the first housing portion and envelop the needle.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further including coupling first and second wing portions to the housing to receive finger pressure from a user to transition the device to the non-use position. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 17 , further including providing a locking mechanism on the longitudinal member to secure the device in the non-use position. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , further including providing a locking mechanism on the first housing portion to secure the device in the non-use position. 
     
     
         21 . A method of removing a medical device needle from a patient and transitioning the device from a use position to a non-use position, comprising:
 pressuring, in the use position, a longitudinal member having first and second ends and a channel into a housing having first and second portions each having first and second ends such that the first and second portions extend at a pivot point to envelop a needle of the device as the device transitions to the non-use position.   
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 22 , further including pressure the longitudinal member until a locking mechanism secures the device in the non-use position. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the pivot point pushes the needle out a patient's body.