Fluid collection device having tilting retractable 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.

1. A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising:
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container; 
 a double-ended needle having a forward sharpened tip and a rearward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing; 
 a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly; 
 a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position, comprising:
 a track having an axial portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a transverse portion extending transverse the axis of the housing; and 
 a guide tab connected with the needle and projecting into operative engagement with the track; 
 
 a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the spring biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position and the guide guides the needle during retraction so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position; and 
 a generally cylindrical insert lining the interior of the rearward portion of the housing, comprising:
 a pocket formed in the wall of the insert for receiving and protecting the rearward needle tip when the needle is disposed in the retracted position; and 
 a guide arm projecting forwardly and intersecting the track, the guide arm having a lower edge configured in the shape of the transverse portion of the track, wherein the lower edge of the guide arm forms a sidewall of the transverse portion of the track. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 1  wherein the spring biasing element circumscribes the needle while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  comprising a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container deforms the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid front leaking out the rearward needle tip. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim  1  7 wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1  wherein the pocket is aligned with the transverse portion of the track. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1  comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide. 
     
     
       11. A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising:
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container; 
 a double-ended needle having a forward sharpened tip and a rearward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing; 
 a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly; 
 a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position, comprising:
 a track having an axial portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a transverse portion extending transverse the axis of the housing; and 
 a guide tab connected with the needle and projecting into operative engagement with the track; 
 
 a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position, and the guide guides the needle during retraction so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position. 
 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  comprising a pocket adjacent the rearward end of the housing for receiving and shielding the rearward sharpened needle when the needle is disposed in the retracted position. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11  comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11  wherein the spring biasing element circumscribes the needle while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 11  comprising a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container to deform the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid from leaking out the rearward needle tip. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 11  wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 11  wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture. 
     
     
       18. The device of claim  11  17 comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position. 
     
     
       19. The device of claim  11  18 wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track. 
     
     
       20. The device of claim  11  12 wherein the pocket is aligned with the transverse portion of the track. 
     
     
       21. The device of  claim 11  comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide. 
     
     
       22. A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising:
 a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container, 
 a needle having a forward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing; 
 a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly; 
 a first guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position: wherein the guide comprises a track and a follower attached to the needle and in operative engagement with the track, and 
 a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position, and the guide guides the needle during retraction, pivoting the needle so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position; and 
 a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide. 
 
     
     
       23. The device of  claim 22  wherein the needle comprises a rearward sharpened tip, and the device comprises a pocket disposed adjacent the rearward end of the housing for receiving and protecting the rearward needle tip to protect against inadvertent contact with the rearward needle tip. 
     
     
       24. The device of  claim 23  wherein the pocket is aligned with the track. 
     
     
       25. The device of  claim 22  comprising a button having a manually actable surface for actuating the needle retainer. 
     
     
       26. The device of  claim 22  wherein the device comprises a needle hub attached to the needle, and the spring biasing element circumscribes substantially the length of the needle forward of the needle hub while the needle is disposed parallel to the axis of the housing and also while the needle is disposed transverse the axis of the housing in the retracted position. 
     
     
       27. The device of  claim 22  wherein the needle comprises a rearward sharpened tip, and the device comprises a resiliently flexible pierceable cover covering and sealing the rearward needle tip so that upon inserting the fluid container into the housing, the rearward sharpened needle tip pierces the cover and the fluid container deforms the cover, wherein upon removing the fluid container, the cover resiliently extends to cover and seal the rearward needle tip to prevent fluid from leaking out the rearward needle tip. 
     
     
       28. The device of  claim 22  wherein the track comprises a groove formed in the interior wall of the housing. 
     
     
       29. The device of  claim 22  wherein the housing comprises a locking aperture and the needle retainer comprises a radially deformable arm having a latch releasably engaging the locking aperture. 
     
     
       30. The device of  claim 22  comprising a lock for locking the needle in the retracted position. 
     
     
       31. The device of claim  22  30 wherein the lock comprises a stop spaced from the rearward end of the track. 
     
     
       32. The device of  claim 22  comprising a second guide substantially similar to the first guide, spaced apart from and opposing the first guide. 
     
     
       33. The device of  claim 23  wherein the pocket is aligned with the track.