ES1328693U - SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE USER OF A PRE-FILLED SYRINGE - Google Patents

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0003] SAFETY DEVICE FOR THE USER OF A PRE-FILLED SYRINGE

[0005] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The object of the invention is a safety device that acts as a protector for the user of a pre-filled syringe after administering the dose. The protector is activated by the displacement of a plastic assembly that prevents the needle from contacting the user after the dose is delivered, thus preventing accidents and eliminating the possibility of transmission to other people.

[0009] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0011] Syringes. Injectors. Safety accessories for syringes. Syringe protectors. Hypodermic needles.

[0013] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The common medical syringe has been used for many years to inject medications and other fluids into patients' bloodstreams. Syringes are also used to aspirate or draw fluids, such as blood samples, from patients. These syringes typically consist of a cylindrical body with a tubular needle mounted at one end and a plunger that slides within the body to inject and aspirate fluids.

[0017] Once a needle is inserted into a patient's bloodstream, it can become contaminated (and often does) with microscopic viruses or bacteria that may be present in the bloodstream. Such a contaminated needle can be extremely dangerous for medical personnel handling the syringe, as an accidental needle stick or even contact with the exposed needle can infect them with the virus or bacteria present in the needle. This danger is particularly serious in emergency medical situations where there is often not enough time to dispose of contaminated needles carefully and properly.

[0019] Numerous cases of infection among medical personnel due to accidental contact with contaminated syringe needles are documented each year. Occasionally, doctors and nurses who accidentally prick or touch a contaminated needle contract life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), coronavirus, etc.

[0021] Attempts have been made to reduce the dangers of contaminated syringe needles. Most commonly, the needle is simply covered with a plastic cap that fits over the needle and can be removed for use and replaced after use.

[0023] In the prior art, European patent application EP4180072 describes a safety device for a syringe, the safety device comprising: a syringe housing having a main body comprising a generally cylindrical portion configured to receive a syringe and a flange support configured to support a flange of the syringe. The flange support is configured to prevent or limit movement of the syringe relative to the syringe housing once the syringe has been inserted into the housing. Preferably, the safety device further comprises a locking mechanism for locking the needle shield in the extended position after injection. The syringe housing further comprises a plurality of elastically deformable arms, each inclined to a first position in which an inner contact surface of the arm is located radially toward the inside of an inner surface of the generally cylindrical portion.

[0025] Patent application EP3338840 discloses an injection device comprising a pre-filled syringe retained within the support body of the safety device. The pre-filled syringe comprises a hypodermic needle attached to a distal end of the pre-filled syringe, a cylinder with an inner cavity in fluid communication with the hypodermic needle, and a piston that seals hermetically to fluids at a proximal end of the inner cavity. The piston is movable by actuating a piston rod projecting from a proximal end of the cylinder. The pre-filled syringe is retained within the support body of the safety device, such that the hypodermic needle protrudes from the distal end of the support body. The hypodermic needle of the injection device is surrounded by the needle guard in the initial and/or advanced positions, and the hypodermic needle is exposed when the needle guard is in the retracted position. The injection device, comprising the pre-filled syringe and safety device, combines the advantages mentioned above and prevents accidental needle sticks before, during, and after an injection that delivers the medication under the patient's skin. The injection device is particularly suitable for self-administered subcutaneous and intramuscular injections.

[0027] The present invention clearly improves upon devices found in the art, as it discloses a safety device that acts as a protector for the user of a pre-filled syringe after administering the dose. The protection is activated by the user's action, which allows the circumferential and longitudinal movement of an assembly that covers the needle of the pre-filled syringe. This assembly includes a series of elements that prevent movement in these directions, ensuring that if the assembled device falls, the protection prevents any contact with the user. Furthermore, the device is easy to assemble, as it is assembled for operation by inserting the pre-filled syringe into the device holder and fitting the syringe tab into the holder's opening. The device indicates to the user when the assembly reaches its final position by a click sound.

[0029] The device comprises a tubular protector with a variable diameter, designed to protect the user from accidental needlestick injuries. This protector houses a support and a spring, which is located between a lower stop on the support and an upper stop on the protector. The diameter of the tubular protector is variable, depending on where the spring and the protector are located. The protector includes slots that facilitate assembly of the device for pre-filled syringes, a needle guard, and an anti-return function that prevents the support from returning to its original position after activation. Furthermore, the support, which stabilizes the syringe, includes flexible tabs that insert into the slots of the protector, allowing the syringe to slide securely into place.

[0031] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] To complement the description being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of its practical embodiment, a set of drawings is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

[0034] Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the user safety device for a pre-filled syringe, illustrating the three sections that comprise the device. The support (1) comprises a lower stop (1.1); two pins (1.2); an opening (1.3) for inserting the pre-filled syringe (4); anti-rotation locking tabs (1.4); and flexible tabs (1.5). The protector (2) comprises: internal guide slots (2.1) for housing the pins (1.2); secondary slots (2.2) for the pin stops (1.2); a finger tab (2.3); and an upper stop (2.4). and internal recesses (2.5), The spring (3) that fits compressed between the lower stop (1.1) of the support (1) and the upper stop (2.4) of the guard (2), where once the spring (3) is released, it drives the guard (2) and the pins (1.2) along the guide slots (2.1) of the guard (2).

[0036] Figure 2 shows the user safety device of a pre-filled syringe in the operating position, wherein the pre-filled syringe (4) comprises a central section, a piston (5) enabling the mechanism to apply the dose, a tab (6) for adjusting the fingers when applying the dose, and a needle (7), wherein the safety device is assembled for operation by inserting said syringe (4) into the holder (1) by fitting the tab (6) of the syringe (4) into the mouth of the holder (1), such that the needle (7) of the syringe (4) protrudes from the distal end of the protector (2), allowing injection.

[0038] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0040] The present invention discloses a safety device that acts as a protector for the user of a pre-filled syringe after administering the dose. The protector is activated by the displacement of a plastic assembly that prevents the syringe needle from coming into contact with the user after the dose is delivered, thus preventing accidents and eliminating the possibility of transmission to others. The safety element consists of a protector (2) that shields the user from the needle, a support (1) that keeps the syringe stable, and a spring (3) that actuates the support (1) to move and lock it into place.

[0042] Conventional pre-filled syringes (4) comprise a central section, a piston (5) that enables the mechanism to be actuated to apply the dose, a tab (6) for adjusting the fingers when applying the dose, and a needle (7).

[0043] The safety device has a support (1) comprising; a lower stop (1.1); two pins (1.2); a mouth (1.3) for fitting the pre-filled syringe (4); anti-rotation locking tabs (1.4); and flexible tabs (1.5);

[0045] a protector (2) comprising; internal guide slots (2.1) for housing the pins (1.2); second slots (2.2) for the pin stops (1.2); finger tab (2.3); upper stop (2.4); and internal recesses (2.5); and

[0047] a spring (3) that fits compressed between the lower stop (1.1) of the support (1) and the upper stop (2.4) of the guard (2), where once the spring (3) is released, it drives the guard (2) and the pins (1.2) along the guide slots (2.1) of the guard (2).

[0049] The spring (3) is compressed between a lower stop (1.1) of the bracket (1) and an upper stop (2.4) of the shield (2). To assemble the shielding device into an operating position, the two pins (1.2) of the bracket (1) run through internal guide slots (2.1) of the shield (2) until the pins (1.2) engage in slots (2.2) of the shield (2).

[0051] In this operating position, the support (1) is locked to the shield (2) by both the second grooves (2.2) against which the pin (1.2) abuts and the compressed spring (3), which pushes the shield (2) in the shielding direction so that the pin (1.2) abuts the second grooves (2.2). If the syringe (4) is inserted into the support (1) by fitting the tab (6) of the syringe (4) into the opening (1.3) of the support (1) when the shielding device is in this operating position, the needle (7) of the syringe (4) protrudes from the distal end of the shield (2), allowing injection.

[0053] If, after injection, the piston (5) of the syringe (4) is continued to be pressed while holding the finger tab (2.3) of the guard (2), the force exerted by the spring (3) is overcome, and the spring (3) is further compressed, causing the pin (1.2) to come out of the second set of slots (2.2) that hold the spring (3) compressed; that is, the spring (3) is released. Once the spring (3) is released, it propels the guard (2) and the pin (1.2), sliding along the guide slots (2.1) of the guard (2).

[0055] The device comprises locking means, firstly, anti-rotation locking tabs (1.4) for the rotation of the protector (2) with respect to the support (1) to radially lock the shielding device and thus prevent it from returning to said guide slot (2.1), i.e., to the operating position, and furthermore, means for locking the axial displacement of the protector (2) with respect to the support (1), by means of flexible tabs (1.5) and pins (1.2), both locking means acting in the protected position.

[0057] The anti-rotation tabs (1.4) on the bracket (1) engage in the internal recesses (2.5) of the shield (2) when the pin (1.2) enters the guide slot (2.1) after it has exited the second slot (2.2). When the anti-rotation locking tabs (1.4) engage in the internal recesses (2.5) of the shield (2), a click is heard to let the user know that the shielding device is secured and cannot be returned to the operating position.

[0059] Once the device moves out of the operating position and the click is heard, the spring (3) drives the guard (2) until the pin (1.2) stops at the end of the guide slot (2.1), retaining the guard (2) attached to the bracket (1) in the guard position. The flexible tabs (1.5) open radially to engage the upper stop (2.4) of the guard (2) to axially block the guard (2) from moving back to the operating position.

[0061] The major advantages of the protective device for pre-filled syringes are that it can prevent movement by locking both radially and longitudinally, as it includes several elements that prevent displacement in these directions. Furthermore, the protective device is easy to assemble; it is assembled by inserting the pre-filled syringe into the device's holder (1) and fitting the syringe's tab (6) (4) into the holder's opening (1). The device indicates to the user when the assembly has reached its final position with a "click" sound. It also features an anti-return function that prevents the holder from returning to a different position after the user has activated the device.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS 1.- Safety device for the user of a pre-filled syringe characterized in that it has a support (1) comprising a lower stop (1.1) at one end; two pins (1.2); a mouth (1.3) for fitting the pre-filled syringe (4); anti-rotation locking tabs (1.4) for radially locking rotation on the support (1); and flexible tabs (1.5) for locking axial displacement; a protector (2) comprising; guide slots (2.1) for housing the pins (1.2); second slots (2.2) for stopping the pins (1.2); finger tab (2.3); upper stop (2.4); and internal recesses (2.5); and a spring (3) that fits compressed between the lower stop (1.1) of the support (1) and the upper stop (2.4) of the guard (2), where once the spring (3) is released, it drives the guard (2) and the pins (1.2) along the guide slots (2.1) of the guard (2). 2. A safety device for the user of a pre-filled syringe according to claim 1, characterized in that the pre-filled syringe (4) comprises a central section, a piston (5) that allows the mechanism to be actuated to apply the dose, a tab (6) for adjusting the fingers when applying the dose, and a needle (7), wherein the safety device is assembled for operation by inserting said syringe (4) into the holder (1) by fitting the tab (6) of the syringe (4) into the mouth (1.3) of the holder (1), such that the needle (7) of the syringe (4) protrudes from the distal end of the protector (2), allowing injection. 3.- Safety device for the user of a pre-filled syringe according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that when adjusting the safety device to the operating position, the two pins (1.2) of the support (1) run through the guide slots (2.1) of the protector (2) until the pins (1.2) are housed in the second slots (2.2) of the protector (2). 4. A safety device for the user of a pre-filled syringe according to claims 1-3, characterized in that, in the operating position, the support (1) is locked with respect to the protector (2), both by the second grooves (2.2) in the which makes the pin (1.2) stop as by the spring (3) which is compressed and pushes the protector (2) in the direction of protection so that the pin (1.2) makes contact with the second slots (2.2). 5. A safety device for the user of a pre-filled syringe according to claim 1, characterized in that once the device is removed from the operating position, the spring (3) drives the guard (2) until the pin (1.2) stops at the end of the guide slot (2.1), retaining the guard (2) attached to the support (1) in the protective position, and the flexible tabs (1.5) open radially to engage the upper stop (2.4) of the guard (2) to axially block the displacement of the guard (2) towards the operating position.