# US 11,077,242 B2 · Blinding cap for rigid needle shield and related syringe assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,077,242 B2 - Document ID: US11077242B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/261,200 - Filed: 2019-01-29 - Published: 2019-08-08 - Granted: 2021-08-03 - Earliest claimed: 2018-02-07 - Assignees: Fisher Clinical Services, Inc. - Applicants: Fisher Clinical Services GmbH - Inventors: Patrick Locati; Guido Hunkeler; Alain Duerr - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11077242B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/002: {Packages specially adapted therefor, e.g. packages for syringes or needles or kits for diabetics} - A61M 5/28: Syringe ampoules or carpules, i.e. ampoules or carpules provided with a needle - A61M 5/3202: {Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps (A61M5/50 takes precedence; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 5/3204: {Needle cap removers, i.e. devices to dislodge protection cover from needle or needle hub, e.g. deshielding devices} - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A blinding cap for covering a rigid needle shield that is covering a needle of a syringe includes an elongated body extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the body at least partially bounding a chamber. An annular sleeve projects from the proximal end of the body and at least partially bounds a channel. A first flange radially inwardly projects from the body into the chamber, the first flange at least partially bounding an opening that provides communication between the chamber and the channel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A blinding cap for covering a rigid needle shield that is covering a needle of a syringe, the blinding cap comprising: an elongated body extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the body at least partially bounding a chamber; an annular sleeve projecting from the proximal end of the body and at least partially bounding a channel; and a first flange comprising a continuous annular ring that radially inwardly projects from the body into the chamber, the first flange encircling an opening that provides communication between the chamber and the channel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the first flange is configured so that when the blinding cap covers a rigid needle shield that covers a needle, the flange is disposed proximally behind a proximal end face of the rigid needle shield for use in removing the rigid needle shield from off the needle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber is completely enclosed except for the opening that communicates with the channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber and the channel share a common central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the chamber of the body has a diameter and the channel of the sleeve has a diameter, the diameter of the chamber being larger than the diameter of the channel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, wherein the body and the sleeve are opaque. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The blinding cap as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a first cap portion comprising: a first body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a first sleeve portion projecting from the proximal end of the first body portion and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; a second cap portion comprising: a second body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal end; and a second sleeve portion projecting from the proximal end of the second body portion and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; means for securely coupling together the first cap portion and the second cap portion, wherein when the first cap portion is coupled with the second cap portion by the means for coupling, the first body portion and the second body portion combine to form the body and the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion combine to form the sleeve. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The blinding cap as recited in claim 7, wherein the means for securely coupling together the first cap portion and the second cap portion comprises a projection extending from first cap portion and a recess formed on the second cap portion, the recess being configured to receive the projection so as to secure the first cap portion to the second cap portion. ### Claim 9 A syringe assembly comprising: a syringe comprising: a syringe barrel having a proximal end and an opposing distal end; and a needle projecting from the distal end of the syringe barrel; a rigid needle shield having a proximal end that terminates at a proximal end face and an opposing distal end, a cavity being recessed into the rigid needle shield through the proximal end, the proximal end of the rigid needle shield being removably coupled to the distal end of the syringe barrel so that the needle is received within the cavity of the rigid needle shield; a blinding cap disposed over at least a portion of the rigid needle shield, a portion of the blinding cap being disposed proximally behind the proximal end face of the rigid needle shield so that as the blinding cap is moved distally relative to the syringe barrel, the portion of the blinding cap engages against the proximal end face of the rigid needle shield; and an annular seal secured to and encircling a portion of the blinding cap and a portion of the syringe barrel, the seal having perforations formed thereon. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the blinding cap is opaque. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein the blinding cap comprises: an elongated body extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the body bounding a chamber; and the portion of the blinding cap comprising a flange projecting from the body into the chamber. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein a slot is formed between a proximal end face of the rigid needle shield and a portion of the distal end of the syringe barrel, the flange being received with in the slot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the blinding cap comprises: a first cap portion comprising: a first body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a first flange portion radially inwardly projecting from the interior surface of the first body portion; a second cap portion comprising: a second body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a second flange portion radially inwardly projecting from the interior surface of the second body portion; and means for securely coupling together the first cap portion and the second cap portion, wherein when the first cap portion is coupled to the second cap portion by the means for securely coupling, the first body portion and the second body portion combine to form the body and the first flange portion and the second flange portion combine to form the flange. ### Claim 14 A method for using a syringe assembly that includes: a syringe comprising: a syringe barrel having a proximal end and an opposing distal end; and a needle projecting from the distal end of the syringe barrel; a rigid needle shield having a proximal end that terminates at a proximal end face and an opposing distal end, a cavity being recessed into the rigid needle shield through the proximal end, the proximal end of the rigid needle shield being removably coupled to the distal end of the syringe barrel so that the needle is received within the cavity of the rigid needle shield; a blinding cap disposed over at least a portion of the rigid needle shield, a portion of the blinding cap being disposed proximally behind the proximal end face of the rigid needle shield so that as the blinding cap is moved distally relative to the syringe barrel, the portion of the blinding cap engages against the proximal end face of the rigid needle shield; and an annular seal secured to and encircling a portion of the blinding cap and a portion of the syringe barrel, the method comprising: rotating the blinding cap of the syringe assembly relative to the syringe barrel so as to break the seal; and pulling the blinding cap distally relative to the syringe barrel so that the portion of the blinding cap engages against the proximal end face of the rigid needle shield and separates the rigid needle shield from the syringe barrel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the blinding cap is opaque. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method as recited in claim 14, wherein the blinding cap comprises: an elongated body extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the body bounding a chamber; and the portion of the blinding cap comprising a flange projecting from the body into the chamber. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, wherein a slot is formed between a proximal end face of the rigid needle shield and a portion of the distal end of the syringe, the flange being received with in the slot. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the blinding cap comprises: a first cap portion comprising: a first body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a first flange portion radially inwardly projecting from the interior surface of the first body portion; a second cap portion comprising: a second body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a second flange portion radially inwardly projecting from the interior surface of the second body portion; and means for securely coupling together the first cap portion and the second cap portion, wherein when the first cap portion is coupled to the second cap portion by the means for securely coupling, the first body portion and the second body portion combine to form the body and the first flange portion and the second flange portion combine to form the flange. ### Claim 19 A syringe assembly comprising: a syringe comprising: a syringe barrel having a proximal end and an opposing distal end; and a needle projecting from the distal end of the syringe barrel; a rigid needle shield having a proximal end that terminates at a proximal end face and an opposing distal end, a cavity being recessed into the rigid needle shield through the proximal end, the proximal end of the rigid needle shield being removably coupled to the distal end of the syringe barrel so that the needle is received within the cavity of the rigid needle shield, a slot being formed between the rigid needle shield and the distal end of the syringe barrel; and a blinding cap for covering the rigid needle shield that is covering the needle of the syringe, the blinding cap comprising: an elongated body extending between a proximal end and an opposing distal end, the body at least partially bounding a chamber, the rigid needle shield being disposed within the chamber of the elongated body; an annular sleeve projecting from the proximal end of the body and at least partially bounding a channel, at least a portion of the syringe barrel being disposed within the channel of the annular sleeve; and a first flange comprising a continuous annular ring that radially inwardly projects from the body and into the slot between the rigid needle shield and the distal end of the syringe barrel, the first flange encircling an opening that provides communication between the chamber of the elongated body and the channel of the annular sleeve. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the chamber of the elongated body is completely enclosed except for the opening that communicates with the channel. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the chamber of the body and the channel of the sleeve share a common central longitudinal axis. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the chamber of the body has a diameter and the channel of the sleeve has a diameter, the diameter of the chamber being larger than the diameter of the channel. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The syringe assembly as recited in claim 19, further comprising: a first cap portion comprising: a first body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal; and a first sleeve portion projecting from the proximal end of the first body portion and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; a second cap portion comprising: a second body portion having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface that extend between a proximal end and an opposing distal end; and a second sleeve portion projecting from the proximal end of the second body portion and having an interior surface and an opposing exterior surface; means for securely coupling together the first cap portion and the second cap portion, wherein when the first cap portion is coupled with the second cap portion by the means for coupling, the first body portion and the second body portion combine to form the body and the first sleeve portion and the second sleeve portion combine to form the sleeve.