Quick release needle coupling system

#The present invention relates to needle removal devices for syringes and other needle holders and pertains particularly to an improved needle release apparatus for quick and easy removal of needles from syringes.

#A huge volume of syringes and hypodermic needles are used daily in the medical and health care industry and must be disposed of safely. These used needles pose a major health problem to the medical personnel using them as well as others who may come into contact with them either innocently or deliberately. The safe and effective disposal of these hypodermic needles poses one of the greatest disposal problems for the medical and health care industry.

#Hypodermic needles are widely used for both injection of medication and for withdrawing blood samples for diagnostic purposes. In many instances the needle is removed from the holder and disposed of separately from the holder. In some cases, particularly with certain blood drawing or collection devices, the holder may be reused. In these cases, it is essential that the needle be easily, quickly and safely removed and disposed of without risk to the user.

#The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

#FIG. 1 is a side elevation sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a an end view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

#Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings an exemplary embodiment of the invention embodied in a holder such as a syringe barrel is illustrated and designated generally by the numeral 10. A syringe barrel 12, (partially shown) is formed with a modified form of a Luer lock type of coupling for mounting a needle having a socket of the Luer lock type.

#As illustrated, barrel 12 is formed with a forwardly extending tubular socket like coupling assembly including a tubular plug 14 having a slightly tapered outer surface. This tubular plug has an internal bore 16 which communicates with the interior of the barrel of the syringe and within the cannula of the needle assembly. An outer sleeve 18 extending concentrically with the tubular plug 14 includes spaced thread-like ridges 20 for cooperative engagement with complimentary thread-like ridges or flanges 22 on a needle hub 24. The needle hub 24 also includes a tapered inner surface 26 for frictionally engaging and sealingly coupling to the plug 14. A needle 28 extends forward from the hub 24 for use in hypodermically injecting drugs, medication and the like.

#In the outer sleeve 18 of the modified coupling assembly, the Luer lock type coupling utilizes small cooperative thread-like sections 20. As illustrated they are designed for complete coupling and uncoupling with about 1/4 up to 1/2 half turn or rotation.