# US 7,125,397 B2 · Protective device for an injection needle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,125,397 B2 - Document ID: US7125397B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/856,315 - Filed: 2004-05-27 - Published: 2005-01-06 - Granted: 2006-10-24 - Earliest claimed: 1997-08-20 - Assignees: B. Braun Melsungen AG - Inventors: Kevin Woehr; Juergen Fuchs; Kenneth C. Raines; Joel M. Bartholomew - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7125397B2 ## CPC - A61M 5/3273: {freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle} - A61M 5/158: Needles {for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body} - A61M 5/3216: {Caps placed transversally onto the needle, e.g. pivotally attached to the needle base} - A61M 5/3275: {being connected to the needle hub or syringe by radially deflectable members, e.g. longitudinal slats, cords or bands} - A61M 25/0612: {Devices for protecting the needle; Devices to help insertion of the needle, e.g. wings or holders} - A61M 25/0625: {with a permanent connection to the needle hub, e.g. a guiding rail, a locking mechanism or a guard advancement mechanism} - A61M 25/0637: {Butterfly or winged devices, e.g. for facilitating handling or for attachment to the skin} - A61B 17/3401: {Puncturing needles for the peridural or subarachnoid space or the plexus, e.g. for anaesthesia} - A61M 5/3202: {Devices for protection of the needle before use, e.g. caps (A61M5/50 takes precedence; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 2005/1581: {Right-angle needle-type devices} - A61M 2005/3247: {Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position} - A61M 2005/325: {Means obstructing the needle passage at distal end of a needle protection sleeve} - 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)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A needle assembly comprising: a needle holder comprising a body comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity, a channel comprising two edges defining a gap therebetween extending at least a portion of the body, and a Huber needle comprising a needle shaft attached to the body; said Huber needle comprising a bent section having an upstream needle section disposed at an angle to a downstream needle section; a middle retaining portion removably received in the interior cavity of the needle holder, the middle retaining portion comprising a tubular projection defining a bore and having the Huber needle extending therethrough; said bore comprising a first section comprising a first dimension and a second section comprising a second dimension; a protective element co-axially disposed with the needle shaft and positioned inside the bore of the middle retaining portion; said protective element axially movable with the middle retaining portion and axially movable relative to the middle retaining portion and comprising a distal portion comprising a third dimension when positioned inside the bore of the middle retaining portion and a fourth dimension when separated from the bore of the middle retaining portion; wherein the first dimension is larger than the third dimension, which is larger than the second dimension, which is larger than the fourth dimension. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective element comprises a pair of resilient arms. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The needle assembly of claim 2, wherein the resilient arms cross one another. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the protective element comprises a pair of intersecting joints. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The needle assembly of claim 4, wherein the pair of intersecting joints intersect a pair of resilient arms and a pair of corresponding fingers. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the third dimension is measured from one intersecting joint of the protective element to another intersecting joint of the protective element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The needle assembly of claim 6, wherein the third dimension is measured when a pair of curved lips on the protective element abut a side of the Huber needle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plastic tubing connected to the body of the needle holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the middle retaining portion comprises an alignment marker extending from a flange. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The needle assembly of claim 9, wherein the alignment marker is positioned in the gap of the channel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the interior cavity of the needle holder comprises an interior surface and wherein the interior surface comprises a projection for detent engagement. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The needle assembly of claim 11, wherein the tubular projection comprises an exterior surface comprising a groove engaged by the projection on the interior surface of the needle holder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the tubular projection comprises an exterior surface comprising a groove. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the protective element comprises an opening on a proximal wall. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the Huber needle comprises a crimp. ### Claim 16 A needle assembly comprising: a needle holder comprising a body comprising a channel comprising two edges defining a gap therebetween extending at least a portion of the body, an interior cavity in communication with the channel, and a Huber needle comprising a needle shaft attached to the body; said Huber needle comprising a bent section along a portion of the needle shaft defining a first needle section positioned at an angle to a second needle section; a middle retaining portion removably received in the interior cavity of the needle holder comprising a tubular projection defining a bore and having the Huber needle extending therethrough; said bore comprising a wall surface comprising a wall engagement structure; a protective element coaxially disposed with the needle shaft and positioned inside the bore of the middle retaining portion; said protective element engaging the wall engagement structure of the bore when the Huber needle is moved relative to the middle retaining portion; wherein the protective element is disengaged from the wall engagement structure of the middle retaining portion and the protective element separates from the middle retaining portion when the needle tip is in a protective position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, wherein the channel extends along a side section of the body and along an upper section of the body. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, further comprising an alignment marker on the middle retaining portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The needle assembly of claim 18, wherein the alignment marker is aligned to the channel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, further comprising a distally extending resilient member, wherein the resilient member engages the wall engagement structure of the bore. ### Claim 21 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, further comprising a plastic tubing connected to the body of the needle holder. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, wherein the protective element comprises a proximal wall having an opening thereon. ### Claim 23 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, wherein the needle comprises a crimp. ### Claim 24 (depends on 16) The needle assembly of claim 16, wherein the protective element comprises a pair of resilient arms.