This invention relates to a safety intravenous (I. V.) Catheter and, in particular, to
a safety intravenous (I. V.) Catheter device with retractable needle. In particular,
the intravenous catheter device for the invention has been provided to reduce
needle stick injuries, spread of hospital acquired infections and also avoid
environmental concerns / hazards in its use and disposal. Importantly also apart
from being safe and user fneudly the intravenous catheter device is cost effective
to favour wide scale application and use of the catheter device.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that in health care, one of the most relevant concerns relate to
provision of safe hospital environment, in particular, members of hospital and
medical staff are required to be assured that they are not subject to any unwanted
infection while caring for patients Such adequate care and concern for safe
medical attention and treatment is important not only in hospitals but also for any
health care environments such as those required in nursing homes, health homes
and related health care facilities and provisions.
Intravenous (IV.) Catheters are well known medical devices used to obtain
continuous vascular access in. patients. Such a device generally consists of a
hollow-bore needle and an over-the-needle plastic tubing used to access the lumen
of a blood vessel of a patient. The intravenous (IV.) Catheter for such purpose is
advanced into the vessel and is used in administering intravenous fluids,
medications or blood products. Importantly, in such application and use since the
(I.V.) Catheter is placed percutaneously, the hollow-bore needle stylet becomes
blood contaminated and when the blood vessel lumen is accessed, the needle-
stylet becomes blood -filled.
In the conventional Catheter units presently in use, the basic steps followed in
catheter application/use include (i) using alcohol wipes (ii) puncturing skin using
needle tip enclosed in a thin plastic tube (iii) moving needle tip forward to
puncture vein (iv) blood flashback in the blood collection chamber (v) initiating
withdrawal of the needle out from the cannula and leaving the tubing inside the
body (vi) The butterfly portion attached to the tubing is fixed by tape to the body
of the patient and medicines etc. are given trough the opening provided in this
portion, (vii) discarding needle with the tip remaining exposed in the sharp's
container. The thus exposed needle remains a potential source for contamination
and infection. Infection from such needle stick injuries is a greatest risk for the
medical and paramedical staff.
Needle stick injuries from intravenous (I.V.) Catheter stylets are in the high risk
category for potential transmission of blood borne pathogens to the injured health
care worker, since the same are hollow bore needles which are usually filled with
undiluted blood. The blood borne pathogens of greatest concerns include human
immuno deficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of the acquired immuno
deficiency syndrome (AIDS), hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus.
As per hospital reports, one-third nurses and laboratory staff suffer from needle
stick injuries every year. HIV transmission through needle injuries is 0.3% of all
modes of contaminations. The rate of HIV transmission through needle stick
injuries is 2-7% of all means. Injuries from used needle or contact with infected
blood on. th« netdle pose £Mta\» dangers, to heaUh caie workers. 1"he nurses are
most vulnerable to needle stick injuries among health workers. Apart from health
care workers, cleaners, laundry -workers, potters, ragpvikers etc. are aiso proire \v
health hazards caused by improper waste disposal methods. Blood exchange
through ne«dle stick injuries cao pass atv over about 20 dea&\\/ pato^gens and
microorganisms. Health staff with significant exposure to HIV is 6-30% risk of
g«tti.ng infoted. Atleast ond iu «"tght KeaUh care, vraikers is exposed to fcrtal
infection through needle stick injuries.
Tp avDid the ^bove hazards of needle stick injuries guidelines have also been
provided to benefit medical staff, laboratory staff and employees for protection
and minimizing the risk of such contamination / uansmission f>f infectiprj through
needle. However, it is obvious that the effectiveness of such precautionary
guidelines wpuld depend &n accountability, education, uaining and vigilant
compliance. Such precautionary guidelines while being important and most
certainly reqimtd to be followed, r»tgligencr arid non-t&mpliance °f such
guidelines can and usually lead to the afore-discussed problems and complexities
of netdle stick injuries and hospital acquired infection. It is, therefore, important
not only to provide the guidelines but also human care systems/devices, which
would minimite the risk t>i such unwanted contamination especially due to human
lapses which can take place any moment and lead to injuries / contaminations of
even serious naime such as ihe HIV / HCB transmission.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide a safety intravenous
(I.V.) Catheter with retractable needle which would favour safe and user friendly
application and disposal of a catheter device.
Another object of the present invention is directed to provide a safety (I.V.)
Catheter device adapted to reduce needle stick injuries, spread of hospital
acquired infection and the like and thereby ensure safety for the staff involved in
the hospital and medical care facilities.
Another object of the present invention is directed to provide for an intravenous
(I.V.) Catheter device which would favour safety and effective use of (I.V.)
Catheter which would not be subject to any high risk in its use and application as
a potential vehicle for transmission of blood borne pathogen to the health care
workers.
A further object of the present invention is directed to an intravenous (I.V.)
Catheter device which would be simple and cost effective to manufacture and
would also be safe for wide scale application and use without fear or
accompanying hazards of needle stick injuries or spread of hospital acquired
infection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is providec/an
intTnvftnrmfi (I V ) ^athfirtgr pafffty ripvirp with retractablp-Qnn^1n nnmpnioing-
An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device with retractable needle comprising:
a needle hub adapted to cooperate with a hub pusher front such as to favour
extending and retracting the needle through a thin plastic tubing adapted to cooperate
with said needle hub;
a self locking device provided there between the said hub pusher front and the needle
hub adapted such that while withdrawing the needle during cannulation, a bracket is
created wherein the needle and self locking device which unfolds with needle hub on
one side and hub pusher front on the other side; and
a one way valve adapted to facMtate extra medication and prevent back flow.
According to an aspect of the intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device of the invention, the
self locking device during its slidable extension, its retraction is adapted to get locked
between the hub pusher front and the needle hub adopter thereby provide for secured
and locked bousing for the needle therein.
Importantly, the intravenous (I,V.) Catheter device comprises a one way valve
adapted to facilitate extra medication and prevent back flow. The said one way valve
preferably comprises a silicone tube. Also, the said one way valve is provided with the
cap means incorporating a recessed plug with protective skirt to effectively prevent
contamination when the valve is not in use. Advantageously, also the said one way
valve cap is adapted for .resting the finger to facilitate effective two-point grip for
cannulation.
In accordance with yet further aspect of the invention, the intravenous (I.V.)
Catheter device comprise colour coded pot cap for gauge size identification.
Also, preferably, the intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device comprise angled and
grooved wings adapted for easy fixation and prevent pistoning and rolling of
cannula over the patient's body.
It would be apparent from the above that the above disclosed intravenous (I.V.)
Catheter device with retractable needle of the invention is adapted to ensure safe
and user friendly application and use of such catheter devices.
In particular, the catheter device of the invention apart from serving the basic need
of a catheter essentially takes care of problems of needle stick injuries and spread
of hospital acquired infection through the needle used for cannulation.
Importantly, the above catheter device is adapted such that when the needle is
withdrawn out from the cannula, the needle tip gets enclosed within a non folding
bracket consisting of the needle hub on one side and hub pusher back and front on
the other. The needle and the self locking device would run parallel to each other
with ends secured between the two ends of the bracket namely needle hub and hub
pusher front.
As disclosed above in accordance with the preferred aspect the catheter device
involves a selective locking system to safely house and lock the needle after
cannulation which is provided in a convenient and effective to operate as a non
folding bracket between the needle hub and the hub pusher front. Importantly, the
self locking device for the needle is provided between the hub pusher front and
the needle hub such that while withdrawing the needle during cannulation this
locking device slides as needle get withdrawn by creation of an unfolding bracket
with needle hub on the one end and hub pusher on the other end.
As also provided by way of invention the safety (I.V.) Catheter is a safety device
adapted to protect the user agairas needle &\wk injuries.
Importantly, in accordance with preferred aspect, the safety (I.V ) Catheter
includes a one-way valve (Silicon rube) to facilitate exua medicaiion and to
prevent back flow. Advantageously, the valve is provided with selectively
adapted pot rap incorporating a recessed plug with protetlive skirt tp effectively
prevent contamination when the valve is not in use. Moreover the pot cap is also
adapted for resimg the finger to faciilji&te effective two-poini grip for cannulation
It offers safe and convenient needleless methods of atraumatic administration of
medicines.
In accordance with further preferred aspect the intravenous catheter devke
comprises colour coated pot cap fof gauge size identification. Moreover, the
provision is made for angled and grooved wing5 adapted to offer easy fixation and
prevent pistoning and rolling cannula over the patient's body- More importantly,
th« above disclosed intravenous catheter devic« is adapted to facilitate simple and
safe use of catheter without the need for specialized training for such range of
safety intravenous (I.V.) Catheter.
The details of the invention, its objects and advantages are explained hereunder in
gieatei details in retelldji to non-ftmiting exemplary iljusiration as per the
following accompanying figures:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES
Figure 2 is the complete intravenous (I.V.) catheter wherein the individual parts
have been numbered as below:
1. Portion marked as 1 is plastic tubing
2. Portion marked as 2 is butterfly portion (wings)
3. Portion marked as 3 is Pot cap
4. Portion marked as 4 is hub pusher back
5. Portion marked as 5 is needle hub
6. Portion marked as 6 is self locking devise in locked form
7. Portion marked as 7 is leur back
8. Portion marked as 8 is hub pusher front
9. Portion marked as 9 is needle
Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of the intravenous (I.V.) catheter with
retractable needle in accordance with the invention;
Figure 3 is an illustration of the intravenous catheter device of Figure 2 shown
with the pusher unit activated in the extended position; and
Figure 4 illustrates the intravenous catheter device with the needle retracted within
the safety housed and locked within the bracket for safe disposal.
Reference is first invited to accompanying figure 1, which shows the intravenous
(I.V.) Catheter device in accordance with the present invention with the provision
of the self locking device there between the hub pusher and the needle hub. It
would be apparent from figure 1 that in this position, the self locking device is
provided in its collapsed condition wherein the plurality of tubular members of the
self locking device are accommodated inside one and another within the tubular
unit between hub pusher front and needle hub.
Reference is now invited to accompanying figure 3, which shows the manner of
retraction of the needle involving the expanded opening of the self locking device
whereby the needle is enclosed between the needle hub and hub pusher front. As
clearly shown in Figure 3 in such condition the self locking device assumes the
open extended condition with the tubular members opening up to provide for
extended disposition of the tubular unit.
Reference is now invited to Figures 3 and 4, which go to illustrate the manner of
retracting the needle whereby it can be attended by way of a safe and hazard free
retraction without problems of unwanted needle stick exposure and injuries. In
particular, during the retracted motion while withdrawing the needle during
cannulation the self locking device slides as needle gets withdrawn and gets
locked between and creates an unfolding bracket. The tip of the needle gets locked
in the hub pusher front.
Such a provision of the intravenous (I.V.) catheter device therefore achieves the
required safety in IV cannulation and adapted to protect the user against needle
stick injuries.
The method of application and use of the above safety (I.V.) Catheter of the
invention is further detailed hereunder-
Thus in use of the catheter device initially the position of the catheter insertion is
cleaned using alcohol wipes. Thereafter, the skin is punctured by using the needle
tip which is inside a thin plastic tubiage. The needle tip is moved forward to
puncture the vein. Immediately blood flash back is noticed in the blood collection
chamber.
Subsequently, the needle withdrawing action is initiated by withdrawing the
needle out from the cannula and leaving the plastic tubing inside the body. The
butterfly portion of the catheter remains outside for giving medication. In this
process the needle tip is adapted to get enclosed with in the unfolding bracket.
Such bracket is achieved as apparent from the above figures of the intravenous
(I.V.) safety catheter by way of provision of the self locking device as described
above.
As would be apparent from the above, the intravenous (I.V.) safety catheter thus
achieves the locking of the needle tip within the bracket free of any exposure to
avoid needle stick injury and / or any spread of hospital acquired infection by way
of unwanted needle contamination. Finally, by way of the above safe and
convenient locking of the needle within the bracket in the catheter system of the
invention, it is possible to safely discard the needle with tip cover in the sharps
container.
Advantageously, the above (I.V.) Catheter is adapted to function as safe device to
protect the user against needle stick injuries. The above safe catheter device
involving the bracket can be obtained of simple materials including
polypropylene, low density poly ethylene, poly carbonate, stainless steel,
acronytrle butadiene styrerie, silicon rubber, Fioropolyraer/ Poly uratbene..
The self locking device, needle hub, flash back, hub pusher front and hub pusher
back are made of polypropylene. The needle is made of stainless steel and pot cap
is made of low density polyethylene.
The one way valve can be obtained of silicon tube and adapted to facilitate extra
medication and prevent back flow. The valve is specifically adapted to incorporate
a recessed plug with protective skirt to effectively prevent contamination when the
valve is not in use. Advantageously also pot cap is adapted for resting the fingei to
facilitate effective two-point grip for cannulation. The system offers safe and
convenient needle less method tor atraumatic administration of medicines.
Moreover, it is possible to provide color coded pot cap for gauge size
identification. Angled and groove wings can be provided to offer easy fixation and
prevent positioning and rolling of cannula over the patient's body. The catheter
device so introduced to this invention is user friendly and provide a safe and
simple catheter device for doctors and paramedical staff.
WE CLAIM:
1. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device with retractable needle comprising:
a needle hub adapted to cooperate with a hub pusher front such as to
favour extending and retracting the needle through a thin plastic tubing
adapted to cooperate with said needle hub;
a self locking device provided there between the said hub pusher front and
the needle hub adapted such that while withdrawing the needle during
cannulation, a bracket is created wherein the needle and self locking device
which unfolds with needle hub on one side and hub pusher front on the
other side; and
a one way valve adapted to facilitate extra medication and prevent back
flow.
2. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the se'f
locking device during its slidable extension creates a bracket wherein the
needle runs parallel to the self locking device.
3. An intravenous Catheter as claimed in claim 1 wherein the self locking
devices consisting of different sleeves packed inside one and another and
once opened are locked and is not retractable.
4. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
needle is locked in a non-folding bracket consisting of needle hub on one
side and hub pusher on the other.
5. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
one way valve comprises a silicone tube.
6. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in anyone of claim 1
wherein said one way valve is provide with cap means incorporating a
recessed plug with protective skirt to effectively prevent contamination
when the valve is not in use.
7. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
one way pot cap is adapted for resting the finger to facilitate effective two-
point grip for cannulation.
8. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 5
comprising colour coded pot cap for gauge size identification.
9. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device as claimed in anyone of claim 1 to 6
comprising angled and grooved wings adapted for easy fixation and prevent
pistoning and rolling of cannula over patient's body.
10. An intravenous (I.V.) Catheter device with retractable needle substantially
as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying
figures.

This invention relates to a medical safety intravenous (I.V.)
catheter and in particular, a safety intravenous (I.V.) catheter
device with a locking device wherein a self locking device
provided between the said hub pusher front and the needle
hub adapted such that while withdrawing the needle during
cannulation a bracket is created wherein the needle and self
locking unfolds device which with needle hub on one side
and hub pusher front on the other side.