subject: New Invention Of Syringe [print this page] The present invention is directed to self-shielding syringe manufacturers, such as an aspirating dental syringe manufacturers, and to methods of using such a syringe manufacturers. In one embodiment, the syringe manufacturers includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a cavity therein for receiving a medicine cartridge, the distal end having an opening through which a needle may extend. A shield is slidably attached to the body that is slidable between a retracted position wherein a needle extending from the distal end of the body is exposed through a distal end of the shield, and an extended position wherein the needle is substantially covered by the shield. A cooperating detent and detent pocket is provided on the shield and body for releasably holding the shield in the extended position. A latch is also provided for locking the detent in the detent pocket for preventing subsequent retraction of the shield from the extended position.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a syringe manufacturers is provided that includes a three-position shield. The syringe manufacturers includes a body having proximal and distal ends and a cavity therein for receiving a medicine cartridge, and a shield that is slidably attached to the body. A needle cannula is provided on the distal end of the body having a proximal portion extending proximally into the cavity, and a distal portion extending distally beyond the distal end of the body. A plunger assembly is provided on the proximal end of the body for distally directing a piston in a cartridge received in the cavity to deliver medication from the cartridge through the needle. Cooperating detents and detent pockets are provided on the body and shield to temporarily hold the shield in a retracted position wherein the distal portion of the needle is exposed, to temporarily hold the shield in an intermediate guarded position wherein the distal portion of the needle is substantially covered, and to substantially permanently lock the shield in a fully extended position distally beyond the intermediate position.
In a preferred embodiment, the syringe manufacturers includes a body and a shield having the cooperating detents thereon, as described above. When it is desired to disengage the cooperating detents, a deflectable portion of the shield may be directed radially outward to disengage detents on the deflectable portion from cooperating detents on the body. More preferably, the deflectable portion is a lever molded to the shield, which may be engaged with the latch to prevent subsequent deflection of the lever. With the shield substantially permanently locked in the extended position, covering the contaminated needle, the syringe manufacturers may then be disposed of. Thus, a syringe manufacturers in accordance with the present invention may substantially reduce the risk of accidental needle sticks during use and disposal of the syringe manufacturers.
