Disposable vial holder and method to prevent needle stick injuries

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016250100-A1
Application number	US-201615148678-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 6, 2016
Priority date	Sep 10, 2010
Publication date	Sep 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vial holder is provided to protect a user's hand from needle sticks. The holder includes a handle and a shield attached to a distal end of the handle. An opening is formed in the distal end of the handle to receive a vial. The vial is placed through the opening and into a passageway of the handle with the upper end of the vial exposed. A user grasps the handle which holds the vial in a stabilized manner. A needle may then safely approach the vial in which inadvertent slippage or movement of the needle results in contact with the needle against the shield and not contact with the user's hand.

First claim

1 . A vial holder comprising:
a handle having an opening formed at distal end thereof, and a passageway communicating with the opening, the passageway extending a depth within a portion of the handle from the distal end toward a proximal end of the handle; a shield attached to a distal end of the handle, the shield being substantially planar and extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the handle; a flange connected to and protruding from the opening, and the flange extending radially inward into the passageway; the passageway is tapered commencing at a larger diameter at the opening to a smaller diameter towards the proximal end of the handle; and wherein the vial holder is made as a single member.

2 . A vial holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the shield is made from a needle impenetrable plastic having a first stiffness, and the handle is made from a plastic having a second lesser stiffness.

3 . A vial holder, as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the shield is substantially circular shaped.

4 . A method of preventing needle stick injuries during use of a needle in withdrawing contents of a vial, the method comprising:
providing a vial holder including a handle having a passageway extending partially through the handle, the handle having a proximal and distal end; providing a shield attached to a distal end of the handle, the shield extending substantially perpendicular to an axis of the handle, and the shield having a shape to substantially cover an edge of user's hand grasping the handle; providing a vial with contents therein, and frictionally holding the vial within the passageway of the vial holder, the passageway being tapered with a larger diameter at the opening to a smaller diameter towards the proximal end of the handle; the vial having a base and a cylindrical sidewall extending from the base, wherein a lower portion of the cylindrical sidewall contacts an interior-surface of the passageway, and an upper portion of the cylindrical sidewall located within the passageway can be spaced from and not in contact with the interior surface of the passageway; grasping and holding the handle of the vial holder; moving a needle toward the upper end of the vial; and withdrawing contents within vial.

5 . In combination, a vial holder and vial comprising:
a handle having a passageway extending at least partially through the handle, the handle further having a proximal end and a distal end; the passageway having an interior tapered surface commencing with a larger diameter at an opening of the passageway at the distal end of the handle, to a smaller diameter towards the proximal end of the handle; a shield attached to the distal end of the handle and the shield being substantially planar; a vial secured in the passageway, the vial having a base and a sidewall extending from the base; and wherein a lower portion of the sidewall contacts the interior surface of the passageway, and an upper portion of the sidewall can be spaced from and not in contact with the interior surface of the passageway.

Assignees

• Nat Jewish Health

Inventors

• Musani Ali I

Classifications

• A61M5/3205

  Apparatus for removing or disposing of used needles or syringes, e.g. containers; Means for protection against accidental injuries from used needles (for sharps A61B50/362; disintegrating apparatus in general B02C, e.g. B02C19/0075, B23H9/001; disposal of medical waste in general B09B3/00; receptacles for refuse disposal in general B65F1/00) · CPC title

• A61B50/36

  for collecting or disposing of used articles · CPC title

• A61B2090/0801

  Prevention of accidental cutting or pricking · CPC title

• A61J1/2003

  Accessories used in combination with means for transfer or mixing of fluids, e.g. for activating fluid flow, separating fluids, filtering fluid or venting · CPC title

• G21F5/018

  Syringe shields or holders (syringe shielding for applying radioactive material to the body {A61M5/1785}) · CPC title