Receiving device comprising an adjustable covering element Number:7,521,022 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent

Title: Receiving device comprising an adjustable covering element

Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device (1) with a holding container (2) for a holding vessel, in particular a blood sample collecting tube, in which the holding container (2) surrounds a holding chamber (7) with a container wall (6), and in the direction of a longitudinal axis (8) comprises a proximal and a distal end (9, 10) spaced part from one another, with a needle holder (4) for a needle arrangement (14) that can be attached thereto, with a first adjusting device (15) for the needle holder (4) and with a cover element (3) for the needle arrangement (14) mountable on the needle holder (4) in the disposal position of the needle holder (4). The cover element (3) is arranged in the position of use of the needle holder (4) adjacent thereto on the side furthest from the proximal end (9) in the holding chamber (7) and is arranged with an if necessary releasable locking device (16) between the cover element (3) and the holding container (2) in the position of use relative to the latter, whereby between the needle holder (4) and the cover element (3) a further adjusting device (17) is arranged.

Patent Number: 7,521,022 Issued on 04/21/2009 to Konrad

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Inventors:	Konrad; Franz (Oberndorf bei Schwanenstadt, AT)
Assignee:	Greiner Bio-One GmbH (Kremsmuenster, AT)
Appl. No.:	10/530,301
Filed:	September 29, 2003
PCT Filed:	September 29, 2003
PCT No.:	PCT/AT03/00287
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date:	April 04, 2005
PCT Pub. No.:	WO2004/030539
PCT Pub. Date:	April 15, 2004

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Foreign Application Priority Data

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Oct 02, 2002 [AT]			A 1492/2002
Mar 30, 2003 [AT]			A 842/2003

Current U.S. Class:	422/103 ; 600/573; 600/576; 600/577; 604/110; 604/164.12
Current International Class:	A61B 5/00 (20060101)
Field of Search:	422/102 604/110,164.12 600/573,576,577

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References Cited [Referenced By]

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U.S. Patent Documents

4774964	October 1988	Bonaldo
5407436	April 1995	Toft et al.
5423758	June 1995	Shaw
5769826	June 1998	Johnson et al.
5810775	September 1998	Shaw
6524276	February 2003	Halseth et al.
7182734	February 2007	Saulenas et al.
7258678	August 2007	Wilkinson
2002/0099355	July 2002	Chen
2003/0105432	June 2003	Halseth et al.

Foreign Patent Documents

	WO 92/20281		Nov., 1992		WO
	WO 9220281		Nov., 1992		WO
	WO 93/23098		Nov., 1993		WO
	WO 95/16389		Jun., 1995		WO
	WO 98/41249		Sep., 1998		WO
	WO 99/23947		May., 1999		WO
	WO 9923947		May., 1999		WO
	WO 01/93924		Dec., 2001		WO
	WO 0193924		Dec., 2001		WO

Other References

International Search Report. cited by other.

Primary Examiner: Warden; Jill
Assistant Examiner: Kilpatrick; Bryan T
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Collard & Roe, P.C.

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Claims

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The invention claimed is:

1. Holding device (1) with a holding container (2) for a holding vessel, wherein the holding container (2) surrounds a holding chamber (7) with a container wall (6), and in the direction of a longitudinal axis (8) comprises a proximal and a distal end (9, 10) spaced apart from one another, whereby the container wall (6) is delimited by an inner surface (11) facing the holding chamber (7) and an outer surface (12) facing away therefrom, with a needle holder (4) for a needle arrangement (14) which can be secured thereon, whereby the needle holder (4) in the holding chamber (7) of the holding container (2) is designed to be displaceable relative to the holding container from a position of use in the region of the proximal end (9) to a disposal position in the direction of the distal end (10), with a first adjusting device (15) for the needle holder (4) for the displacement from the position use into the disposal position, with a cover element (3) for the needle arrangement (14) securable to the needle holder (4) in the disposal position of the needle holder (4) and with a releasable locking device (16), wherein the cover element (3) is formed by a disc-shaped main body (21) aligned in a plane (20) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8), whereby the cover element (3) in the position of use of the needle holder (4) is arranged adjacent thereto on the side pointing away from the proximal end (9) in the holding chamber (7), and in that the releasable locking device (16) is arranged between the cover element (3) and the holding container (2), with which the cover element (3) in the position of use of the needle holder (4) is held relative to the holding container (2), and wherein between the needle holder (4) and the cover element (3) an additional adjusting device (17) is arranged formed by an elastically deformable spring element (19), whereby on releasing the locking device (16) the cover element (3) is displaced relative to the needle holder (4) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) by the additional adjusting device (17) in the direction of the distal end (10) of the holding container (2).

2. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the first adjusting device (15) is in the form of a compression spring.

3. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the additional adjusting device (17) is designed to expand conically from the needle holder (4) up to the cover element (3).

4. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the additional adjusting device (15, 17) are in the form of a one-piece component.

5. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the disc-shaped main body (21) of the cover element (3) has an external diameter (30) in the plane (20) perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8), which corresponds approximately to an inner diameter (31) of the holding chamber (7) in the same plane (20).

6. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (3) in the region of the longitudinal axis (8) has an opening (22) for feeding through a portion of the cannula (5).

7. Holding device according to claim 6, wherein in the region of the opening (22) a component (23) is arranged for suctioning or absorbing liquid.

8. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device (16) comprises at least two diametrically opposite locking elements (25) and locking recesses (26) cooperating therewith.

9. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking elements (25) are arranged on the disc-shaped main body (21) of the cover element (3).

10. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein on the main body (21) of the cover element (3), several, locking elements (25) are arranged distributed evenly around the circumference and in the holding container (2) several, diametrically opposite locking recesses (26) are arranged to form the locking device (16).

11. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking recesses (26) are arranged in the container wall (6) of the holding container (2).

12. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking recesses (26) penetrate the container wall (6) of the holding container (2).

13. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking elements (25) project in radial direction, from the inner surface (11) to the outer surface (12) of the container wall (6), only partially into the locking recesses (26).

14. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking elements (25) are spring-connected to the disc-shaped main body (21) of the cover element (3).

15. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking elements (25) are arranged on a holding arm (57) projecting from the main body (21) of the cover element (3) in the direction of the needle holder (4) or the proximal end (9).

16. Holding device according to claim 8, wherein the locking elements (25) are arranged in the region of the outer circumference of the cover element (3).

17. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein on the region of the main body (21) facing the proximal end (9) at least one first centering element (51) for the additional adjusting device (17) is arranged.

18. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein between the cover element (3) and the inner surface (11) of the container wall (6) at least one first guiding arrangement (27) is provided, which is aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) of the holding container (2).

19. Holding device according to claim 18, wherein the guiding arrangement (27) extends at least over the entire displacement path (58) of the cover element (3) between its maintenance position in the region of the proximal end (9) and its cover position in the region of the distal end (10).

20. Holding device according to claim 18, wherein the first guiding arrangement (27) is formed by at least one guiding groove (28) indented in the container wall (6) and running in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) and at least one guiding extension (29) on the cover element (3) engaging with the guiding groove (28).

21. Holding device according to claim 20, wherein several guiding grooves (28) are arranged evenly distributed around the circumference of the holding container (2).

22. Holding device according to claim 20, wherein a groove base of the guiding groove (28) over its longitudinal extension relative to the longitudinal axis (8) runs parallel to the the longitudinal axis.

23. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the diametrically opposite locking devices (16) viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) are arranged around the circumference of the holding container (2) symmetrically between the guiding grooves (28).

24. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein between the holding container (2) and the cover element (3) a further guiding arrangement (52) is provided.

25. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein in order to form at least one part of a guiding arrangement (27, 52) a partial section (53, 54) of the inner surface (11) of the container wall (6) is designed as a guide track (55, 56) and is aligned over its longitudinal extension relative to the longitudinal axis (8) in parallel to the the longitudinal axis.

26. Holding device according to claim 25, wherein the partial section (53, 54) of the inner surface (11) or the inner surface (11) is designed to be cylindrical relative to the longitudinal axis (8).

27. Holding device according to claim 18, wherein the first guiding arrangement (27) is formed by the bearing or cooperation of the locking element (25) on the guide track (55) arranged on the holding arm (57).

28. Holding device according to claim 27, wherein the locking element or elements (25) lie with a predeterminable bearing force aligned radially in the direction of the guide track (55).

29. Holding device according to claim 28, wherein the bearing force is almost equal over the entire displacement path (58) of the cover element (3).

30. Holding device according to claim 24, wherein the additional guiding arrangement (52) in the region of the holding container (2) comprises at least one guide element (59), arranged on the inner surface (11) thereof and projecting in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) and projecting over the inner surface (11).

31. Holding device according to claim 30, wherein the guide element or elements (59) is or are aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8).

32. Holding device according to claim 30, wherein two guide elements (59) arranged next to one another around the circumference form a portion of the additional guiding arrangement (52).

33. Holding device according to claim 32, wherein several guide elements (59) are provided, distributed evenly in pairs around the circumference.

34. Holding device according to claim 24, wherein the additional guiding arrangement (52) comprises at least one further guide track (56) which is arranged between the two adjacently arranged guide elements (59).

35. Holding device according to claim 24, wherein the additional guiding arrangement (52) in the region of the needle holder (4) comprises at least one guide extension (60) cooperating with the guide element or elements (59).

36. Holding device according to claim 35, wherein the guide extension or extensions (60) is or are arranged respectively between the two adjacent guide elements (59).

37. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the first and the additional guide tracks (55, 56) arranged in the form of a cross relative to one another are offset relative to one another in circumferential direction by 90.degree..

38. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least one guide element (59) projects into at least one partial section (62) formed in the circumferential region of the cover element (3) or is in engagement with the cover element.

39. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the container wall (6) in the plane (20) aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8) has a circular cross section, and an external diameter (30) of the disc-shaped main body (21) corresponds approximately to an inner diameter (31) of the holding chamber (7) in this plane.

40. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the holding container (2) is designed to be open in the region of the distal end (10) and closed in the region of the proximal end (9) partially by an end wall (13).

41. Holding device according to claim 40, wherein the end wall (13) has an opening (32) in the region of the longitudinal axis (8) which corresponds in its inner cross sectional dimension (33) approximately to an outer cross sectional dimension (34) of the needle holder (4).

42. Holding device according to claim 40, wherein in the end wall (13) there is a holding chamber (35) for the first adjusting device (15) or the one-piece component formed by the adjusting devices (15, 17).

43. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the needle holder (4) is formed by a roughly sleeve-shaped supporting body (36).

44. Holding device according to claim 43, wherein on the sleeve-shaped supporting body (36) in the plane (20) aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8) at least one support element (37) projecting radially outwards over the carrier body is arranged.

45. Holding device according to claim 44, wherein on the support element (37) the adjusting devices (15, 17) are supported at the end regions facing one another.

46. Holding device according to claim 45, wherein at least one of the end regions is secured firmly to the support element (37).

47. Holding device according to claim 44, wherein the support element (37) in a one piece design of the adjusting device (15, 17) is arranged in a transition region thereof and is secured thereto.

48. Holding device according to claim 44, wherein the support element (37) is designed as a support element (48) running around the circumference and projecting over the supporting body (36) radially.

49. Holding device according to claim 43, wherein on the region of the support element (48) facing the proximal end (9) at least one first centering element (49) is arranged.

50. Holding device according to claim 43, wherein in the region of the needle holder (4) facing the distal end (10) a tubular depression (49) is arranged in the sleeve-shaped supporting body (36).

51. Holding device according to claim 43, wherein in the sleeve-shaped supporting body (36) a thread arrangement (43) is provided for the needle arrangement (14).

52. Holding device according to claim 51, wherein the thread arrangement (43) is aligned in such a way, that with an opposite arrangement and horizontal alignment of the releasable locking device (16) for the cover element (3) a tapering (45) on a cannula tip (44) is provided on an upper side of the cannula (5).

53. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein between the needle holder (4) and the holding container (2) an anti-rotational means (38) is arranged, which in the position of use of the needle holder (4) is in engagement and prevents a relative pivoting or rotation between the needle holder about the longitudinal axis (8).

54. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (3) with the needle holder (4) located in the disposal position is secured in the region of the distal end (10) relative to the holding container (2) in its longitudinal movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) by means of a locking device (39).

55. Holding device according to claim 54, wherein the locking device (39) comprises at least one retaining element (40) arranged on the holding container (2) and facing the distal end (10) and at least one locking element (41) cooperating therewith on the cover element (3).

56. Holding device according to claim 54, wherein the retaining element (40) is formed by a spring element of the container wall (6), which is designed at least over a portion of its longitudinal extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8) to project over the inner surface (11) in the direction of the longitudinal axis (8).

57. Holding device according to claim 54, wherein the retaining element or elements (40) are arranged in the region of the guiding arrangement (27).

58. Holding device according to 53, wherein the locking device (39) comprises at least one stop element (42) for the cover element (3) arranged on the holding container (2) and facing the distal end (10).

59. Holding device according to claim 58, wherein the stop element or elements (42) are arranged in the region of the guiding arrangement (27).

60. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein in the region of the distal end (10) of the holding container (2) at least one securing element (46) is arranged on the holding container.

61. Holding device according to claim 60, wherein the securing element (46) is inserted into the holding container (7) and is locked onto the holding container (2).

62. Holding device according to claim 60, wherein the securing element (46) comprises a sleeve-shaped support element (63) and a flangeshaped step (64) connected therewith, which projects over the support element (63) in the direction away from the longitudinal axis (8).

63. Holding device according to claim 60, wherein on the sleeve-shaped support element (63) at least one positioning element (66) aligned in parallel direction to the longitudinal axis (8) is arranged, which projects over the support element (63) in the direction of the proximal end (9).

64. Holding device according to claim 63, wherein several positioning elements (66) are provided distributed evenly around the circumference.

65. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the positioning element (66) projects into the additional guide track (56) arranged between the two adjacent guide elements (59).

66. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein in the disposal position the guide extension (60) of the needle holder (4) is supported at the end of the positioning element (66) facing the proximal end (9).

67. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device (39) comprises at least one retaining element (69) arranged on the securing element (46) and closer to the proximal end (9) and at least one locking element (25) on the cover element (3) interacting therewith.

68. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein the locking device (39) also comprises at least one stop element (68) for the cover element (3) arranged on the securing element (46) and facing the distal end (10).

69. Holding device according to claim 1, wherein in the disposal position an anti-rotational means (72) is in engagement between the securing element (46) and the cover element (3).

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Description

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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 of Austrian Applications Nos. A1492/2002 filed on Oct. 2, 2002 and Austrian A842/2003 May 30, 2003. Applicant also claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.365 of PCT/AT2003/000287 filed on Sep. 29, 2003. The international application under PCT article 21 (2) was not published in English.

The invention relates to a holding device with a holding container for a holding vessel, in particular a blood sample collecting tube, in which the holding container surrounds a holding chamber with a container wall, and in the direction of a longitudinal axis comprises a proximal and distal end spaced apart from one another, whereby the container wall is delimited by an inner surface facing the holding chamber and an outer surface facing away therefrom, with a needle holder for a needle arrangement that can be mounted therein, in particular a double-ended cannula needle, whereby the needle holder in the holding chamber of the holding container is designed to be displaceable relative to the latter as required from a position of use in the region of the proximal end to a disposal position in the direction of the distal end, with a first adjusting device for the needle holder for the required displacement from the position of use to the disposal position, with a cover element for the needle arrangement which can be mounted on the needle holder in the disposal position of the needle holder and with a releasable locking device.

A device for collecting blood is known from WO 01/93924A1, which comprises a holding container with a container wall, wherein the container wall surrounds a holding chamber and in the direction of a longitudinal axis has spaced apart ends. At the end of the holding container facing the patient for blood collection a needle holder with a needle arrangement mountable thereon, in particular a double-ended cannula, is provided. In addition, an adjusting device for the displacement from its position of use into the disposal position is assigned to the needle holder. A spring designed locking arm with a locking element arranged thereon is connected to the needle holder, which forms a locking device in cooperation with a locking recess in the container wall. In addition, a guide arrangement is provided between the needle holder and the container wall, by means of which during the relative displacement between the needle holder and the holding container, there can be a deflection from the straight movement of the needle holder inside the holding chamber and in this way an oblique position of the needle arrangement is achieved in the disposal position relative to the holding container. At the end facing away from the patient the holding container has an insertion element with a circular peripheral wall section, which in the disposal position covers an end of the needle arrangement facing the latter. In addition, in the disposal position in the region of the guide arrangement between the needle holder and the holding container in both movement directions at least one stop element can be arranged, in order to secure the needle holder and the needle arrangement located in the disposal position inside the holding container.

A further holding device with a holding container for a blood collecting tube is known from WO 92/20281 A1 in which the holding container surrounds a holding chamber with its container wall and in the direction of the longitudinal axis has spaced apart ends. Furthermore, the holding device comprises a needle holder displaceable from the position of use into the disposal position with a double-ended needle arrangement mounted therein. In the position of use the needle holder is located inside the holding chamber at the end of the holding device facing the patient, whereby one end of the needle projects out of the holding device and the other end projects over the needle holder in the direction of the holding chamber. In the container wall of the holding container in longitudinal extension thereof a slot-like recess is provided which is penetrated by a grip element connected to the needle holder, and the container wall projects to the side facing away from the holding container. The longitudinal, slot-like recess in the container wall also comprises several recesses arranged at right angles to its longitudinal extension, which are provided for interacting with the grip element in the various positions of the needle holder relative to the holding container and form a locking device. In the position of use of the needle holder one part of the grip element engages in one of these transverse recesses, whereby the needle holder together with the needle arrangement is held in position relative to the holding container. By means of the corresponding activation of the grip element the if necessary releasable locking device is released, and the needle holder can be pushed manually relative to the holding container into it disposal position. After a predeterminable displacement path of the needle holder both ends of the double-ended cannula are located inside the holding chamber, and there is a further engagement of the grip element in one of the aforementioned transverse recesses. Afterwards, an arc-shaped part of the grip element can be pivoted inwards by a further recess in the direction of the holding chamber, whereby a cover can be obtained between one end of the double-ended cannula and the open end region of the holding container.

A different holding device with a holding container for a blood sample collecting tube is known from WO 99/23947 A1, in which the holding container with its container wall surrounds a holding chamber and in the direction of a longitudinal axis has spaced apart ends. At the end facing the patient for collecting blood a double-ended needle arrangement is mounted in the direction of the longitudinal axis to be displaceable from its position of use into a disposal position. In the position of use one end of the double-ended needle arrangement projects over the holding container of the holding device into the side facing away from the holding chamber. Furthermore, the adjustable needle arrangement is allocated an adjusting device in the form of a spring element by means of which the needle arrangement is preloaded in the position of use by means of an if necessary releasable locking device. After the release of the locking device due to the spring adjusting device the needle arrangement is displaced relative to the holding container into the holding chamber of the holding container, whereby neither end of the double-ended cannula is freely accessible. The end of the double-ended cannula facing the holding chamber is also surrounded by a penetrable protective sleeve.

From U.S. Pat. No.5,810,775 A a holding device for medical blood sample collecting tubes is known, in which by means of a pivot movement of the closing element relative to the holding container an adjustment element arranged in its holding chamber is adjusted by adjustment elements provided on the closing element in the direction of the longitudinal axis towards the proximal end, whereby the needle holder mounted in the region of the proximal end is released from its locked position in the adjustment element and after its release is returned by a preloaded spring element into the inner chamber of the holding device together with the needle arrangement. Because of the pivotal movement of the closing element in this embodiment there is, on the one hand, a longitudinal displacement of the adjusting element in the direction of the longitudinal axis, and, on the other hand, after releasing or unlocking the needle holder from the adjustment element the inner chamber of the holding device is sealed, whereby the operator is prevented from coming into contact with the needle arrangement. The disadvantage of this embodiment is that the connection between the needle holder and the adjusting element in the form of a locking fit is very expensive and has to be carried out precisely, in order, on the one hand, to obtain adequate fit for the collection process, and, on the other hand, to make sure the necessary releasing force for unlocking the connection is not too great. In addition, due to the spring preloading of the needle holder, if there is an unintentional release of the locked connection between the needle holder and the adjusting element, caused by the rapid return of the needle into the inner chamber, there is a high risk of injury to the user of this holding device.

A further holding device for blood collecting devices is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,826 A or WO 98/41249 A1, in which a needle holder preloaded by a spring is held locked in the holding container by a slide in the position of use, and after the correctly performed collection procedure the lock between the slide and the needle holder can be released, whereby the latter is returned due to spring preloading with the needle arrangement into the inner chamber of the holding device. The distal end of said holding device is designed to be closable as necessary by a sealing element arranged pivotably on the holding container. The disadvantage here is that on activating the slide and the restoring movement associated therewith, due to the force of the spring preloading there is a return displacement of the needle holder into the inner chamber, whereby if the cap or sealing element is not closed operating personnel are at risk of needle sticks.

From the patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,436 A and WO 93/23098 A1 a holding container is known with a holding device for a needle holder and a double needle inserted therein, in which the needle holder equipped with the double needle can be retracted automatically into the inside of the holding container of the holding device after releasing a retaining device into the holding chamber. The needle holder is hereby fixed by securing elements at one end of the holding container, whereby between the front end and the needle holder a compressed and thus preloaded spring is arranged, which exerts force parallel to the longitudinal axis of the holding container onto the needle holder. By means of this force the needle holder is pressed against the holding catches of several securing elements. The securing elements are designed as finger-like projections of the holding container parallel to the middle longitudinal axis, and are arranged in such a way that they surround a disc-like shaped part of the needle holder over its circumference, and their holding catches aligned inwards in the direction of the middle longitudinal axis project so far over the edge of the disc-shaped part of the needle holder, that the latter is secured against the effect of the spring. In order to trigger the automatic retraction of the needle a tube-like plunger is used, which at the end to be inserted into the holding container of the holding device has an outwards pointing truncated-cone shaped tapering. If said plunger is pushed so far into the holding device that the truncated-cone shaped tapering is in contact with the holding catches, the securing elements with the holding catches are pressed apart to the side pointing away from the longitudinal axis, whereby the needle holder is released and displaced due to the spring force into the holding chamber. The disadvantage of this is that a separate component is needed for the release and single-handed operation is therefore not possible.

A further collecting device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,758 A and WO 95/16389 A1, in which the removal needle is held together with the needle holder in an adjustment sleeve and is surrounded by an additional protective sleeve, so that the removal needle is completely protected from the collecting process. A spring device is arranged between the needle holder and the outer protective sleeve. The needle holder is held by means of a clamping fit in the adjustment sleeve, whereby for appropriate use the adjustment sleeve is displaced relative to the outer protective sleeve, and then the spring device is preloaded. At the same time one end of the collecting needle moves out of the protective sleeve so that the collecting procedure can be performed. In this case the spacings or stops between a grip arranged on the adjustment sleeve and the protective sleeve interacting therewith are defined, so that for a correctly performed collecting procedure the spring device is only preloaded sufficiently that the secure fit of the needle holder in the adjustment sleeve is not released. In this position there is a mutual locking between the protective sleeve and the adjustment sleeve, in order to avoid repeated pulling apart between the latter. After the collection procedure the displaceable grip on the adjustment sleeve is moved into a further position spaced apart from the protective sleeve, whereby due to this spacing there can be a further relative displacement between the protective sleeve and the adjustment sleeve, and the secure fit of the needle holder is achieved by the preloaded spring device, and after releasing the secure fit the needle holder returns into the inner chamber of the adjustment sleeve. The disadvantage of this is that a large number of adjustment procedures need to be carried out between the individual components of the collecting device in order to ensure reliable functioning. At the same time it is possible to reach into the inside of the adjustment sleeve, which can result in unwanted needle stick injuries for the operating personnel.

A further safety collecting device is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2002/0099355 A1 in which the entire needle holder with the injection needle for the blood sample collecting tube arranged thereon and arranged at an angle in a separate longitudinal guide can be returned by an operator from the position of use to the disposal position. The disadvantage of this is that in the disposal position it is still possible to reach into the inner chamber of the holding device.

The objective of the invention is achieved in that the cover element is formed by an approximately disc-shaped main body arranged in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, whereby the cover element is arranged in the position of use of the needle holder adjacent to the latter on the side in the holding chamber averted from the proximal end, and in that the releasable locking device is arranged between the cover element and the holding container, with which the cover element is held in the position of use of the needle holder relative to the holding container, and in that a further adjusting device in the form of an elastically deformable spring element, in particular a compression spring, is arranged between the needle holder and the cover element, whereby on releasing the locking device the cover element is adjusted relative to the needle holder in the direction of the longitudinal axis by the additional adjusting device in the direction of the distal end of the holding container. The resulting surprising advantage of this is that in this way with the smallest longitudinal extension in the direction of the longitudinal axis, on the one hand, the insertion of the blood sample collecting tube for the correct collecting procedure and the injection procedure is made possible in one end of the cannula and, on the other hand, in the disposal position an operationally reliable covering of this cannula end is made possible. Furthermore, by means of the immediately adjacent arrangement of the needle holder and the cover element inside the holding container, the entire holding device is ready for appropriate use without any need for preparative steps, and the locking device can be released by the respective operator single-handedly. This can be achieved very easily by the arrangement of the locking device on the holding container by the preloaded and locked cover element in cooperation with the also preloaded needle holder. In this way, on the one hand, the needle holder is held in position in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding container in its position of use and, on the other hand, after releasing the locking device the cover element by means of this additional adjusting device is arranged with simultaneous displacement of the needle holder spaced apart from the latter in the disposal position inside the holding container, and thus the automatic covering of one needle end of the needle arrangement is ensured. In this way, on the one hand, a safe operation is ensured and once the collecting procedure has been completed a secure closure of the inner chamber by the cover element for the cannula end facing the inner chamber or the distal end is achieved. In this way unintentional access to the inner chamber and the risk of unwanted needle stick injury is prevented, whereby the risk of infection to the operator is much reduced, if not eliminated. At the same time however an inexpensive holding device is created which requires only a small number of components and at the same offers a high degree of operational safety.

A further embodiment according to claim 2 is also advantageous as thereby the needle holder can also be returned safely into its disposal position even after a longer storage period, and thus a high degree of operational safety is ensured. It is also advantageous in this case that by a simple operation, in particular a single-handed operation. there is not need for additional sequences to be carried out merely due to the symmetrical release of the locking device, and thus the end of the needle arrangement designed for removal or collection, for example from the arteries or veins of a patient, can be withdrawn by the first adjusting device without further changing of position of the holding container relative to the patient. At the same time, the other end of the double-ended cannula is also covered in the region of the distal end, whereby access and thus associated needle stick injury is reliably prevented from both ends of the cannula. In this way a simple one-handed operation is possible, in which the two ends of the needle arrangement are arranged inside the holding container, and in the region of the distal end unintentional needle stick injury can be avoided.

A design according to claim 3 is also advantageous, as thereby, on the one hand, the needle holder is positioned in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding container in its position of use, and, on the other hand, after releasing the locking device the cover element is arranged by means of the further adjusting device with a simultaneous adjustment of the needle holder spaced apart from the latter in the disposal position inside the holding container, and thus the automatic covering of one needle end of the needle arrangement is ensured.

By means of the design according to claim 4 it is possible to arrange the needle holder between the two adjusting devices, whereby the insertion of the needle holder from the larger end to the smaller end is made possible.

According to a different embodiment according to claim 5 a simple structural unit is created, inside which the needle holder can be clamped between the windings, and thus, on the one hand, there can be a precise longitudinal positioning in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the holding container and, on the other hand, a compact structural unit can be obtained. Furthermore, by means of the conically expanding additional adjusting devices the assembly of the needle holder with the adjusting device can be much simplified.

In the design according to claim 5 it is an advantage, on the one hand, that there can be an unhindered longitudinal displacement of the cover element in the direction of the longitudinal axis, inside the holding chamber, and, on the other hand, at the same time the holding chamber is covered by the cover element over a large part of the cross-sectional surface.

By means of the development according to claim 8, with the least space in the position of use the end of the cannula facing the blood sample collecting tube can penetrate the cover element, and in the disposal position despite this the cover element can securely cover this end.

By means of the design according to claim 9 residue on the cannula needle or the protective sheath surrounding the latter can be suctioned off or removed during the relative adjustment movement between the cover element and the needle holder, and thus infection caused by spraying out of individual particles, especially body fluids such as blood or the like, can be prevented.

A design according to claim 10 is also advantageous as thereby, on the one hand, the cover element can be mounted securely and in association with this the needle holder can be secured inside the holding container, and, on the other hand, the user can perform an even release by means of the diametrically opposite locking elements. In this way the tilting of the components to be adjusted inside the holding container is also prevented.

According to the designs described in claims 11 to 13, a simple interaction of the locking elements on the cover element with the locking recesses arranged in the container wall can be achieved, whereby here a simple operation i.e. simple pressure in the direction of the longitudinal axis, i.e. the centre of the holding container, is performed for releasing the locking device. Due to the multiple arrangement of the locking elements on the cover element on releasing the locking device by means of the additional locking elements the cover element can be supported or centred relative to the holding container, whereby a secure release with a simultaneously associated guiding performed immediately afterwards is achieved during the entire adjustment up to the disposal position.

The design according to claim 14 is also advantageous, as thereby a simple operation of the locking device is made possible from the outside of the holding container.

As described in claim 15, on the one hand, an unintentional release due to the possible projection of the locking elements on the outer surface of the container wall is prevented, and, on the other hand, the required displacement path for triggering the locking device is set to a predeterminable path, in order to prevent misuse or unintentional triggering.

A design according to claim 16 is advantageous, as thereby there is continuously a secure locking of the locking device in the position of use and thus a high degree of operational safety is achieved for the entire holding device.

According to the designs described in claims 17 and 18, the main body is spaced apart from the inner surface of the holding container, whereby the guiding arrangement between the cover element and the holding container is reduced to a small area viewed in radial direction relative to the entire circumference and thus a smooth and tilt-free guiding arrangement is provided.

A further development according to claim 19 is also advantageous, as in this way, on the one hand, for the assembly procedure and, on the other hand, over the entire displacement of the cover element between its two end positions, the adjusting device is constantly held in a predeterminable position on the main body and thereby a smooth sequence of movement is ensured.

According to advantageous developments according to claims 20 to 23, during the relative adjustment of the cover element in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the holding container, a tilt-free longitudinal movement is ensured, without the cover element being able to rotate about the longitudinal axis.

In the design according to claim 24 it is advantageous, that over the entire displacement path of the cover element the distance between the groove base of the guiding groove and the longitudinal axis is constant. In this way a secure longitudinal adjustment of the cover element is achieved between its two end positions.

The design according to claim 25 ensures with a perfect guiding in the direction of the longitudinal axis an aligned arrangement and releasing of the locking device.

A further embodiment according to claim 26 is also advantageous, as thereby also the cover element is guided continually over its entire longitudinal movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis between its two end positions, and thus a high degree of operational safety of the entire holding device can be achieved.

A development according to claim 27 is also advantageous, as in this way a parallel alignment of the guide tracks relative to the longitudinal axis is achieved, and thus over the entire displacement path the distance between the longitudinal axis and the guide tracks remains the same.

By means of the design according to claim 28, it is possible to achieve perfect guiding between the position of use and the disposal position of the parts to be displaced inside the holding container, whereby a high degree of operational safety and thereby sufficient protection for the operating personnel is ensured.

Further advantageous design of the guiding arrangement are described in claims 29 to 31.

The advantage in this case is that by means of the bearing force applied by the locking elements on the guide track, the cover element is always aligned centrally to the longitudinal axis, and due to the predeterminable bearing force constant frictional ratios, provided there is a constant surface quality, can be achieved for the entire displacement.

Further advantageous designs of the additional guiding arrangement are characterised in claims 32 to 34, whereby for the needle holder a predetermined, straight guiding arrangement has also been provided, by means of which a secure adjustment of the latter from the position of use to the disposal position is made possible. By means of the multiple arrangement of the guiding elements a tilt-free and mainly rotationally secure longitudinal movement is performed.

By means of the design according to claim 36, in addition to the guiding elements in the region of the inner surface of the holding container an additional further guiding possibility is created, whereby the needle holder can be adjusted more precisely in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

By means of the further developments of the additional guide arrangement, according to claims 37 to 40, on the one hand, a precise and mainly rotationally secure longitudinal guiding of the needle holder is achieved in the region of the inner surface of the holding container, and, on the other hand a longitudinal movement into the disposal position is ensured, so that the risk of injury to the operating personnel is much reduced.

The design according to claim 41 is advantageous, as thereby longitudinal displacement can occur in the region between the cover element and the inner surface of the holding container, whereby unintentional access to the inner chamber of the holding container closed off by the cover element is reliably prevented.

According to claim 42 the simple insertion of the structural unit formed by the needle holder and the cover element into the holding container is made possible, whereby support is provided in the region of the other end for the structural unit spring-mounted there.

In the design according to claim 43 in the region of the end wall a longitudinal guide for the needle holder is created, in order to absorb lateral loads during correct usage, and then after the correct usage to permit a simple sliding movement between said components.

According to claim 44 for the adjusting device a holding chamber for the adjusting device separate from the needle holder is made possible, in order over the smallest area to store a sufficient restoring force applied by the adjusting device, and in addition to prevent clampinging between the components during appropriate use.

By means of the design according to claim 45 a double-ended collection needle can be inserted in the sleeve-shaped carrier body, whereby in the region of the outer surface there can be additional support on the holding container.

In the design according to claim 46 it is advantageous that here the adjusting devices can be supported to secure the position of the entire needle holder during its correct usage in: the position of use.

Advantageous designs and arrangements of the adjusting devices on the support element are described in claims 47 to 49, as thereby with defined positioning of the needle holder relative to the holding container, also during assembly, a simple and mainly easily assembled structural unit is created.

Further advantageous designs of the needle holder are described in claims 50 to 52, whereby all-round continuous support for the first adjusting device with simultaneous centering of the latter relative to the needle holder can be achieved. By means of the tubular depression for the additional adjusting device a predeterminable support position is created, whereby the needle holder is positioned between the two adjusting devices, and thus a high degree of operational safety can be achieved. Furthermore, the centring element can also be used for the oriented alignment of the needle holder for insertion into the holding container, in order to be able thus to secure the alignment of the needle arrangement to be used into the thread arrangement relative to the locking device.

As described in claims 53 to 54 a predefined positioning of the cannula tip, in particular the tapered section for the insertion of the needle, can be created relative to the locking device, in order to permit simple one-handed use without the risk of a stick injury caused by otherwise necessary adjustment procedures.

By means of the design according to claim 55 simple handling is achieved for the use of the collecting needle in the needle holder, as here the entire collecting container can be held simply, and the collecting needle can be simply screwed into the needle holder without requiring further fixing.

Further advantageous designs of the cover element and the holding container are characterised in claims 56 to 59, whereby a repeat return of the cover element into the holding chamber of the holding container is prevented, and thus an undesired stick injury can be prevented along with the associated risk of possible infection.

In the design according to claim 60 an undesired removal of the cover element from of the holding chamber of the holding container is prevented, whereby in cooperation with the restoring elements, clear fixing of position in the direction of the longitudinal axis is created. Furthermore, in this way the spring force of the adjusting devices can be increased, as thus an undesired removal is reliably prevented.

A design as described in claim 61 is also possible, as thereby an additional anti-rotational means for the cover element about the longitudinal axis relative to the holding container is provided.

By means of the developments according to claims 62 and 63 in the region of the distal end, on the one hand, the assembly is made simple with a not yet inserted securing element, and on the other hand, after the insertion of the securing element into the holding container the entire holding device has a high degree of operational safety.

A design according to claim 64 is also advantageous, as thereby a precise insertion of the securing element into the distal end of the holding container is possible, and at the same time in cooperation with the flange-shaped step a definite positioning inside the holding container can be achieved.

Developments according to claims 65 to 68 are also advantageous, as in this case, on the one hand, the insertion of the securing elements is made easy by the projecting positioning elements, and on the other hand, a stop for the displacement path of the needle holder, and thereby a secure positioning of the latter inside the holding container in is achieved in the disposal position. In this way the needle holder can be pressurised with a greater spring force by the adjusting device, by means of which the latter is then pressed securely against the positioning elements.

Other designs are also possible, in which the cover element in the disposal position of the holding device in both directions is held in the direction of the longitudinal axis on the securing element. In this way the cover element can be pressurised by the additional adjusting device with a greater spring force, in order to achieve a secure adjustment of the latter to the disposal position. This is mainly significant for the locking elements arranged on the holding arm, as the latter have to be adjusted to obtain the disposal position by means of the retaining elements, in order to reach the disposal position.

Finally, an embodiment is advantageous, in which even in the disposal position, pivoting and rotation about the longitudinal axis are prevented, and thus subsequent manipulation is prevented. In this way, on the one hand, injury to the operating personnel can be prevented, and on the other hand, the reuse of the entire holding device with the already unlocked locking device can also be prevented.

The invention is explained in more detail in the following with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the holding device according to the invention in cross section, and in a simplified schematic view, in its position of use;

FIG. 2 shows the holding device according to FIG. 1 in the disposal position of the needle holder and simplified schematic view;

FIG. 3 shows the holding container for the holding device according to FIGS. 1 and 2, in diagrammatically simplified view;

FIG. 4 shows the holding container according to FIG. 3 in a different, diagrammatically simplified view;

FIG. 5 shows the needle holder for the holding device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 with a needle arrangement inserted therein in a diagrammatically simplified view;

FIG. 6 shows the cover element for the holding device according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in diagrammatically simplified view;

FIG. 7 shows an additional holding device in the position of use, in cross section in side view and simplified schematic view;

FIG. 8 shows the holding device according to FIG. 7 in the disposal position, in cross section in side view, but rotated by 90.degree. compared to FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows the holding container according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in simplified perspective view;

FIG. 10 shows the holding container according to FIG. 9 in a different simplified perspective view;

FIG. 11 shows the cover element according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in simplified perspective view;

FIG. 12 shows the cover element according to FIG. 11 in a different simplified perspective view;

FIG. 13 shows the needle holder according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in simplified perspective view;

FIG. 14 shows the needle holder according to FIG. 13 in a different simplified perspective view;

FIG. 15 shows the securing element according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in simplified perspective view;

FIG. 16 shows the securing element according to FIG. 15 in a different simplified perspective view;

FIG. 17 shows the holding device according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in a view of the distal end but with a removed securing element;

FIG. 18 shows the holding device according to FIGS. 7 and 8 in a simplified perspective view in its disposal position, but with removed holding container and a modification of the anti-rotational means in the region of the needle holder compared to the view in FIGS. 13 and 14.

First of all, it should be mentioned that in the various embodiments described the same parts are allocated the same reference numbers and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numbers or same component names. In addition, the descriptions of positions such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. refer to the drawing currently being described, and when the position changes should be understood to apply to the new position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described can represent independent, inventive solutions of the invention.

In FIGS. 1 to 6 a holding device 1 for a holding vessel, not shown here in detail, such as a generally known blood sample tube, is illustrated in a simplified manner, and the latter comprises an outer holding container 2 and cover element 3 inserted therein and a needle holder 4 with a mostly double-ended cannula needle 5.

The holding container 2 has a longitudinal shape and defines a holding chamber 7 with its container wall 6. In the direction of the longitudinal axis 8 the holding device 1 or the holding container 2 comprises a proximal end 9 and a distal end 10 spaced apart from one another. The container wall 6 is delimited by an inner surface 11 facing the holding chamber 7 and an outer surface 12 facing away from the latter. In the embodiment shown here one of the two ends--in the present embodiment the distal end 10 is designed to be open and the other end--here the proximal end 9--is designed to be at least partly closed. The proximal end 9, which is partly closed here, is partially closed by an end wall 13.

In general, it should be pointed out that the two ends 9, 10 have been named from the perspective of the patient. Thus the proximal end 9 faces the patient and the distal end 10 is furthest away from the latter.

In the position of use of the needle holder 4 and a needle arrangement 14 mountable therein shown in FIG. 1, which in the present embodiment is in the form of a double-ended cannula 5, one end, which is designed for inserting into a living being or a collecting vessel, projects over the end wall 13 in the direction opposite the holding chamber 7. The other end of the cannula 5 projects over a partial section into the holding chamber 7 of the holding container 2, whereby in a known manner a holding vessel not shown in more detail here, in particular a blood sample collecting tube is inserted into the holding chamber 7 and the sealing device of the blood sample collecting tube is pierced by this end of the cannula 5, and thus a connection via the cannula 5 can be made with the inner chamber of the blood sample collecting tube. Furthermore, the needle holder 4 in the holding chamber 7 of the holding container 2 is designed to be displaceable relative to the latter, as required from the position of use shown in FIG. 1 in the region of the proximal end 9 in the direction of the distal end 10 into a di