Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A contaminated syringe guard comprising: a cylindrical wall; ends attached about their periphery to the cylindrical wall, forming a cavity with the cylindrical wall and between the ends and at least one end including a recess disposed in a substantially central position in the end; an asterisk aperture disposed in at least one end at a base of the recess, which aperture is comprised of a plurality of cuts in the end radiating outward from the aperture and extending toward, but not reaching, the periphery of the end wherein the cuts terminate in proximity to the asterisk aperture in aperture points which are adapted to flex downwardly when a syringe needle hub is inserted into the asterisk aperture thereby lockingly engaging the syringe needle hub; and a seal disposed within the cavity in proximity to the asterisk aperture, said seal being adapted to be readily penetrated by a syringe needle, but resisting leaks of fluid from within the cavity after penetration by the needle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A contaminated syringe guard comprising: a cylindrical wall; ends attached about their periphery to the cylindrical wall, forming a cavity with the cylindrical wall and between the ends and at least one end including a recess disposed in a substantially central position in the end; an asterisk aperture disposed in at least one end at a base of the recess, which aperture is comprised of a plurality of cuts in the end radiating outward from the aperture and extending toward, but not reaching, the periphery of the end wherein the cuts terminate in proximity to the asterisk aperture in aperture points which are adapted to flex downwardly when a syringe needle hub is inserted into the asterisk aperture thereby lockingly engaging the syringe needle hub; and a seal disposed within the cavity in proximity to the asterisk aperture, said seal being adapted to be readily penetrated by a syringe needle, but resisting leaks of fluid from within the cavity after penetration by the needle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The guard of claim 1 in which an asterisk aperture is disposed in both ends.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of guarding against accidental needle sticks from a syringe contaminated with body fluids comprising: placing a contaminated syringe guard on a substantially horizontal surface in a configuration where an end is directed upward; grasping a contaminated syringe by a plunger end away from the contaminated needle; moving the contaminated syringe needle away from any portion of any body and toward and asterisk aperture having a plurality of flexible aperture points disposed about a circumference of the asterisk aperture and disposed in at least one end of the contaminated syringe guard; directing the contaminated syringe needle in a downward motion into the asterisk aperture; inserting the contaminated syringe into the asterisk aperture far enough so that a needle hub disposed between the needle and the syringe flexes the aperture points in a downwardly engaging direction and lockingly engages the needle hub with the downwardly engaging aperture points; picking up a combination of the contaminated syringe and contaminated syringe guard; directing said combination in a disposal motion toward a medical waste container; and placing said combination in the medical waste container.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of guarding against accidental needle sticks from a syringe contaminated with body fluids comprising: placing a contaminated syringe guard on a substantially horizontal surface in a configuration where an end is directed upward; grasping a contaminated syringe by a plunger end away from the contaminated needle; moving the contaminated syringe needle away from any portion of any body and toward and asterisk aperture having a plurality of flexible aperture points disposed about a circumference of the asterisk aperture and disposed in at least one end of the contaminated syringe guard; directing the contaminated syringe needle in a downward motion into the asterisk aperture; inserting the contaminated syringe into the asterisk aperture far enough so that a needle hub disposed between the needle and the syringe flexes the aperture points in a downwardly engaging direction and lockingly engages the needle hub with the downwardly engaging aperture points; picking up a combination of the contaminated syringe and contaminated syringe guard; directing said combination in a disposal motion toward a medical waste container; and placing said combination in the medical waste container.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 3 which further comprises placing the contaminated needle into the asterisk aperture a sufficient distance that a point of said needle penetrates a seal disposed within a cavity contained in proximity to the asterisk aperture, said seal being adapted to resist leakage of fluid from within the cavity after penetration by the needle.