Self-sterilizing hypodermic syringe

Claim 1

A self-sterilizing hypodermic syringe for repeated use in veterinary applications or the like comprising, a hypodermic syringe including a tubular hypodermic needle fitted at one end with fluid pressure means to eject or draw fluid through said hypodermic needle, the improvement comprising a capsule containing sterilizing fluid and having perforative ends of flexible material with elastic memory tendencies for self sealing after axial perforation by the forward end of said needle, said capsule coaxially and slidably received over the forward end of said needle with the forward exposed portion of said needle slidably penetrating one end of said capsule in perforation and lodged in said sterilizing fluid, capsule guide means slidably guiding said capsule for axial movement on said needle when axial force is applied against the other end of said capsule to cause said exposed end of said needle to penetrate said other outer end of said capsule for hypodermic penetration, said capsule guide means including a rigid tubular guide sleeve coaxially received over said hypodermic needle with clearance, one end of said tubular guide sleeve removably secured to said syringe with a portion of the free forward end of said needle exposed beyond the other end of said tubular guide sleeve for hypodermic penetration, said capsule slidably receivable in said tubular guide sleeve for guided axial movement, and spring means for axially urging and positioning said capsule outward to its original position of rest, such that said exposed end portion of said needle is again enclosed in said capsule for sterilization when said force is removed.