Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
352 words
An apparatus for propelling a needle bearing device into biological tissue comprising: an inner sleeve forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for removably receiving said needle bearing device, said inner sleeve having first and second spaced apart recesses disposed in the outer surface thereof, said first recess being of a greater depth than said second recess; an outer sleeve forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for receiving and for permitting the movement therein of said inner sleeve between first and second positions, said outer sleeve having at least one aperture disposed therethrough; biasing means for biasing said inner sleeve into said first position relative to said outer sleeve; ball bearing means dimensioned to reside within said at least one aperture and to selectively reside within said second recess when aligned with said aperture when said inner sleeve is in said second position relative to said outer sleeve; and locking sleeve means forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for receiving and for permitting the movement therein between first and second positions of a portion of said outer sleeve adjacent to said at least one aperture disposed therein, said locking sleeve including an inner wall surface for forcing said ball bearing means into said second recess, when said outer sleeve is in said second position relative to said locking sleeve means, so as to lock the position of said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve, when said inner sleeve is in said second position thereof relative to said outer sleeve, longitudinal force on said locking sleeve means in a direction urging the same from said second position relative to said outer sleeve causing said ball bearing means to disengage said raised surface and said inner sleeve to shift position from said second position to said first position relative to said outer sleeve as a result of the action of said biasing means thereon, said first recess being provided to accept said ball bearing means during assembly of said apparatus, said first recess being of sufficient depth to permit the passage of said locking sleeve means over said ball bearing means during said assembly.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
352 words
An apparatus for propelling a needle bearing device into biological tissue comprising: an inner sleeve forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for removably receiving said needle bearing device, said inner sleeve having first and second spaced apart recesses disposed in the outer surface thereof, said first recess being of a greater depth than said second recess; an outer sleeve forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for receiving and for permitting the movement therein of said inner sleeve between first and second positions, said outer sleeve having at least one aperture disposed therethrough; biasing means for biasing said inner sleeve into said first position relative to said outer sleeve; ball bearing means dimensioned to reside within said at least one aperture and to selectively reside within said second recess when aligned with said aperture when said inner sleeve is in said second position relative to said outer sleeve; and locking sleeve means forming an open-ended longitudinal chamber therein for receiving and for permitting the movement therein between first and second positions of a portion of said outer sleeve adjacent to said at least one aperture disposed therein, said locking sleeve including an inner wall surface for forcing said ball bearing means into said second recess, when said outer sleeve is in said second position relative to said locking sleeve means, so as to lock the position of said inner sleeve relative to said outer sleeve, when said inner sleeve is in said second position thereof relative to said outer sleeve, longitudinal force on said locking sleeve means in a direction urging the same from said second position relative to said outer sleeve causing said ball bearing means to disengage said raised surface and said inner sleeve to shift position from said second position to said first position relative to said outer sleeve as a result of the action of said biasing means thereon, said first recess being provided to accept said ball bearing means during assembly of said apparatus, said first recess being of sufficient depth to permit the passage of said locking sleeve means over said ball bearing means during said assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first and second recesses are annular and are each disposed in planes substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said inner sleeve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein said at least one aperture comprises a plurality of radially disposed apertures, said ball bearing means comprising a plurality of ball bearings, one of said ball bearings being disposed in each of said apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein said inner wall surface on the interior of said locking sleeve is annular, the edge of said inner wall surface being beveled to form a ramp to facilitate the movement of said ball bearings onto said inner wall surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said locking sleeve means comprises a collar portion and a nose portion, said nose portion having a tapered end for contact with said biological tissue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said inner sleeve comprises clamp means for clamping a portion of said elongated device thereto to secure the same therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said biasing means comprises a helical spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, further in combination with a holder for a lancet or the like comprising an elongated body for disposition and retention within said inner sleeve, said elongated body further comprising retaining means for retaining a lancet or the like.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said retaining means comprises a depression disposed in one end of said elongated body, said depression dimensioned for frictionally retaining therein a portion of a lancet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said holder further comprises a head, said shaft and head being simulative of a hypodermic syringe.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
80 words
A lancet holder for use in conjunction with an apparatus for propelling the needle of a hypodermic syringe into biological tissue comprising: an elongated body portion having first and second ends; a head portion disposed at said first end of said elongated body portion, said head portion and said body portion substantially simulating the shape of a hypodermic syringe; and retaining means for retaining a portion of a lancet disposed adjacent to said second end of said elongated body portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A lancet holder for use in conjunction with an apparatus for propelling the needle of a hypodermic syringe into biological tissue comprising: an elongated body portion having first and second ends; a head portion disposed at said first end of said elongated body portion, said head portion and said body portion substantially simulating the shape of a hypodermic syringe; and retaining means for retaining a portion of a lancet disposed adjacent to said second end of said elongated body portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lancet holder in accordance with claim 11, wherein said retaining means comprises a recess disposed in said second end of said elongated body, said recess dimensioned to capture and frictionally retain therein a portion of said lancet.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A lancet holder in accordance with claim 11, further comprising means for facilitating the grasping of said head portion by the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A lancet holder in accordance with claim 13, wherein said means for facilitating the grasping of said head portion comprises an annular recess disposed therein.