Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided which is slidably movable along a medical needle from a proximal position where a distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield protects the distal end of the needle. The medical needle shield apparatus includes a binding member having an aperture through which the needle passes. The binding member also has binding surfaces for binding to a medical needle. The shield apparatus also includes a retainer integral with the binding member and in communication with the needle for temporarily retaining the binding surfaces in a non-binding position relative to the needle. The shield apparatus also includes a positioning member for positioning the binding surfaces to secure the shield to the needle when a portion of the retainer in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle. A housing may be included for enclosing the shield apparatus.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the inner bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the outer bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub having an outer needle cannula extending therefrom. An inner needle is disposed for slidable movement with the outer needle cannula. At least one shield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the inner needle. The shield includes a binding member disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle. The binding member includes at least one drag inducing member that engages the inner needle during slidable receipt to create a drag force. The drag force facilitates rotation of the binding member such that the binding surfaces engage the inner needle to prevent slidable movement. The binding member further includes a needle communicating surface extending therefrom that is engageable with the inner needle to prevent rotation of the binding member.

Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled vial is provided. After use, the needle is retracted into the body of the device to prevent inadvertent contact with the sharpened end of the needle. In one embodiment, the invention provides a manually actuable button that effectuates retraction of the needle after use. In another embodiment, retraction is effectuated automatically after the injection is complete.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a syringe (10) for administering injections of medicinal fluids to a patient or withdrawal of fluid, such as blood from a patient. More specifically the present invention is a syringe device (10) for injecting medication or withdrawing fluid, wherein after use the needle (60) is shielded (15) against inadvertent contact to prevent needle sticks.

Abstract: Pre-filled injection ampoules for administering a readily-available dose of fluid medication, are provided with a retractable needle. The needle is held in a projecting configuration from a barrel against a rearward bias exerted on the needle by a spring located within a spring housing. A piston is positioned within the barrel for expelling the fluid medication therefrom. The piston is configured to release the needle after completion of an injection stroke and to receive the needle in an internal cavity. In alternative embodiments, a retractable-needle injection device includes a housing for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge of the type having a slidable piston positioned therein. A stationary plunger is located within the housing for maintaining the piston at a fixed location as the cartridge is urged into the housing to administer an injection. After the end of an injection stroke, the cartridge is further urged into the housing to release a effectuate retraction.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub having an outer needle cannula extending therefrom. An inner needle is disposed for slidable movement with the outer needle cannula. At least one shield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the inner needle. The shield includes a binding member disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle. The binding member includes a binding member reset surface aligned with a hub reset surface for engagement therewith to allow reuse of a shielded needle apparatus.

Abstract: Needle-bearing medical devices are provided for fluid infusion, fluid transfusion, and inserting a guide wire. After use the needle is shielded to render the contaminated needle safe to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes a housing and a needle having a sharpened tip. A biasing element biases the needle toward a position in which the sharpened tip is shielded.

Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a shield that is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of a needle. A binding member is disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the needle between the retracted position and the extended position. The binding member includes at least one drag-inducing member extending therefrom that is configured for slidable engagement with the needle between the retracted position and the extended position such that the at least one drag-inducing member engages the needle to create a drag force with the needle. The drag force causes rotation of the binding member relative to a longitudinal axis of the needle such that the binding surfaces engage the needle to prevent slidable movement of the needle in the extended position of the shield.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a shield being extensible from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the shield includes a first segment mounted to a medical needle device having a needle extending therefrom. The shield further includes a second segment articulating from the first segment and a third segment articulating from the first segment, wherein the second segment includes an engagement surface. The shield further includes a fourth segment articulating from the second segment and the third segment. The engagement surface of the second segment is engageable to urge the shield from the retracted position such that the second segment and the third segment cooperate to extend the shield to the extended position, whereby the fourth segment substantially encloses a distal end of the needle.

Abstract: A needle safety apparatus is disclosed which includes an inner bearing disposed within an outer bearing. The inner bearing is moveable to extend telescopically in a first interior space defined by the outer bearing. A second interior space is defined by the inner bearing, while extendable linkage segments connect the hub to the inner bearing. A hub retains the proximal end of a needle, while the distal end of the needle extends through the second interior space. A wedging portion is movable with the inner bearing and pivots to secure the distal end of the needle within the second interior space when the distal end of the needle is retracted therethrough. A latch may be formed in the outer bearing to obstruct the first interior space and prevent the inner bearing from retracting therethrough.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a first housing configured to actuate a needle cannula. A second housing is releasably engageable with the first housing. The needle cannula is disposed for slidable movement with the second housing such that the second housing is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the needle cannula. The second housing includes a binding member that defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the needle cannula. The binding member includes a drag inducing member that engages the needle cannula during slidable receipt of the needle cannula to create a drag force. The drag force and second housing facilitate rotation of the binding member relative to a longitudinal axis of the needle cannula such that the binding surfaces engage the needle cannula to prevent slidable movement of the needle cannula.

Abstract: A passively activated shielding device for a catheter insertion needle. Disclosure of shielding devices according to the instant invention is provided in four embodiments. Unreleasible locking apparatus is the major differentiator in three of the devices. An accordionated or folded needle shield which markedly reduces preshielded length of one of the embodiments is the major differentiator in a fourth embodiment. Each embodiment employs a mechanical sensor which detects presence of the catheter insertion needle and its tip insertion needle within protective cover of a needle shield and passively responds to provide separation of the needle shield from an associated catheter assembly.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided which is slidably movable along a medical needle from a proximal position where a distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield protects the distal end of the needle. The medical needle shield apparatus includes a binding member having an aperture through which the needle passes. The binding member also has binding surfaces for binding to a medical needle. The shield apparatus also includes a retainer integral with the binding member and in communication with the needle for temporarily retaining the binding surfaces in a non-binding position relative to the needle. The shield apparatus also includes a positioning member for positioning the binding surfaces to secure the shield to the needle when a portion of the retainer in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle. A housing may be included for enclosing the shield apparatus.

Abstract: A medical needle shield apparatus is provided that includes a needle hub having an outer needle cannula extending therefrom. An inner needle is disposed for slidable movement with the outer needle cannula. At least one shield is extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the inner needle. The shield includes a binding member disposed within the shield and defines binding surfaces that form an aperture configured for slidable receipt of the inner needle. The binding member includes at least one drag inducing member that engages the inner needle during slidable receipt to create a drag force. The drag force facilitates rotation of the binding member such that the binding surfaces engage the inner needle to prevent slidable movement. The binding member further includes a needle communicating surface extending therefrom that is engageable with the inner needle to prevent rotation of the binding member.

Abstract: Medical needle shield apparatus for covering a needle after use. The medical needle shield apparatus is for use with a needle having proximal and distal ends, wherein the shield is slidably movable along the needle from a proximal position where the distal end of the needle is exposed, to a distal position where the shield covers the distal end of the needle. The shield comprises one or more clips having two or more apertures through which the needle passes, wherein the apertures have surfaces. A clip positioning member, in communication with at least one of the clips, positions the aperture surfaces of at least one of the clips when a portion of the clip positioning member in contact with the needle is advanced past the distal end of the needle such that at least a portion of the aperture surfaces of the two or more apertures binds to the needle with opposing binding forces so as to secure the shield to the needle.

Abstract: A retractable and extendable medical needle protective shield which provides opportunity for accessing and reaccessing a medical needle and associated sharpened needle tip and recovering the needle and tip for safety between accesses. The shield includes a needle guide which assures the needle tip is untouched by any part of the shield as the shield is displaced to cover and uncover the needle. A releasible latch is provided to guard against inadvertent removal of the protective shield between accesses. An unreleasible latch is also provided to secure the shield relative to the latch preparatory to final disposal.

Abstract: A retractable and extendable medical needle protective shield which provides opportunity for accessing and reaccessing a medical needle and associated sharpened needle tip and recovering the needle and tip for safety between accesses. The shield includes a needle guide which assures the needle tip is untouched by any part of the shield as the shield is displaced to cover and uncover the needle. A releasible latch is provided to guard against inadvertent removal of the protective shield between accesses. An unreleasible latch is also provided to secure the shield relative to the latch preparatory to final disposal. In combination with the protective shield, a plurality of adapters are disclosed which provide examples of passively operated, protected access to membrane pierceable fluid sources such as a “Y” connection site of an IV set line, a drug vial, a vacuum sample tube, an umbilical cord holder and a hypodermic site.