Abstract: A protector guard housing is disclosed for a catheter type needle apparatus to prevent accidental needle puncture. The guard housing is initially positioned between the hub of the catheter and the handle of the needle which slidably extends through the catheter in a known manner. A detent mechanism initially retains the forward end of the guard to the catheter hub while needle supports within the guard permits the needle to axially move relative to the guard. When the needle is withdrawn from the catheter after site puncture, a resilient closure wall formed in the protector closes the protector's forward end while the needle's cutting end is simultaneously wedged into contact with friction retention material in the protector. The needle's cutting end is thus encapsulated within the protector when the detent mechanism releases the protector from the catheter.

Abstract: A protector for needle apparatus which includes a conventional catheter slidingly receiving a needle. The catheter has a hub portion at its distal end which is initially adjacent the needle portion. An especially configured guard housing has an open ended, cylindrical base portion which slidably receives the catheter's hub portion and a closable front wall which is resiliently biased into an open position when the guard housing is positioned over the catheter hub. A tether between the guard housing and needle handle permits the needle, after puncture, to be withdrawn into the base portion of the guard when the tether pulls the guard off the catheter hub at which point the front wall closes the opening of the base portion to prevent inadvertent needle puncture.