Abstract: A needle assembly having a single-handedly activatable needle barrier includes a needle cannula having a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen therethrough connected to a needle hub having an interior cavity in fluid communication with the needle cannula. A guide element is connected to the needle hub and includes an aperture therethrough. An elongate barrier arm having a proximal end and a distal end is provided. The distal end of the barrier arm includes a barrier element having a needle passageway therethrough. The barrier arm is positioned within the aperture of the guide element and the needle cannula is positioned at least partially within the needle passageway of the barrier element.

Abstract: A detachable balloon catheter device comprises a hollow cannula adapted for attachment to a fluid source. An inflatable balloon is detachably connected to an end of the cannula in fluid communication therewith. A closure is adapted to seal the balloon internally after it is inflated with fluid from the source responsive to withdrawing movement of the cannula from the balloon in the proximal direction.Use of the balloon catheter device substantially as described above to occlude a vessel is also contemplated by the present invention.