Abstract: A retractable needle fluid transfer device is provided. The device includes a manually operable actuator for affecting retraction. Upon depressing the actuator, a spring displaces the needle rearwardly so that the contaminated needle is enclosed, thereby preventing inadvertent needle sticks. The device includes forward and rearward stops for impeding displacement of the needle after the needle is retracted. A seal prevents contaminants from entering the device after the needle is retracted. A safety sampling access port adapter for obtaining fluid samples from a fluid line is also provided. The sampling adapter includes a first end configured to cooperate with an access port attached to the fluid line. The sampling adapter further includes a collapsible socket configured to cooperate with a fluid container such as a vacuum tube. A needle assembly disposed within the housing of the sampling adapter is operable to pierce the seal on the fluid container.

Abstract: A non-reusable needle-bearing safety medical device is provided. The device is operable for inserting an intravenous catheter into a patient. The device includes a needle for piercing the patient's skin and guiding the catheter into the vein of the patient. The needle is operable in two positions, an extended position, in which the needle projects forwardly from a housing, and a retracted position, in which the needle is retracted into the barrel so that the needle is enclosed by the barrel to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the projecting position against the bias of a spring that biases the needle rearwardly toward the retracted position. After use, the operator displaces an actuator to release the needle. The spring then propels the needle rearwardly into the retracted position. In this way, the device is non-reusable and the needle is shielded to prevent contact with the sharpened tip of the contaminated needle.

Abstract: A medical device is provided for collecting fluid samples from a patient, such as blood samples. The device includes a needle having a forward sharpened tip that is retracted into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The rearward end of the housing is open, forming a socket for receiving a fluid container, such as a vacuum tube, that will receive the fluid sample. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the extended position against the rearward bias of a biasing element. After use, the medical professional retracts the needle by pressing an actuation button, allowing the biasing element to displace the needle rearwardly. A guide track guides the needle during retraction, tilting the needle off-axis.

Abstract: A hypodermic injection system with a retractable needle wherein the needle retracts within an interior cavity of a syringe plunger, such that the needle is confined within the plunger. A spring biases the needle rearwardly into the plunger, and a needle retainer releasably retains the needle against the bias of the spring. The plunger has a frangible end, which dissociates when the plunger engages the needle retainer, allowing the coiled spring to eject the needle into the interior cavity of the plunger. A body fluid sampling embodiment employs the same functional elements except the plunger is shorter and contains a linking that communicates with a vacuum container. The container allows fluid sampling and provides the structure to release the spring retracting the needle.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device. A method for inserting a catheter is also provided, in which the needle is hooded by the catheter during the insertion procedure.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. The needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device. A method for inserting a catheter is also provided, in which the needle is hooded by the catheter during the insertion procedure.

Abstract: A non-reusable needle-bearing safety medical device is provided. The device is operable for inserting an intravenous catheter into a patient. The device includes a needle for piercing the patient's skin and guiding the catheter into the vein of the patient. The needle is operable in two positions, an extended position, in which the needle projects forwardly from a housing, and a retracted position, in which the needle is retracted into the barrel so that the needle is enclosed by the barrel to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the projecting position against the bias of a spring that biases the needle rearwardly toward the retracted position. After use, the operator displaces an actuator to release the needle. The spring then propels the needle rearwardly into the retracted position. In this way, the device is non-reusable and the needle is shielded to prevent contact with the sharpened tip of the contaminated needle.

Abstract: A device for injecting fluid from a pre-filled cartridge is provided. The device includes a needle for piercing a patient. After an injection, the needle can be retracted to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the retracted position. The needle can subsequently be re-extended to administer a subsequent injection. After the cartridge is emptied, the cartridge can be removed, if desired, and replaced with another cartridge for additional injections. Alternatively, the needle can be substantially permanently retracted into the device and safely disposed of in a sharps container.

Abstract: A needle-bearing medical device is provided for 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. A connector is provided for attaching a fluid collection device to the guide wire insertion device, if desired. A guide is configured for guiding the guide wire through the port and into the needle. A method is also provided for using the medical device, in which the needle is inserted vascularly into a patient. A fluid collection device is attached to the connector of the device and blood is drawn into the fluid collection device to ensure that the needle is properly positioned within a vein or artery of the patient. A guide wire is then inserted into the patient through the device and the needle is retracted to shield the needle.

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: A safety medical device having a sharpened needle is provided. After use, the needle is retracted so that the contaminated needle is shielded to prevent inadvertent contact with the contaminated needle. In one embodiment, the device includes a barrel and a plunger that is slidable within the barrel. The sharpened needle is operable between a projecting position and a retracted position. In the projecting position, the needle projects forwardly from the front end of the barrel. In the retracted position, the needle is shielded to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle. When the plunger is displaced forwardly to expel fluid from the barrel, the plunger actuates retraction so that the needle is automatically retracted after use. The needle may be included as an element of a needle assembly that is connectable with the barrel. The needle assembly includes a spring for biasing the needle toward the retracted position and a connector for attaching the needle to the barrel.

Abstract: A pre-filled injection device having a retractable needle with a sharpened tip for penetrating the skin of a patient for administering medicinal fluids is provided. The pre-filled injection device of the present invention allows the needle to be manually retracted, thereby reducing the risk of transmission of various pathogens, most notably human immune virus (HIV), to infected personnel, due to an inadvertent needle stick. The present pre-filled injection device has a hollow housing which receives a pre-filled cartridge containing medicinal fluids. A needle retainer initially holds a needle projecting forwardly from the hollow housing. The rear end of the needle pierces the pre-filled cartridge when sufficient pressure is applied to the end of the pre-filled cartridge to advance it in the forward direction. A plunger is slidably displaceable within the housing. A latch member is operable in a latched position to prevent forward movement of the plunger.

Abstract: Needle retraction mechanism for a medical device comprising a spring housing at the forward end of the device having an aperture for aligning a needle therein such that the needle extends forwardly out of the device. A spring is positioned concentrically about the needle and compressed within the spring housing. The needle is held within the spring housing against the expansive force of the spring by a needle retainer. The needle retainer forms the rear of the spring housing and comprises a plurality of axially extending resilient fingers. An actuating member, comprising a cavity for receiving the needle, is slidably positioned within a barrel of the device. The actuating member further comprises a forward facing shoulder surface formed to mate with rearward facing angled surfaces on the fingers.

Abstract: A catheter insertion device is provided for inserting an over-the-needle catheter. The device includes an insertion needle that is retractable into the housing of the device after use to prevent exposure to the contaminated needle. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in an extended position against the rearward bias of the biasing element. The needle retainer engages the hub of the catheter so that when the catheter is removed from the insertion device, the needle retainer automatically releases the needle. The biasing element then propels the needle rearwardly into the housing of the device.

Abstract: A needle-bearing device for injecting medicinal fluid from a pre-filled cartridge 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: A needle retraction mechanism for a needle bearing medical device is provided. The needle retainer selectively retains the needle in a projecting configuration in which the sharpened tip of the needle projects outwardly from the device. The needle retaining mechanism has an axial projection configured to provide at least one finger, and preferably a plurality of separable fingers that are joined together to form a bore.

Abstract: A medical device having an automatically retractable needle is provided with a safety latch for preventing premature or inadvertent retraction of the needle. In a preferred embodiment, the medical device comprises an intravenous catheter or guide wire insertion device having a nose portion that is axially adjustable during assembly to provide a uniform needle length projecting from the forward end of the device.

Abstract: An injection device for administration of fluid medication is provided with a retraction mechanism for safety retracting the injection needle after administration of the injection. The device comprises a barrel for receiving a pre-filled medication cartridge containing a supply of fluid medication and sealed by a slidable plug. A plunger is positioned in the barrel. The plunger includes a rear portion for engaging and puncturing the plug, and for holding the plug at a stationary position as the cartridge is merged into the barrel to administer the injection. The player further includes a formal end for releasing the needle for the needle retraction mechanism when the cartridge has been urged into the barrel after the and of an injection stroke.

Abstract: A device for transmitting intravenous fluids between a patient and an external reservoir is provided with a retractable needle for penetrating an intravenous fluid port or for directly penetrating the skin of the patient. The retractable needle renders the device safe for disposal after use. The device comprises a housing for holding the needle in a projecting configuration, a needle retainer for holding the needle in the projecting configuration against a rearward bias exerted by a spring, and an actuating member slidably positioned in the housing for releasing the needle retainer from the needle. An intravenous tubing connector is positioned to extend from the housing to provide a fluid connection between the needle and the external reservoir.