Abstract: An integrated septum and needle tip shield for use in a catheter assembly includes a septum configured to removably engage with an inner surface of a catheter hub and a tip shield secured inside the septum. The tip shield is configured to move between an open position in which a tip of a needle is distal of the tip shield and a closed position in which the tip of the needle is protected inside the tip shield.

Abstract: Needle assemblies are generally discussed herein with particular discussions extended to needle assemblies having a tip protector with a plurality of wall surfaces for preventing contact with the needle tip from a side. Aspects of the tip protectors discussed herein include a first protector body having an arm for blocking a needle tip surrounded by a second protector body having a plurality of wall surfaces.

Abstract: A cannula cover for use with an injector or injection device, wherein the injector or injection device includes a dosing section and a cannula support, and wherein the cover is attached to the cannula support and can be retracted against a bias in order to expose a cannula, said cannula cover including, in one embodiment, a substantially closed front facing side having an openable cannula passage opening.

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 hypodermic needle assembly configured such that the movement of a needle shield into position to block the needle tip occurs as a direct consequence of a longitudinal force applied by insertion of a syringe plunger is provided. The hypodermic needle assembly according to the present invention includes a needle, a needle hub, and a safety spring clip assembly, the safety spring clip assembly being configured to automatically launch from the needle hub and slide along the needle to shield the needle tip, thus preventing accidental contact with the needle tip. Additional mechanisms for launching the safety spring clip are also provided, which include using a trigger ring for rotating and launching the safety spring clip. Methods for making and using the hypodermic needle assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a handle assembly that is mechanically and/or bonded coupled with a tubular sheath.

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 protector effectively suppresses infections. The protector protects a tube entry part, where a tube passes through the skin of a living body, from infections, and includes a sticking part that is stuck onto the skin of the living body in a periphery of the tube entry part, and a covering that covers the tube entry part, forms an internal space that surrounds the tube entry part, and has a passage through which the tube passes. The covering is provided with an opening that can be freely opened and closed with a cap or the like.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe has a hollow body adapted to hold a liquid, an inner cap fitted over an end of the body, and an axially extending needle seated in the inner cap and having an outer point projecting axially outward from the inner cap and an inner point projecting axially inward from the inner cap toward the body. An outer cap fittable over the inner cap and needle is connected to a clamp ring engageable around the inner cap by a frangible web. Interengaging formations on the ring and on the inner cap releasably retain the outer cap in an outer position spaced axially outward of the body and in which an interior of the outer cap is open to the exterior and an inner position spaced axially closely to the body and in which the interior of the outer cap is not open to the exterior.

Abstract: A protector sheath for winged needle capable of accommodating a winged needle having a needle tube with a sharp blade edge, a hub firmly attached to a proximal end portion of the needle tube, and a wing provided on the hub is provided. The protector sheath has a cylindrical main body, at least one slit is provided in a side wall of the main body, a proximal end portion of the slit is provided so as to be parallel to the axis of the main body, and a distal end portion of the slit is provided so as to extend in a direction which is not parallel to the axial direction of the main body.

Abstract: An improved catheterization device of the type in which a flexible catheter overlays a rigid or semi-rigid stylet, the improvement residing in the preformed arcuate curvature of the stylet, the curvature of which can be in the form of a circular arc, an elliptical arc, or an irregular curvature, for facilitating insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel of a subject with reduced risk of vascular damage or where the direct path to the blood vessel is obstructed, and methods for its use.

Abstract: A safety device for a needle is provided. The device includes a spring biased sheath which acts to cover the needle before and after use. The safety device also includes a spring biased lock which is operable to lock the sheath in a safe position unless the biasing force of the lock is countered by a user.

Abstract: A microneedle device includes a device body supporting a number of microneedles. A protective cover assumes a closed state in which it protects the microneedles against inadvertent contact and an open state in which the microneedles are exposed. The device body and the protective cover are configured such that, for at least part of a motion from the closed state towards the open state, the protective cover is guided by mechanical engagement with the device body configured to prevent impact between the protective cover and the microneedles, at least until the protective cover has cleared an impact risk region around the microneedles.

Abstract: An improved protective cap and method for capping medical male luer fittings is provided. The protective cap may include inner and intermediate annular members extending from an end wall and defining a slot therebetween. At least one and preferably a plurality of depressible members project from an outer surface of the inner annular member, wherein the depressible member(s) conforms to the internal threads of a male luer fitting upon interconnection. For such purposes, the depressible member(s) may comprise a resilient material, e.g. most preferably having a modulus of elasticity of between about 5000 psi and 20000 psi. Each depressible member may be of an arcuate configuration in cross-section to present a convex surface for depressible engagement by the collar of a male luer fitting when positioned in the annular slot. The protective cap may be readily employed in automated capping/uncapping procedures via direct linear advancement/retraction relative to a male luer fitting.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly including a needle with an intravenous puncture tip, a shield in pivotal engagement with respect to the needle, and a hub in the form of a collar providing pivotal engagement between the needle and the shield is provided. The shield is pivotally movable between an unshielded position and a shielded position in which a portion of the shield encompasses the intravenous puncture tip for shielding the needle for safety purposes. The collar and the shield include locking structure providing locking engagement therebetween for locking the shield in the shielded position for preventing pivotal movement to the unshielded position. The collar further includes at least one collar flange extending laterally along a portion of the collar for preventing disengagement of the locking structure.

Abstract: A safety shield system having a needle assembly with a safety shield movable from a first position enclosing an end of a needle cannula, to a second position exposing the end of the needle cannula for injection, to a third position lockingly enclosing the end of a needle cannula. The safety shield system permits retraction of the safety shield during use, but extends the shield enclosing the needle cannula in a locked position following use. The safety shield system also has a cap for receiving the needle assembly and lockingly enclosing another end of the needle cannula. Thus, both ends of a double-ended needle cannula are lockingly enclosed following use of the needle assembly of the inventive safety shield system.

Abstract: A breakaway valve body for a peel-away introducer sheath. The valve body can be used in conjunction with a distally coupled peel-away introducer sheath and a proximally coupled flexible valve sleeve for restricting fluid flow from the introducer sheath when the valve body compresses the valve sleeve to a closed position. The valve can include a body scored or weakened to break along a predefined path in response to applied force. The valve preferably includes a first member and a second member movable relative to each other and having a pinch member therebetween for constricting a flexible valve sleeve placed between the first and second members. In one valve, the first and second members are pivotally disposed on hinges to allow the members to open and close about an inserted flexible valve sleeve and to pinch the sleeve with a pinch member.

Abstract: A butterfly-needle set has an elongated two-part case forming a pair of transversely open slots. An elongated needle in the case has a pair of generally coplanar and oppositely projecting wings projecting out of the case through the slots. The slots are sufficiently long that the needle can move longitudinally between a front position with the needle projecting from a front end of the case and a rear position with the needle completely within the case. An elastically deflectable spring element projects at a small acute angle toward a rear end of the case into at least one of the slots so as to deflect elastically and allow the needle to move from the front position into the rear position and to block movement of the needle from the rear position into the front position.

Abstract: A safety device, usable in particular with hypodermic needles, and incorporating a trigger mechanism which when activated primes the device to initiate the unsheathing of the needle in use by flexing one or more needle-surrounding legs away from the needle axis; the initial priming and leg-flexing movement being caused by the interaction of an operative portion of the trigger with the or each said leg or with a member connected operatively thereto; characterised by the feature that, when such movement occurs, the trigger end interacts with the leg or the said, part connected thereto in a manner which positively latches and retains the two in engagement.

Abstract: A winged angled needle assembly has a hub to which a proximal end portion of an angled needle having a sharpened tip portion is joined and a pair of wings attached to both sides of the hub and further includes a fixing member attached so as to support the wings and an extensible, contractible needle guard disposed between the hub and the fixing member so as to connect these two members. The guard extends in the direction from the proximal end portion to the sharpened tip portion of the angled needle when extended, so that the tip portion can be encased in said guard simultaneously with pulling the angled needle out of an implanted port. The guard has an exposure prevention mechanism attached thereto and is externally stopped, so that the sharpened tip portion is kept from exposing once it is encased in the guard. The angled needle can have a length as required regardless of the length of the wings.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for artificially inseminating animals using an improved artificial insemination device that prevents contaminants from entering the opening at the end of an insemination sheath during insertion through the reproductive tract of an animal. A thin protective cover or membrane is provided at the tip of the sheath to seal it, the membrane being designed to rupture under the pressure from the seminal fluid being applied by the plunger used to eject the semen from the insemination gun. The protective cover can be an integrated portion of the sheath itself, or a material applied to the tip of the sheath. The protective cover is minimal in size as to not increase the diameter of the artificial insemination device so that there is no loss in tactile sensitivity to the breeder who must maneuver the invention through the animal's reproductive tract.

Abstract: A spring loaded retractable needle syringe comprising a body, a central tube coaxially mounted within said body, a needle carrier and needle slidably mounted within said central tube, a spring mounted within said central tube to bias said needle carrier and needle into said central tube, means for sliding said needle carrier and needle within said central tube to compress said spring and expose said needle, means for retaining said needle carrier and needle in the exposed position against the biasing force of said spring, and means for releasing the needle carrier and needle such that said needle carrier and needle are retracted into said central tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety device (2) for a prefilled syringe (1), the syringe comprising a body (3), a needle carrier (4), a piston (6) movable inside the body, and a piston rod (7) suitable for pushing the piston inside the body towards the needle carrier. The device comprises a protective sheath (10) in which the syringe body can slide between an injection position and a safe position in which the needle is withdrawn inside the sheath, said device (2) comprising a resilient element (15) suitable for acting on the syringe to bring in into its safe position after injection, said resilient element presenting two axial ends and comprising at least two elastically-deformable arms extending between said two axial ends, one of the ends (20) being arranged so as to be capable of sliding freely relative to the piston rod (7) prior to injection, and/or one of the ends being arranged in such a manner as to be capable of being fixed to the protective sheath (10) in a position of adjustable height.

Abstract: Provided is a non-coring needle for venous access implantatable port. In one embodiment the non-coring needle comprises a puncturing assembly comprising two wings having a central sleeve, an L-shaped needle coupled to the sleeve, the needle including an annular groove or enlargement on its bent portion, and a plastic tubing coupled to the sleeve; and a syringe barrel comprising an internal chamber having a forward opening, and an elongate slot formed on the syringe barrel and being in communication with the chamber. The groove or enlargement is located at a first dent of the slot when the needle is concealed in the chamber in a non-use position, the groove or enlargement is located at a forward second dent of the slot when the needle is fully extended from the opening for use, and the groove or enlargement is permanently locked at a rear triangular recess of the slot when the needle is fully retracted into the chamber.

Abstract: A needle shield assembly and method of manufacturing a needle shield are provided. The needle shield assembly includes a needle hub having a needle cannula extending therefrom. A needle shield base is pivotably coupled to the needle hub. A locking assembly including a needle engagement member is coupled to the needle shield base. One or both of the needle shield base and the locking assembly include a cavity for receiving the needle cannula. The needle shield is manufactured by providing a needle shield base and a separate locking assembly including a needle engagement member, and connecting the locking assembly to the distal end portion of the needle shield base.

Abstract: A sealing rubber closure is provided for use with a syringe/container specified by ISO (the International Organization of Standardization) and having a Luer nozzle to be inserted into a Luer-nozzle-receiving part of the sealing rubber closure. The Luer-nozzle-receiving part is configured, on a side of an inner end portion thereof, in an untapered cylindrical form to assure tight-fitted insertion of a free end portion of the Luer nozzle and, on a side of a Luer-nozzle-receiving opening thereof, in a tapered, substantially cylindrical form to assure tight-fitted insertion of a basal end portion of the Luer nozzle. A plastic film is laminated on the sealing rubber closure at least in an area of the Luer-nozzle-receiving part, where a free end of the Luer nozzle is to be maintained in contact with the sealing rubber closure.

Abstract: A cap (16) is provided for the type of injection device (1) which presents a needle assembly (11) to the exterior thereof for removal after use. The cap is of two part construction with a shell (17) of hard material, having opposite inwardly flexible tongues (19) defined by slots in the shell, and an over-mould (18) of relatively soft deformable material, extending over at least the tongues and the slots. The tongues are squeezable towards each other through the over-mould to grip the needle assembly when the cap is fitted after an injection, thus enabling the needle assembly to be removed with the cap so that the user does not come into contact with the used needle.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes an elongate needle mount (10), a needle (12), and a sheath (14) mounted on the elongate needle mount (10) for reciprocal axial movement between a forward position whereat the sheath (14) covers the needle (12) and a rearward position whereat the needle (12) is exposed.

Abstract: A collar to which a needle protection housing is attached has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the collar has a number of internal protrusions that are fitted within the space defined by the two sets of flanges extending from the proximal portion of a needle hub. The distal end of the collar has a number of fingers or retainers that are used to grasp and removably couple a needle sheath. The needle sheath covers the needle that extends from the distal end of the needle hub before use. A needle protection housing is pivotally connected to the collar, and is pivoted to cover the needle after use. A channel or opening in the protective housing through which the needle passes is formed by a pair of progressively angled lips that extend longitudinally along the length of the housing.

Abstract: A blood collection set includes a needle having a puncture tip, a hub supporting the needle and including a release member, a safety shield, a drive member, and a packaging shield disposed on the hub. The safety shield is movable from a retracted position within the hub to an extended position shielding the puncture tip of the needle. The packaging shield encloses the puncture tip of the needle in the retracted position of the safety shield. The shielding feature of the blood collection set is activated by applying radial pressure to the release member, causing the release member to release the packaging shield from the hub, and maintain the safety shield in the retracted position. Upon sufficient or partial release of radial pressure, the drive member disengages the release member from the safety shield and moves the safety shield from the retracted position to the extended positions.

Abstract: A protector sheath for winged needle capable of accommodating a winged needle having a needle tube with a sharp blade edge, a hub firmly attached to a proximal end portion of the needle tube, and a wing provided on the hub is provided. The protector sheath has a cylindrical main body, at least one slit is provided in a side wall of the main body, a proximal end portion of the slit is provided so as to be parallel to the axis of the main body, and a distal end portion of the slit is provided so as to extend in a direction which is not parallel to the axial direction of the main body.

Abstract: The needle assembly is provided with the housing, an IV cannula for accessing a blood vessel and a non-patient cannula for communication with an evacuated tube. A flashback chamber is provided in the housing at or near the distal end of the housing. A shield is hinged to a portion of the housing proximally of the entrance to the flashback chamber. As a result, good visibility of the flashback chamber is achieved. After use, the shield can be rotated into a closed position for surrounding the IV cannula and avoiding accidental needle sticks.

Abstract: To retrofit a conventional needle hub assembly with a needle protection housing, a sleeve having a collar rotatably fitted thereabout is fitted to the needle hub. The sleeve has a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has a diameter that is dimensioned to fit over the needle hub while the distal portion has a diameter that allows the needle cap of the needle hub assembly to be inserted thereinto so as to be frictionally coupled to the needle hub. There are a plurality of flanges or ears extending at the proximal end of the proximal portion. These flanges are configured to overlie the flanges formed at the base of the needle hub used to mate with the luer of a syringe. When the needle hub assembly is threadingly mated to the luer of the syringe, the sleeve, along with the collar mounted thereabout and to which the needle protection housing is attached, is also mated to the luer.

Abstract: A winged needle cover capable of storing an entire needle with flexible wing in the state of the needle tube part of the winged needle not projected again, comprising a tip side opening part for taking therein the entire winged needle having a flexible tube connected thereto and a base side opening part allowing the flexible tube to pass therethrough, characterized in that, a wing part folding promoting means capable of upwardly reversing the wing part of the winged needle for folding when the entire winged needle is taken from the tip side opening part into the needle cover is provided at the tip side opening part, whereby, the needle cover can easily store the winged needle after servicing, makes it hard for the stored needle to be re-projected and, because any special means is not provided for prevention of re-projection, can be manufactured easily at a low cost.

Abstract: A pivotable shielding needle device for shielding used needle cannulas. The device generally includes a hub with a needle, and a shield pivotable between a first position exposing the needle and a second position encompassing the needle. A biasing element acts on the shield to pivotally bias it toward the second position, with the shield maintained in the first position through a latch mechanism extending between the shield and the hub. A release arrangement extends from the hub and is squeezable to cause movement of a movable member which releases the latch mechanism, thereby causing the shield to be pivotally biased to the shielding position. Accordingly, activation and shielding of the needle can be effectively accomplished during removal of the needle device from a patient, thereby providing for passive activation of the device during normal use.

Abstract: Protective devices for injection needles or infusion needles that include a needle holder at a proximal end of the needle, on whose shaft a protective element for the needle tip can be positioned and moved, are herein disclosed. The protective element is configured to block the needle tip following an injection to prevent accidental contact therewith. The protective element may be positioned on the shaft in a ready to use position inside a grip part or middle retaining portion, which is also used to activate the protective element over the needle following the injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides a needle guard comprising a base having a needle well to guide the point of a needle into the patient and, at the same time, for confining the pointed end of a needle within the walls of the needle well until the needle is inserted into a patient. The base is connected by at least a connector to a handle. The connector is constructed to allow the needle to be pushed beyond the needle well thereby exposing the needle. The connector also limits the extent to which the needle can be retracted. This prevents the needle from being pulled past the needle well as the needle is extracted from the patient. As a consequence of the construction, the point of the needle is substantially maintained within the needle well, except when the needle is inserted into the patient.

Abstract: A needle safety device for an intravenous catheter apparatus that includes a base capable of receiving a needle into opposing jaws attached to the base and capable of being influenced by the needle. The jaws move between an expanded position which interact with an obstruction within a wing housing of the intravenous catheter apparatus. The jaws permit relative movement of the needle with the base when expanded, close around a needle tip as it passes the jaws, and prevent relative movement of the needle with the base when the jaws are collapsed. The needle of the intravenous catheter apparatus may then be safely disposed with the needle tip within the needle safety device.

Abstract: A safety needle assembly has a needle hub and a needle cannula projecting from the hub. Wings project transversely from the hub to facilitate manipulation and positioning of the needle assembly. A shield is hingedly attached to the needle hub and can be rotated from a first position where the needle cannula is exposed to a second position where the needle cannula is shielded. At least one latch may be disposed on the shield for secure locked engagement with the hub, the wings and/or the tubing extending from the hub. A spring may also be provided for propelling the shield into the second position.

Abstract: A captive cover for a hypodermic needle of an IV tube assembly has an elongated body connected to an element of the IV tube assembly. The elongated body is hollow and has a proximal opening, a closed distal end, a chamber, at least one locking tab and one or more optional connectors. The hypodermic needle of the IV tube assembly can be inserted through the proximal opening into the chamber. A flange on the hypodermic needle of the IV tube assembly is held in the captive cover by the locking tab. Since the hypodermic needle of the IV tube assembly only passes through the locking tab of the elongated body, the hypodermic needle of the IV tube assembly can be conveniently inserted into the elongated body. The captive cover can accommodate an ordinary hypodermic needle and has a simple structure.

Abstract: The present invention protects a distal portion of a catheter during shipment and storage. The device holds the distal portion suspended such that it does not contact the device. The suspended portion is protected from damage resulting from abrasion. When the suspended portion includes a therapeutic coating, the coating is protected from the risk of impaired performance resulting from a therapeutic agent migrating out of the coating and into the packaging material or components of the packaging material migrating into the therapeutic coating, both of which can occur if a therapeutic coating remains in contact with another material for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Gel and gel composites health care articles, including masks, pads, blood bags, tubings, male and female tubing connectors, and needle protector sheath.

Abstract: A device for protecting a syringe (2) needle (7) comprising a needle-protecting cap (8) made of a flexible material and a protective hub (5) made of a rigid material adapted to be mounted on the needle-protecting cap (8) and provided with internal elements (12) for gripping the needle-protecting cap. The internal gripping elements provided in the protective hub (5) comprise at least a longitudinal clip (12) secured to the side wall of the protective hub (5) via a flexible intermediate hinge (13) forming an articulation longitudinally delimiting a downstream longitudinal section having a tip-shaped free end capable of being fitted into the needle-protecting cap (8) and comprising a front surface adapted to limit its tilting, and an upstream longitudinal section provided with a front surface adapted to limit reverse tilting of each clip (12) when the protective hub is removed.

Abstract: A method of removing a dart from an animal body. The method uses a dart removal facilitating tool that includes a handle, adapted to be grasped by a human hand. A dart removal head is attached to the handle and is adapted to be placed in proximity to the dart. The head has a surface that is adapted to be pressed against animal flesh without creating further injury. The method includes pressing the dart removal head against a portion of the animal body near the dart and engaging for dart for removal from the animal body while the dart removal head is being pressed against the portion of the animal body.

Abstract: A safety needle includes a needle with a sharp end and a needle shield. The needle shield includes collapsible interlocking members, wherein one member is an end member with a hole surrounding the needle, a spring inside the collapsible interlocking members that applies an expanding force on the collapsible interlocking members, a releasable latch structure that retains the collapsible interlocking members in a collapsed state, wherein when the releasable latch structure is actuated the collapsible interlocking members expand and enclose the sharp end of the needle, and a closing structure that prevents the sharp end of the needle from exiting the hole after the collapsible interlocking members enclose the sharp end of the needle.

Abstract: A non-mechanical needle guard for permanently securing and incapacitating a single used syringe and needle assembly consists of a sleeve for receiving the needle and luer lock and the hub end of a syringe. The sleeve contains a two part adhesive, the two elements being separated by a penetrable membrane, with the opened end of the sleeve being sealed by a second membrane. A stand holds a number of the needle guards in a stable, upright position so the needle may be inserted with a single hand, as required by OSHA. As the needle penetrates the two membranes, the two elements of the adhesive combine, permanently securing the needle and syringe end in the cured adhesive. The needle guard of the present invention secures and incapacitates the used needle and syringe in a manner meeting OSHA's disposal safety standards.

Abstract: A safety indwelling syringe has a hollow needle to be inserted into the body of a patient, a fixed sheath fixing the hollow needle and covering the needle partly, and a protective sheath slidably fitted to the fixed sheath. The hollow needle is exposed when used. After use, the protective sheath is pulled out toward the tip of the hollow needle so as to cover the needle entirely.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shieldable blood collection set as well as a needle assembly for use therein. The needle assembly includes a needle cannula having a puncture tip at a distal end thereof and a hub which supports the needle cannula. A hollow outer shield co-axially surrounds a distal end of the hub and has an inner surface which is in cooperating engagement with an outer surface of the hub. The hub includes a first tab extending outwardly at a position which is exposed from the outer shield, and the outer shield includes a second tab. The first tab and the second tab are configured such that opposing forces applied against the tabs cause the outer shield to move from a retracted position in which the puncture tip of the needle cannula is exposed, to an extended position in which the outer shield covers the puncture tip.

Abstract: A safety shield apparatus is provided that includes a housing that defines a cavity. A distal end of the housing includes a cover having a movable tab. A hub is disposed for movement within the housing and includes a needle having a distal end and a movable projection. The hub is biased between an extended position, such that the distal end of the needle is exposed and the movable projection is releasably disposed with the cavity, and a retracted position whereby the distal end of the needle is disposed within the housing. The movable tab is engageable with the movable projection to release the movable projection from the cavity to facilitate movement of the hub. The distal end of the housing may define a lip that is configured to capture the distal end of the needle. The hub can define an angled distal surface to orient the needle out of axial alignment with the housing and into capture with the lip.