Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a syringe adapter. In one embodiment, an adapter/cap assembly is threadably engaged to a syringe for enteral feeding applications. The adapter cannot be removed from the syringe to prevent the syringe from being used for IV applications.

Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.

Abstract: A shielding needle assembly is provided with a hub having a needle cannula with a puncture tip extending from a forward end thereof, and a shield member in telescoping association with the hub. A drive member biases the hub and the shield member away from each other for relative telescopic movement between a first position in which the puncture tip extends from a forward end of the shield member, and a second position in which the puncture tip is encompassed within the shield member. A pivoting lever maintains the hub and the shield member in the first position against the bias of the drive member with the needle cannula exposed for use. The lever is pivotable during contact with a patient's skin surface such as during venipuncture, thereby releasing the hub and the shield member from the first position and permitting the drive member to bias the hub and the shield member toward the second position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the shield assemblies include a shield that is pivotably secured to a needle hub. A ball-and-socket hinge secures the shield and the hub to one another. The assembly includes a reversible shield lock to hold the shield in the needle-protected position.

Abstract: A needle guard is attached to a needle hub by a polyester film strip and a needle passes through longitudinally spaced apart apertures in the strip. The film strip is housed in the needle guard in a corrugated manner. When the needle guard is pulled over the needle, the needle moves into a housing of the needle guard and into abutment with the housing while the strip is stretched between the hub and the housing to retain the housing connected to the hub under a biasing force.

Abstract: A passive safety needle device is disclosed having a housing, a needle hub, a needle cannula, a retractable sheath, a spring to bias the retractable sheath in a distal direction to cover the distal end of the needle cannula, a radial protrusion to cause the spring to move from the proximal spring position to the distal spring position, and a catch to secure the distal end of the spring to the distal end of the housing. The spring may bias the retractable sheath in a distal direction to cover the distal end of the needle cannula. The radial protrusion causes the spring to move from a proximal spring position to the distal spring position towards the catch located at the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A needle assembly (10; 210) for a prefilled injection syringe is described. A needle holder (12; 212) has a needle (14; 214) secured to it and is adapted to be secured to a syringe barrel of the injection syringe. A needle sheath (16; 216) has a distal end forming a releasable sterile seal with the needle holder (12; 212), and surrounds and shields the needle (14; 214). A needle seal (18; 218) surmounts the needle tip and is arranged at least in part in the proximal end of the needle sheath (16; 216) and closed off by a closure element (20; 220). A closure connection between the closure element (20; 220) and the needle sheath (16; 216) is configured as a non-releasable and sterile barrier (54; 254) produced by means of bonding or welding.

Abstract: A safety needle device having a housing, a retractable sheath, and a needle cannula. The retractable sheath includes a tubular portion that is slideably mounted about a portion of the housing to completely or partially encase the length of the cannula. The retractable sheath includes a sheath bevel at the distal end having a blunted or angled tip. The angled tip being configured to suitable injection angles and may be fixed or rotatable. The sheath bevel may include a skin-engaging contact surface at the distal end. The needle may be connected to a needle hub at the proximal end of the housing and includes a needle bevel at the distal end. The sheath bevel and needle bevel may be offset from each other. A safety needle device having a retractable sheath having a graduated injection depth gauge to indicate needle penetration is also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are passively activated safety needle assemblies and methods for use. The assemblies comprise an elongate hollow outer shield, an elongate hub slidably engaged within the outer shield and biased to move proximally with respect to the outer shield. A locking ring in the hub has a ring element that cooperates with an activation element on the outer shield rotate the locking ring and disable the assembly.

Abstract: A safety device 20 for shielding a medical needle 25 having a sharp tip includes a needle mount 28 which is adapted directly or indirectly to support the needle 25. A needle shielding sleeve 33 is arranged coaxially with the mount 28 for sliding movement between an initial shielding position surrounding the needle 25 and a non-shielding position at which at least the tip of the needle is exposed beyond the sleeve 33. Resilient fingers 35 urge the sleeve 33 to its needle shielding position. There is a control member 39 for the fingers 35 and which is slidably housed within the coaxial arrangement of the sleeve 33 and the mount 28. The resilient fingers 35 are essentially undeformed when the control member 39 is in its storage position (FIG. 3A) but are partially deformed when the control member is moved to a set position (FIG. 5A).

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: An intravenous catheter and safety needle assembly is disclosed which includes a catheter assembly, a needle assembly and a needle guard. The needle guard is supported within a hub of the catheter and is positioned to engage an enlarged diameter portion of a needle of the needle assembly during withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly to effect an inversion of the needle guard about a sharpened tip of the needle.

Abstract: An insertion head for medical or pharmaceutical applications includes a base having a lower side positionable on organic tissue; an insertion means movably mounted by the base and insertable into the tissue; where the insertion means is movable relative to the base from a protective position in which a free end of the insertion means is short of the lower side of the base, into an insertion position in which the free end protrudes beyond the lower side; and a receptacle that is open towards the lower side of the base and that can be detached from the base, and which accommodates at least the free end of the insertion means in its protective position.

Abstract: A needle assembly includes a housing having proximal and distal ends, an IV cannula projecting distally from the housing, and an IV shield having an engagement. The housing has a shield seat and the IV cannula has a distal tip. The IV shield has a pre-use position where the IV shield covers the distal tip of the IV cannula and the engagement is disengaged from the shield seat, and a use position where the engagement is engaged with the shield seat and the IV shield is adapted to move between a non-shielded position, in which the distal tip is exposed, and a shielded position, in which the distal tip is shielded by the IV shield.

Abstract: A Huber needle assembly. The Huber needle assembly includes a housing, a Huber needle having a bent tip, a base through which the Huber needle is slidably disposed, a tip block mechanism, and a safety or restraint mechanism. The tip block mechanism includes a needle block slidably disposed within the base and urged by a spring to block the tip of the Huber needle when the tip of the Huber needle is retracted into the base. In one exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a cable having a first end anchored within the housing and a second end anchored within the base. The cable restrains movement of the housing relative to the base. In another exemplary embodiment, the safety or restraint mechanism includes a collar disposed within the base. The collar is configured to prevent passage of the bent tip of the Huber needle.

Abstract: Drug delivery system comprising a main portion with a cap as well as a needle assembly with a needle mounted in a hub and a needle cap releasably mountable on the hub to cover the needle. The cap comprises gripping means reversibly operatable between a first condition in which there is no gripping engagement between the mounted cap portion and the needle cap, this allowing the cap portion to be removed from the main portion without removing the needle cap from the hub, and a second condition in which the cap portion grippingly can engage the needle cap of a needle assembly, this allowing the needle cap to be removed from the hub together with the cap. The cap further comprises user actuation means for operating the gripping means between the two conditions.

Abstract: An indwelling needle is provided which has a simple structure and is capable of securely mounting a needle tip protective tool on the tip portion of an internal needle. The indwelling needle A includes an external needle including a cannula and a housing, an internal needle including a metal needle and a hub and a needle tip protective tool. The needle tip protective tool is mounted on the housing with the metal needle inserted into an inner section so that the metal needle can be removed together with the internal needle from the external needle.

Abstract: The invention presented is a needle system to access a subcutaneous port primarily for the administration of chemotherapy, designed to protect the health care worker from inadvertent needle injury by isolation of the needle tip within base and tower components. A rotating collar is designed to keep the needle immobile until access of the port is desired when it can be rotated to align a cut out with a corresponding cut out of the tower that houses the needle for advancement of the needle downward into the port. On retraction, the collar can be rotated, locking the needle back into a retracted position within the tower.

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 needle shield comprising at least two different plastic materials of different flexibility and a central aperture of variable diameter. The central aperture comprises a first diameter for retaining a needle cap therein. The diameter of the central aperture changes upon removal of the needle cap from the first diameter to a second diameter by virtue of a memory effect of the material of the needle shield. The needle shield is made by an injection moulding process.

Abstract: Device and methods for separating a scab from a vascular access site are disclosed. The devices include providing a scab separation device having a point for initial separation of a portion of a scab from a patient's flesh, and a series of inclined surfaces leading from the point to lift and separate the scab from the access site. The scab separation device is provided with a cover so that the device is maintained as sterile. In a preferred embodiment, the scab separation device is provided as a set or assembly with a needle or needle set and, in a more preferred embodiment, the scab separation device cover is also used as a cover for a needle to maintain sterility both of an operative end of the separation device and of the needle.

Abstract: Bilumen catheters and methods of using same for facilitating implantation of cardiac leads for applying electrical stimulation to and/or sensing electrical activity of the heart through one or more electrode positioned at an implantation site within a heart chamber or cardiac vessel adjacent a heart chamber, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for introducing such a cardiac lead having low torqueability and pushability through a tortuous pathway to enable attachment of the cardiac lead at the implantation site employing a bilumen guide catheter are disclosed. The bilumen catheter body includes a relatively large diameter delivery lumen to introduce a small diameter cardiac lead and a small diameter guide lumen to receive a stylet or guidewire to locate the guide catheter body distal end at the implantation site. The small diameter lumen within a small diameter guide tube extends distally from the delivery exit port of the delivery lumen.

Abstract: A needle guard assembly having a resilient arm extending from a base situated to slide along the shaft of a needle. In one implementation the needle guard has an elongate containment member that rides with the resilient arm and is co-operable with the resilient arm to effectuate a covering of the entire distal tip of the needle upon the needle being retracted into the needle guard.

Abstract: There are disclosed devices and methods for protecting a user from a sharp tip of a medical needle. In an embodiment, a device includes a central body portion, a medical needle having a sharp tip, a pair of wings in attachment to the central body portion, and a mechanical fastener disposed on at least one of the wings, the mechanical fastener configured to selectively attach the wings together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle. In another embodiment, a method includes withdrawing a sharp tip of a medical needle from a patient, closing a pair of wings with the medical needle positioned between the wings, and fastening the wings together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle.

Abstract: A bi-directional cannula feature capture mechanism is described herein. Generally, the capture mechanism comprises an inner housing, an outer housing, and a cannula. The inner housing comprises a proximal and a distal cannula feature mating component. The outer housing is adapted to slidably receive the inner housing in a proximal direction. Additionally, the cannula extends through the inner housing and the cannula's feature has a proximal engagement and a distal engagement. The proximal and distal engagements are respectively configured to irreversibly engage the proximal and distal cannula feature mating components when the cannula tip is moved into a shielded position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a needle protector assembly (10) comprising a needle defining an axial direction and a protective cover for the needle. The needle is attached to a needle hub which is provided with wings on opposite sides thereof and which can be moved relative to the protective cover between a distal position in which at least a tip of the needle protrudes from the protective cover, and a proximal position in which the needle is fully received in the protective cover. The protective cover comprises first (26) and second parts (28) which together form an elongate housing along which the needle hub can move between the distal and proximal positions, wherein the first and second parts define elongate slots on opposite sides of the housing through which the wings (16) protrude.

Abstract: A needle tip guard for an intravenous catheter assembly, including a base portion having a bore extending along an axial direction for receiving a needle having a needle shaft extending through the bore and moving relative to the needle tip guard from a spread-apart position; first and second jaws extending from the distal side of the base portion generally in the axial direction; the first and second jaws having head portions at a free end, said first jaw resting over the needle shaft in the spread-apart position; with locking means on the outer surface of the needle tip guard for securing the needle tip guard to the medical device; and at least one elastic element integrally mounted onto the jaws in a region between the base portion and the head portions exerting an inward restoring force on the jaws when the jaws are spread apart by the needle shaft.

Abstract: A disinfectant swab is disclosed which comprises a pouch sized for protecting a luer valve. The pouch preferably has shape memory for grasping the luer valve after the pouch as been advanced over the luer valve. The pouch includes a disinfectant along at least one of a inner surface and an outer surface. In one example, the shape memory can be providing by at least one elastic portion. In one embodiment the pouch has at least one disinfectant along the outer surfaces so that the outer surface of the swab can be used to prep skin, drug vials and the like. The pouch can be sized to elastically grasp on a plurality of types of luer valves and/or to elastically grasp on a tube having the approximate outer diameter of a luer lock connector or another portion of a luer lock connector. The pouch can be comprised of elastic foam and/or can have a flattened configuration when stored and/or can be stored in a flat tear able sealed package.

Abstract: Provided is a safety apparatus for medical needles which is free from accidental exposure of an acuate top end contaminated with a blood, etc. from a lower portion thereof. The safety apparatus includes a shield member (3) having a shield hub (35), a shield member connection hub (40H) and leg portions (31,32), the leg portions (31,32) being capable of extending from the first folded position to the second extended position, a needle (21) being to be inserted in the space (40S) of the above shield member connection hub (40H) when the leg portions (31,32) are in the first folded position, the wall (43DW) of the above slide member (42) being to be pulled into the shield member connection hub (40H) when the leg portions (31,32) are extended up to the second extended position, whereby the apparatus is so formed that it can prevent the distal end (23) of the needle (21) from being exposed to an outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a needle (10) having a distal end (11), a proximal end (12), and a stem (13) extending therebetween, as well as a tip (14) at the distal end (11) thereof. The needle (10) is provided with a safety device (20), said device being arranged so as to be capable of sliding over the stem (13) between a first position in the proximal area of the stem (13) and a second position at the distal end (11) of the stem. The safety device also includes a recess (21, 22) having a proximal opening (23) and a distal opening (24) for the needle stem to pass therethrough, the tip (14) of the needle being inside the recess when the safety device is in the second position. The device includes a closing device (30) that closes the distal opening (24) of the recess when the needle tip is inside the recess.

Abstract: An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.

Abstract: A safety intravenous needle set includes needle hub holding a needle and an infusion tube at two opposite ends thereof, and a safety device, which includes a base block affixed to the needle hub, a recessed guard pivoted to the base block and having a retaining lug located on one of two opposing inner wall thereof. The recessed guard is biasable relative to the needle hub toward the medical needle to let the medical needle be forced over the retaining lug into the inside of the recessed guard and then retaining inside the recessed guard by the retaining lug, avoiding accidental needle stick injury after the service of the safety intravenous needle set.

Abstract: The invention provides a protective device (10) for a needle assembly (12) having a needle hub (14) and a needle (16) projecting from the hub. The protective device includes an end cap (20) which has an opening (36) through which the needle (16) may pass, and a resilient member (22) extending about the needle (16) between the needle hub (14) and the end cap (20). The resilient member (22) is deformable between a first condition in which it holds the end cap (20) over a sharpened end (18) of the needle (16) and a second condition in which the end cap (20) is withdrawn from the sharpened end of the needle (16). Furthermore, the resilient member (22) is biased towards the first condition and is arranged to bias the end cap (20) into a safety position in which the sharpened end of the needle (16) is offset relative to the opening (36) in the end cap (20). The protective device (10) also includes a sheath (24) covering at least the sharpened end (18) of the needle (16).

Abstract: A rigid needle shield (10) for covering a distal end of a syringe is provided. The rigid needle shield includes an elongated flexible member (20) connected to a sidewall of the rigid needle shield for moving the rigid needle shield between a first relaxed position and a second flexed position. When in the first relaxed position, the elongated flexible member is substantially within the rigid needle shield. However, when the elongated flexible member is moved to the second flexed position, the elongated flexible member extends beyond a proximal end of the rigid needle shield to engage a needle hub or a shoulder of the syringe to move the rigid needle shield distally relative to the syringe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an injection device (1) comprising: —a container (5) receiving a product, and provided with an injection needle (6), —a housing (9, 11) receiving said container, said container being movable relative to said housing between an initial position, an insertion position, and a final position, —retaining means (12, 15), for maintaining said container in said insertion position, —deactivating means (20), for releasing said retaining means, said device being characterized in that it comprises: —temporizing means (19, 26, 27), for controlling the release of said retaining means until substantially all of the product contained within said container has passed through said injection needle before said container moves to said final position, and —a needle shield (2) coupled with said housing (9, 11) removal of said needle shield being with limited or no rotation of said needle shield. The invention also concerns a kit comprising such a device.

Abstract: An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.

Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.

Abstract: A needle shroud assembly for a syringe holder comprises a barrel (16), a needle shroud (24) captively telescoped relative to the forward end of the barrel (16) and retained by a top outer body (44). A locking ring (42) cooperates with the shroud, having diametrically opposed keyways which are brought into and out of axial alignment with keys (38) on the shroud (24) to free or lock the shroud from movement. The locking collar (42) is biased towards a ‘safe’ position. On cocking the locking ring (42) to a ‘live’ position the shroud (24) is freed for retraction movement but on return to its extended position, the locking ring is returned to its ‘safe’ position.

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 needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

Abstract: A needle assembly including a needle tip guard and needle is provided. The needle tip guard includes a proximal base defining an opening that is dimensioned for passage of the needle therethrough, first and second clamp members extending from the proximal base and defining an internal cavity, and a finger tab extending from the proximal base. Each of the first and second clamp members define an inner surface including a protrusion extending into the internal cavity. A distal end of each of the clamp members includes a clamp arm, the clamp arms being supported for movement between an open position and a closed position. The finger tab includes a contacting portion for engagement by a user.

Abstract: A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.

Abstract: Puncturing device FIG. 6 with needle shield 2, having a needle subassembly 1 and a needle shield 2 detachably mounted on the needle subassembly 1 for enclosing the needle distal end 9 up to the device usage, wherein said needle shield 2 has an actuating means 17 which being moved to a retracted position disengages the needle shield 2 from the needle assembly 1, wherein the detaching movement of the actuating means 17 is significantly shorter than the length of the needle 8.

Abstract: A safety IV catheter includes a unitary, resilient needle guard received in a catheter hub. The needle guard includes a proximal arm or wall that includes an opening through which a needle passes for axial movement. When the needle is retracted from the catheter, it releases the force that had previously prevented movement of the needle guard within the catheter hub. This in turn causes the needle guard to snap into a position in which it is clamped onto the needle shaft and in which its distal wall blocks access to the needle tip. In this condition, the spring needle guard and needle can be removed from the catheter hub. A slot or crimp may be formed in the needle shaft that engages with the needle guard after the protected needle and needle guard are removed from the catheter hub, thereby to prevent removal of the protected needle from the needle guard.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid infusion device of the type that delivers medication fluid to the body of a patient. The device includes or cooperates with a fluid reservoir, and the device has a sealing assembly to receive and form a fluid seal with the fluid reservoir. A retractable sealing element surrounding a hollow fluid delivery needle may be used to seal a port of the fluid reservoir. The port may include a pressure vent that is sealed by the retractable sealing element. In one variation, the reservoir includes a moving valve sleeve that holds a septum. The septum moves to allow the reservoir to vent, and to form a seal with the port when the needle pierces the septum. In another variation, the device includes a needleless sealing assembly. In yet other variations, the device uses a needled fluid reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention provides an injection device including a syringe having a distal end for receiving a needle, and a plunger inserted into a proximal end. A guard is slidable on the syringe, has a proximal end, a distal end, and is biased from a first position wherein the needle is exposed toward a second position wherein the guard covers the needle. The syringe includes a body having a central cylindrical opening for receiving a medicine and the plunger, and further includes a pair of longitudinally extending members on opposite sides of the body. The injection device includes cooperating detents for retaining the guard and syringe in the first and second positions. A latch member is engageable by the plunger as the plunger is depressed to release the cooperating detents. Upon release, a spring element biases the guard toward the second position.

Abstract: An infusion pump system is described that increases patient comfort and convenience. The infusion pump system includes an infusion site interface that is releasably connected to an infusion pump body, and has no tubing associated between the infusion site interface and the pump body. The infusion pump body may include a carrier frame that may be adhered to the skin of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing phlebotomy through a peripheral intravenous line is described herein. The apparatus includes an introducer and a cannula and is configured to advance the cannula through a peripheral intravenous line. A y-adapter with a port of larger diameter is configured to receive the cannula to place the cannula in fluid communication with the peripheral intravenous line. When advanced, the cannula is configured to transport a bodily fluid to a volume outside of the body.

Abstract: A folding panel needle guard comprises front and rear panels coupled together at hinges, a collar attached to the front panels at hinges, a guard base element coupled to the rear panels at hinges, a hub and a spring to unfold and lock the front and rear panels in a co-linear needle shielded configuration. The folding panel needle guard is mountable to a needle or syringe assembly.

Abstract: A system is provided for performing injections in the ventricle of a patient. The system includes an injection catheter with a proximal and distal end. Importantly, a flexible array is mounted at the distal end of the injection catheter and is moveable between a protective configuration and a flared configuration. Also, a needle of variable length is mounted on the distal end of the injection catheter and is covered by the flexible array when the array is in its protective configuration. In order to manipulate the flexible array, a locking mechanism is mounted on the proximal end of the injection catheter for engagement with the flexible array. When selectively operated, the locking mechanism moves the array from its protective configuration to the flared configuration, holds the array in its flared configuration for an injection, and subsequently moves the array back to its protective configuration.