Patent ID: 7708721
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A vascular access needle assembly comprising: a housing having a slot along its length; a needle interconnected with the housing, the needle having a point and a slot along its length, wherein the slots of the needle and housing are aligned to form a slot extending along the entire vascular access needle assembly; a sheath slidably and rotatably interconnected with and extending partially about the needle, the sheath having a slot; a lock mechanism for retaining the sheath in a first position and about the needle, exposing the needle point and covering the needle slot; a means for moving the sheath into a second position about the needle, covering the needle point and aligning the sheath slot and needle slot; and wherein said vascular access needle assembly further comprises a tether that is arranged to interconnect said housing and said sheath, and said means for moving said sheath into a second position includes a biasing mechanism.