Patent ID: 8066679
Filing Date: 2011-11-29
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A shieldable needle assembly comprising: a needle cannula having a proximal end and a distal tip; a guard having a proximal end, an opposed distal end and a side wall extending therebetween, said guard being slidably movable along said needle cannula from a first position substantially adjacent said proximal end of said needle cannula to a second position where said distal tip of said needle cannula is intermediate said opposed proximal and distal ends of said guard; a hinged arm having proximal and distal segments articulated to one another through a hinge, for movement between a first position where said segments are substantially collapsed onto one another and a second position where said segments are extended from one another, said proximal segment of said hinged arm being articulated to a portion of said needle assembly adjacent said proximal end of said needle cannula, said distal segment of said hinged arm being articulated to said guard, said proximal and distal segments of said hinged arm having respective lengths for permitting said guard to move from said first position to said second position on said needle cannula, and for preventing said guard from moving distally beyond said second position; a spring connected to said hinged arm and said guard; and said hinge having a pin with a discontinuity that cooperatively engages a slot around a part of said pin when said guard is in said second position to resist further rotation of said hinge and an arm discontinuity on either of said proximal and distal segments of said hinged arm.