Patent ID: 6478780
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A needle shield assembly operable for safely handling and containing a hypodermic needle before and alter use thereof comprising:(d) a needle scabbard comprising a tubular body portion having a leading end and a trailing end and a first axial bore therebetween, said first axial bore having a sealed leading end and an open cylindrical trailing end having a bore diameter, said trailing end of said body portion having an expanded conical flange on an outer circumferential surface thereof said flange having a greatest diameter in a direction transverse to said first axial bore, said first axial bore defining a cavity; (e) a hypodermic needle comprising a shaft having a sharp tip on a leading end thereof disposed within said first cavity and a trailing end having a conical hub affixed thereto wherein a leading portion of said conical hub is disposed within said first cavity, and a trailing portion of said hub is disposed outside of said first cavity, and a wedge portion of said conical hub disposed between said leading and trailing portions of said conical hub, said leading portion of said hub having a diameter less than said bore diameter of said needle scabbard and said trailing portion of said hub has a diameter greater than said bore diameter of said needle scabbard, said wedge portion being reversibly wedged into said trailing end of said first axial bore; (f) a scabbard container comprising a tubular body portion having a second axial bore coextensive with a length thereof, said second axial bore having an open, cylindrical trailing end having a trailing bore diameter and an open circular leading end having a leading bore diameter wherein said leading bore diameter is less than said trailing bore diameter, and wherein at least a portion or said second axial bore is tapered inwardly toward the leading end thereof; wherein said trailing end of said needle scabbard is disposed within said leading end of said second axial bore and said leading end of said needle scabbard is disposed outside of said second axial bore, and wherein said greatest dimension of said flange is greater than said leading bore diameter of said scabbard container, and wherein said second axial bore is dimensioned to receive a syringe having a leading end adapted to matingly engage said conical hub or a carpule having a puncturable septum.