Patent ID: 6592556
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A61J,A61M

Abstract:
An unfoldable medical needle shield apparatus associated with a medical needle device which is folded into a compact state to permit access to a medical needle and an associated distally disposed sharpened tip for use in a medical procedure and unfolded and displaced about the medical needle to provide a protective safety sheath about at least the distally disposed sharpened tip of the medical needle, said shield apparatus comprising:a shield connector assembly whereby said needle shield apparatus is securely affixed to the medical needle device; a needle shield, hingeably affixed to said shield connector assembly, which provides the foldable portion of said apparatus, said shield comprising: a proximally disposed substantially rigid, elongated first sheath member comprising a first end at which said shield is hingeably affixed to said connector assembly such that said proximal sheath member rotates in-line with said medical needle when the shield is unfolded and extended and a second end which is distally disposed relative to the first end when the shield is unfolded; a substantially rigid, elongated second sheath member comprising a connected end hingeably affixed to the second end such that said second sheath member also rotates in-line with the medical needle when the shield is unfolded and an end free of connection to any other part when the shield is folded, said first sheathing member, in combination with said second sheathing member, comprising a length which extends along the length of the medical needle for safety when the shield is unfolded and at least the second sheath member being disposed about and sheathing the needle; at least one latch associated with the shield by which the shield is unreleasibly latched to be securely affixed in place relative to the medical needle and associated sharpened tip when the shield is unfolded and disposed about the needle; and an interlock which includes an outwardly extending, distally oriented spur of the second end that defines a first planar surface and a wall of the connected end that defines a second planar surface such that the second planar surface contacts the first planar surface in a flush engagement in a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the needle such that said first sheath member and said second sheath member are forced into substantially rigid alignment with said needle as the shield is unfolded and securely latched as a safety sheath about the medical needle.