Patent ID: 6475190
Filing Date: 2002-11-05
Classification: A61B,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
A needle assembly comprising:a hub, the hub comprising: a body portion; and a neck portion coupled to the body portion; a cannula coupleable to the hub in which a first end of the cannula is coupled to or inserted in the neck portion; a retractable sheath comprising a tubular portion, the tubular portion being slideably mounted about the neck portion, the cannula being at least substantially encaseable along at least a substantial length thereof by the tubular portion; wherein the tubular portion of the sheath is retractably slidable about the neck portion and along at least a length of the cannula such that (a) at least a second end of the cannula is exposed when the sheath is in its retracted position and (b) the decond end of the cannula is covered when the sheath is in its non-retracted position; and wherein the tubular portion is configured so as to split down a substantial length thereof when the sheath is retracted about the neck portion and along a length of the cannula.