Patent ID: 7785296
Filing Date: 2010-08-31
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. A needle protection device comprising: a spring having a passage that extends in a longitudinal direction and has a diameter, the spring adapted to be wound and unwound to increase the diameter as the spring is wound and to decrease the diameter as the spring is unwound; a needle extending into the spring passage, the spring having an armed state in which the spring is sufficiently wound such that the diameter of the passage is large enough for the needle to be slidable within the passage, the spring having a gripping state in which the spring is sufficiently unwound such that the diameter of the passage is small enough to engage the needle such as to inhibit movement of the needle within the passage in the longitudinal direction; and a bearing surface positioned to cooperate with a first aspect of the spring to hold the spring in the armed state when the first aspect is bearing against the bearing surface, the spring being in substantial coaxial alignment with the needle in the armed state, wherein at least a segment of the spring moves out of substantial coaxial alignment with the needle to allow the first aspect to move away from the bearing surface, the spring movable to the gripping state when the first aspect is not bearing against the bearing surface.