Patent ID: 6832992
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A passively shieldable needle device comprising:a tube holder having a proximal end, a distal end and a tube receptacle between said ends, a distal end wall at the distal end of the tube holder, the distal end wall having an actuator aperture extending therethrough and into communication with said tube receptacle; a needle cannula mounted to said distal end of said tube holder and having a distal end projecting distally beyond said tube holder; a tip guard movable along said needle cannula from a proximal position substantially adjacent said tube holder to a distal position where said tip guard protectively shields said distal end of said needle cannula; a collapsible guard drive including a pair of resiliently deformable leaves for propelling said tip guard into said distal position; and an actuator passing through the actuator aperture and having a proximal end in said tube receptacle and a distal end projecting distally from said tube holder and configured for exerting a pushing force on said tip guard in response to insertion of said tube into said tube receptacle, said actuator having a locking detent releasably engaged with said tube holder for releasably holding said tip guard in said proximal position, said actuator being configured for engagement by a tube inserted into said tube receptacle of said tube holder and being movable distally for initiating distal movement of said tip guard from said proximal position.