Patent ID: 7736342
Filing Date: 2010-06-15
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An enclosed needle device comprising: an elongated needle guard housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a needle support having an inner component movable within the needle guard housing between a first position adjacent the distal end of the needle guard housing and a second position adjacent the proximal end of the needle guard housing; a needle cannula affixed to and extending distally from the needle support for movement therewith and terminating in a sharp distal tip, the sharp tip of the needle being exposed out beyond the distal end of the needle guard housing in the first position of the needle support and the needle cannula being enclosed within the needle guard housing in the second position of the needle support; the needle support having an exposed gripping component external of the needle guard housing and attached to the needle support inner component within the needle guard housing such that manual manipulation of the gripping component results in movement of the needle support inner component, the gripping component being adjacent the distal end of the needle guard housing in the first position of the needle support and being sized to expose a substantial portion of the needle guard housing proximal of the gripping component in the first position of the needle support; and a proximal end cap external of the needle guard housing and being separate from and affixed to the needle support, the end cap being sized to receive therein and substantially enclose the portion of the needle guard housing proximal of the gripping component in the first position of the needle support.