Abstract:
The invention pertains to safety syringes and safety catheters designed to protect the operator from unintentional needle sticks and prevent fluid leakage after use. When the safety syringe is in operation, a plunger with an attached piston is pushed into the cylindrical bore forcing fluid through the hollow body, the outlet portion, and out of the hollow needle. A needle shield fits slidably over the needle and a portion of the hollow body. The needle shield is a membrane sealed body. The needle shield&#39;s first position permits the needle&#39;s tip to extend outward from the shield through the membrane. When in the second position, the needle shield to extends beyond the needle&#39;s tip preventing any fluid loss. When the safety catheter is in operation, fluid passes from the flexible tubing through the hollow body, outlet portion, and out of the hollow needle. The hollow body includes a pair of wings to attach to the patient&#39;s skin. A needle shield fits slidably over the needle and a portion of the hollow body and includes a slot accommodating the attachable wings. The needle shield is a membrane sealed body. The shield includes an internal membrane sealing against fluid loss through the wing slots. The needle shield&#39;s first position permits the needle&#39;s tip to extend outward from the shield through a membrane. When in the second position, the needle shield extends beyond the needle&#39;s tip preventing any fluid loss.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention pertains to medical devices and more particularly to syringes and catheters designed to protect patients and health care workers from unintentional needle sticks and to prevent leakage of fluid from the device after use.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In the wake of the HIV epidemic, new and more virulent strains of hepatitis and other blood related diseases, health care workers have become increasingly aware of the potential for deadly consequences related to accidental or unintentional needle sticks or other contact with contaminated bodily fluids. As catheters and syringes are used in immense numbers in modern hospitals and other health care facilities, the opportunity for injury and resulting contamination is significant.  
           [0003]    Various devices have been invented in an effort to prevent such injuries. U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,264 issued to Flowers in 1998 discloses a syringe equipped with a sliding tubular shield that slides over the exposed needle after use and locks in place. This shield is, however, open on the distal end, thus permitting fluids to leak from the needle and out the end of the shield. U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,309 issued to Hausser in 1994 is similar in design to the Flowers invention, however employing different means for locking the safety shield in the distal position. Like Flowers, it would appear to be nearly impossible to position this shield over the needle with one hand.  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,887 issued to Brattesani in 1998 provides for a docking base to help protect the health care worker while attaching and removing the needle from the syringe device. This invention fails to provide a means to control leaks from the needle even though it is encased in a movable safety shield. Likewise, the movement of this shield cannot be easily controlled with one hand. U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,555 issued to Hausser in 1995 is directed towards a syringe having a lockable safety shield slidably positionable over the needle after use. This device also requires two hands to operate and makes no provision for containing any fluid that may drip from the needle.  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,849 issued to Kalin in 1997 discloses a safety syringe having a slidable barrel that can be positioned over the needle to prevent unwanted injuries. The syringe is provided with a removable seal at the end of the barrel. However, once this seal is removed, there is no convenient way of reattaching the seal to the barrel and thus the potential for leakage remains. Of a slightly different nature, U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,282 issued to Hogan in 1987 relates to a sheath for use in removing hypodermic needles from patients and retaining the point of the removed needle in the sheath when the needle and sheath are disposed of so as to protect against accidentally being pricked.  
           [0006]    It is an objective of the invention to provide a means to effectively shield the needle of a syringe or catheter after the device is removed from a patient, thereby preventing accidental needle sticks. It is a further objective of the invention to prevent leakage of fluids from the needle of the catheter or syringe after use. It is yet a further objective of the invention that the shielding capability can be operated with the hand that is operating the syringe or removing the catheter. It is still a further objective of the invention that the safety shield is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    A safety syringe may be constructed from the following components. A hollow body is provided. The body is of a first predetermined length and has an outer surface, a first end, a second end, cylindrical bore of a first predetermined diameter. Means are provided for gripping the hollow body adjacent the second end. The first end of the hollow body includes an opening of the first predetermined diameter. The second end includes a cavity extending from the cylindrical bore and terminating in an outlet portion. The outlet portion has a first end, a center section and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the cavity. The outlet portion includes an orifice of a second predetermined diameter that extends outwardly from the cavity.  
           [0008]    A hollow needle is provided. The needle has a first end and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the outlet portion such that fluid may travel from the cylindrical bore, through the cavity, through the and through the needle. A plunger is provided. The plunger has a longitudinal shaft longer than the first predetermined length, a first end and a second end, a thumb pad fixedly attached to the first end of the shaft, and a piston. The piston is formed of a resilient material, attached to the second end of the shaft, and is sized and shaped to fit sealably within the cylindrical bore of the hollow body.  
           [0009]    A needle shield is provided. The shield has an outer surface, a first end, a second end, and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the needle and at least a portion of the hollow body of the syringe. Means are provided for securing the needle shield at its first end to the hollow body in a first position. The first position permits the second end of the needle to extend outwardly from the second end of the shield. A second position permits the second end of the needle shield to extend beyond the second end of the needle. Means are provided for moving the needle shield from the first position to the second position using a single hand. Means are provided for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the hollow body in the second position.  
           [0010]    In a variant of the invention, the means for securing the needle shield at its first end to the hollow body in first and second positions further includes a first surrounding groove. The first groove is located on the outer surface of the hollow body adjacent its second end. A second surrounding groove is provided. The second groove is located on the outer surface of the hollow body adjacent its first end. An engaging finger is provided. The finger is formed of resilient material and has an upper surface, a lower surface, an activating end, an attaching end and a pivot point located between the ends. A securing tooth is provided. The tooth has an upper end and a lower end and is fixedly attached at its upper end to the lower surface of the engaging finger adjacent the attaching end. The securing tooth is sized, shaped and located to removably engage one of the first and second surrounding grooves on the hollow body.  
           [0011]    A mounting post is provided. The post has an upper end, a lower end and is fixedly mounted at its lower end to the outer surface of the needle shield adjacent its first end. The post is fixedly attached at its upper end to the lower surface of the engaging finger at the pivot point such that the resilient material of the engagement finger will bias the securing tooth downwardly to removably engage one of the first and second surrounding grooves. When pressure is applied to the upper surface of the engaging finger adjacent its activating end the securing tooth will pivot upwardly away from one of the first and second securing grooves, permitting the needle shield to move slidably from the first position to the second position. When the securing tooth is positioned over one of the first and second securing grooves and pressure is relieved from the upper surface of the engaging finger the securing tooth will engage one of the grooves, preventing further movement of the needle shield.  
           [0012]    In yet another variant, the means for moving the needle shield from the first position to the second position using a single hand further comprises an indentation located on the outer surface of the needle shield adjacent its first end and is sized and shaped to engage a finger pad of a user.  
           [0013]    In still a further variant of the invention, the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the hollow body in the second position includes a sealing membrane. The membrane is fixedly attached to the second end of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The sealing membrane is capable of sealing the second end of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle and outlet portion withdrawn within the shield.  
           [0014]    In another variant, the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the hollow body in the second position includes a sealing membrane. The membrane is fixedly attached to the second end of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The sealing membrane is capable of sealing the second end of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle withdrawn within the shield.  
           [0015]    In still another variant of the invention, the needle shield is formed of a resilient material and the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the hollow body in the second position includes a flattened closure means formed at the second end of the needle shield. The closure means has a pair of mating lips at the second end permitting the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass between them when the needle shield is in the first position. The lips are capable of sealing the second end of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle and outlet portion withdrawn within the shield.  
           [0016]    In a further variant, the needle shield is formed of a resilient material and the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the hollow body in the second position includes a flattened closure means formed at the second end of the needle shield. The closure means has a pair of mating lips at the second end permitting the hollow needle to pass between them when the needle shield is in the first position. The lips are capable of sealing the second end of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle withdrawn within the shield.  
           [0017]    In still a further variant of the invention, a safety infusion set includes a length of flexible tubing having a first end and a second end. A hollow catheter body is provided. The body has a first end, a second end, an outer surface and an outlet portion, and is fixedly attached at its first end to the first end of the tubing. A pair of attachment wings is provided. The attachment wings are fixedly attached to the outer surface of the catheter body. The outlet portion has a first end, a center section and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the catheter body. A connection fitting attached to the second end of the tubing. A hollow needle is provided. The needle has a first end and a second end and is fixedly attached at its first end to the second end of the outlet portion such that fluid may pass from the flexible tubing, through the catheter body and the outlet portion and outwardly through the hollow needle.  
           [0018]    A needle shield is provided. The shield has an outer surface, a first end, a second end, and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the needle, outlet portion, and at least a portion of the catheter body. The needle shield has a cylindrical portion beginning at the second end of the shield. The cylindrical portion has an outer end and an inner end and is sized and shaped to fit over the outlet portion, and a slotted portion. The slotted portion has a longitudinal slot, extending from the inner end of the cylindrical portion toward the first end of the shield. The slotted portion is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the hollow catheter body with the slot accommodating an intersection of the wings and the catheter body.  
           [0019]    Means are provided for securing the needle shield at its first end to the catheter body in a first position. The first position permits the second end of the needle to extend outwardly from the second end of the shield. A second position permits the second end of the needle shield to extend beyond the second end of the needle. Means are provided for moving the needle shield from the first position to the second position using a single hand. Means are provided for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the catheter body in the second position.  
           [0020]    In yet another variant, the means for securing the needle shield at its first end to the catheter body in first and second positions includes a first surrounding groove. The first groove is located on the outer surface of the catheter body adjacent its second end. A second surrounding groove is provided. The second groove is located on the outer surface of the catheter body adjacent its first end. An engaging finger is provided. The finger is formed of resilient material and has an upper surface, a lower surface, an activating end, an attaching end and a pivot point located between the ends. A securing tooth is provided. The tooth has an upper end and a lower end and is fixedly attached at its upper end to the lower surface of the engaging finger adjacent the attaching end.  
           [0021]    The securing tooth is sized, shaped and located to removably engage one of the first and second surrounding grooves on the catheter body. A mounting post is provided. The post has an upper end, a lower end and is fixedly mounted at its lower end to the outer surface of the needle shield adjacent its first end. The post is fixedly attached at its upper end to the lower surface of the engaging finger at the pivot point such that the resilient material of the engagement finger will bias the securing tooth downwardly to removably engage one of the first and second surrounding grooves.  
           [0022]    When pressure is applied to the upper surface of the engaging finger adjacent its activating end the securing tooth will pivot upwardly away from one of the first and second securing grooves, permitting the needle shield to move slidably from the first position to the second position. When the securing tooth is positioned over one of the first and second securing grooves and pressure is relieved from the upper surface of the engaging finger the securing tooth will engage one of the grooves, preventing further movement of the needle shield.  
           [0023]    In still a further variant, the means for moving the needle shield from the first position to the second position using a single hand further includes an indentation. The indentation is located upon the outer surface of the needle shield adjacent its first end and is sized and shaped to engage a finger pad of a user.  
           [0024]    In yet another variant of the invention, the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the catheter body in the second position includes a first sealing membrane. The membrane is fixedly attached to the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. A second sealing membrane is provided. The second membrane is fixedly attached to the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The first sealing membrane is capable of sealing the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle positioned within the cylindrical portion. The second sealing membrane is capable of sealing the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield about the needle when the shield is in the second position with the outlet portion positioned within the slotted portion of the shield.  
           [0025]    In still a further variant, the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the catheter body in the second position includes a first sealing membrane. The first membrane is fixedly attached to the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. A second sealing membrane is provided. The second membrane is fixedly attached to the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The first sealing membrane being capable of sealing the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle positioned within the cylindrical portion. The second sealing membrane is capable of sealing the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield about the needle when the shield is in the second position with the outlet portion positioned within the slotted portion of the shield.  
           [0026]    In yet another variant, the needle shield is formed of a resilient material and the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the catheter body in the second position includes a flattened closure means formed at outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield. The closure means has a pair of mating lips at the outer end permitting the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass between them when the needle shield is in the first position. A sealing membrane is provided. The membrane is fixedly attached to the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle and the second end and center section of the outlet portion to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The lips are capable of sealing the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle positioned within the cylindrical portion. The sealing membrane is capable of sealing the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield about the needle when the shield is in the second position with the outlet portion positioned within the slotted portion of the shield.  
           [0027]    In a final variant, the needle shield is formed of a resilient material and the means for containing any fluid leaking from the second end of the needle within the needle shield when the shield is secured to the catheter body in the second position includes a flattened closure means formed at the second end of the needle shield. The closure means has a pair of mating lips at the second end permitting the hollow needle to pass between them when the needle shield is in the first position. A sealing membrane is provided. The membrane is fixedly attached to the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield and permits the hollow needle to pass through the membrane when the needle shield is in the first position. The lips are capable of sealing the outer end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield when the shield is in the second position with the hollow needle positioned within the cylindrical portion. The sealing membrane is capable of sealing the inner end of the cylindrical portion of the needle shield about the needle when the shield is in the second position with the outlet portion positioned within the slotted portion of the shield. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the butterfly anchor and an infusion set;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 is a plan view of the butterfly anchor;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the butterfly anchor, illustrating the reinforcing means; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating the control of the catheter in the vein of a patient.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]    As shown in FIG. 1, a safety syringe  10  may be constructed from the following components. A hollow body  14  is provided. The body  14  is of a first predetermined length  18  and has an outer surface  22 , a first end  26 , a second end  30 , cylindrical bore  34  of a first predetermined diameter  38 . Means  42  are provided for gripping the hollow body  14  adjacent the second end  30 . The first end  26  of the hollow body  14  includes an opening  46  of the first predetermined diameter  50 . The second end  30  includes a cavity  54  extending from the cylindrical bore  34  and terminating in an outlet portion  58 . The outlet portion  58  has a first end  62 , a center section  66  and a second end  70  and is fixedly attached at its first end  62  to the cavity  54 . The outlet portion  58  includes an orifice  74  of a second predetermined diameter  78  that extends outward from the cavity  54 .  
         [0033]    A hollow needle  82  is provided. The needle  82  has a first end  86  and a second end  90  and is fixedly attached at its first end  86  to the second end  70  of the outlet portion  58  such that fluid  162  may travel from the cylindrical bore  34 , through the cavity  54 , through the outlet portion  58  and through the needle  82 . A plunger  94  is provided. The plunger  94  has a longitudinal shaft  98  longer than the first predetermined length  18 , a first end  102  and a second end  106  (not shown), a thumb pad  110  fixedly attached to the first end  102  of the shaft  98 , and a piston  114 . The piston  114  (not shown) is formed of a resilient material  118 , attached to the second end  106  (not shown) of the shaft  98 , and is sized and shaped to fit sealably within the cylindrical bore  34  of the hollow body  14 .  
         [0034]    A needle shield  122  is provided. The shield  122  has an outer surface  126 , a first end  130 , a second end  134 , and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the needle  82  and at least a portion of the hollow body  14  of the syringe  10 . Means  138  are provided for securing the needle shield  122  at its first end  26  to the hollow body  14  in a first position  142 . The first position  142  permits the second end  90  of the needle  82  to extend outwardly from the second end  134  of the shield  122 . A second position  146  permits the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  to extend beyond the second end  90  of the needle  82 . Means  150  are provided for moving the needle shield  122  from the first position  142  to the second position  146  using a single hand  154  (not shown). Means  158  are provided for containing any fluid leaking  166  from the second end  90  of the needle  82  within the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is secured to the hollow body  14  in the second position  146 .  
         [0035]    In a variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the means  170  for securing the needle shield  122  at its first end  130  to the hollow body  14  in first  142  and second positions  146  further includes a first surrounding groove  174 . The first groove  174  is located on the outer surface  22  of the hollow body  14  adjacent its second end  30 . A second surrounding groove  178  is provided. The second groove  178  is located on the outer surface  22  of the hollow body  14  adjacent its first end  26 . An engaging finger  182  is provided. The finger  182  is formed of resilient material  186  and has an upper surface  190 , a lower surface  194 , an activating end  198 , an attaching end  202  and a pivot point  206  located between the ends. A securing tooth  210  is provided. The tooth  210  has an upper end  214  and a lower end  218  and is fixedly attached at its upper end  214  to the lower surface  194  of the engaging finger  182  adjacent the attaching end  202 . The securing tooth  210  is sized, shaped and located to removably engage one of the first  174  and second surrounding grooves  178  on the hollow body  14 .  
         [0036]    A mounting post  226  is provided. The post  226  has an upper end  230 , a lower end  234  and is fixedly mounted at its lower end  234  to the outer surface  126  of the needle shield  122  adjacent its first end  130 . The post  226  is fixedly attached at its upper end  230  to the lower surface  194  of the engaging finger  182  at the pivot point  206  such that the resilient material  186  of the engaging finger  182  will bias the securing tooth  210  downward to removably engage one of the first  174  and second surrounding grooves  178 . When pressure is applied to the upper surface  190  of the engaging finger  182  adjacent its activating end  198  the securing tooth  210  will pivot upwardly away from one of the first  174  and second securing grooves  178 , permitting the needle shield  122  to move slidably from the first position  142  to the second position  146 . When the securing tooth  210  is positioned over one of the first  174  and second securing grooves  178  and pressure is relieved from the upper surface  190  of the engaging finger  182  the securing tooth  210  will engage one of the grooves, preventing further movement of the needle shield  122 .  
         [0037]    In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 3, the means  236  for moving the needle shield  122  from the first position  142  to the second position  146  using a single hand  154  (not shown) further comprises an indentation  238  located on the outer surface  126  of the needle shield  122  adjacent its first end  130  and is sized and shaped to engage a finger pad  242  (not shown) of a user.  
         [0038]    In still a further variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, the means  246  for containing any fluid leaking  166  from the second end  90  of the needle  82  within the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is secured to the hollow body  14  in the second position  146  includes a sealing membrane  250 . The membrane  250  is fixedly attached to the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  and permits the hollow needle  82  and the second end  70  and center section  66  of the outlet portion  58  to pass through the membrane  250  when the needle shield  122  is in the first position  142 . The sealing membrane  250  is capable of sealing the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is in the second position  146  with the hollow needle  82  and outlet portion  58  withdrawn within the shield  122 .  
         [0039]    In another variant, as shown in FIG. 5, the means  252  for containing any fluid leaking  166  from the second end  90  of the needle  82  within the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is secured to the hollow body  14  in the second position  146  includes a sealing membrane  256 . The membrane  256  is fixedly attached to the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  and permits the hollow needle  82  to pass through the membrane  256  when the needle shield  122  is in the first position  142 . The sealing membrane  256  is capable of sealing the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is in the second position  146  with the hollow needle  82  withdrawn within the shield  122 .  
         [0040]    In still another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the needle shield  122  is formed of a resilient material  254  and the means  258  for containing any fluid leaking  166  from the second end  90  of the needle  82  within the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is secured to the hollow body  14  in the second position  146  includes a flattened closure means  262  formed at the second end  134  of the needle shield  122 . The closure means  262  has a pair of mating lips  266  at the second end  134  permitting the hollow needle  82  and the second end  70  and center section  66  of the outlet portion  58  to pass between them when the needle shield  122  is in the first position  142 . The lips  266  are capable of sealing the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is in the second position  146  with the hollow needle  82  and outlet portion  58  withdrawn within the shield  122 .  
         [0041]    In a further variant, as shown in FIG. 7, the needle shield  122  is formed of a resilient material  254  and the means  270  for containing any fluid leaking  166  from the second end  90  of the needle  82  within the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is secured to the hollow body  14  in the second position  146  includes a flattened closure means  264  formed at the second end  134  of the needle shield  122 . The closure means  264  has a pair of mating lips  268  at the second end  134  permitting the hollow needle  82  to pass between them when the needle shield  122  is in the first position  142 . The lips  268  are capable of sealing the second end  134  of the needle shield  122  when the shield  122  is in the second position  146  with the hollow needle  82  withdrawn within the shield  122 .  
         [0042]    In still a further variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 8, a safety infusion set  274  includes a length of flexible tubing  278  having a first end  282  and a second end  286 . A hollow catheter body  290  is provided. The body  290  has a first end  294 , a second end  298 , an outer surface  302  and an outlet portion  306 , and is fixedly attached at its first end  294  to the first end  282  of the tubing  278 . A pair of attachment wings  308  is provided. The attachment wings  308  are fixedly attached to the outer surface  302  of the catheter body  290 . The outlet portion  306  has a first end  310 , a center section  314  and a second end  318  and is fixedly attached at its first end  310  to the second end  298  of the catheter body  290 . A connection fitting  322  attached to the second end  286  of the tubing  278 . A hollow needle  324  is provided. The needle  324  has a first end  328  and a second end  332  and is fixedly attached at its first end  328  to the second end  318  of the outlet portion  306  such that fluid  336  may pass from the flexible tubing  278 , through the catheter body  290  and the outlet portion  306  and outwardly through the hollow needle  324 .  
         [0043]    A needle shield  340  is provided. The shield  340  has an outer surface  344 , a first end  348 , a second end  352 , and is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the needle  324 , outlet portion  306 , and at least a portion of the catheter body  290 . The needle shield  340  has a cylindrical portion  342  beginning at the second end  352  of the shield  340 . The cylindrical portion  342  has an outer end  346  and an inner end  350  and is sized and shaped to fit over the outlet portion  306 , and a slotted portion  354 . The slotted portion  354  has a longitudinal slot  358 , extending from the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  toward the first end  348  of the shield  340 . The slotted portion  354  is sized and shaped to fit slidably over the hollow catheter body  290  with the slot  354  accommodating an intersection of the wings  308  and the catheter body  290 .  
         [0044]    Means  355  are provided for securing the needle shield  340  at its first end  348  to the catheter body  290  in a first position  356 . The first position  356  permits the second end  332  of the needle  324  to extend outwardly from the second end  352  of the shield  340 . A second position  360  permits the second end  352  of the needle shield  340  to extend beyond the second end  332  of the needle  324 . Means  364  are provided for moving the needle shield  340  from the first position  356  to the second position  360  using a single hand  368  (not shown). Means  372  are provided for containing any fluid leaking  376  from the second end  332  of the needle  324  within the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is secured to the catheter body  290  in the second position  360 .  
         [0045]    In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 9, the means  380  for securing the needle shield  340  at its first end  348  to the catheter body  290  in first  356  and second positions  360  includes a first surrounding groove  384 . The first groove  384  is located on the outer surface  302  of the catheter body  290  adjacent its second end  298 . A second surrounding groove  388  is provided. The second groove  388  is located on the outer surface  302  of the catheter body  290  adjacent its first end  294 . An engaging finger  392  is provided. The finger  392  is formed of resilient material  396  and has an upper surface  400 , a lower surface  406 , an activating end  410 , an attaching end  414  and a pivot point  418  located between the ends. A securing tooth  422  is provided. The tooth  422  has an upper end  426  and a lower end  430  and is fixedly attached at its upper end  426  to the lower surface  406  of the engaging finger  392  adjacent the attaching end  414 .  
         [0046]    The securing tooth  422  is sized, shaped and located to removably engage one of the first  384  and second surrounding grooves  388  on the catheter body  290 . A mounting post  434  is provided. The post  434  has an upper end  438 , a lower end  442  and is fixedly mounted at its lower end  442  to the outer surface  344  of the needle shield  340  adjacent its first end  348 . The post  434  is fixedly attached at its upper end  438  to the lower surface  406  of the engaging finger  392  at the pivot point  418  such that the resilient material  396  of the engagement finger  392  will bias the securing tooth  422  downwardly to removably engage one of the first  384  and second surrounding grooves  388 .  
         [0047]    When pressure is applied to the upper surface  400  of the engaging finger  392  adjacent its activating end  410  the securing tooth  422  will pivot upwardly away from one of the first  384  and second securing grooves  388 , permitting the needle shield  340  to move slidably from the first position  356  to the second position  360 . When the securing tooth  422  is positioned over one of the first  384  and second securing grooves  388  and pressure is relieved from the upper surface  400  of the engaging finger  392  the securing tooth  422  will engage one of the grooves, preventing further movement of the needle shield  340 .  
         [0048]    In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 10, the means  446  for moving the needle shield  340  from the first position  356  to the second position  360  using a single hand  450  (not shown) further includes an indentation  454 . The indentation  454  is located upon the outer surface  344  of the needle shield  340  adjacent its first end  348  and is sized and shaped to engage a finger pad  458  (not shown) of a user.  
         [0049]    In yet another variant of the invention, as shown in FIG. 8, the means  462  for containing any fluid leaking  376  from the second end  332  of the needle  324  within the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is secured to the catheter body  290  in the second position  360  includes a first sealing membrane  466 . The membrane  466  is fixedly attached to the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  and the second end  318  and center section  314  of the outlet portion  306  to pass through the membrane  466  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . A second sealing membrane  470  is provided. The second membrane  470  is fixedly attached to the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  and the second end  318  and center section  314  of the outlet portion  306  to pass through the membrane  470  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 .  
         [0050]    The first sealing membrane  466  is cap able of sealing the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the hollow needle  324  positioned within the cylindrical portion  342 . The second sealing membrane  470  is capable of sealing the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  about the needle  324  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the outlet portion  306  positioned within the slotted portion  354  of the shield  340 .  
         [0051]    In still a further variant, as shown in FIG. 10, the means  472  for containing any fluid leaking  376  from the second end  332  of the needle  324  within the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is secured to the catheter body  290  in the second position  360  includes a first sealing membrane  466 . The first membrane  466  is fixedly attached to the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  to pass through the membrane  466  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . A second sealing membrane  470  is provided. The second membrane  470  is fixedly attached to the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  to pass through the membrane  470  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . The first sealing membrane  466  is capable of sealing the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the hollow needle  324  positioned within the cylindrical portion  342 . The second sealing membrane  470  is capable of sealing the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  about the needle  324  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the outlet portion  306  positioned within the slotted portion  354  of the shield  340 .  
         [0052]    In yet another variant, as shown in FIG. 11, the needle shield  340  is formed of a resilient material  478  and the means  482  for containing any fluid leaking  376  from the second end  332  of the needle  324  within the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is secured to the catheter body  290  in the second position  360  includes a flattened closure means  486  formed at the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340 . The closure means  486  has a pair of mating lips  490  at the outer end  346  permitting the hollow needle  324  and the second end  318  and center section  314  of the outlet portion  306  to pass between them when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . A sealing membrane  480  is provided. The membrane  480  is fixedly attached to the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  and the second end  318  and center section  314  of the outlet portion  306  to pass through the membrane  480  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . The lips  490  are capable of sealing the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the hollow needle  324  positioned within the cylindrical portion  342 . The sealing membrane  480  is capable of sealing the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  about the needle  324  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the outlet portion  306  positioned within the slotted portion  354  of the shield  340 .  
         [0053]    In a final variant, as shown in FIG. 12, the needle shield  340  is formed of a resilient material  498  and the means  502  for containing any fluid leaking  376  from the second end  332  of the needle  324  within the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is secured to the catheter body  290  in the second position  360  includes a flattened closure means  506  formed at the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340 . The closure means  506  has a pair of mating lips  510  at the outer end  346  permitting the hollow needle  324  to pass between them when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . A sealing membrane  488  is provided. The membrane  488  is fixedly attached to the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  and permits the hollow needle  324  to pass through the membrane  488  when the needle shield  340  is in the first position  356 . The lips  510  are capable of sealing the outer end  346  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the hollow needle  324  positioned within the cylindrical portion  342 . The sealing membrane  488  is capable of sealing the inner end  350  of the cylindrical portion  342  of the needle shield  340  about the needle  324  when the shield  340  is in the second position  360  with the outlet portion  306  positioned within the slotted portion  354  of the shield  340 .  
         [0054]    The safety syringe/catheter  10  has been described with reference to particular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.