Patent Publication Number: US-2022218908-A1

Title: Shield assembly for syringe

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/137,372, filed Jan. 14, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This disclosure is directed to medical devices. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to syringes which are used to inject a volume of a medicine or a vaccine into a patient&#39;s body via a hollow needle or to withdraw blood or other fluids from the patient&#39;s body through the needle. Specifically, the disclosure relates to a shield assembly that is removably operatively engaged with a syringe barrel. The shield assembly includes a shield which prevents a patient, particularly a young child, from seeing the needle which extends outwardly from the syringe. 
     Background Information 
     Syringes are used in a variety of different activities relating to medical treatment. They may, for instance, be used to deliver a dose of medicine to a patient that is ill or needs periodic administration of a medicine to control a medical condition. In preventative medicine syringes may be used to vaccinate or inoculate a person by delivering a dose of vaccine into their body. The dose of vaccine is specific to a particular disease, such as infectious disease, and, once delivered, the vaccine will hopefully produce an immune response in the person&#39;s body. If the person is later exposed to that disease, the developed immunity may aid the person in fighting the disease and thereby may prevent illness or at least decrease the severity of illness from that disease. Currently, countries all over the world are vaccinating their populations against COVID-19 and these vaccinations are being administered using syringes. 
     Syringes deliver the dose of medicine or vaccine through a hollow needle. The tip of the needle is used to puncture the person&#39;s skin and is moved to the correct location to deliver the medicine or vaccine. In some instances, the liquid is to be introduced into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. This type of injection is known as a subcutaneous injection. In other instances, the liquid medicine or vaccine is to be delivered into a muscle. This type of injection is referred to as an intramuscular injection. In yet other instances, the liquid is to be introduced into a person&#39;s vein. In this instance, the injection is referred to as an intravenous injection. 
     In yet other instances, blood is withdrawn from a person&#39;s veins or other liquids are withdrawn from a person&#39;s body using a syringe. Whether delivering a medicine or vaccine or withdrawing some type of fluid from the body, a needle is required on the syringe. This makes the procedure that is undertaken painful and many people are quite fearful of having medicine or vaccine delivered via injection or blood or other fluid withdrawn via a syringe. While older children and adults will cooperate to a greater or lesser degree during such procedures, young children can become extremely fearful if they have previously had an encounter with a syringe. They may therefore become quite distressed and uncooperative, making the administering of medicine or vaccine, or the withdrawal of blood or fluid extremely challenging. 
     The prior art discloses a number of solutions to address this problem. For example, Smeton (U.S. Pat. No. 3,299,891) discloses an attachment member in a 3-D shape of an animal that will be aesthetically pleasing to a young child. The attachment member includes a cylindrical bore into which the barrel of a syringe is inserted in such a way that the barrel and hub of the syringe are entirely enclosed by the attachment member and the needle on the syringe extends outwardly from a front end of the attachment member. 
     U.S. Publication 2012/0061286 (Hueb De Menezes Oliveira et al) discloses a sleeve for a syringe that is shaped to be pleasing to a child. The sleeve completely surrounds the syringe barrel and is disclosed to additionally cover the needle. The device includes a bellow or bulb section to retract the sleeve in order to project the needle from a front end thereof. 
     GB2336541 (Ross), discloses a sheath that is configured to be pleasing to a young child. The sheath has a bore for receiving a syringe therein such that a needle on the syringe is able to project forwardly and outwardly from the sheath through an aperture at one end thereof. 
     Japanese Patent No. JP3613788 (Publication No. JP2001190576) issued to Sakamata Kazuo discloses a cover body that is detachably attached to the syringe and which is shaped as a toy that would be aesthetically pleasing to a child. The cover body completely surrounds the syringe barrel and the needle extends outwardly from an end of the cover body. 
     JP20023275307 (Kaneda Toshio) discloses a tubular decorative cover for a barrel of a syringe that includes pleasing images thereon. The cover is slipped over the barrel of the syringe so that the hub and needle of the syringe extend outwardly from one end of the cover. 
     KR100834541 (Ahn Jun Seo) discloses a sheath for a syringe that is slipped onto a front end of a syringe barrel such that an end portion of the barrel, the hub, and part of the needle may be obscured but most of the syringe is still visible to the patient. The sheath is configured to be pleasing to a young child. 
     SUMMARY 
     The device disclosed herein is designed to reduce the fear a younger child may experience in medical settings where medicine or vaccine is to be administered via a syringe or if blood or another body fluid is to be drawn via a syringe. 
     The disclosed device comprises a shield assembly for a syringe that includes a cradle, a carriage, and a shield. The cradle is configured to be operatively engaged around a portion of a circumference of a syringe barrel. The shield is configured to extend longitudinally outwardly from the cradle to cover a needle of the syringe. The carriage secures the shield to the cradle and is configured to be movably engaged with the cradle. The shield is detachably engaged with the carriage and is configured to be aesthetically pleasing to a young child. The shield assembly is engaged with the syringe prior to use so as to reduce stress in the young child while they are either being injected with a substance or having their blood drawn. After the procedure, the shield may be detached from the shield assembly and may be given to the young patient. 
     In one aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a shield assembly for a syringe comprising a cradle configured to operatively engage a portion of the syringe; and a shield operatively engaged with the cradle, said shield being adapted to cover a needle extending outwardly from a barrel of the syringe. 
     In one embodiment, the shield assembly may further comprise a carriage operative to engage the shield to the cradle. In one embodiment, the carriage may be movably engaged with the cradle. In one embodiment, the shield assembly may further comprise a slot defined in the cradle; a projection provided on the carriage, said projection sized to be received through the slot; wherein the projection and thereby the carriage are selectively slidable along the slot. In one embodiment, the shield may be detachably engaged with the carriage. In one embodiment, the shield may be snap-fittingly engaged with the carriage. 
     In one embodiment, the shield assembly may further comprise an aesthetically pleasing image provided on the shield. In one embodiment, the aesthetically pleasing image on the shield may comprise a sticker applied to the shield. In one embodiment, the shield may be three-dimensionally formed into the aesthetically pleasing image. In one embodiment the cradle may be adapted to extend around a portion of a circumference of the barrel of the syringe. In one embodiment, the shield assembly may further comprise one or more spring clips provided on the cradle, said one or more spring clips being adapted to engage a portion of a circumference of the barrel of the syringe. In one embodiment, the shield assembly may further comprise a rounded bottom edge provided on the shield, wherein the rounded bottom edge is adapted to contact skin of a patient during use of the syringe. 
     In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a method of reducing stress in a patient receiving medical treatment comprising engaging a cradle of a shield assembly with a syringe; extending a shield of the shield assembly over a needle extending outwardly from a barrel of the syringe; placing an edge of the shield against the patient&#39;s skin; piercing the patient&#39;s skin with a tip of the needle; manipulating a plunger extending from the syringe&#39;s barrel to perform one of injecting a substance into the patient&#39;s body and withdrawing fluid from the patient&#39;s body; and withdrawing the needle from the patient&#39;s skin. 
     In one embodiment, the method may further comprise hiding the needle from the patient&#39;s view with the shield prior to piercing the patient&#39;s skin up to after withdrawing the needle from the patient&#39;s skin. In one embodiment the method may further comprise providing a child-pleasing image on the shield. In one embodiment, providing the child-pleasing image on the shield may include providing a sticker on a front face of the shield. In one embodiment, engaging the cradle with the syringe may include snap-fitting one or more spring clips provided on the cradle around a portion of a circumference of a barrel of the syringe. In one embodiment, engaging the shield with the cradle may include engaging a movable carriage with the cradle and mounting the shield on the movable carriage. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise defining a slot in the cradle; extending a projection on the carriage through the slot defined in the cradle; and sliding the projection and thereby the carriage along the slot. In one embodiment, the method may further comprise detachably engaging the shield with the cradle. 
     In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may provide, in combination, a syringe having a barrel defining a bore for receiving a volume of liquid and a plunger that is movable through the bore; and a shield assembly having a cradle that is detachably operatively engageable about a portion of an exterior circumference of the barrel; and a shield operatively engaged with the cradle and configured to obscure a needle extending outwardly from one end of the barrel of the syringe. In one embodiment, a carriage engages the shield to the cradle. In one embodiment, the carriage is movably engaged with the cradle. In one embodiment, the shield is configured to be aesthetically pleasing to a young child. In one embodiment, the shield may be detachably engaged with the cradle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Sample embodiments of the present disclosure are set forth in the following description, are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. 
         FIG. 1  is front, top perspective view of a first embodiment of a shield assembly for a syringe in accordance with the present disclosure, shown on its own; 
         FIG. 1A  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 1  shown alongside an exemplary syringe with which the shield assembly is able to be selectively engaged; 
         FIG. 1B  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 1  shown alongside a partial longitudinal cross-section of the exemplary syringe with which the shield assembly is able to be selectively engaged; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an enlarged front, top perspective view of the cradle of the shield assembly shown on its own; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlarged front, top perspective view of the carriage of the shield assembly shown on its own; 
         FIG. 3  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly shown engaged with the exemplary syringe and showing the syringe in a first position prior to use thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-section of the shield assembly shown engaged with the syringe and taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-section of the shield assembly and syringe similar to  FIG. 4  but with the syringe in a second position during use with the plunger depressed and delivering a dose of medicine or vaccine into a patient&#39;s body; 
         FIG. 6  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 1  shown engaged with a shorter length syringe than in  FIG. 1A , and showing an upper part of the shield assembly pivoted to a second position: 
         FIG. 6A  is a left side elevation view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 6  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 7  is a front, top perspective view of a second embodiment of a shield assembly for a syringe in accordance with the present disclosure, shown on its own; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 7  shown engaged with a syringe similar to that shown in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 10  is a longitudinal cross-section of the shield assembly and syringe  FIG. 7  engaged with the syringe as in  FIG. 9  but with the syringe shown in use and located in a second position: 
         FIG. 11  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 7  shown engaged with a shorter syringe and showing the upper part thereof pivoted to a second position; 
         FIG. 12  is front, top perspective view of a third embodiment of a shield assembly for a syringe in accordance with the present disclosure, shown on its own; 
         FIG. 12A  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown alongside an exemplary syringe with which the shield assembly is able to be selectively engaged; 
         FIG. 13  is an exploded front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14A  is an enlarged front, top perspective view of the cradle of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 14B  is an enlarged rear, top perspective view of the cradle of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 15A  is an enlarged front, top perspective view of the carriage of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 15B  is an enlarged rear, top perspective view of the carriage of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 16A  is an enlarged front, top perspective view of the shield of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 16B  is an enlarged rear, top perspective view of the shield of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown on its own; 
         FIG. 17  is a front, top perspective view of the shield assembly of  FIG. 12  shown engaged with the exemplary syringe and showing the syringe in a first position prior to use thereof; 
         FIG. 18  is a longitudinal cross-section of the shield assembly shown engaged with the syringe and taken along line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 ; and 
         FIG. 19  is a longitudinal cross-section of the shield assembly and syringe similar to  FIG. 18  but with the syringe in a second position during use with the plunger depressed and delivering a dose of medicine or vaccine into a patient&#39;s body. 
     
    
    
     Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , there is shown a first embodiment of a shield assembly for a syringe in accordance with the present disclosure, generally indicated at  10 . Shield assembly  10  comprises a cradle  12 , a carriage  14 , and a shield  16 . All of these components will be described in greater detail hereafter. Cradle  12  is configured to be operatively engaged around a portion of a circumference of a barrel of a syringe and the carriage  14  is configured to operatively engage the cradle  12 . As will be described later herein, the carriage  14  is movably engaged with the cradle  12 . Shield  16  is detachably engaged with one of the cradle  12  and the carriage  14  and is configured extend longitudinally downwardly from the cradle  12  and to cover the needle extending from the syringe at all times during use of the syringe. The shield  16  is configured to be aesthetically pleasing to a young child so as to reduce stress in the young child while they are either being injected with a substance or having their blood drawn using the syringe. 
     As indicated above, shield assembly  10  is configured to be selectively engageable with a syringe. Syringe is any type of syringe known in the art. An exemplary syringe  200  is shown in  FIGS. 1A, 3-5  and a further exemplary syringe  200 A is shown in  FIG. 6 . The main difference between syringes  200  and  200 A is the length thereof. This will be discussed later herein. It will be understood that shield assembly  10  may be engaged with a wide variety of other differently configured syringes and the specific illustrated configurations of syringes shown in the attached figures and described herein should in no way limit the scope of the presently described shield assembly  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 3 , syringe  200  includes a cylindrical barrel  201  having a circumferential wall  201   a  with a first end  201   b  and a second end  201   c . A barrel flange  201   d  is provided proximate second end  201   c  and extends radially outwardly beyond the exterior wall  201   a . Barrel  201  defines an interior bore  201   e  which extends from an opening (not numbered) in first end  201   b  to an aperture (not shown) defined in second end  201   c . A plurality of volumetric markings  201   f  are provided on an exterior surface of wall  201   a.    
     A tapered hub  202  is integrally formed with first end  201   b  of the barrel  201  and extends outwardly and forwardly therefrom along a longitudinal axis “Y” of syringe  200 . Hub  202  terminates in a front end  202   a  located a distance longitudinally forwardly the first end  201   b  of barrel  201 . Hub  202  defines a tapering bore (not numbered) therein which is in fluid communication with bore  201   e  of barrel  201  and terminates in an opening in front end  202   a  of hub. The hub&#39;s bore is therefore also in fluid communication with the aperture defined in second end  201   c  of barrel  201 . 
     A hollow needle  203  is engaged with hub  202  in such a way that needle  203  extends outwardly from front end  202   a  of hub  202  and for a distance along longitudinal axis “Y” beyond hub  202 . Needle  203  terminates in a tip  203   a  that defines an opening (not shown) therein. The opening in tip  203   a  is in fluid communication with bore  201   e  of barrel  201  via the bore of hub  202  and a bore (not shown) defined within needle  203 . A protective cover (not shown) may be removably engaged over the tip  203   a  of needle  203  to keep the same clean and to prevent a medical professional from accidentally pricking themselves. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 1A and 3 , syringe  200  also includes a plunger  205  that is movably engaged within bore  201   e  of barrel  201 . Plunger  205  is inserted through the aperture (not shown) defined in second end  201   c  of barrel  201  and includes an elongate shaft  205   a  having a gasket  205   b  provided at a first end of shaft  205   a  and a plunger flange  205   c  extending radially outwardly from a second end of shaft  205   a . Gasket  205   b  provided at the first end of shaft  205   a  seals off bore  201   e  to the outside environment and prevents any liquid within bore  201   e  from leaking out of the aperture in the second end  201   c  of barrel  201 . Plunger  205  is movable in a first direction “A” ( FIG. 1A ) within bore  201   e  to draw air or liquid into bore  201   e  or is movable in a second direction “B” within bore  201   e  to push air or liquid out of bore  201   e . This will be later described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 , cradle  12  comprises a spine  18  that is generally U-shaped when viewed from the side. Spine  18  include a leg  18   a , a first arm  18   b , and a second arm  18   c . Leg  18   a  extends along a plane that is parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” of syringe  200  ( FIG. 5 ) when shield assembly  10  is engaged with syringe  200 . First arm  18   b  and second arm  18   c  extend outwardly in a same direction from an inner surface of leg  18   a  and are oriented generally at right angles to the inner surface of leg  18   a  and thereby to longitudinal axis “Y”. First arm  18   a  and second arm  18   b  are substantially parallel to one another and may be of generally a same length. 
     Shield assembly  10  is provided with components that enable the device to be snap-fittingly engaged around only a portion of the circumference of the syringe&#39;s barrel  201 . Prior art devices were essentially tubular sleeves through which the syringe&#39;s needle and barrel had to be inserted and this could accidentally result in the needle being bent. The presently disclosed shield assembly  10  is quickly and easily snapped onto the barrel without coming into contact with needle  203  and therefore is less likely to compromise needle  203 . 
     In order to snap-fittingly engage barrel  201 , first arm  18   b  is provided with a first spring clip  18   d  and second arm  18   c  is provided with a second spring clip  18   e . First spring clip  18   d  is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and includes a first finger  18   d ′ and a second finger  18   d ″ that bracket a first aperture  18   d ′″. The free ends of first finger  18   d ′ and second finger  18   d ″ may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. 
     Second spring clip  18   e  is differently configured from first spring clip  18   d  and includes a first finger  18   e ′ and a second finger  18   e ″ that bracket a second aperture  18   e ′″. The free ends of first finger  18   e ′ and second finger  18   e ″ may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. Second spring clip  18   e  differs from first spring clip  18   d  in that first finger  18   e ′ includes a plate section  18   f  and second finger  18   e ″ includes a plate section  18   g . The plate sections  18   f  and  18   g  are integral with the respective first finger  18   e ′ and second finger  18   e ″ and extend laterally outwardly therefrom in a same plane as one another. The plate sections  18   f ,  18   g  together form a flange that allows a user to more readily grasp cradle  12  and manipulate the same. The plate sections  18   f ,  18   g  may also act as a stop for part of the syringe as will be discussed later herein. 
     Leg  18   a  has an outer surface and an inner surface and as mentioned earlier herein, the first arm  18   d  and second arm  18   e  extend outwardly from the inner surface of leg  18   a . A first indentation (not numbered) is formed in the outer surface of leg  18   a  a short distance upwardly from second leg  18   e . A second indentation (not numbered) is formed in the inner surface of leg  18   a  and is aligned with the first indentation. The provision of these two opposed indentations results in a portion of leg  18   a  being thinner than the remainder of the leg  18   a . This thinner region  18   h  acts as a living hinge that when engaging the shield assembly  10  to syringe  200  allows the leg  18   a  to flex to a certain degree. The living hinge  18   h  also enables a first portion of the leg  18   a  and first spring clip  18   d  to be pivoted relative to a remaining second portion of the leg  18   a . Living hinge  18   h  thereby enables the first portion of leg  18   a  to be moved to where it is oriented generally a right angles to longitudinal axis “Y” of shield assembly  10 . The pivotal motion of leg  18   a  and purpose therefore will be described later herein. 
       FIG. 2  shows that a pin  18   j  extends outwardly from the outer surface of leg  18   a  in a location between living hinge  18   h  and second arm  18   c . Pin  18   j  is oriented generally at right angles to the outer surface of leg  18   a  and thereby to longitudinal axis “Y”. Pin  18   j  extends from leg  18   a  in an opposite direction relative to first arm  18   b  and second arm  18   c .  FIG. 1  shows that pin  18   j  is used to engage shield  16  to cradle  12 . This will be discussed further later herein. 
     A post  18   k  ( FIG. 2 ) extends downwardly from a bottom surface of second leg  18   c . Post  18   k  is oriented generally parallel to leg  18   a  and thereby to longitudinal axis “Y”. As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , post  18   k  includes an outer wall  18   k ′ that bounds and defines slot  18   k ″ therein. Slot  18   k ″ may be generally T-shaped when post  18   k  is viewed from below. Slot  18   k ″ extends from a free end of post  18   k  upwardly towards second arm  18   c . Post  18   k  is shorter in length than leg  18   a  and is provided to enable cradle  12  and carriage  14  to be secured to one another. This will be described further herein. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , carriage  14  includes a housing  20 , a bar  22 , and a spring clip  24 . Housing  20  is an elongate U-shaped component having a rear wall  20   a , first side wall  20   b , and a second side wall  20   c . Rear wall  20   a  will extend generally parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” of syringe  200  when shield assembly  10  is engaged with syringe  200 . First side wall  20   b  and second side wall  20   c  extend outwardly from opposite side edges of rear wall  20   a  in generally a same direction as one another. Housing  20  also has a first end  20   d  and a second end  20   e . Rear wall  20   a , first side wall  20   b , and second side wall  20   c  bound and define a channel  20   f  ( FIG. 4 ) therebetween. Channel  20   f  extends parallel to longitudinal axis “Y”. Each of the first side wall  20   b  and second side wall  20   c  may define a longitudinally oriented slot  20   g  ( FIG. 2 ) therein that is in fluid communication with channel  20   f.    
     A base member  20   h  ( FIGS. 2 and 2B ) extends upwardly from rear wall  20   a  and beyond first end  20   d  of housing  20 . A platform  20   j  is provided at an outermost end of base member  20   h . The platform  20   j  is enlarged relative to base member  20   h  and is oriented substantially at right angles to longitudinal axis “Y”. One or more bracing members  20   j ′ extends between a lower surface of platform  20   j  and the base member  20   h . Platform  20   j  defines an aperture (not numbered) therein. Bar  22  is received through this aperture as will be described hereafter. The aperture defined in platform  20   j  is configured substantially identically to slot  18   k ″ defined in post  18   k  of cradle  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 2B, and 4 , bar  22  is an elongate member that extends outwardly from a first end  20   d  of housing  20  and has a free end  22   a  remote from first end  20   d  of housing  20  as is best seen in  FIG. 4 . Bar  22  is oriented in a plane generally parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” of syringe  200  when shield assembly  10  is engaged with syringe  200 . Bar  22  is configured complementary in cross-section to the slot  18   k ″ defined in the post  18   k  of cradle  12  and is received therethrough. Bar  22  is of a cross-sectional shape complementary to the cross-sectional shape of slot  18   k ″. As best seen in the embodiment of the shield assembly  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 2B and 4 , bar  22  is T-shaped in cross-section and is configured to be interlockingly received through a complementary-shaped slot  18   k ″ of post  18   k.    
     It should be understood that slot  18   k ″ and bar  22  may be other than T-shaped and will be fabricated to be complementary with one another in order to allow cradle  12  and carriage  14  to be interlockingly engaged together. For example, the bar  22  may be H-shaped or U-shaped and the slot  18   k ″ will then be shaped and sized to interlock with one another. It will further be understood that in other embodiments, the bar may instead be provided on the cradle instead of carriage  14  and the bar will extend outwardly and downwardly from the cradle to be received through a complementary aperture defined in the carriage or in a post extending upwardly from the carriage. 
     When bar  22  is received through slot  18   k ″ of cradle  12 , the end  22   a  of bar  22  is oriented generally parallel to leg  18   a  and is located a distance inwardly from the inner surface of leg  18   a . Bar  22  will therefore be located between the inner surface of leg  18   a  and the exterior surface of barrel  201  when shield assembly  10  is engaged with syringe  200 . Because of the configuration of bar  22  and slot  18   k ″, the end  22   a  of bar  22  is only able to be received through slot  18   k ″ in one orientation. Furthermore, the end  22   a  preferably is configured to prevent bar  22  from being totally withdrawn from its engagement with post  18   k . For example, the end  22   a  of bar  22  may include some type of locking member which prevents housing  20  from sliding out of slot  18   k ″. The arrangement of cradle  12 , carriage  14  and bar  22  is such that relative movement between cradle  12  and carriage  14  is enabled, as will be discussed hereafter. 
     As indicated earlier herein, spring clip  24  is provided on carriage  14 . In particular, spring clip  24  is integral with and extends outwardly away from platform  20   j  of housing  20 . This can best be seen in  FIG. 4 . Spring clip  24  is substantially similar in configuration to first spring clip  18   d  on cradle  12 . Spring clip  24  is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and includes a first finger  24   a ′ ( FIG. 2 ) and a second finger  24   a ″ that bracket an aperture  24   a ′″. The free ends of first finger  24   a ′ and second finger  24   a ″ may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. Spring clip  24  is generally aligned with housing  20  in such a way that the channel  20   f  of housing  20  at least partially aligns longitudinally with the aperture  24   a′″.    
     A coil spring  26  is engaged around the exterior surface of bar  22  and is positioned between platform  20   j  and a terminal end of post  18   k . When cradle  12  and carriage  14  are engaged with one another via bar  22 , spring clip  24  on carriage  14  is longitudinally aligned with first spring clip  18   d  (when in a first position such as in  FIG. 1 ) and with second spring clip  18   e  on cradle  12 . Spring clip  24  thereby effectively comprises a third spring clip on shield assembly  10 . 
       FIG. 4  shows that first spring clip  18   d  is spaced a first distance “D 1 ” from second spring clip  18   e . The first distance “D 1 ” is fixed and does not change. As mentioned earlier herein, carriage  14  is movable relative to cradle  12 . In a resting position, such as shown in  FIG. 1 or 4 , when carriage  14  is furthest removed from cradle  12 , spring clip  24  is spaced a second distance “D 2 ” from second spring clip  18   e . When force is applied to the second end  20   e  of housing  20  (as will be later described herein) there is relative movement between cradle  12  and carriage  14  and the second distance “D 2 ” decreases. When there is relative movement between cradle  12  and carriage  14  in a first direction, spring  26  is compressed. When force is no longer applied to the second end  20   e  of housing  20 , there will be relative movement between cradle  12  and carriage  14  in a second direction, and housing  20  will return to its resting position under the force of coil spring  26  returning to its uncompressed state. 
     Shield  16 , as mentioned earlier herein is operatively engaged with cradle  12 . Shield  16  may be formed in a variety of different shapes and sizes. In one embodiment, shield  16  is configured to include a substantially flat rear surface  16   a  ( FIG. 4 ) and a 3-D front surface  16   b . The front surface  16   b  may, for example, take the form of an aesthetically-pleasing, bright, and colorful 3-D character that will appeal to younger children.  FIG. 1  for example, shows shield  16  configured in the shape of a smiling, one-eyed fairy. It will be understood that the configuration of shield  16  is exemplary only and a wide array of differently configured shields may be utilized as part of the shield assembly  10 . Instead of a child-friendly 3-D character, shield  16  may be less child-pleasing and rather more appealing to older children, teenagers, or an adult. Alternatively, the decorative shield  16  may simply be a flat plate that has graphic indicia or text on it. For example, the decorative shield  16  may have the name of the medical facility provided on the front surface  16   b . If the person being inoculated, injected, or having blood drawn is a younger child, then shield  16  may include a child-pleasing character or image and may not be 3-D in configuration. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , shield  16  includes a tab  16   c  that extends upwardly and outwardly beyond the represented character on the front surface  16   b . Tab  16   c  is integral with the rear surface  16   a  and the front surface  16   b  and defines a hole  16   d , slot  16   e , and recess  16   f  therein. Each of the hole  16   d , slot  16   e , and recess  16   f  extends between the front surface  16   b  and rear surface  16   a  of shield  16 . Hole  16   d  is shaped and sized to receive pin  18   j  of cradle  12  therethrough as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Recess  16   f  is of a width suitable to receive leg  18   a  of cradle  12  therethrough when an upper leg  18   a  is pivoted about living hinge  18   h  from a first position ( FIG. 1 ) to a second position ( FIG. 6 ). 
     When it is desired to engage shield  16  with cradle  12 , the user will simply align hole  16   d  in shield  16  with pin  18   j  on cradle  12  and will place rear surface  16   a  of shield  16  adjacent rear wall  20   a  of housing  20 . The user will then push tab  16   c  of shield  16  towards the bar  22  of carriage  14  and rear wall  20   a  of housing  20  until rear surface  16   a  of shield  16  is adjacent bar  22  and rear wall  20   a.    
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , when a medical professional is about to use syringe  200  to inoculate or inject a person who is somewhat terrified of this procedure or is about to draw blood using syringe  200 , the medical professional is able to selectively engage the shield assembly  10  with syringe  200 . This is done so that the person receiving the injection or inoculation, or having blood drawn cannot actually see the needle  203  of syringe  200  (as will be described below). If the person being inoculated, injected, or having blood drawn, is older, then the decorative shield  16  may be omitted from the shield assembly  200  as the shield  16  is not the component of the shield assembly  10  that hides the needle  203 . This job is actually performed by the housing  20 . When a young child is being inoculated, for example, then a decorative shield  16  like the one illustrated in  FIG. 1  is able to be engaged with shield assembly  10  to make the shield assembly  10  look less threatening to the young child. 
     When shield assembly  10  is ready to be engaged with syringe  200 , cradle  12  and carriage  14  will already be interlockingly engaged with each other via bar  22 . (This likely will occur in a factory that fabricates shield assembly  10 .) Additionally, syringe  200  will be readied for the procedure. So, for example, if medicine or a vaccine is to be administered to a patient, then that medicine or vaccine will be drawn into the bore  201   e  of syringe  200  in a manner that is well known in the art. Needle  203  will have been covered with the protective cover  204  to keep the needle  203  clean and also to ensure that the medical professional doesn&#39;t accidentally prick themselves with needle  203 . 
     Cradle  12  of shield assembly  10  is positioned adjacent barrel  201  of syringe  200  in such an orientation that housing  20  will overlay hub  202  and needle  203  as shown in  FIG. 1A . The first spring clip  18   d  is positioned to be closer to barrel flange  201   d  than are the other spring clips  18   e  and  24 . When shield assembly  10  and syringe  200  are in the correct orientation and shield assembly  10  is generally in the correct position relative to syringe  200 , the free ends of the first spring clip  18   d , second spring clip  18   e , and third spring clip  24  are moved into contact with the exterior surface of the barrel&#39;s wall  201   a . The user then pushes cradle  12  towards the barrel  201  in the direction indicated by arrows “C” in  FIG. 1A . The application of this force tends to cause the first and second fingers of the first, second, and third spring clips  18   d ,  18   e ,  24  to temporarily move away from each other and receive the barrel  201  into the respective apertures bounded and defined by the first and second fingers of each spring clip. Cradle  12  may be moved along the barrel  201  in a first direction “A” towards the barrel flange  201   d  or away therefrom in the direction of arrow “B”. This may be done to ensure the tip  203   a  of needle  203  is located a distance inwardly from second end  20   e  of housing  20 , that needle  203  is located within channel  20   f  of housing  20 , and housing  20  is shrouding needle  203 . The rear wall  20   a  and side walls  20   b ,  20   c  of housing  20  effectively ensure that a patient cannot see the needle  203 . 
     If a shield  16  is to be engaged on shield assembly  10 , this may be done prior to engaging cradle  12  on syringe  200  or after engaging cradle  12  on syringe  200 . The medical professional will simply select the shield  16  they wish to use (possibly from a box of differently configured shields) and will align the hole  16   d  in tab  16   c  with pin  18   j  of cradle  12 . Shield  16  will then be pushed downwardly toward housing  20  as previously described herein, in order to ensure that the flat rear surface  16   a  of shield  16 A is adjacent rear wall  20   a  of housing  20 . 
     At this point, the shielded syringe  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) is ready for use. Referring to  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 , the medical professional will rest the second end  20   e  of housing  20  against the skin “S” of the patient proximate the site where the needle  203  is to pierce the skin “S”. Slight pressure is then applied to the shielded syringe  200  in a direction moving towards the skin “S”, as indicated by arrow “D” in  FIG. 4 . Cradle  12  grips syringe  200  and will therefore move in unison with syringe  200 . Because the second end  20   e  of the housing  20  is prevented from moving, when the syringe  200  is moved in the direction “D”, cradle  12  will tend to move towards carriage  14  because bar  22  slides further through the aperture defined in platform  20   j  and further into channel  20   f  of housing  20 . As cradle  12  moves in the direction “D”, spring  26  is compressed. Continued movement of syringe  200  in the direction “D” will cause the tip  203   a  of needle  203  to pierce the skin “S”. 
     Even if the patient is looking directly at the shielded syringe  200  during the above-described steps, the housing  20  shrouds the needle  203  and the patient is therefore unlikely to even catch a glimpse of the needle  203  as it pierces their skin. If the shield  16 A is engaged with the shield assembly  200 , all the patient will see is the little character on the shield  16  moving towards their skin “S”. This obscuring of the needle  203  helps to alleviate some of the anticipatory fear that the patient might otherwise experience. 
     Once the needle tip  203   a  has pierced the skin and been inserted to the required depth for administration of the particular medicine or vaccine, for example, the medical professional will depress the plunger  205  into the barrel  201  (moving the same in the direction “D”, and will thereby deliver the dose of medicine or vaccine from the barrel&#39;s bore  201   e  and into the patient&#39;s body through needle  203 . Alternatively, if blood, for example, is to be drawn, when the needle  203  is in the appropriate location in the patient&#39;s tissue, the plunger  205  will is pulled in an opposite direction to arrow “D” and blood will be drawn through needle  203  and into bore  201   e  of barrel  201 . 
     When the injection, inoculation, or drawing of blood is over, pressure on the syringe  200  toward the skin will be released as the syringe  200  is oved in the opposite direction to arrow “D”, thus withdrawing the needle  203  from the patient&#39;s body. As the syringe  200  is withdrawn, the force in the direction “D” is removed from cradle  12  and/or carriage  14  and the compressed spring  26  will return to its original shape and position. This will, in turn, cause carriage  14  to move away from cradle  12  and back to its original at-rest position. It should be noted that as carriage  14  moves away from cradle  12  it continues to shroud needle  203  and thereby tends to prevent the patient from even catching a glimpse of the needle  203 . The cover  204  may then be placed over the tip  203   a  once again to prevent accidental injury by pricking. 
     If the patient is a young child, the medical professional may then disengage the shield  16  from cradle  12  and give the same to the young child as a reward for cooperating with the medical procedure or to help emotionally soothe the patient. 
     The shield assembly  10  may be disengaged from the syringe  200  by simply pulling the cradle  12  in a direction moving at right angles away from barrel  201  in an opposite direction to arrows “C” ( FIG. 1A ) such that the first and second fingers of each of the first spring clip  18   d , second spring clip  18   e , and third spring clip  24  spread apart and allow the barrel  201  to be withdrawn therefrom. Shield assembly  10  may be sterilized and then attached to a second syringe or shield assembly  10  may be appropriately discarded or recycled. 
       FIG. 6  shows the shield assembly  10  engaged with a syringe  200 A that is substantially shorter than the syringe  200  shown in  FIG. 3 . Syringe  200 A is substantially identical to syringe  200  except that it is shorter in length than syringe  200 . Consequently, all components on syringe  200 A are essentially similar to the components of syringe  200  and will therefore be identified by the same reference characters in the figures and this description. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 6 , in order to prevent first spring clip  18   d  from interfering with the movement of plunger  205  of the shorter syringe  200 A, the medical professional will grasp leg  18   a  and will pivot the same about living hinge  18   h  in a direction moving away from syringe  200 A. This pivotal motion is indicated by arrow “E” in  FIG. 6 . Leg  18   a  is pushed downwardly into recess  16   f  defined in tab  16   c  of shield  16  and frictionally retained therein and therefore out of the medical professional&#39;s way. Syringe  200 A may then be used in substantially the same manner as syringe  200  described above. If a shield  16  is not utilized, then the medical professional will simply push the leg  18   a  downwardly to a sufficient degree (even past 90° relative to the leg&#39;s initial orientation) in order to move the leg  18   a  and first spring clip  18   d  out of the plunger&#39;s way. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 through 11 , a second embodiment of a shield assembly in accordance with the present disclosure is illustrated, generally indicated at  110 . Shield assembly  110  comprises a cradle  112 , a carriage  114 , and a shield  16 . Shield  16  is substantially identical to shield  16  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  and described above and therefore will not be described in any further detail. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 8 , cradle  112  is substantially identical in every way to cradle  12  except as will be described hereafter. As such, cradle  112  comprises a spine  118  that is generally U-shaped when viewed from the side. Spine  118  include a leg  118   a , a first arm  118   b , and a second arm  118   c . Leg  118   a  extends along a plane that is generally parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” ( FIG. 10 ) of syringe  200 A and first arm  118   b  and second arm  118   c  extend outwardly in a same direction from an inner surface of leg  118   a  and are oriented generally at right angles to the inner surface and to longitudinal axis “Y”. First arm  118   a  and second arm  118   b  are substantially parallel to one another and may be of generally a same length. 
     First arm  118   b  terminates in a first spring clip  118   d  and second arm  118   c  terminates in a second spring clip  118   e . First spring clip  118   d  is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and includes a first finger  118   d ′ and a second finger  118   d ″ that bracket a first aperture  118   d ′″. The free ends of first finger  118   d ′ and second finger  118   d ″ may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. 
     Second spring clip  118   e  is differently configured from first spring clip  118   d  and includes a first finger  118   e ′ and a second finger  118   e ″ that bracket a second aperture  118   e ′″. The free ends of first finger  118   e ′ and second finger  118   e ″ may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. Second spring clip  118   e  differs from first spring clip  118   d  in that first finger  118   e ′ includes a plate section  118   f  and second finger  118   e ″ includes a plate section  118   g . The plate sections  118   f  and  118   g  are integral with the respective first finger  118   e ′ and second finger  118   e ″ and extend laterally outwardly therefrom in a same plane as one another. The plate sections  118   f ,  118   g  together form a flange that allows a user to more readily grasp cradle  112  and manipulate the same. The plate sections  118   f ,  118   g  may also act as a stop for part of the syringe as will be discussed later herein. 
     Leg  118   a  has an outer surface and an inner surface and as mentioned earlier herein, the first arm  118   d  and second arm  118   e  extend outwardly from the inner surface of leg  118   a . A first indentation (not numbered) is formed in the outer surface of leg  118   a  a short distance upwardly from second leg  118   e . A second indentation (not numbered) is formed in the inner surface of leg  118   a  and is aligned with the first indentation. The provision of these two opposed indentations results in a portion of leg  118   a  being thinner than the remainder of the leg  118   a . This thinner region  118   h  acts as a living hinge that when engaging the shield assembly  10  to syringe  200  allows the leg  118   a  to flex to a certain degree. The living hinge  118   h  also enables a first portion of the leg  118   a  and first spring clip  118   d  to be pivoted relative to a remaining second portion of leg  118   a .  FIG. 10  shows the leg  118   a  aligned along a plane parallel to longitudinal axis “Y” while  FIG. 11  shows the leg  118   a  pivoted through about 90° relative to the longitudinal axis “Y”. The pivotal motion of leg  118   a  is similar to the pivotal motion and purpose of leg  18   a  and therefore will not be further described herein in particular detail. 
       FIG. 8  shows that a pin  118   j  extends outwardly from the outer surface of leg  118   a  in a location between living hinge  118   h  and second arm  118   c . Pin  118   j  is oriented generally at right angles to outer surface of leg  118   a  and thereby to longitudinal axis “Y”. The first portion of leg  118   a  extends from leg  118   a  in an opposite direction relative to first arm  118   b  and second arm  118   c .  FIG. 7  shows that pin  118   j  is used to engage shield  16  to cradle  112 . This engagement is similar to the manner in which shield  16  is engaged with cradle  12  and therefore will not be described in detail herein. 
     Cradle  112  differs from cradle  12  in that there is no post  12   k  extending downwardly from the second arm  118   c  thereof. Instead, a first end of a spring member  126  is integrally formed with cradle  112  and extends downwardly from second arm  118   c  and a second end of the spring member  126  is integrally formed with carriage  114 . Spring member  126  therefore permanently connects cradle  112  to carriage  114  and is not separable from either component. 
     Spring member  126  comprises a band of material that generally is in the configuration of a sine wave and is formed into a series of undulating peaks  126   a  and valleys  126   b . The band of material is selectively compressible when force is applied thereto but is also sufficiently resilient enough to return to its original shape and position when the force is removed. 
     Referring still to  FIG. 8 , carriage  114  is differently configured to carriage  14  in a number of ways. Carriage  114  includes a housing  120  having an exterior wall  120   a  that is generally U-shaped when viewed from below. The wall incudes a first wing  120   b  and a second wing  120   c  that extend upwardly from exterior wall  120   a  and are integrally formed therewith. The wings  120   b ,  120   c  terminate in a first end  120   c . Wall  120   c  also has a second end  120   e  located a distance downwardly from first end  120   c . Wall  120   a  and wings  120   b  and  120   c  bound and define a channel  120   f  that extends from first end  120   c  to second end  120   d . Longitudinally-extending slots  120   g  are defined in each of the wings  120   b  and  120   c . Slots  120   g  are in fluid communication with channel  120   f . A U-shaped recess  120   h  is defined in exterior wall  120   a  extending downward from top end  120   d  towards bottom end  120   e , terminating in an upper edge  120   a ′ of wall  120   a . Recess  120   h  is in fluid communication with channel  120   f . Second end of spring member  126  is integrally formed with exterior wall  120   a  and extends upwardly beyond upper edge  120   a ′ of upper wall  120   a , is located outwardly from recess  120   h  and extends beyond first end  120   c  of housing  120 . 
     Wings  120   b  and  120   c  of housing  120  are configured in a similar manner to the first finger  118   d ′ and second finger  118   d ″ of first spring clip  118   d  except the wings  120   b  and  120   c  are of a substantially greater height than the height of first and second fingers  118   d ′,  118   d ″. An upper region of each wing  120   b ,  120   c  terminates in a free end  124   a ,  124   b , respectively, that extends outwardly beyond the rest of the associated wing. Wings  120   b ,  120   c  are also located and shaped as to generally longitudinally align with the first finger  118   d ′ and second finger  118   d ″ of first spring clip  118   d . The free ends  124   a ,  124   b  of first wing  120   b  and second wing  120   c  may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed. First and second wings  120   b ,  120   c  effectively form a third spring clip that is aligned with the first spring clip  118   d  and second spring clip  118   e  and is capable of receiving a portion of the barrel  201  of syringe  200  or  200   a  in the portion of the channel  120   f  bounded and defined by first and second wings  120   b ,  120   c.    
     Shield assembly  110  is engaged with syringe  200  or syringe  200 A in a substantially identical manner to how shield assembly  10  is engaged with syringe  200  or syringe  200 A. Similarly, shield assembly  110  is operable in a substantially identical manner to shield assembly  10  except that shield  16  should ideally be engaged with cradle  112  or the needle  203  of syringe  200  or  200 A may be visible through recess  120   h  defined in housing  120  of carriage  120 . When shield assembly  110  is engaged with the syringe  200  or  200 A and the second end  120   e  of housing  120  is placed against a patient&#39;s skin and the syringe  200 ,  200 A is moved in a direction towards the skin so that needle  203  will pierce the same, spring member  126  will become compressed, as the distance between cradle  112  and carriage  114  is reduced. When needle  203  is withdrawn from the skin and syringe  200 ,  200 A is moved away from the skin “S”, then spring member  126  will return to its original shape and location and carriage  114  will move away from cradle  112 , increasing the distance therebetween. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12 through 17 , there is shown a third embodiment of a shield assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, generally indicate at  310 . As with the first embodiment and second embodiment of the shield assembly, the third embodiment shield assembly  310  is configured to be selectively operatively engaged with a syringe such as the exemplary syringe  200  ( FIG. 1-3  and  FIG. 12A ). The syringe  200  has been discussed earlier herein and therefore will not be described further herein for the sake of brevity. 
     Shield assembly  310  comprises a cradle  312 , a carriage  314  ( FIG. 13 ), and a shield  316 . Cradle  312  is configured to be snap-fittingly engaged around a portion of the circumference of barrel  201  of syringe  200 . Carriage  314  is configured to be operatively engaged with cradle  312  and to be movable relative thereto. When carriage  314  is moved relative to cradle  312  the carriage  314  is also thereby moved with respect to syringe  200 . In particular, carriage  314  is configured to move longitudinally relative to cradle  312  and thereby to syringe  200 . Shield  316  is detachably engaged with carriage  314  and thereby with cradle  312  and syringe  200 . Shield  316  extends longitudinally downwardly to a sufficient degree from carriage  314  and cradle  312  so as to cover substantially the entire needle  203  ( FIG. 12 ) extending outwardly from barrel  200  of syringe  200 . Shield  316  thereby hides the needle  203  from the eyes of the child (or adult) undergoing vaccination, for example, and therefore hopefully decreases the stress and fear associated with the procedure. The various components of shield assembly  310  will now be discussed in greater detail below. 
     Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 13, 14A and 14B , cradle  312  is described in greater detail. Cradle  312  is a substantially U-shaped component in cross-section and includes a body comprised of a front wall  312   a , a left side wall  312   b , and a right side wall  312   c . Front wall  312   a , left side wall  312   b , and right side wall  312   c  bound and define a longitudinally-oriented channel  312   d  ( FIG. 14B ) which extends from a first end  312   a ′ of front wall  312   a  to a second end  312   a ″ thereof. Each of the left side wall  312   b  and right side wall  312   c  originate proximate second end  312   a ″ of front wall  312   a  and extend upwardly beyond first end  312   a ′ of front wall  312   a . In particular, as best seen in  FIGS. 14A and 14B , upper regions of each of the left side wall  312   b  and right side wall  312   c  flare outwardly away from each other in opposite directions moving away from first end  312   a ′ of front wall  31 . The flared outer regions of the left and right side walls  312   b ,  312   c  form curved “wings”  312   b ′ and  312   c ′ respectively. Wings  312   b ′ and  312   c ′ make it easier for a user to readily grasp cradle  312  and manipulate the same. The wings  312   b ′,  312   c ′ may also act as a stop for downward motion of the barrel flange  201   d  ( FIG. 12A ) of syringe  200 , as will be discussed later herein. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, cradle  312  further include a first spring clip  312   e , a second spring clip  312   f , and a third spring clip  312   g . Each of the spring clips  312   e ,  312   f ,  312   g  are substantially identical in structure and function to spring clip  18   d  provided on spring assembly  10  and therefore will not be described in any further detail herein other than to state that spring clip  312   e  extends outwardly from first end  312   a ′ of front wall  312   a  and second and third spring clips  312   f ,  312   g  extend outwardly from second end  312   a ″ of front wall  312 . As is evident from  FIGS. 14A and 146 , second spring clip  312   g  is located a distance longitudinally above third spring clip  312   g.    
     First spring clip  312   e  is generally U-shaped when viewed from above and includes first and second fingers (not numbered) that bracket a first aperture  312   e ′ ( FIG. 14A ). The free ends of the first and second fingers may be temporarily forced apart from one another and will then return back to their original orientation relative to one another when the force is removed.  FIG. 14B  shows that second spring clip  312   f  similarly has fingers that bracket a second aperture  312   f ′ and third spring clip  312   g  similar has fingers that bracket a third aperture  312   g ′. The first, second, and third apertures  312   e ′,  312   f ′, and  312   g ′ are substantially continuous with the channel  312   d  defined by front wall  312   a , left side wall  312   b , and right side wall  312   c . When cradle  312  is engaged with barrel  201  of syringe  200 , the barrel  201  will be received in the aligned first aperture  312   e ′, channel  312   d , second aperture  312   f ′, and third aperture  312   g ′. The fingers of the first, second, and third spring clips  312   e ,  312   f ,  312   g  will securely retain barrel  201  and thereby syringe  200  and cradle  312  in engagement with one another. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure a longitudinally-oriented slot  312   h  is defined in front wall  312   a  of cradle  312  a short distance longitudinally upwardly from second end  312   a ″. Slot  312   h  extends between an exterior surface and an interior surface of front wall  312 . The purpose of slot  312   h  will be described further later herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , cradle  312  further includes an aperture  312   j  in front wall  312   a  in a location spaced a short distance longitudinally away from first end  312   a ′ of front wall  312   a  and a distance longitudinally away from slot  312   h . Aperture  312   j  extends between the exterior and interior surfaces of front wall  312   a . A length of double-sided tape  312   k  may be engaged with the interior surface of front wall  312   a  as can best be seen in  FIGS. 146, 17, and 18 . Double-sided tape  312   k  has an inner surface  312   k ′ and an outer surface  312   k ″, both of which include an adhesive thereon. Double-sided tape  312   k  is positioned to extend across the opening to aperture  312   j  in front wall  312   a . In particular, the outer surface  312   k ″ of double-sided tape  312   k  is placed in abutting and adhering contact with the interior surface of front wall  312   a . The inner surface  312   k ′ of double-sided tape  312   k  bounds a region of the first aperture  312   e ′ defined by first spring clip  312   e.    
     A peelable layer  319  is selectively engaged with the inner surface  312   k ′ of double-sided tape  312   k  to prevent tape  312   k  from inadvertently sticking to objects before a user wishes the tape  312   k  to do so. Layer  319  has an outer surface  319   a  ( FIG. 13 ) which adheres to the inner surface  312   k ′ of double-sided tape  312   k . The length of peelable layer  319  is greater than the height of the double-sided tape  312   k  and, as a consequence, a tab of the layer  319  extends upwardly beyond first end  312   a ′ of front wall  312   a . The tab may be grasped by a user to remove peelable layer  319  from double-sided tape  312   k  when the user wishes to secure barrel  201  of syringe  200  within first spring clip  312   e , as will be described later herein. 
     It will be understood that double sided tape  312   k  is utilized when a smaller diameter syringe  200  is to be engaged with cradle  312  and the spring clips  312   e ,  312   f ,  312   g  may not be able to securely hold the smaller diameter syringe  200  in cradle  312 . Otherwise the double-sided tape  312   k  may be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , carriage  314  is illustrated as comprising a plate that has a front surface  314   a  and a rear surface  314   b . The plate may be of a width that is generally equivalent to a width of front wall  312   a  of cradle  312  (where the width of front wall  312   a  is the distance between left side wall  312   b  and right side wall  312   c . A pair of laterally spaced-apart tabs  314   c ,  314   d  extend outwardly from front surface  314   a . Tabs  314   c ,  314   d  are located a distance downwardly from an upper surface of the plate, as illustrated in  FIG. 15A . Additionally, a button  314   e  extends outwardly from front surface  314   a . The button  314   e  is located a distance upwardly from a bottom surface of the plate, is located a distance downwardly from the tabs  314   c ,  314   d , and is generally midway between tabs  314   c ,  314   d . Button  314   e  includes a shaft  314   e ′ and a head comprised of two laterally-spaced lobes  314   e ″. The diameter of the head of button  314   e  is greater than the diameter of shaft  314   e ′ thereof. The purpose of this configuration will become evident later herein. Referring to  FIG. 15B , a T-shaped projection  314   f  extends outwardly from rear surface  314   b  of the plate of carriage  314 . Projection  314   f  is generally in the same plane as button  314   e  on front surface  314   a.    
     Carriage  314  is configured to be engaged with cradle  312 . In particular, the projection  314   f  on rear surface  314   b  is received through the slot  312   h  defined in front wall  312   a  of cradle  312 . Projection  314   f  has an elongate leg  314   f  ( FIG. 15B ) which is of a thickness suitable to be received through the slot  312   h  in front wall  312   a  of cradle  312 . The engagement between carriage  314  and cradle  312  is accomplished by positioning the rear surface  314   b  of the plate of carriage  314  proximate front wall  312   a  of cradle  312 . The plate is oriented in such a way as to align the leg  314   f  with the slot  312 . The plate is then pushed towards front wall  312   a  of cradle  312  so that the leg  312   f ′ of projection  312  moves through the slot  312   h . When the leg  314   f  of projection  314   f  clears the interior surface of the front wall  312   a , the plate is rotate through 90° to secure carriage  314  to cradle  312 . In particular, the plate of carriage  314  is rotated so that the button  314   e  on front surface  314   a  is located closer to second side  314   a ″ of front wall  314   a  than are the two tabs  314   c ,  314   d . When carriage  314  is so engaged with cradle  312 , carriage  314  is able to slide longitudinally along slot  312   h . The purpose of carriage  314  and its engagement with cradle  312  will be described further later herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 16A and 16B  shield  16  is shown in isolation. Shield  16  is a generally flat plate having a front surface  16   a  and a rear surface  16   b . Shield  16  when viewed from the front may be of any desired shape. As illustrated in the present embodiment, shield  16  includes a generally square central region  316   c ′, a generally rectangular first region  316   v ″ extend outwardly from the central region  316   v ′ in a first direction, and a generally semi-circular third region  316   c ′″ extending outwardly from the central region  316   c ′ in a second direction. The first region  316   c ″ and second region  316   c ′″ are of a smaller width than the central region  316   c ′. It will be understood that this configuration is exemplary only any other desired configurations of shield  316  may be utilized instead. 
     A slot  316   d  and an aperture  316   e  are defined in first region  316   c ″ of shield  316 . Both slot  316   d  and aperture  316   e  extend from the front surface  316   a  through to the rear surface  316   b  of shield  316 . Slot  316   d  is positioned a distance downwardly from a first end of shield  316  and aperture  316   e  is positioned a distance below slot  316   d . Slot  316   d  is configured to receive tabs  314   c  and  314   d  of carriage  314  therethrough and aperture  316   e  is configured to receive button  314   e  of carriage  314  therethrough when shield  316  is engaged with carriage  314 , as will be discussed later herein. 
     Referring still to  FIGS. 16A and 16B , first region  316   c ′ of shield  316  is provided with a pair of flanges  316   f  that extend rearwardly for a distance beyond rear surface  316   b . The distance between flanges  316   f  is such that the plate of carriage  314  will fit therebetween when shield  316  is engaged with carriage  314 . In one aspect, the distance between flanges  316   f  is generally equal to the width of the plate of carriage  314  such that when shield  316  engages carriage  314  there is a friction fit between the flanges  316   f  and the carriage&#39;s plate. As indicated earlier herein, second region  316   c ′″ of shield is semi-circular in shape. In particular, the outermost edge  316   g  of second region  316   c ′″ is curved. This rounded edge  316   g  is provided so that when syringe  200  is to be used, the shield  316  will rest comfortably upon the patient&#39;s skin. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, a sticker  21  ( FIG. 1 ) with an aesthetically pleasing design thereon may be applied to front surface  316   a  of shield  316 . In particular, the design may be pleasing to young children in order to act as a distraction from the injection procedure. The sticker  21  may be of a type that is permanently adhered to front surface  316   a  or the sticker  21  may be of a type that is selectively removable from front surface  316   a.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , shield assembly  310  is assembled for use by engaging carriage  314  to cradle  312  as described earlier herein, and then engaging shield  316  with carriage  314 . Shield  316  is engaged with carriage by positioning rear surface  316   b  of shield  316  in proximity to front surface  314   a  of the plate of carriage  314 . The shield  316  is positioned particularly such that slot  316   d  aligns with the tabs  314   c ,  314   d  on carriage  314 , and the aperture  316   d  aligns with button  314   e  on carriage  314 . It should be noted that slot  316   d  is of a length that is marginally greater than the distance between the outermost side surfaces of the tabs  314   c  and  314   d . Additionally, tabs  314   c ,  314   d  are sized so that they may be received through slot  316   d  of shield  316 . Additionally, the height of slot  316   d  in shield  316  is marginally greater than the height of tabs  314   c ,  314   d . Similarly, aperture  316   e  defined in shield  316  is marginally greater than the diameter of button  314   e  provided on carriage  314 . This configuration helps to ensure that when shield  316  is engaged with carriage  314 , there is a friction fit between shield  316  and carriage  314 . In one aspect, the shield  316  may snap-fittingly engage carriage  314 . Furthermore, when button  314   e  is received through aperture  316   e , lobes  314   e ″ of button  314   e  initially flex inwardly towards one another but then return to their original positions once the head of button  314   e  clears front surface  316   a  of shield  316 . This arrangement helps ensure that shield  316  is retained in engagement with carriage  314  and will not accidentally dislodge from carriage  314  when shield assembly  316  is used. Furthermore, flanges  316   f  on shield  316  abut the side surfaces of the plate of carriage  314 . This abutting engagement helps guard against rotation of shield  316  relative to carriage  314  when shield assembly  310  is used. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12A, 18 and 19 , shield assembly  310  is used in the following manner to perform an injection procedure. (It will be understood that in other instances, shield assembly  310  may be engaged with syringe  200  if a bodily fluids withdrawal procedure is to be undertaken, e.g., drawing blood.). In a first step, shield assembly  310  is engaged with syringe  200 . In particular, shield assembly  310  is positioned such that the outermost ends of the fingers of the first, second and third spring clips  312   e ,  312   f , and  312   g  are located proximate barrel  201  of syringe  200 . Shield assembly  310  is then moved towards syringe barrel  201  such that the fingers of the three spring clips spread apart and barrel  201  is received into the aligned openings  312   e ′,  312   d ,  312   f  and  312   g . At this point, syringe  200  and shield assembly  316  are operatively engaged with one another. It should be noted that when shield assembly  316  is engaged with syringe  200  the barrel  201  and needle  203  extending from the barrel  201  are hidden from view by shield assembly  316 . 
     The syringe  200  with engaged shield assembly  316  is then grasped in the fingers of the health care professional using the wings  312   b ′ and  312   c ′ to assist. The health care professional will then hold and position the device in an appropriate location on a patient&#39;s skin “S” in order to inject the contents of the syringe  200  into the patient&#39;s body. In particular, the curved edge  316   g  of shield  316  is placed on the patients skin “S” and slight downward pressure, in the direction indicated by arrow “A” is applied to the syringe  200  to bring the tip of needle  203  into contact with the skin “S”. The downward pressure may cause carriage  314  on shield assembly  310  to slide slightly upwardly along slot  312   h  of cradle  312 , in an opposite direction to arrow “A”. 
     When the tip of needle  203  and shield  316  are in contact with the skin “S” downward pressure is applied to syringe  200  in the direction of arrow “A”, thereby causing needle  203  to pierce the skin “S” ( FIG. 19 ) and moving barrel  201  closer to the skin “S”. During this downward motion, cradle  312  of shield assembly  310  moves with barrel  201  of syringe  200  and shield  316  of shield assembly  310  stays in abutting contact with the skin “S”. Carriage  314  slides upwardly along slot  312   h  of cradle  312  to enable the relative motion between cradle  312  and shield  316 . At the appropriate time, the health care professional will depress the plunger  205  on syringe  200 , as indicated by arrow “B”, in order to deliver the contents of syringe  200  into the patient&#39;s body. When the contents of syringe  200  are delivered, the needle  203  is withdrawn from the patient&#39;s body. During insertion, injection, and withdrawal, the barrel  201  and needle  203  of syringe remain hidden from the patient&#39;s view by shield assembly  310 . 
     In some instances, such as when a sticker has been applied to shield  316 , the shield  316  itself may be disengaged from shield assembly  310  and be given to a young child as a “reward” for having an injection. Shield  316  may be disengaged from carriage  314  by grasping second region  316   c ″ of shield are rotating the bottom end of shield  316  in the direction of arrow “C” ( FIG. 17 ). This rotational motion causes the button  314   e  to move back through aperture  316   e  on shield  316 , thereby breaking the frictional engagement between the two components. In other instances, where the sticker is of a removable type, the sticker may be peeled free from front surface  316   a  of shield  316  and given to the child as the “reward”. 
     In some instances, shield assembly  310  is reusable. In this instance, after the injection procedure (or bodily fluids withdrawal procedure) is over, syringe  200  is disengaged from shield assembly  310 , a new shield  316  is engaged with carriage  314  (if the previous shield  316  was removed), and then a new syringe  200  may be operatively engaged with shield assembly  310 , readying the combined device for the next patient. If only the sticker was removed from shield  316 , a new sticker may be applied thereto. 
     In other instances, the shield assembly  310  is a single use device that is discarded after a single injection procedure or bodily fluids withdrawal procedure. 
     In summary, a method of using any of the embodiments of shield assembly  10 ,  110 ,  310  to reduce stress in a patient receiving medical treatment, particularly a young child, comprises engaging a cradle, such as cradle  312  of a shield assembly, such as shield assembly  310  with a syringe  200 . The method further includes extending a shield, such as shield  316  of the shield assembly over a needle  203  extending outwardly from a barrel  201  of the syringe  200 ; placing an edge, such as edge  316   g  of the shield against the patient&#39;s skin “S”; piercing the patient&#39;s skin with a tip of the needle  203 ; manipulating a plunger  205  extending from the syringe&#39;s barrel  201  to perform one of injecting a substance into the patient&#39;s body and withdrawing fluid from the patient&#39;s body; and withdrawing the needle  203  from the patient&#39;s skin “S”. 
     The method may further comprise hiding the needle  203  from the patient&#39;s view with the shield  316  prior to piercing the patient&#39;s skin “S” and up to after withdrawing the needle  203  from the patient&#39;s skin “S”. The method further comprises providing a child-pleasing image on the shield. In one embodiment, the child-pleasing image is provided on the shield by applying a sticker  321  ( FIG. 12 ) on a front face of the shield. In other embodiments, the shield itself may be molded or otherwise formed into a child-pleasing image or shape, such as is illustrated by shield  16  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Engaging the cradle, such as cradle  312  with the syringe  200  includes snap-fitting one or more spring clips  312   e ,  312   f , and  312   g  provided on the cradle  312  around a portion of a circumference of the barrel  201  of the syringe  200 . Engaging the shield, such as shield  316  with the cradle, such as cradle  312  may include engaging a movable carriage, such as carriage  314 , with the cradle  312  and mounting the shield  316  on the movable carriage  314 . The method further comprises defining a slot, such as slot  312   h , in the cradle  312 ; extending a projection, such as projection  314   f , on the carriage  314  through the slot  312   h  defined in the cradle  312 ; and sliding the projection  314   f  and thereby the carriage  314  along the slot  312   h . The shield  316  may be detachably engaged with the cradle  316 . In one embodiment, the shield  316  is detachably engageable with the cradle via detachably engaging the shield  316  to the carriage  314  and detachably engaging the carriage  314  with the cradle  312 . 
     In one embodiment, instead of carriage  314  and shield  316  being separate components, the carriage and the shield may be integrally formed with one another. For example, in the integrally formed carriage and shield, the slot  316   d  and aperture  316   e  of shield  316  may be omitted along with the tabs  314   c ,  314   d , and button  314   e  of carriage  314 . The front surface  314   a  of carriage  314  may, instead, be integrally formed with the rear surface  316   b  of shield  316  such that a spacer block extends rearwardly from the rear surface  316   b  of shield  316 . The projection  314   f  may then be provided on a rear surface of the spacer block of the integrally formed shield and carriage. The integrally-formed component will then be engageable with cradle  312  in a manner similar to how carriage  314  is described earlier herein as being engaged with cradle  312 . 
     Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments. 
     While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. 
     The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly on” another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or “directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise. 
     Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” or “other embodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. 
     If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element. 
     As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. 
     Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively. 
     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. 
     Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.