A medical device, comprising: a needle assembly comprised of a needle hub and a needle securely coupled to the needle hub , the needle hub having a proximal end , a distal end , and a fluid communication pathway extending therebetween; a resiliently deflectable actuator arm extending from the needle hub and having an actuator button formed thereon, wherein the actuator arm is cantilevered; a barrel having proximal and distal ends and a passage extending therebetween, wherein the needle hub is slidably disposed within the passage and the needle hub is axially movable relative to the barrel from a distal position where the needle projects distally beyond the distal end of the barrel and a proximal position where the needle is entirely contained within the barrel, and wherein the barrel comprises an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the aperture engages the actuator button when the needle hub is in the distal position, and wherein the actuator button is disengaged from the aperture when the actuator arm is resiliently deflected and the needle hub is in the proximal position; a spring disposed in the barrel for propelling the needle hub to the proximal position when the actuator arm is deflected and the actuator button is disengaged from the aperture ; and a septum fitted within the distal end of the barrel, wherein the needle extends through the septum when the needle hub is in the distal position, and wherein the septum seals the barrel when the needle hub is in the proximal position, characterized in that an absorbent sponge is fitted in proximity to the septum within the distal end of the barrel , wherein the needle extends through the sponge when the needle is in the distal position, and wherein the sponge absorbs and retains any fluid on the outside of the needle as the needle is retracted into the proximal position. a needle assembly comprised of a needle hub and a needle securely coupled to the needle hub , the needle hub having a proximal end , a distal end , and a fluid communication pathway extending therebetween; a resiliently deflectable actuator arm extending from the needle hub and having an actuator button formed thereon, wherein the actuator arm is cantilevered; a barrel having proximal and distal ends and a passage extending therebetween, wherein the needle hub is slidably disposed within the passage and the needle hub is axially movable relative to the barrel from a distal position where the needle projects distally beyond the distal end of the barrel and a proximal position where the needle is entirely contained within the barrel, and wherein the barrel comprises an aperture extending therethrough, wherein the aperture engages the actuator button when the needle hub is in the distal position, and wherein the actuator button is disengaged from the aperture when the actuator arm is resiliently deflected and the needle hub is in the proximal position; a spring disposed in the barrel for propelling the needle hub to the proximal position when the actuator arm is deflected and the actuator button is disengaged from the aperture ; and a septum fitted within the distal end of the barrel, wherein the needle extends through the septum when the needle hub is in the distal position, and wherein the septum seals the barrel when the needle hub is in the proximal position, characterized in that an absorbent sponge is fitted in proximity to the septum within the distal end of the barrel , wherein the needle extends through the sponge when the needle is in the distal position, and wherein the sponge absorbs and retains any fluid on the outside of the needle as the needle is retracted into the proximal position. <EOS>