Patent ID: 8591473

Claim:
A safety needle device comprising: an elongate housing having a notch in an exterior surface and a longitudinal slot extending along the housing between a distal end and a proximal end; a hub movably mounted within the elongate housing; a hollow needle extending distally from the hub; a dorsal fin having a length, the dorsal fin rigidly connected to the hub along the entire length of the fin and extending outward through the slot, said needle being covered by the housing when the fin is adjacent the proximal end of the slot and exposed when the fin is adjacent the distal end of the slot; and a projection pivotably connected to the dorsal fin outside the housing for engaging the notch in the elongate housing when the dorsal fin is adjacent the distal end of the slot to selectively prevent movement of the hub relative to the elongate housing so the needle is exposed for use.