Patent ID: 6997902

Claim:
A medical needle shield apparatus comprising: a shield being extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of a needle, said needle including a proximal end mounted to a hub and said shield comprising: an outer bearing having a sidewall defining a first interior space about a longitudinal axis; an inner bearing having a sidewall defining a second interior space about said longitudinal axis, wherein said needle is disposed in said second interior space and is movable along said longitudinal axis; said inner bearing disposed in said first interior space and moveable therein along said longitudinal axis; a wedging portion movable with said inner bearing for wedging against a side of the distal end of said needle to secure the distal end of said needle within the second interior space in the extended position; and a tether having a proximal end connected to said hub and a distal end connected to said inner bearing for preventing separation of the shield from the needle in the extended position.