Patent ID: 6837872

Claim:
A needle holder in combination with a needle assembly which includes an activation mechanism configured for axial displacement between a first retracted position and a second activated position with respect to said needle assembly, said needle holder comprising: an outer body having a first end adapted for attachment to said needle assembly and a second end having an internal opening therein; and an inner body slidable within said outer body and having a tubular body concentric with said outer body, said tubular body of said inner body including a first end and an opposed second end, said first end of said inner body including a mechanism adapted for engagement with said activation mechanism of said needle assembly for axially displacing said activation mechanism between said first retracted position and said second activated position, said second end of said tubular body of said inner body projecting outwardly beyond said second end of said outer body and including an internal opening for accommodating a blood collection tube therein, the inner body and the outer body having locking elements that engage to prevent sliding movement of the inner body relevant to the outer body after the activation mechanism is in the second activated position.