Patent ID: 6984223

Claim:
A shieldable needle assembly comprising: a needle cannula having a proximal end and a distal end; a hub mounted to said needle cannula at a location spaced from said distal end of said needle cannula; a substantially tubular housing at least a portion of which projects distally from said hub toward said distal end of said needle cannula; a safety shield telescoped over said needle cannula and having at least a portion slidably disposed between said needle cannula and said housing, said safety shield being releasably retained in a proximal position where said safety shield is spaced from said distal end of said needle cannula, said safety shield being movable from said proximal position to a distal position where said safety shield surrounds portions of said needle cannula distally of said housing; a spring for propelling said safety shield from said proximal position to said distal position, upon release of said safety shield; and an actuator slidably mounted to said hub, said actuator being movable distally relative to said hub and said safety shield, a portion of said actuator being configured for releasing said safety shield, such that said spring element is able to propel said safety shield toward said distal position.