Patent ID: 7014623

Claim:
A needle apparatus comprising a tubular needle having a sharp point characterised in that there is provided a shielding means and a movement means for moving the needle and the shielding means relative to one another from an operative position in which the sharp point of the needle is exposed to an inoperative position in which the sharp point of the needle is shielded by the shielding means so as to reduce the possibility of tissue being punctured by the needle, the movement means comprising a component which is responsive to body heat such that when the needle is inserted into tissue, in use, the movement means is exposed to body temperature and the resulting change in temperature of the movement means causes the needle and the shielding means to be moved relatively automatically to the inoperative position, wherein (i) the movement means is in the form of a member which is mounted about the needle and which prevents the needle and the movement means from moving relatively to render the needle inoperative until the movement means is exposed to body temperature, or (ii) the movement means is located within the needle and the needle is mounted about the movement means such that upon the movement means being exposed to the body heat the movement means and the needle move relatively to render the needle inoperative.