Patent ID: 7758544

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 distal portion defining an inferiorly disposed sharpened end and including a proximal end mounted to a hub and said shield comprising: an outer bearing including a sidewall defining a first interior space about a longitudinal axis; an inner bearing including 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 to extend telescopically therein along said longitudinal axis; a wedging portion including a plurality of binding surfaces and movable with said inner bearing for wedging against said distal portion and inferiorly disposed sharpened end of the needle to secure the distal end of said needle within the second interior space in the extended position, said wedging portion further comprising a contrasting color to the inner bearing for providing a visual indicator that the shield apparatus is in a locked position when in the extended position; and a tether including 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.