Patent ID: 7347842

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 said needle to secure the distal end of said needle within the second interior space in the extended position, wherein said wedging portion includes a cam surface which engages a sidewall of said outer bearing to pivot said wedging portion when said inner portion is moved along said longitudinal axis; 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.