Patent ID: RE43141

Claim:
A medical device operable in connection with a fluid container, comprising: a housing having a rearward opening forming a socket configured to receive the fluid container; a double-ended needle having a forward sharpened tip and a rearward sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the forward sharpened tip projects forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the forward sharpened tip is enclosed within the housing; a biasing element biasing the needle rearwardly; a guide for guiding the needle when the needle is displaced between the projecting position and the retracted position, comprising: a track having an axial portion extending substantially parallel to the axis of the housing and a transverse portion extending transverse the axis of the housing; and a guide tab connected with the needle and projecting into operative engagement with the track; a needle retainer releasably retaining the needle against the bias of the spring biasing element wherein upon actuation of the needle retainer, the needle is released so that the biasing element displaces the needle rearwardly into the retracted position and the guide guides the needle during retraction so that the needle is tilted transverse the axis of the barrel in the retracted position; and a generally cylindrical insert lining the interior of the rearward portion of the housing, comprising: a pocket formed in the wall of the insert for receiving and protecting the rearward needle tip when the needle is disposed in the retracted position; and a guide arm projecting forwardly and intersecting the track, the guide arm having a lower edge configured in the shape of the transverse portion of the track, wherein the lower edge of the guide arm forms a sidewall of the transverse portion of the track.