Patent ID: 7351230

Claim:
A medical needle shield apparatus comprising: a needle having a distal end, the distal end having a distal portion angled with respect to a more proximal portion such that the distal portion and the proximal portion have different longitudinal axes, a shield being extensible from a retracted position to an extended position to enclose a distal end of the 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, wherein said inner bearing and said outer bearing remain coaxial throughout movement of said inner bearing relative to said outer bearing; a wedging portion having a plurality of binding surfaces and movable with said inner bearing for wedging against said distal portion of the needle to secure the distal end of said needle within the second interior space in the extended position; 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.