Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Shielded winged needled medical devices which minimize accidental needlesticks of the skin by an exposed contaminated needle are provided. The medical devices include a hollow inner tube having a pair of circumferential grooves on the outside thereof, and a slightly larger hollow winged shield which is slidable relative to the inner tube. Lugs circumferentially spaced about the rearward end of the shield yieldingly engage the rearward groove during use of the medical device and thereby permit normal use of an exposed needle. Thereafter, the shield may be moved relative to the tube along the long axis of the tube to a second position wherein the shield covers the now-contaminated needle. The flexibility of the material of the shield in conjunction with a shoulder on the inner tube body forwardly adjacent a forward circumferential groove permit the medical devices to be assembled. In an unshielded position, relative rotational movement between the inner tube and shield is prevented by providing a shield and inner tube of non-circular cross section, by providing a outwardly extending ratchet teeth on the forward end of the inner tube which engage corresponding inwardly extending teeth in the forward end of the winged outer shield, or by providing rear rotational locking wings on the inner tube which extend through axial slits in the rear of the winged shield.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim