Importance

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Abstract

Shielded winged needled medical devices for use as part of fistula sets and which minimize accidental needlesticks of the skin by an exposed contaminated needle are provided. The medical devices include a hollow inner tube body, and a sliding hollow outer winged shield. The inner tube has a foward groove and a ratcheted rear groove on the outside surface thereof, a shoulder of relatively large diameter forwardly adjacent the front groove, and a ramp of diameter smaller than the shoulder rearwardly adjacent the front groove. The outer shield has an inner surface with first and second ramps and a ratcheted protrusion which terminates the second ramp. The ratcheted protrusion sits in the ratcheted rear groove of the inner tube while the winged needle device is being used and eliminates inadvertent rotation while permitting forced rotation at any time between the inner tube and outer shield. After use, the outer shield may be slid forward relative to the inner tube, overcoming resistance given by the engagement of the protrusion and a ramp forward the rear groove, until the protrusion slides up the ramp rearwardly adjacent the front groove and locks in the forward groove. In this forward position, the now-contaminated needle is shielded, with the ramps, grooves, and shoulder of the inner tube and outer shield providing an absolute lock which may not be overcome by manual force.

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First Claim