Importance

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Abstract

A universal safety adapter usable with different types of needles and syringes has integral first and second portions and a housing, including an integral compressible section connecting a main body section to an end cap section, flexibly connected to one of the portions. In the case of the first portion being mated to the hub of a needle assembly, the housing is flexibly connected thereto by a living hinge. Once the needle assembly has been mated to the first portion of the safety adapter, to preclude accidental pricking by the needle after use, the housing is pivoted to a position whereby it completely envelops the cannula. To provide additional protection, the end cap section, which has adapted thereto an elastomer, may be urged longitudinally toward the main body section so that the tip of the contaminated needle is completely encased by the elastomer as the compressible section collapses under pressure. The dead space volume at the junction where the needle is connected to the syringe can be substantially reduced by a second embodiment of the safety adapter of the present invention which includes a male extension within the female luer.

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First Claim