Importance

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Abstract

A self sheathing safety needle comprising a needle assembly (50), a needle guard (52), and an outer casing (54) is shown in exploded relation in FIG. 1 . Needle guard (52) has a locking tab (100) mounted on the free end of a spring finger or lever (98). Locking tab (100) is received within an internal track on outer casing (54) which has a cam lug (148) for effecting movement of locking tab (100) between a locked extended position of the needle guard (52) and an unlocked extended position of the needle guard (52) to permit retraction of the needle guard (52). Casing (54) is mounted for limited rotation on bearings (60, 62) on the hub (86) of the needle assembly (50) to effect movement of the locking tab (100) to an unlocked position. Stops (76, 78, 80, 82) on bearings (60, 62) limit relative rotation of casing (54) between locked and unlocked positions of needle guard (52) and locking tab (100). During injection, the end (104) of the needle guard (52) is always in contact with the patient, and the needle (50) is never exposed, thus unable to inflict an accidental needle-stick injury. When needle (50) is withdrawn from the patient, locking tab (100) automatically travels along track (145), and is cammed into a locked extended position by the cam lug (148) and associated adjacent surfaces.

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First Claim