Fluid handling and access device

摘要

A shieldable needle assembly of the present invention includes an elongate needle with a proximal and a distal end that has an outside surface and a hollow bore therethrough. The assembly has a hub fixedly attached at the proximal end of the needle for attaching the assembly to a fluid handling device so that the bore of the needle is in fluid communication with the fluid handling device. The assembly has a guard disposed for selective slidable movement on the needle between a proximal position wherein the distal end of the needle is exposed and a distal position wherein the distal end of the needle is substantially protected from inadvertent exposure. The guard has a passageway therethrough sized to form a substantially fluid tight seal about the outside surface of the needle. The guard also includes an attachment fitting so that when the guard is in the distal position, with the distal end of the needle being substantially protected from inadvertent exposure, if a device with a conjugate fitting is releasably attached to the guard, the fitting is in fluid communication with the fluid handling device attached to the hub. The assembly also has a hinged arm articulated to the hub and to the guard for defining a movement between the proximal position and the distal position.