Needle holder for use with safety needle assembly

摘要

A needle holder (110a) for use with a needle assembly (12) for blood collection is provided, and in particular, for use with a needle assembly including an activation mechanism (70) adapted for axial displacement between a first position and a second position with respect to the needle assembly through engagement with a blood collection tube (130). The needle holder includes an outer body having a first end (114a) adapted for attachment to such a needle assembly and a second end (118a) having an internal opening (120a) therein. The needle holder is adapted for accomodationg a blood collection tube (130) within the internal opening for engagement with the needle assembly. The needle holder further includes a lever (140) which is movable between a first blocking position in which the activation mechanism (70) is blocked from engagement with the blood collection tube to prevent axial movement from the first position to the second position, and a second release position in which the activation mechanism (70) is capable of engagement with the blood collection tube (130a) to permit axial movement between the first position and the second position. The needle holder (110a) is particularly useful with needle assemblies (12) including a blunting element (52) which can be activated by the activation mechanism (70).