SAFETY SHIELD FOR MEDICAL NEEDLES

摘要

Medical needle shield apparatus (10) for covering a needle after use. A shield (22) with two or more segments (12 and 14) hingedly connected to each other is movable from a retracted position where the needle (16) is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub (18) of a medical needle device, and the shield is articulated to the hub. At least one of the two or more segments has an open orifice through which the needle passes to form an axis of intersection about the needle. The number of hingedly connected segments depends upon the needle length and device length required to extend the shield beyond the distal end of the needle.