A needle shield for a prefillable syringe

摘要

A syringe assembly includes a needle sheath that has a cavity that receives a needle cannula. The needle sheath can be formed of materials such as thermoplastic elastomers or plastics yet still be utilized with conventional gas sterilizing processes. The needle sheath includes a passage that permits the sterilizing gases to enter the cavity while preventing entry of microorganisms into the cavity. Thus, a syringe assembly is provided that facilitates sterilizing a needle after the needle sheath has been placed over the needle.