Needle assembly having single-handedly activated needle barrier

摘要

A needle assembly having a single-handedly activated needle barrier includes a needle cannula having a lumen therethrough. A needle hub having an interior cavity terminating at an open proximal end of the hub is connected to the needle cannula so that the lumen is in fluid communication with the interior cavity. A guide element having a retaining groove therethrough is connected to the needle hub. An elongate barrier arm having a proximal end and a distal end includes a barrier element at its distal end. The barrier element includes a proximal end and a needle passageway therethrough. The barrier arm is positioned within the groove of the guide element and the needle cannula is positioned at least partially within the barrier element. The barrier arm is movable from at least a first retracted position wherein the distal end of the cannula passes through the barrier element so that the distal end of the needle cannula is exposed, to a second extended position wherein the barrier element surrounds the distal end of the needle cannula to help prevent accidental contact with the distal end of the needle cannula. Locking structure to prevent movement of the barrier arm from the second extended position is activated by movement of the barrier arm into the second extended position.