RETRACTABLE SAFETY NEEDLE

摘要

An intravenous needle (30) with a sharpened distal end (34) has a proximal end (36) fixed within a first enlarged end (22) of an inner tube (20). The enlarged end (22) of the inner tube is held tightly within a first end (14) of an outer tube (10) by friction. The needle (30) passes through a constricted opening (16) in the first end (14) of the outer tube (10). The second end (40) of the inner tube (20) passes through a constricted opening in the second end (12) of the outer tube (10). The needle (30) is used by gripping soft plastic wings (50) on the outer tube (10) and removing a needle cover (38) from a nipple (15) on the first end (14) of the outer tube (10). The needle (30) is then inserted in the desired location and the outer tube (10) and a protruding end (52) of the inner tube (20) are taped in place. Fluids are permitted to flow through the inner tube (20) and needle (30). When use is complete, the needle is removed from the vein, the protruding end (52) of the inner tube (20) is pulled outward, pulling the first end (22) of the inner tube (20) and the needle (30) into the outer tube (10). The first end (22) of the inner tube (20) tightly wedges within the second end (12) of the outer tube (10), holding the needle (30) totally within the outer tube (10). Finally, the retracted used needle assembly (1) is discarded, encased in the outer tube (10).