Safety shield for blood collection medical needles

Abstract

Medical needle shield apparatus including a shield with two or more segments hingedly connected to each other and movable from a retracted position where the needle is exposed, to an extended position where the shield extends beyond the end of the needle. The needle is affixed in a hub 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 shield includes a channel for covering the needle when the shield is linearly extended. One or more locks associated with one or more of the segments secures one or more of the segments relative to the shield in the extended position. A latch is also disposed on the distal segment for securing the distal segment relative to the shield when in the extended position. 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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fluid collection safety apparatus comprising: 
 a holder having a distal end, said distal end having a needle extending therefrom and including a pair of arms extending from said distal end, said arms defining a cavity therebetween; and    a shield attached to said holder and disposed within said cavity.    
     
     
         2 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield is extensible to an extended position, said shield including at least one surface configured to maintain the shield in said extended position.  
     
     
         3 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield includes a proximal portion that includes at least one retaining member configured to engage at least one of the arms to maintain the shield in an extended position.  
     
     
         4 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said holder and said shield are monolithically formed.  
     
     
         5 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield includes a proximal portion that includes protrusions configured to lock with the arms to maintain the shield in an extended position.  
     
     
         6 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield includes a needle guide.  
     
     
         7 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein a bottom edge of a distal segment of the shield defines the needle guide.  
     
     
         8 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said shield includes a plurality of ribs extending inwardly from at least one sidewall thereof to form a channel about said needle when said shield is in an extended position.  
     
     
         9 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sheath adapted to cover said needle and removably engage at least one of said arms.  
     
     
         10 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a membrane mounted to said holder and configured to maintain sterility thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A fluid collection safety apparatus comprising: 
 a holder having a distal end, said distal end having a needle extending therefrom and including a pair of arms extending from said distal end, said arms defining a cavity therebetween; and    a shield attached to said holder and disposed within said cavity, said shield having a locking member disposed adjacent a proximal portion thereof for engaging said arms.    
     
     
         12 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said shield includes a proximal segment hingedly attached to a distal segment.  
     
     
         13 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said locking member engages said proximal segment to lock said shield in an extended position.  
     
     
         14 . A fluid collection safety apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said proximal segment releasably engages said distal segment to maintain said shield in a retracted position.  
     
     
         15 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said shield includes a needle guide.  
     
     
         16 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein a bottom edge of the distal segment defines a needle guide.  
     
     
         17 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said shield includes a plurality of ribs extending inwardly from at least one sidewall thereof to form a channel about said needle when said shield is in an extended position.  
     
     
         18 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 12  wherein a bottom surface is disposed across a distal part of said distal segment and wherein a proximal edge of said bottom surface comprises a needle guide.  
     
     
         19 . The fluid collection apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a sheath adapted to cover said needle and removably engage at least one of said arms.  
     
     
         20 . A fluid collection safety apparatus comprising: 
 a holder having a distal end, said distal end having a needle extending therefrom and including a pair of arms extending from said distal end, said arms defining a cavity therebetween; and    a shield having a proximal segment hingedly attached to a distal segment, said proximal segment hingedly attached to said holder, said proximal segment being disposed within said cavity and having opposing protrusions for engaging opposing catches of said arms;    a retention catch disposed with said segments that releasably retain said shield in a retracted position; and    a needle guide disposed with said shield.