Needle tip guard for percutaneous entry needles

Abstract

A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the distal needle tip of the needle.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
   
   
       14 . A needle protective device comprising:
 an elongate needle comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a sharpened distal end and a change in axis comprising a bend formed between the proximal end and the sharpened distal end; a plastic needle guard mounted and slidable along a portion of the needle between the proximal end and the sharpened distal end; a separate bushing located within the plastic needle guard, the bushing sized to slide along the needle shaft and functions to stop the plastic needle guard in a protective position to at least substantially circumferentially cover at least a distal-most portion of the needle shaft located distal to the bend, the bushing being engageable with the bend such that the distal advancement of the bushing is stopped at the bend; and a separate metallic needle tip cover attached to the plastic needle guard that covers the sharpened distal end of the needle substantially coincident with when the bushing engages the bend.   
   
   
       15 . The needle protective device of  claim 14  wherein the metallic needle tip cover is transitional between a first retracted configuration and a second operative configuration wherein the metallic needle tip cover covers the sharpened distal end of the needle. 
   
   
       16 . The needle protective device of  claim 15  wherein the metallic needle tip cover is biased against the needle shaft when the metallic needle tip cover is in the first retracted configuration. 
   
   
       17 . The needle protective device of  claim 14  wherein the needle is selected from the group consisting of an epidural needle, a blood collection needle, a biopsy needle, a Seldinger needle, a Huber needle, an aspirating needle, and a solid stylet. 
   
   
       18 . The needle protective device of  claim 15  wherein when the metallic needle tip cover transitions from the first retracted configuration to the second operative configuration, the bushing subsequently engages with the change in axis. 
   
   
       19 . The needle protective device of  claim 15  wherein when the bushing is operative to engage with the change in axis, the metallic needle tip cover subsequently transitions from the first retracted configuration to the second operative configuration. 
   
   
       20 . The needle protective device of  claim 14  wherein the plastic needle guard is of a plastic molded construction. 
   
   
       21 . A composite needle protective device comprising:
 a Huber needle comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a sharpened distal end and a change in axis comprising a bend formed between the proximal end and the sharpened distal end; a plastic needle guard of a plastic molded construction mounted and slidable along a portion of the Huber needle between the proximal end and the sharpened distal end; a separate bushing located within the plastic needle guard, the bushing sized to slide along the Huber needle shaft and functions to stop the plastic needle guard in a protective position to at least substantially circumferentially cover at least a distal-most portion of the Huber needle shaft located distal to the bend, the bushing being engageable with the bend such that the distal advancement of the bushing is stopped at the bend; and a separate metallic needle tip cover attached to the plastic needle guard that covers the sharpened distal end of the needle substantially coincident with when the bushing engages the bend.   
   
   
       22 . The needle protective device of  claim 21  wherein the metallic needle tip cover is transitional between a first retracted configuration and a second operative configuration wherein the metallic needle tip cover covers the sharpened distal end of the Huber needle. 
   
   
       23 . The needle protective device of  claim 22  wherein the metallic needle tip cover is biased against the Huber needle shaft when the metallic needle tip cover is in the first retracted configuration. 
   
   
       24 . The needle protective device of  claim 22  wherein when the metallic needle tip cover transitions from the first retracted configuration to the second operative configuration, the bushing subsequently engages with the change in axis. 
   
   
       25 . The needle protective device of  claim 22  wherein when the bushing is operative to engage with the change in axis, the metallic needle tip cover subsequently transitions from the first retracted configuration to the second operative configuration.