Retractable fluid collection device

Abstract

Retractable medical device including a body having an open back end and a front end. A movable member is arranged within the body. The movable member has a back end and a front end. A needle holding member is movable to a retracted position within the movable member when the movable member experiences at least one of: the front end of the movable member is caused to expand generally radially; the back end of the movable member is caused to contract generally radially; the front end of the movable member is caused to expand generally radially when the back end of the movable member is caused to contract generally radially; and axial movement caused by a cap closing off the back end of the body which engages a tapered surface of the back end of the movable member.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A retractable medical device comprising:
 a body having an open back end and a front end;   a movable member arranged within the body, the movable member having a back end and a front end;   a needle holding member movable to a retracted position within the movable member when the movable member experiences at least one of:
 the front end of the movable member is caused to expand generally radially; 
 the back end of the movable member is caused to contract generally radially; 
 the front end of the movable member is caused to expand generally radially when the back end of the movable member is caused to contract generally radially; 
 axial movement caused by a cap closing off the back end of the body which engages a tapered surface of the back end of the movable member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the movable members are at least one of generally cylindrical and generally tubular. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the movable member is sized and configured to at least partially receive therein one of a fluid collection tube and an evacuated blood collection receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer peripheral surface of the needle holding member frictionally engages with an inner surface of the front end of the movable member. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer peripheral surface of the needle holding member comprises at least one projection which engages with at least one recess arranged on an inner surface of the front end of the movable member. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer peripheral surface of the needle holding member comprises at least one recess which engages with at least one projection arranged on an inner surface of the front end of the movable member. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a device arranged within the body for limiting axial movement of the movable member within the body. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap structure and arranged to close off a back end of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap having a portion which contacts the back end of the movable member. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap having tapered surfaces which contact tapered surfaces of the back end of the movable member. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap structured and arranged to lock to the back end of the body. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap structured and arranged to cause the needle holding member to move to the retracted position when the cap is locked to the body. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap structured and arranged to cause the needle holding member to move to the retracted position when the cap closes off the back end of the body. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap structured and arranged to cause the needle holding member to move to the retracted position when the cap engages with a back end of the movable member. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the movable member comprises an internal surface which limits retraction movement of the needle holding member. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the movable member comprises an internal annular surface which limits retraction movement of the needle holding member. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the needle holder is structured and arranged to one of:
 support a double-ended needle; and   retain a removable double-ended needle.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap having an outer rim larger than an opening in the back of the body and an inner rim comprising at least one protrusion structured and arranged to engage with the back end of the movable member. 
     
     
         19 . A retractable medical device comprising:
 a tubular body having an open back end and a front end;   a movable sleeve arranged within the body, the movable sleeve having a back end and a front end;   the movable sleeve being sized and configured to at least partially receive therein one of a fluid collection tube and an evacuated blood collection receptacle;   a needle holding member comprising a centrally disposed opening for receiving a double-ended needle and being axially retained in an area of the front end of the movable sleeve; and   a cap structured and arranged to close-off the back end of the tubular body,   wherein, when the cap is positioned to close-off the back end of the tubular body, at least one of:
 the movable sleeve experiences axial movement which participates in causing the front end of the movable sleeve to expand generally radially; 
 the back end of the movable sleeve experiences radial contraction which causes the front end of the movable sleeve to expand generally radially; and 
 the back end of the movable sleeve experiences radial contraction which causes portions of the front end of the movable sleeve to pivot open. 
   
     
     
         20 . A method of taking a fluid sample using the device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 inserting a receptacle into the device;   removing the receptacle from the device; and   placing the cap onto the back end of the tubular body to thereby cause the needle holding member to move to the retracted position.