Patent attributes
A retractable needle assembly for use in medical procedures comprising a needle assembly including a hub, a hollow needle passing through the hub and projecting from the posterior end of the hub. A tubular sheath having a longitudinal slot extending along a portion of its length A post attached to the hub and positioned to project through said longitudinal slot such that the needle and hub assembly may slide along the length of the sheath from a position exposing said needle to a retracted position within said sheath. A means for reversibly locking the needle assembly in the retracted position, a means for reversibly locking the needle in the in the exposed position and means for permanently locking the needle in the retracted position. Several different embodiments for locking the needle assembly in position both reversibly or permanently are disclosed.
