Needle safety system and method

Abstract

A device and method for preventing accidental needle sticks. A sleeve having an annular shaft is slidably connected to a needle. A cord is rigidly affixed to the hub of the needle at one end thereof and to a blocking member at the other end thereof is also slidably coupled to the sleeve. After the needle has been used and is being removed from the patient's body, the sleeve is slid along the needle shaft to cover the tip and pulls the blocking member into position over the sharp tip of the needle. This positively covers the sharp tip of a needle with a puncture-proof blocking member to prevent accidental needle sticks. In alternative embodiments, a resilient member is pressed to align a hole through which the needle is projecting with a hole in a puncture-proof member which is covering the sharp tip of the needle to permit the needle protective device to be slid down the shaft of the needle and the needle to be used. A recessed needle assembly to be used in tandem with a needle assembly, is also disclosed. The recessed needle has a protective wall to prevent accidental needle sticks. An over-cover for the entire needle assembly which may be removed once, but when placed on the hub of the needle after having been used, may not be removed a second time from the needle assembly to provide additional protection, is also disclosed. The devices disclosed herein can be used for removing fluid from a patient, transferring fluid to or from and IV system, medicine bottles, vacuum test tubes, etc. A complete system having numerous safety features is described that significantly reduces the risk of accidental needle sticks of all types during each stage that a needle is handled.