Safety shield needle protector

Abstract

Method and apparatus for needle protection provided by a container having opposed ends, with one end permitting the container to be positioned on a receptacle, and the opposite end for the attachment of a fillable member. A needle is positioned within the container, which can be tubular, between the opposed ends. The attachment of a fillable member can be by the attachment of an empty syringe, and the container can be positioned on a receptacle for attaching a serum vial. A needle removably extends within the container near the end where the receptacle is attachable. The empty syringe is removably connected to the needle within the container, and is used to withdraw serum from the vial. After the filled syringe is withdrawn, the serum is dispensed, and the empty syringe, with the needle is returned to the container, which is disposed of.

1 . A safety shield comprising: 
 a container having opposed ends;    means at one end for permitting said container to be positioned on a receptacle;    means at the opposite end of said container for the attachment of a fillable container; and    a needle positioned within said container between said opposed ends.    
     
     
         2 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said container is tubular.  
     
     
         3 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for the attachment of a fillable container comprises means for attaching an empty syringe thereto.  
     
     
         4 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said means for permitting said container to be positioned on a receptacle comprises means for attaching a serum vial to said container.  
     
     
         5 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said needle extends within said container near the end where said receptacle is attachable.  
     
     
         6 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said needle is removably connectable to said end where a fillable container is attachable.  
     
     
         7 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 4  wherein said serum vial has a tamper-evident cap which is removed and discarded before said vial is attached to said container and is penetrated by said needle.  
     
     
         8 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 3  wherein said empty syringe is removably connected to said needle within said container.  
     
     
         9 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 3  wherein said empty syringe is returnably connectable with said needle into said container after removal therefrom; thereby to prevent exposure to said needle after the use thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A safety shield as defined in  claim 1  wherein said container including said needle is placed in sealed package before being used to attach a vial at one end and a syringe at the opposite end.  
     
     
         11 . A method of providing a safety shield for a needle comprising the steps of: 
 (a) positioning a needle within a container having opposed ends;    (b) providing means at one end of said container for permitting it to be positioned on a receptacle; and    (c) providing means at the opposite end of said container for the attachment of a fillable container.    
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  further including the step of providing said container as a tubular member.  
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  further including the step of providing means for the attachment of a fillable container to said tubular member.  
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 12 , further including the step of providing means for the attachment of an empty syringe to said tubular member.  
     
     
         15 . A method of employing a safety shield to protect users of medications dispensable by needles comprising the steps of 
 (a) positioning an empty syringe at one end of a tubular member containing a needle; and    (b) positioning a serum vial at another end of said tubular member.    
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 15  further including the step of depressing said serum vial into said tubular member until said vial is penetrated by said needle.  
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 16  further including the step of withdrawing serum from said vial by said syringe.  
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 17  further including the step of withdrawing said syringe with said needle attached from said tubular member.  
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 18  further including the step of repositioning said needle in said tubular member thereby to protect users of said needle from injury therefrom.  
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 15  further including the step of sealing said tubular member with said needle therein in a sterile package.