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.
