A needle tip protective device for use with percutaneous entry needles. In
one embodiment, the needle tip protective device includes a needle guard
slidably mounted on a hypodermic needle, the latter having a needle tip
located at the distal end thereof, and a change of profile formed
medially there along. The needle guard is movable along the hypodermic
needle and engageable with the change in profile formed thereon. The
engagement with the change in profile is configured to correspond with
the ability of the needle trap to entrap the needle tip once the needle
trap has advanced the sufficient distance distally along the hypodermic
needle. In further refinements, the needle trap may be biased toward the
distal needle tip of the needle.