Blood collection set with retractable needle

A blood collection set comprising a fitting for connection to a blood collection reservoir, a flexible tube extending from said fitting and a needle assembly connected to an end of the flexible tube remote from the fitting, said needle assembly comprising:

• a hub having a proximal end connected to said flexible tube, a distal end and a passage extending therebetween for providing fluid communication with said flexible tube;
• a needle cannula having a proximal end rigidly connected to said distal end of said hub, a pointed distal end and a lumen extending therebetween, said lumen providing fluid communication with said passage through said hub;
• a shield telescoped with said hub and said needle cannula, such that said hub and said needle cannula are movable from a distal position where said needle cannula is exposed to a proximal position where said needle cannula is shielded;
• a spring captured between portions of said hub and said shield and operative for propelling said hub and said needle cannula into said proximal position relative to said shield;
• a retainer for releasably retaining the hub and said needle cannula in the distal position;
• and
• an actuator for selectively releasing said retainer.