Post-injection needle sheath

A method for constructing, mounting and using a post-injection needle sheath particularly adapted for enclosing the sharpened end of a needle as used with a syringe, the needle in the originally presented condition having the sheath portion in a compact condition, with a substantial portion of the needle exposed for insertion into a vial or patient, this sheath, after needle use and withdrawal of the needle from the patient, manipulated so that said sheath is advanced, moving the forward cap portion so as to go beyond the sharpened end of the needle and enclose said sharened end, this method including the steps of:

• (a) mounting an injection needle including a securing hub, a shank and a sharpened distal end, this hub adapted for removeable mounting on a closed end portion of a conventionally selected syringe;
• (b) forming and providing a cap portion having a forward end wall in which is formed on through aperture sized to slide on and along the shank of said needle;
• (c) providing and securing one end of an intermediate tubular portion to the cap portion and having said intermediate portion convoluted to form a corrugated, bellows-like configurated portion, with the other end secured;
• (d) limiting the forward movement of the cap portion as and when the sharpened end of the needle is within the cap portion so as to enclose said sharpened end to prevent accidental pricking, and
• (e) retaining said sheath in needle-exposed condition until the attendant withdraws the needle from the patient and desires to enclose the sharpened end of the needle.