Safety sheath device

A surgical sharp protection device comprising:

• an elongate housing having a first end hingedly associated with the base of a surgical sharp, the housing having a rear wall portion, first and second side wall portions defining an elongate surgical sharp entrance slot therebetween extending away from the base of the surgical sharp, and at least one door member hingedly attached to at least one side wall and extending across substantially the entire length of the entrance slot.

In combination:

• a surgical needle attached to a needle base;
• an elongated housing having a first proximal end adapted to be hingedly associated with the needle base, the elongate housing extending distally away from the needle base and having side walls defining an elongate entrance slot to receive the needle therethrough as the housing is pivoted relative to the needle base, the housing including at least one door member extending across at least the distal portion of the entrance slot adjacent the needle tip.

A method of reducing the likelihood of contact with a needle or matter thereon, comprising:

• providing a needle protection device having an elongated housing pivotal to enclose a needle, the housing including a longitudinal slot to receive the needle therethrough and at least one elongate door member extending over substantially the entire length of the slot hingedly attached to the housing and biased to close the slot;
• rotating the housing into alignment with the needle so that the needle enters the housing through the longitudinal slot past the door member, the door member resiliently closing the slot to contain the needle within the housing after the needle has passed the door member.

A method of reducing the likelihood of contact with a needle or matter thereon, comprising:

• providing a surgical needle attached to a needle base with an elongate housing having a first end adapted to be hingedly associated with the needle base, the elongate housing extending distally away from the needle base and having first and second side walls defining an elongate needle entrance slot, the housing including at least one door member hingedly attached to the first side wall and extending across at least a portion of the entrance slot;
• rotating the housing into alignment with the needle so that the needle enters the housing through the entrance slot past the door member, the door member resiliently closing at least the distal portion of the entrance slot to enclose at least the tip portion of the needle.