disposable acupuncture needle with sterility protection

摘要

The needle has an elongate metal shaft (1) with a sharpened lower end, and having a gripping sleeve (2) of synthetic material moulded around the upper end. The sleeve is formed with an upper gripping portion (4) and a lower spacing portion (5) of different surface configurations and/or dimensions. The spacing portion forms a barrier between the shaft and the gripping portion, reducing the risk of a user gripping the shaft. The spacing portion and gripping portion may be divided by a projecting collar (6), or the spacing portion may be of reduced diameter (d) or may have a roughened surface. The needle may be packaged such that the gripping portion projects beyond the enclosed sterile portion of the packaging.