Safety needle apparatus

A safety needle apparatus having a needle is provided that includes a first cylinder extending from a proximal end to a distal end thereof and defining a longitudinal axis. The first cylinder further defines at least one longitudinal keyway in a side wall thereof and at least one keyslot disposed adjacent the distal end of the first cylinder. The keyslot is rotationally spaced apart from the at least one keyway relative to the longitudinal axis. The keyway includes a raised surface relative to and disposed adjacent the distal end of the first cylinder. A second cylinder is mounted for relative movement with the first cylinder and defines at least one radially projecting key adjacent a proximal end thereof. The key is configured for axial movement along the keyway such that the second cylinder is movable between an activated position, whereby the key is releasably engaged with a proximal end of the keyway to expose the needle, and a transport position, whereby the key is releasably disposed adjacent the distal end of the first cylinder via an interference engagement with the raised surface of the first cylinder to releasably enclose the needle within the second cylinder. The second cylinder is further movable from the transport position to a locked position, whereby the key is rotated relative to the first cylinder for fixed disposal within the keyslot to fixedly enclose the needle within the second cylinder.