A medical needle shield apparatus (10) comprising: an extensible shield (10) comprising a first segment (14) and a second segment (16) extending therefrom, the second segment (16) comprising an opening (58) configured for clearance of a medical needle (15) of a medical needle device (11) during attachment of the shield (10) to the medical needle device (11) the second segment (16) defining a planar surface (32) adjacent a distal portion (52) thereof, the planar surface (32) being configured to engage the needle for disposing the shield (10) in an extended position wherein the first segment (14) is articulated to a collar (12) mounted to a device (11) supporting the needle (15) characterized in that the second segment (16) comprises a fulcrum (60) disposed adjacent a proximal portion (16) thereof, the fulcrum (60) configured to engage the needle (15) to facilitate extension of the shield (10) from a retracted position to the extended position and the fulcrum (60) comprises a slot (62) configured to guide the needle (15) therein during extension of the shield (10) from the retracted position to the extended position to facilitate alignment of the shield (10) with a longitudinal axis of the medical needle (15).
