Catheter introducer assembly having safety shielded needle before and after use

• US 20040116864A1
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medex Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Medex Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Boudreaux, Chad P.
• Application Number:
  US10/318,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20040116864A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3212 Blunting means for the sharp end of the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0643 Devices having a blunt needle tip, e.g. due to an additional inner component

Abstract

A catheter assembly for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongate hollow tubular catheter having a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end of the catheter has a hub attached thereto. The catheter assembly further includes a needle assembly having an elongated needle with a sharpened distal end and a proximal end. The needle is disposed within the catheter prior to insertion into a patient with the distal end of the needle being distal to the distal end of the catheter. The catheter assembly also includes a safety assembly. The safety assembly has a first position for protecting the sharpened distal end of the needle, and a second position for exposing the sharpened distal end of the needle. The safety assembly normally being in the first position and being movable to the second position for insertion into the vessel of a patient.

Claims

1. A catheter assembly for insertion into a vessel of a patient, said catheter assembly comprising:

a. an elongate hollow tubular catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said catheter having a hub attached thereto;

b. a needle assembly comprising an elongated needle having a sharpened distal end and a proximal end, said needle is disposed within said catheter prior to insertion into a patient with said distal end of said needle being distal to said distal end of said catheter; and

c. a safety assembly having a first position for protecting said sharpened distal end of said needle, and a second position for exposing said sharpened distal end of said needle, said safety assembly normally being in said first position when said needle assembly is disposed within said catheter and being movable to said second position for insertion into the vessel of a patient.

2. The catheter assembly of claim 1 further including a handle attached to said proximal end of said needle assembly.

3. The catheter assembly of claim 2 wherein said handle includes an actuator disposed thereon for moving said safety assembly from said first position to said second position.

4. The catheter assembly of claim 3 wherein said actuator includes at least one cam for activating said actuator.

5. The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein said safety assembly is moved to its first position upon inserting said needle assembly into said catheter.

7. The catheter assembly of claim 5 further including a handle attached to said proximal end of said needle assembly.

9. The catheter assembly of claim 7 wherein said actuator includes at least one cam for activating said actuator.

10. The catheter assembly of claim 1 wherein said blunt is moved to its first position upon inserting said needle assembly into said catheter.

6. A catheter assembly for insertion into a vessel of a patient, said catheter assembly comprising:

a. an elongate hollow tubular catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximal end of said catheter having a hub attached thereto;

b. a needle assembly comprising an elongated hollow needle having a sharpened distal end a proximal end, said needle is disposed within said catheter prior to insertion into a patient with said distal end of said needle extending beyond the distal end of said catheter;

c. an elongated safety blunt having distal and proximal ends, said blunt being disposed within said hollow needle, said blunt having a first position wherein said distal end of said blunt extends beyond the distal end of said needle for protecting said sharpened distal end of said needle, and a second position wherein said distal end of said blunt is proximal to said distal end of said needle for exposing said sharpened distal end of said needle; and

d. an actuator for moving said blunt from said first position to said second position.

8. The catheter assembly of claim 6 wherein said actuator is disposed on said handle.