Safety needle and catheter assembly

• US 20040243061A1
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Medical ASD, Inc. (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: McGurk, Joseph P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,291,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/164.08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/325 Means obstructing the needle passage at distal end of a needle protection sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0618 having means for protecting only the distal tip of the needle, e.g. a needle guard
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle

Abstract

A catheter and introducer needle assembly having a needle with a proximal and distal end attached to a needle hub and a bent area therebetween. The device further includes a tubular catheter having proximal and distal ends in which the introducer needle can be coaxially received within the catheter. The device has a hollow catheter hub having a distal end attached to the proximal end of the catheter and is in fluid communication therewith. The assembly includes a needle tip protector having a proximal end and a distal end disposed within the catheter hub. The distal end of the protector covers the needle tip when the needle is removed from the catheter. The protector has a proximal opening at its proximal end wherein the bent area is angled away from the proximal opening such that when the needle is removed from the catheter the protector remains attached to the needle.

Claims

1. A catheter introducer assembly, comprising:

a) a needle assembly comprising a needle having a diameter, a proximal end, attached to a needle hub, a distal end extending therefrom, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, said needle further including a bent area disposed between said proximal and distal ends;

b) a catheter assembly comprising a tubular catheter having proximal end attached to a catheter hub, and distal end, said introducer needle being coaxially received within said catheter;

c) a needle tip protector disposed within said catheter hub, said needle tip protector is slidably disposed onto said needle, whereby when said needle is proximally removed from said catheter said protector remains attached to said needle.

2. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said bent area on said needle is angled 45-90 degrees away from its original direction.

3. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said needle diameter is constant between its distal and proximal ends.

4. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 1 wherein said needle further comprises of a sleeve.

5. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 5 wherein said sleeve is attached proximal to said bent area to help secure said needle in said protector when said needle is removed from said catheter.

6. A catheter introducer assembly, comprising:

a) a needle assembly comprising a hollow needle having an outer diameter, a proximal end, attached to a needle hub, a distal end extending therefrom, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, said needle further including a bent area disposed between said proximal and distal ends such that a longitudinal axis of said distal end of said needle is off set from a longitudinal axis of said proximal end of said needle.;

b) a catheter assembly comprising a tubular catheter having proximal end attached to a catheter hub, and distal end, said introducer needle being coaxially received within said catheter;

c) a needle tip protector disposed within said catheter hub, said needle tip protector is slidably disposed about said needle such that when said needle is proximally removed from said catheter said bent area prevents said needle tip protector from sliding off said needle so that said needle tip protector remains attached to said needle.

7. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 6 wherein said bent area on said needle is angled 45-90 degrees away from its original direction.

8. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 6 wherein said needle further comprises of a sleeve.

9. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 8 wherein said sleeve is attached proximal to said bent area to help secure said needle in said protector when said needle is removed from said catheter.

10. A catheter introducer assembly, comprising:

a) a needle assembly comprising a hollow needle having a proximal end, attached to a needle hub, a distal end extending therefrom, and a longitudinal axis therebetween and a constant outer diameter between said distal end proximal end, said needle further including a bent area disposed between said proximal and distal ends such that a longitudinal axis of said distal end of said needle is off set from a longitudinal axis of said proximal end of said needle;

b) a catheter assembly comprising a tubular catheter having proximal end attached to a catheter hub, and distal end, said introducer needle being coaxially received within said catheter;

c) a needle tip protector disposed within said catheter hub, said needle tip protector is slidably disposed about said needle such that when said needle is proximally removed from said catheter said bent area prevents said needle tip protector from sliding off said needle so that said needle tip protector remains attached to said needle.

11. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 10 wherein said bent area on said needle is angled 45-90 degrees away from its original direction.

12. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 10 wherein said needle further comprises of a sleeve.

13. The catheter introducer assembly of claim 12 wherein said sleeve is attached proximal to said bent area to help secure said needle in said protector when said needle is removed from said catheter.