Intravenous catheter and insertion device

• US 5,176,650 A
• Filed: 02/10/1992
• Issued: 01/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael L. Haining
• Original Assignee: Michael L. Haining
• Inventors: Haining, Michael L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasko, John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CERMAK, ADAM
• Application Number:
  US07/833,147
• Time in Patent Office: 330 Days
• Field of Search: 604/110, 604/164-170, 604/198, 604/263, 604/192
• US Class Current: 604/164.08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle

Abstract

To protect against accidental needle prick a catheter and insertion device are provided wherein the needle is retractable within the device after insertion of the catheter. The device comprises a hollow barrel or tube of semi-rigid plastic material into which the needle can be retracted after use. The insertion needle is mounted on a carrier with the sharp end oriented toward an open insertion end of the barrel with the catheter snugly fit about the needle. A sliding tab is mounted to the carrier by an outwardly biased flexible member and extends through a longitudinal slot in the barrel. Near either end of the slot V notches are provided in the internal wall of the barrel to engage locking hubs on the sliding tab to releasably lock the carrier in either the exposed or retracted position. A flat catheter locking surface is provided at the insertion of the barrel with a reverse slope to allow the catheter flange to slide onto the flat surface and allow easy retraction of the needle without disturbing the inserted catheter.

Claims

1. An intravenous catheter insertion device comprising:

(a) a hollow cylindrical barrel of semi-rigid plastic material having an insertion end and a distal end;

(b) a catheter insertion needle carrier slidably mounted within said barrel;

(c) a catheter insertion needle fixedly attached to said needle carrier and oriented toward said insertion end;

(d) an intravenous catheter removably secured about said needle, said intravenous catheter comprising a rigid hollow conical base and a flexible hollow tube extending from the narrow end of said base, said base having a circumferential flange extending about the wide end;

(e) sliding means mounted on said needle carrier extending exterior of said barrel for sliding said needle carrier with said needle and said catheter within said barrel to expose or retract said needle with said catheter;

(f) a locking surface at said insertion end having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said circumferential flange to prevent retraction of said catheter after exposure; and

(g) a removable cap adapted to be secured over said insertion end when said insertion needle is retracted within said barrel.

2. An intravenous catheter insertion device comprising:

(a) a hollow cylindrical barrel of semi-rigid plastic material having an insertion end and a distal end, said barrel including

(1) a longitudinal slot partially extending between said ends,

(2) an inwardly projecting locking surface near said insertion end, and

(3) internal locking notches near either end;

(b) a catheter insertion needle carrier slidably mounted within said barrel;

(c) a rigid sliding member extending through said slot and fixedly attached to said needle carrier by an outwardly biased flexible member, said flexible member having a locking ridge on one side that is releasably locked into either of said locking notches by said biased member;

(d) a catheter insertion needle mounted on said needle carrier and oriented toward said insertion end;

(e) an intravenous catheter removably secured about said needle, said catheter having a locking flange at the distal end which has a slightly larger outer diameter than the inner diameter of said locking surface; and

(f) a removable cap adapted to be secured over said insertion end when said insertion needle is retracted within said barrel.

3. An intravenous catheter insertion device comprising:

(a) a hollow cylindrical barrel of having an insertion end and a distal end, said barrel including

(1) a longitudinal slot partially extending between said ends, and

(2) internal locking notches near either end;

(b) a catheter insertion needle carrier slidably mounted within said barrel;

(c) a rigid sliding member extending through said slot and fixedly attached to said needle carrier by an outwardly biased flexible member, said flexible member having a locking ridge on one side that is releasably locked into either of said locking notches by said biased member;

(d) a catheter insertion needle mounted on said needle carrier and oriented toward said insertion end;

needle;

(f) a removable cap adapted to be secured over said insertion end when said insertion needle is retracted within said barrel.