Protected needle catheter placement device having needle placement visualization features and method for its use

• US 5,830,190 A
• Filed: 06/11/1996
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Howell, Glade Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimell, Sam
• Assistant Examiner(s): Blyveis, Deborah
• Application Number:
  US08/661,685
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164, 604/165, 604/166, 604/167, 604/168
• US Class Current: 604/168.01
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0612 Devices for protecting the needle; Devices to help insertion of the needle, e.g. wings or holders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0693 Flashback chambers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3232 Semi-automatic needle retraction, i.e. in which triggering of the needle retraction requires a deliberate action by the user, e.g. manual release of spring-biased retraction means

Abstract

An over-the-needle catheter placement assembly includes an elongate catheter with an open bore therethrough. The catheter has a tapered distal end and a proximal end with a hub. The assembly includes an elongate hollow handle with a distal end that has an opening therethrough and a proximal end. Included in the assembly is an elongate needle with a sharp distal point, a proximal end and an open passageway therethrough. The assembly has a substantially transparent elongate needle hub with a distal end portion with the proximal end of the needle fixedly attached therein. The needle is coaxially slidably disposed within the catheter bore with the catheter hub mounted on the distal end portion of the needle hub so that the sharp distal pointed end of the needle projects beyond the tapered distal end of the catheter. The needle hub is slidably disposed for coaxial movement within the hollow handle between a first position where the distal end portion of the hub axially projects through the distal opening in said hollow handle so that the needle is distally outside the hollow handle and within the catheter bore and a proximal position to withdraw the needle into the handle. There is an elongate flashback chamber within the needle hub also that is fluidly connected to the proximal end of the needle and extends into the distal end portion of the needle hub.

Claims

1. An introducer needle and catheter assembly comprising:

an elongate hollow handle having a distal end with an axial opening therethrough and a proximal end, the distal end of the elongate hollow handle defining a radial opening therein;

an elongate needle having a sharp distal end, a proximal end and an open passageway therethrough;

a translucent needle hub having a distal end connected to the proximal end of the elongate needle, wherein a portion of the translucent needle hub is located adjacent to the distal end of the elongate hollow handle prior to use so a portion of the translucent needle hub is visible through the radial opening at the distal end of the elongate hollow handle;

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a catheter hub connected to the proximal end of the catheter, wherein the catheter hub is adjacent to the distal end of the elongate hollow handle prior to use but does not cover the radial opening at the distal end of the elongate hollow handle.

2. The introducer needle and catheter assembly of claim 1 further comprising a spring engaging the translucent needle hub to bias the translucent needle hub toward the proximal end of the elongate hollow handle.

3. The introducer needle and catheter assembly of claim 2 further comprising a movable latch that engages the translucent needle hub to hold the translucent needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the elongate hollow handle against the bias of the spring.