Catheter and introducer needle assembly with needle shield

• US 7,604,616 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2004
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Cindrich, Christopher N., Brimhall, Greg L., Thoresen, Stephen L., Harding, Weston F., Howell, Glade H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Witczak; Catherine N
• Application Number:
  US10/756,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20040204681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,107 Days
• Field of Search: 604/164.01, 604/164.08, 604/164.11, 604/110, 604/164.12, 604/192, 604/198, 604/263
• US Class Current: 604/164.08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3247 Means to impede repositioning of protection sleeve from needle covering to needle uncovering position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/325 Means obstructing the needle passage at distal end of a needle protection sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0625 with a permanent connection to the needle hub, e.g. a guiding rail, a locking mechanism or a guard advancement mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3273 freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/3275 being connected to the needle hub or syringe by radially deflectable members, e.g. longitudinal slats, cords or bands

Abstract

A catheter and introducer needle assembly with a needle shield is provided. The needle shield includes a means for preventing unwanted distal movement of the needle once the needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. The needle shield also includes a means for connecting the needle shield to the catheter hub until the sharp distal tip of the introducer needle has been withdrawn into the needle shield. Thus, when the distal end of the introducer needle extends from the distal portion of the needle shield, the needle shield is connected to the catheter hub and when the sharp distal end of the introducer needle is withdrawn into the needle shield, the needle shield is disconnected from the catheter hub. At that point, the sharp needle tip is secured within the needle shield.

Claims

1. A catheter and introducer needle assembly, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter hub in fluid communication with the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter;

an introducer needle removably disposed in the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end, the introducer needle including a main portion and no discontinuity;

a needle shield selectively engaged to the catheter hub and moveable with respect to the introducer needle from a first position to a second position at the distal end of the introducer needle, the needle shield comprising

a clip having a pair of legs, which clip is adapted to flex out of engagement with the catheter hub; and

a transverse barrier attached to one of the pair of legs;

wherein, when the needle shield is in the first position, the introducer needle contacts at least a portion of the clip so that the pair of legs is retained to one side of the introducer needle in a biased position engaging the catheter hub, and, when the needle shield is in the second position, the introducer needle disengages the clip so it can flex to its unbiased position out of engagement with the catheter hub; and

wherein, when the clip is in its unbiased position, the transverse barrier is moved into position to restrict the proximal movement of the needle shield with respect to the introducer needle.

2. The catheter and introducer assembly of claim 1 wherein the needle shield is disposed, at least in part, at a position proximal to the extension tube when it is in the first position.