Tip protector for a safety catheter
First Claim
1. A safety catheter, comprising:
- a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof;
a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and
a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes a central axis and at least one arm, the arm being biased radially outward relative to the central axis.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A safety catheter includes a catheter hub, a catheter tube, a needle hub, a needle cannula having a tip, and a tip protector. The tip protector includes an outer member having a flexible tab configured to releasably engage with the catheter hub and release therefrom upon inward flexing of the tab. An inner member is positioned entirely within the outer member and has a portion that impedes inward flexing of the tab when disposed adjacent the tab. The inner member is axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the needle tip is distal of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed adjacent the tab to impede release from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the tip is within the outer member and the inner member portion is no longer adjacent the tab and no longer impedes release from the catheter hub.
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Citations
56 Claims
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1. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes a central axis and at least one arm, the arm being biased radially outward relative to the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 30)
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5. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub; and a locking mechanism including at least one flexible locking tab on the outer member and at least one cavity on the inner member, the locking tab engaging the cavity when the inner member is in the second position to limit axial shifting of the inner member relative to the outer member in at least one direction.
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7. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub; and an anti-rotation mechanism including at least one flexible locking tab on the outer member and at least one groove on the inner member, the locking tab being disposed within the groove to limit rotation of the inner member relative to the outer member.
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8. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub; and an anti-rotation mechanism including at least one cutout in the outer member and at least one raised boss on the inner member, the raised boss being disposed within the cutout to limit rotation of the inner member relative to the outer member.
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10. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub; and a positive stop configured to limit axial shifting of the inner member relative to the outer member in at least one direction when the inner member is in the first position, wherein the positive stop includes at least one cutout in the outer member and at least one raised boss on the inner member, the raised boss being disposed within the cutout to limit axial shifting of the inner member relative to the outer member.
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22. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member, the inner member blocks the path of the needle cannula, and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes a tapered bore having a cross dimension smaller than a cross dimension of the needle cannula to as to block the path of the needle cannula when the inner member is in the second position.
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23. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member, the inner member blocks the path of the needle cannula, and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes at least one rib that blocks the path of the needle cannula when the inner member is in the second position.
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24. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes at least one projection for limiting side out of the needle cannula when the inner member is in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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28. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the needle hub includes a distal nose portion having a plurality of spines extending therealong, wherein a distal end of the spines is distal of a distal end of the distal nose portion.
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29. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member being axially received entirely within the outer member and having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the outer member includes at least one flexible locking tab, the inner member includes a groove having a cavity, the at least one flexible locking tab disposed in the groove and being received in the cavity when the inner member is in the second position to restrict axially shiftable movement of the inner member relative to the outer member.
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31. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer thin-walled metal body member extending into the catheter hub and including a flexible tab configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, a plastic inner member having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that the inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a metal stop member fixedly secured to the inner member for engaging a feature of the needle cannula adjacent the distal tip for axially shifting the inner member relative to the outer member between the first and second positions with movement of the needle cannula, wherein the inner member includes a central axis and at least one arm, the arm being biased radially outward relative to the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the distal tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member and the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, the inner member having an arm having a portion configured to block the path of the needle cannula when in the second position, the arm being biased away from the needle cannula such that the arm is spaced therefrom when in at least the first position. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A safety catheter, comprising:
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a catheter hub and a catheter tube extending distally thereof; a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and a tip protector for shielding the tip, comprising an outer member including a flexible tab extending radially outward of the outer member configured to releasably engage with the interior of the catheter hub and to release therefrom on radially inward movement of the tab, and an inner member having a portion to impede radially inward movement of the flexible tab when the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a first position wherein the tip extends distally of the tip protector and the inner member portion is disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, an intermediate position wherein the inner member blocks the path of the needle cannula, the inner member is prevented from axially shifting relative to the outer member in at least one direction, and the inner member portion remains disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab so as to impede release of the outer member from the catheter hub, and a second position wherein the inner member is axially shifted such that the inner member portion is no longer disposed axially adjacent the flexible tab such that the inner member no longer impedes release of the outer member from the catheter hub, wherein the inner member includes a central axis and at least one arm, the arm being biased radially outward relative to the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (56)
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Specification