One step catheter advancement automatic needle retraction system

• US 5,865,806 A
• Filed: 04/04/1996
• Issued: 02/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Original Assignee: Becton, Dickinson & Co
• Inventors: Howell, Glade H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US08/628,040
• Time in Patent Office: 1,034 Days
• Field of Search: 604/110, 604/195, 604/198, 604/161, 604/165, 604/166, 604/164
• US Class Current: 604/164.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2005/3226 with means obstructing or blocking the needle mounting opening
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0606 "Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0631 having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle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

The one step catheter advancement automatic needle retraction system of this invention includes a generally hollow barrel, a needle hub which can include a flashback chamber disposed in the barrel, a secondary flashback chamber disposed in the barrel, a biasing mechanism for retracting the needle into the barrel and a clip associated with the secondary flashback chamber for engaging a catheter hub. The needle hub in conjunction with the secondary flashback chamber retain the needle in the extended position against the force of the biasing mechanism until the catheter has been advanced a certain distance from the distal end of the barrel.

Claims

1. A catheter and needle introducer assembly, comprising:

a barrel defining a barrel lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening therein;

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter hub affixed to the proximal end of the catheter;

a needle disposed in the catheter and having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub affixed to the proximal end of the needle and disposed in the barrel lumen;

at least one flexible arm affixed to the needle hub such that in a first position the flexible arm engages the barrel and the sharp distal tip of the needle extends distally of the distal end of the barrel through the opening coaxially within the catheter;

a spring having a proximal end and a distal end, the spring engaging the barrel and the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel; and

a chamber movable with respect to the needle hub and the barrel disposed inside the distal portion of the needle hub and coaxially about the needle, the chamber having a proximal portion and a distal portion with the proximal portion having a smaller outer diameter than the distal portion so in the first position the distal portion is adjacent to the flexible arm to urge the flexible arm into engagement with the barrel and in a second position the proximal portion is adjacent to the flexible arm and allows the flexible arm to move out of engagement with the barrel and wherein the chamber includes a proximal seal and a distal seal and the needle defines an opening therein between the sharp distal tip and the proximal end.

2. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 1 wherein the chamber includes a marker on the distal portion adjacent to the proximal portion.

3. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 1 further comprising a movable clip disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the distal end of the chamber for releasably securing the catheter hub to the chamber.

4. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 3 wherein the clip defines an opening therethrough through which the needle extends and a hook portion engaging the catheter hub.

5. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 4 wherein the chamber includes a marker on the distal portion.

6. The catheter and introducer needle assembly of claim 1 A catheter and needle introducer assembly, comprising:

a barrel defining a barrel lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end with an opening therein;

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter hub affixed to the proximal end of the catheter;

a needle disposed in the catheter and having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub affixed to the proximal end of the needle and disposed in the barrel lumen;

at least one flexible arm affixed to the needle hub such that in a first position the flexible arm engages the barrel and the sharp distal tip of the needle extends distally of the distal end of the barrel through the opening coaxially within the catheter wherein the flexible arm includes a radially extending portion with an angled outer proximal surface;

a spring having a proximal end and a distal end, the spring engaging the barrel and the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel; and

a chamber movable with respect to the needle hub and the barrel disposed inside the distal portion of the needle hub and coaxially about the needle, the chamber having a proximal portion and a distal portion with the proximal portion having a smaller outer diameter than the distal portion so in the first position the distal portion is adjacent to the flexible arm to urge the flexible arm into engagement with the barrel and in a second position the proximal portion is adjacent to the flexible arm and allows the flexible arm to move out of engagement with the barrel.

7. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 6 wherein the angled outer proximal surface is at an angle of between about 30 degrees and about 45 degrees.

8. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 6 further comprising a movable clip disposed in the chamber and adjacent to the distal end of the chamber for releasably securing the catheter hub to the chamber.

9. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 8 wherein the clip defines an opening therethrough, a hook portion and at least one protrusion thereon.

10. The catheter introducer needle assembly of claim 8 wherein the chamber includes a proximal seal and a distal seal and the needle defines an opening between the sharp distal tip and the proximal end.

11. The catheter and needle introducer assembly of claim 9 wherein the chamber includes a marker on the distal portions adjacent to the proximal portions.

12. A catheter and needle introducer assembly, comprising:

a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;

a catheter hub affixed to the proximal end of the catheter;

a needle disposed in the catheter and having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end;

a needle hub affixed to the proximal end of the needle;

a needle shield disposed between the needle hub and the catheter hub; and

a clip operatively connected to the needle shield and engaging the catheter hub wherein the clip defines an opening therethrough wherein the needle extends through the opening and a hook portion engaging the catheter hub.