Patent ID: 9433758
Filing Date: 2016-09-06
CPC Classification: A61M

Claim Text:
1. A catheter insertion device, comprising: a hollow needle having a distal skin-piercing end opposite a proximal base end, the hollow needle defining a channel in fluidic or pneumatic communication between the distal skin-piercing end and the proximal base end; a plunger slidably disposed over at least a portion of the hollow needle, where the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle extends through a distal end of the plunger; a spring mechanically engaged between at least a portion of the proximal base end of the hollow needle and a portion of the plunger, the spring biasing the plunger towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle; a catheter slidably disposed over at least a second portion of the hollow needle where the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle extends through a distal insertion end of the catheter, the catheter comprising the distal insertion end opposite a proximal connection end, where a surface of the catheter contacts the distal end of the plunger during catheter insertion; and an expandable chamber having a first opening in fluidic or pneumatic communication with the channel of the hollow needle, the expandable chamber at least partially formed by the proximal base end of the hollow needle and a proximal end of the plunger, the expandable chamber configured to increase in volume as the plunger moves towards the distal skin-piercing end of the hollow needle.