Patent ID: 9707378
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: A61M

Claim:
1. An insertion mechanism for use with a needleless connector having a flexible catheter comprising: a needle tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the needle tube configured to removably couple to the needleless connector; a cannula control tube slidably disposed within the needle tube between a proximal position and distal position, relative to the needle tube, the cannula control tube comprising a passage and a blunt cannula, a portion of the passage comprising a first cross-sectional width when the cannula control tube is in the proximal position, and a second cross-sectional width, greater that the first cross-sectional width, when the cannula control tube is in the distal position; and a needle movably disposed within the cannula control tube, such that the needle is axially slidable relative to the cannula control tube, the needle comprising a proximal portion having a flashback chamber with a third cross-sectional width that is greater than the first cross-sectional width, and a distal tip, wherein the flashback chamber is configured to (i) urge the cannula control tube toward the distal position as the needle is moved toward the distal end of the needle tube, and (ii) move through the passage when the cannula control tube is in the distal position, such that the distal tip extends beyond the distal end of the needle tube.