Patent ID: 6425884
Filing Date: 2002-07-30
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A catheter and introducer needle assembly, comprising:a catheter having a proximal end and 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 disposed in the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end; a needle hub in fluid communication with the needle and having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter; a radially extending button formed on the needle hub; a needle shield having a proximal end and a distal end removably connected to the catheter hub, the needle shield defining a longitudinally extending passageway therethrough with the introducer needle extending through the longitudinally extending passageway; and a pleated tether connecting the needle hub to the needle shield to prevent unwanted proximal movement of the introducer needle with respect to the needle shield wherein the pleated tether is formed from a plurality of pleats each defining a hole therein through which the introducer needle extends wherein the pleated tether includes a proximal pleat that is located about the radially extending button to provide a mechanical engagement between the proximal pleat and the needle hub.