Patent ID: 6221047
Filing Date: 2001-04-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A safety intravenous catheter assembly for use with a needle, comprising:a catheter hub having a first axial bore extending through the catheter hub;a needle cover having a first end of the needle cover insertable in the first axial bore and a second axial bore extending through the needle cover and co-axial with the first axial bore;a continuous circumferential notch extending outwardly in the first axial bore of the catheter hub;a notch clip joined with the needle cover and positionable to engage the notch of the catheter hub, the notch clip having a distal portion and wherein the notch clip engages the notch and locks the catheter hub in engagement with the needle cover when the needle cover is inserted in the first axial bore and a tip of the needle is inserted in the second axial bore at least adjacent or past the distal portion of the notch clip, wherein the notch clip disengages the notch and enables the catheter hub to pass out of engagement with the needle cover when the tip of the needle is located in the second axial bore prior to the distal portion of the notch clip, wherein the notch clip is maintainable adjacent the needle throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the needle to being spaced from the needle when the needle cover is inserted in the first axial bore and the tip of the needle is inserted in the second axial bore at least adjacent or past the distal portion of the notch clip, wherein the notch clip is maintainable adjacent the catheter hub throughout a range of positions from being in forceful contact with the catheter hub to being spaced from the catheter hub when the needle cover is inserted in the first axial bore and the tip of the needle is inserted in the second axial bore at least adjacent or past the distal portion of the notch clip, wherein the notch clip does not intersect the second axial bore when the notch clip is in a non-biased position and wherein the needle cover and the notch clip may rotate in a frictionless to near frictionless relationship relative to one another when the notch clip is in the non-biased position.