Patent ID: 6626868
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
A needle apparatus comprising a thin walled catheter having a free end closely enclosing a tubular needle having a sharp point, characterised in that the needle and/or the catheter is mounted to a housing and the needle and the catheter are longitudinally moveable relative to one another between a first position at which the needle extends from the catheter a short distance and a second position at which the sharp point is located within the catheter adjacent the free end thereof, the needle remaining in a fluid pathway of the needle apparatus at all times, first means for positively retaining the needle and the catheter in the first position, the first means includes a manually operable catch member which upon actuation by a user releases the needle and the catheter to move relatively to the second position, second means for moving the needle relative to the catheter to the second position upon release of the catch member, and the needle apparatus being arranged to pierce tissue when the catheter and the needle are in the first position.