Patent ID: 8460247
Filing Date: 2013-06-11
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A safety catheter assembly comprising: a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end; a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip; a valve configured to obstruct fluid flow comprising a wall comprising a slit positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub; said valve remaining inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub; a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the catheter hub and configured to actuate the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end configured to push the valve to open the slit, and an actuating end portion extending proximally of the nose section having a gap to permit fluid flow to flow therethrough and configured to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to push the valve to open the slit; a needle protective device spaced from the needle tip in a ready position and movable relative to the needle tip to a protective position, at least in part, distally of the needle tip to prevent unintended needle sticks, said needle protective device comprising a third housing; and an arm extending distally of the third housing and removably contacts the catheter hub, said arm located at least in part in the catheter hub in the ready position to prevent premature activation of the needle protective device.