Patent ID: 7806849
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
1. An IV catheter assembly comprising: (a) a needle hub comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface defining an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end; (b) a hub for accommodating a tip protector comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity positioned substantially distally of the needle hub when in a ready to use position; (c) a catheter tube defining a lumen extending distally away from the hub and the needle hub; (d) a needle defining a needle shaft comprising a needle tip extending distally away from the distal end of the needle hub and projecting through both the hub and the catheter tube when in the ready to use position; (e) a tip protector positioned on the needle shaft and movably mounted in the interior cavity of the hub comprising a proximal wall being the most proximal portion of the tip protector comprising a perimeter defining an opening surrounding the needle shaft, a movable leg extending distally of the proximal wall, and a tip blocking wall member extending at an end thereof having an end biased against a side of the needle shaft; (f) wherein a wall surface on the proximal wall is orientated at a first angle to the shaft when the tip protector is in the ready to use position and is configured to self-orientate to a second angle to the shaft when the tip protector is in a protective position and wherein the proximal wall contacts the inner cavity of the hub and wherein a portion of the proximal wall engages into the hub in the ready to use position; and (g) wherein the opening of the proximal wall is configured to contact and grip the needle shaft at two diametrically opposed locations along the perimeter of the opening and the tip blocking member is configured to move radially inwardly relative to the needle shaft to a blocking position distal of the needle tip when the tip protector is in the protective position.