Patent ID: 6379333
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
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 and defining an enlarged diameter portion and a distally facing shoulder; 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 wherein the longitudinally extending passageway has a means for engaging the enlarged diameter portion of the introducer needle to prevent unwanted proximal movement of the introducer needle and wherein the needle shield includes a disk with at least one proximally oriented, inwardly directed tab for engaging the distally facing shoulder to prevent unwanted distal movement of the introducer needle.