Patent ID: 6616630
Filing Date: 2003-09-09
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
An IV catheter apparatus comprising a tubular catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, a needle having a needle shaft and a tip, said needle being received within said tubular catheter when in a ready position, a catheter hub attached to the proximal end of said catheter, said catheter hub having a hollow interior and an inner wall, said needle being movable between said ready position in which said tip is outside of said catheter hub and a retracted position in which said tip is within the interior of said catheter hub, a unitary needle guard positioned in the interior of said catheter hub and including a resilient portion engaged by said needle shaft when said needle is in its said ready position, a section of said resilient portion of said needle guard being urged by said needle shaft into contact with an interior wall of said catheter hub when said needle is in its said ready position, and an inwardly extending, generally annular protrusion formed on said interior wall of said catheter hub for engaging a segment of said needle guard for retaining said needle guard to said catheter hub during the movement of said needle between its said ready position and its said retracted position, said needle guard including a distal wall extending from said resilient portion and spaced from said needle tip when said needle is in its said ready position and movable within the interior of said catheter hub to a blocking position distal of said needle tip when said needle is in its said retracted position in which said needle shaft no longer exerts a force on said resilient portion of said needle guard such that contact between said section of said needle guard and said catheter hub is released.