Patent ID: 6730062
Filing Date: 2004-05-04
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A safety introducer for insertion into a vessel of a patient for infusion of fluids into or withdraw of fluids from the vessel, said introducer comprising:a) a catheter assembly including an elongated catheter tube having a lumen extending from a distal end of said tube to a proximal end of said tube, said proximal end of said tube is attached to a distal end of a catheter body, said catheter body having an elongated cavity extending therethrough from a distal end of said catheter body to a proximal end of said catheter body, said cavity is in fluid communication with said catheter tube; and b) a needle assembly including an elongated needle having a lumen extending from a distal end of said needle to a proximal end of said needle, a flexible tube having a distal end fixedly connected to said needle assembly and a lumen extending from said distal end of said flexible tube to a proximal end of said flexible tube extending outside of said elongated cavity and which is in fluid communication with said elongated cavity, said needle assembly being slidably disposed within said elongated cavity such that a proximally directed force exerted on said flexible tube moves said flexible tube proximally and withdraws said needle assembly substantially completely within said elongated cavity, wherein said needle assembly further includes a coupler for attaching and disposed between said needle to said flexible tube, said coupler including at least one radial side port for allowing fluid to flow from said flexible tube, out through said ports and around said needle.