Patent ID: 8382721
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. An intravenous catheter assembly comprising: a catheter hub having an elongated tubular catheter extending therefrom, said catheter hub comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and an interior cavity having an internal surface; a needle hub having a needle received within said tubular catheter when in a ready position; said needle having a proximal end, a sharpened distal end, a needle surface defining a needle shaft having a nominal diameter, and a reduced diameter shaft section proximal of the sharpened distal end, which is smaller in diameter than the nominal diameter, said needle being movable between a ready position in which said sharpened distal end extends distally of the distal end of said tubular catheter and a retracted position in which the sharpened distal end is within the interior cavity of the catheter hub; a needle guard for shielding the tip of the needle slidably mounted on said needle, said needle guard having a proximal end and a distal end; wherein said proximal end comprises a proximal wall comprising a proximally facing wall surface, a distally facing wall surface, and an opening having a fixed circumference having the needle passing therethrough; wherein said proximal wall comprises a first edge and a second edge that are spaced from one another and wherein the first edge and the second edge both contact the internal surface of the catheter hub in the ready position; a distal end portion of the needle guard being biased by a side of the needle into retaining contact with the catheter hub when the needle is in the ready position, said distal end portion of the needle guard being movable within the interior cavity of the catheter hub to a position blocking said needle tip when said needle is in the retracted position and the needle shaft no longer exerts a force on the distal end portion of the needle guard.