Patent ID: 8568372
Filing Date: 2013-10-29
Classification: A61B,A61M

Abstract:
1. A safety IV catheter comprising: a needle having a needle shaft attached to a needle hub, a needle tip, and a bulge nearer the needle tip than a proximal end of the needle shaft; a hollow tubular catheter having a proximal end and a tapered distal end, said proximal end being secured to a distal end of a catheter hub, which has an inner wall defining a chamber having a chamber internal diameter and a protrusion defining a reduced diameter section formed in the chamber of the catheter hub, which is smaller than the chamber internal diameter, or a groove; a protective needle guard located within said chamber and comprising a proximal wall having a distally facing wall surface and a proximally facing wall surface having an opening formed therein sized to let said needle shaft freely pass through and axially move and an arm comprising a distal end wall and a curved protrusion located distally of the distally facing wall surface, said curved protrusion engaging the protrusion or the groove of the chamber so that the needle guard is retained therein in a ready position; said needle guard is adapted to pivot to a protective position when said protective needle guard is removed from the catheter hub; said bulge being received within said hollow tubular catheter when in the ready position with said needle tip extending distally beyond said tapered distal end of said hollow tubular catheter; and wherein said bulge has a diameter greater than that of said opening of said proximal wall to limit distal movement of said needle guard off of said needle in the retracted position.