Abstract:
An intravenous catheter placement device having a hollow body and a nose on one end of the hollow body. A needle hub fits within the nose and contains a needle embedded therein. A catheter is free to slide along the needle and substantially covers the shaft of the needle. Winged beams on the needle hub include catches and release tabs that cooperate with slots in the nose to retain the needle hub in the nose. A magnified transparent verification cavity in the needle hub provides for viewing blood flash in the cavity to verify that the intravenous catheter is inserted into the correct location. An energy storage device in contact with the needle hub releasably retains the needle hub to prevent premature projection of the needle hub into the hollow body. Upon insertion of the intravenous catheter and introducer needle into a patient, depressing the release tabs triggers the needle hub and blunts the needle within the catheter and projects the needle hub and embedded needle into the hollow body.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/648,032, filed Aug. 26, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/502,372, filed Feb. 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,620,136, and which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 60/120,622 filed Feb. 15, 1999, entitled “Retractable I-V Catheter Injection Device,” and No. 60/138,414, filed Jun. 8, 1999, entitled “Retractable I-V Catheter Injection Device,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to intravenous (I-V) catheter placement devices that reduce the likelihood of accidental needlestick injuries. In recent history, preventing the transmission of contagious diseases, particularly those brought about by the co-mingling of human body fluids, has been of great technological interest. One of the particular problems has been associated with the use and disposal of I-V catheter introducer needles by health care workers. There have been various devices developed for the destruction of the introducer needles or cannula used with I-V catheters. Additional devices have been developed for the capping or hooding of I-V catheter introducer needles, all of which attempt to minimize the likelihood of needlestick injuries to health care workers and others after the needles have been used. The accidental puncture or pricking of a finger, or any other part of the body, after the treatment of a patient with a contagious disease, particularly a deadly contagious disease, results in a high likelihood of transmission of blood borne pathogens and the associated disease.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is thus an object of this invention to provide an I-V catheter placement system which minimizes the likelihood of accidental needlestick injuries.  
         [0004]     It is a further object of this invention to provide such an I-V catheter placement device which, after utilization with a patient, captures, encapsulates, and isolates the used needle so as to render such needle harmless.  
         [0005]     It is a further and more particular object of this invention to provide such an I-V catheter injection device that has two stages of needle isolation, which provides magnification of blood “flash-back” in the device, which provides blood flow restriction, and which is operable utilizing only one hand which remains always behind the tip of the needle during the operation of the device and its safety features.  
         [0006]     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a simple device which is manufacturable in high volumes.  
         [0007]     These as well as other objects are accomplished by an I-V catheter injection device having a hollow body or barrel, with a nose attached to one end of the body and closed at the opposite end. The nose is disposed to the interior of said hollow body through a passageway, integral to the nose.  
         [0008]     One end of a hollow needle, which is embedded in a hollow and transparent needle hub, is controlled in the passageway within the nose by a shaft appendage of the needle hub, and is in contact with energy storage means such as a spring, placed into the passageway ahead of the needle hub shaft. The other end of the needle passes through the spring and the passageway, and protrudes through boot (which may be elastic or rigid) that is attached to the nose of the catheter injection system. Covering the exposed shaft of the needle, while leaving the point of the needle exposed, is a thin wall concentric sleeve, or catheter, which is free to slide completely along the distal end of the needle. The needle hub shaft, onto which the opposite, proximal end of the needle is attached, is fixed to a transparent needle hub. The needle hub has two symmetrical winged beams, which are cantilevered from the back of the needle hub in the direction of the needle hub shaft and project at an angle away from the needle hub shaft and needle hub.  
         [0009]     The geometry of the distal end of each winged beam is defined with angled catches for fixing the needle hub, with the spring in contact with it, into retainer slots in the sidewall of the nose. On the adjacent side of each catch is a release contact point for operationally releasing the needle hub from retainer slots during retraction of the needle and needle hub into the body of the device during use of the device. In an assembled state, the needle hub is held by one of the catches on the winged beams in position in the nose against the spring and ready for use. The opposite catch floats in its nose slot, which is slightly longer than the first nose slot, until actuation of the retraction cycle.  
         [0010]     Use of the I-V catheter placement device is accomplished by holding the device at the finger grips in one hand with the orientation message “USE THIS SIDE UP,” inscribed on the body of the device, visible to the clinician and with the needle pointing away from the clinician. The injection site of the patient is held with the other hand, such that the second hand is behind the needle at all times and is thus shielded from possible accidental needlestick. The introducer needle, with the catheter, is then injected part way into the patient&#39;s vein at the desired location, such that just the tip of the needle and catheter have been inserted. The clinician then receives visual verification of proper veinal placement of the needle and catheter by observing the appearance of blood “flash-back” in the inner cavity of the needle hub (which is magnified).  
         [0011]     When proper entrance of the needle and the catheter tip into the patient&#39;s vein is confirmed, two release tabs on the sides of the body of the device are simultaneously depressed and released, causing the needle tip to retract just inside the tip of the catheter. As the needle and needle hub retract, visible indication of such retraction is provided to the clinician, whereby the needle hub is stopped at a fixed reference line on the body labeled as “ 1 ”. In addition, audible indication of such retraction is provided by a “clicking” sound which is audible when the release tabs are depressed, and again when they are released. With the needlepoint effectively blunted inside the tip of the catheter, complete insertion of the catheter is then accomplished by the user without risk of the needle tip piercing the backside of the vein and thus “blowing the vein.” 
         [0012]     Once the catheter is properly inserted into the patient&#39;s vein, the two release tabs on the sides of the body are again simultaneously depressed and released. This action releases the remaining needle hub catch from its slot in the nose, and the needle hub with the needle attached thereto, is projected by stored energy in the spring (or other energy storage means) into and retained within the body of the device. Visible verification of such needle retraction is provided to the clinician by him or her observing that the needle hub is positioned at a second fixed reference line at the back of the body of the device labeled as “ 2 .” In addition, audible indication of such retraction is provided by a “clicking” sound which is audible when the release tabs are depressed. As the needle tip passes the boot at the nose of the device, the hole in the boot through which the needle has passed closes, and blood flow from the catheter into the body of the device is restricted.  
         [0013]     External blood flow from the device is further restricted by the sealing action between the boot and the internal wall of the catheter head. With the needle safely contained within the body of the device, the clinician applies digital pressure at the entry point of the catheter into the patient&#39;s body to block blood flow from the catheter, removes the body of the device (which acts as a plug in the catheter head), and inserts the I-V line into the catheter head. Digital pressure is then removed, completing the process. An alternative embodiment of this invention provides for sequential depression of the individual release tabs to actuate needle retraction.  
         [0014]     An alternative embodiment of this invention provides a second method of automatically plugging the nose of the device for flow restriction and added needle security. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the I-V catheter placement device of this invention in its operable state with the needle, or distal end, on the left.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the I-V catheter placement device shown in  FIG. 1  in its post operational state.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an isolated top view of the nose of the catheter placement device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a proximal end view of the nose shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is an elevational side view of the spring of this invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the barrel of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a distal end view of the barrel shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the needle hub of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is proximal end view of the needle hub shown in  FIG. 8  well illustrating the magnification surfaces of the needle hub.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is an isolated longitudinal section view of the catheter of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is an isolated sectional view of the membrane of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is an isolated sectional view of a needle guard for use with the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a proximal end view of the boot of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a sectional view along line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0029]      FIGS. 15-20  illustrate the assembly of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0030]      FIGS. 21-27  illustrate the operation of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0031]      FIGS. 28-36  illustrate modified parts for an alternative embodiment of the device shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0032]      FIGS. 37, 38  and  39  illustrate assembly of the alternative embodiment from the parts illustrated in  FIGS. 28-36 .  
         [0033]      FIGS. 40, 41 , and  42  are partial, longitudinal sectional views illustrating the operation of the alternative embodiment of the catheter placement device of this invention shown in  FIGS. 28-39 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]     This invention provides an I-V catheter placement device operable with one hand and having a two-stage needle retraction mechanism using one set of release tabs. The first stage of retraction effectively blunts the needle tip and allows insertion of the full length of the catheter without risk to the patient, while the second stage of retraction fully retracts the needle hub, with its contaminated introducer needle attached, harmlessly into the body of the catheter placement device where it is captured and encapsulated, thus protecting the clinician from an accidental needlestick injury.  
         [0035]     Once encapsulated inside the body of the catheter placement device, there is no risk of accidentally pricking or poking human tissue, thus minimizing the likelihood of transfer of blood borne pathogens which may be carried by fluids contained on the surface of or within such needle. Other advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and reference to the Figures.  
         [0036]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate the catheter placement device  1  of this invention with the needle  13  and catheter  43  in its normal pre-injection position.  FIG. 2 , however, shows the final position of the needle  13  after operation of the retraction cycle so that the needle hub  41  (with needle  13  attached) is held in hollow catheter body  17  and rendered harmless after the placement of the catheter  43  has taken place. The I-V catheter placement device  1  has relatively few components.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , I-V catheter placement device  1  has a hollow barrel or body  17  with a nose  3  attached to one end. Barrel  17  is closed at the opposite end. A passageway  9  through nose  3  communicates with the interior of the hollow barrel  17 . A proximal end of hollow needle  13  is fixed in a through hole  14  of needle hub shaft  39 , which is in communication with a magnified blood “flash-back” verification cavity  53  in needle hub  41 . Membrane  31  is positioned in the verification cavity  53  remote from needle  13  to allow airflow through membrane  31  but to prevent flow of blood into hollow barrel  17  as the catheter is inserted into a patient&#39;s vein.  
         [0038]     Needle hub  41  is controlled in the passageway  9  within the nose  3  by needle hub shaft  39 , and is in contact with spring  15 , which is compressed into the passageway  9  ahead of needle hub shaft  39 . The distal end of the needle  13  passes through spring  15 , passageway  9 , and nose boot  25  and protrudes from the nose end of the catheter injection system  1 . Covering the exposed shaft of the needle  13 , while leaving the point of the needle  13  exposed, is a thin wall concentric sleeve, or catheter  43 , which is free to slide completely along the distal end of needle  13 . Catheter  43  is fixed to nose  3  at catheter head  45  by light friction between catheter head  45  and nose boot  25  which provides a liquid tight seal between the catheter head  45  and nose boot  25  and also makes them easily separable during use.  
         [0039]     Needle hub shaft  39 , into which is fixed the proximal end of needle  13  in a through hole  14  running the length of shaft  39 , is an appendage of needle hub  41 . Needle hub  41  has winged beams  33 R and  33 L which are cantilevered from the back of the needle hub  41  in the direction of the needle hub shaft  39  and project at an angle away from needle hub shaft  39 . The geometry of the distal end of winged beams  33 R and  33 L is defined with an angled catch  35 R for coupling the needle hub  41 , with spring  15  in contact therewith, into retainer slot  7 R in the side wall of nose  3 . On the adjacent side of catch  35 R is a release contact point  37 R for operationally releasing needle hub  41  from retainer slot  7 R through the application of force during retraction of the needle  13  into the body  17  during use. In its pre-activated retraction state, spring  15  urges needle hub  14  away from nose  3 . However, needle hub  41  is held by angled catch  35 R on winged beam  33 R in its position in passageway  9 .  
         [0040]     Use of I-V catheter placement device  1  is accomplished by holding the catheter placement device  1  at its symmetrical finger grips  27  in one hand such that orientation message  63  “USE THIS SIDE UP” is readable by the clinician, with needle  13  pointed away from the clinician. The placement site of the patient is held with the other hand, such that the second hand is behind the needle at all times and is intrinsically protected from possible needlestick by the patient&#39;s body. The tip or point  59  of needle  13 , with the catheter  43 , is just placed into the patient at the desired location. Verification of correct location of the catheter  43  is obtained by clinician observation of blood flash-back into magnified transparent verification cavity  53  in needle hub  41 . Once proper location is confirmed, release tabs  29 R and  29 L are simultaneously depressed two times a) effectively to blunt the needle tip, and b) to retract needle  13  into the body of catheter  17 .  
         [0041]     As may be seen in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 1 , actuation of the catheter placement device  1  retraction cycle occurs when release tabs  29 R and  29 L, just in front of finger grips  27  of the catheter placement device  1 , are simultaneously depressed. When this occurs, force is applied by contact pads  19 R and  19 L on the interior surfaces of release tabs  29 R and  29 L to release contact points  37 R and  37 L on the winged beams  33 R and  33 L of the needle hub  41 . As force is applied, inward movement of catches  35 R and  35 L in their respective retaining slots  7 R and  7 L occurs, and catches  35 R and  35 L, holding the needle hub  41  into its cocked position, are subsequently released in two sequential depressions of release tabs  29 R and  29 L. As catch  35 L releases from retainer slots  7 L, there is nothing to restrain needle hub  41 , and needle hub  41  is triggered, allowing energy stored in spring  15  to be released, projecting needle hub  41  with its embedded needle  13  towards the closed end of barrel  17 . Once needle hub  41  is released, it is guided by channels  23  on an interior of the barrel  17  towards the closed end of barrel  17 . Needle hub  41  is prevented from escaping from the interior of the barrel  17  by residual force from spring  15 .  
         [0042]      FIGS. 3 through 10  more particularly illustrate the components of I-V catheter placement device  1 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 3  is an isolated top view of nose  3  showing passageway  9 . Retainer slots  7 R and  7 L which lock the needle hub  41  into its operational positions are also shown. Longitudinal grooves or channels  5  guide the needle hub  41  in the nose  3  during the retraction cycle, and stop  67  helps capture catch  35 L during the first stage of needle retraction of needle hub  41 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is proximal end view illustrating nose  3  of this invention and showing the channels  5  and tabs  11 . Tabs  11  are used to attached the nose  3  to body  17 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the spring  15 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 6  is a top view of body  17 . Release tabs  29 R and  29 L project from symmetrical finger grips  27 , and slots  21  on both the top and bottom sides of the body  17  receive tabs  11  when attaching the nose  3 . Contact pads  19 R and  19 L on the interior surfaces of the release tabs  29 R and  29 L cooperate with release catches on the needle hub. Also illustrated in this view are channels  23  which guide the needle hub  41  in the body  17  during retraction of needle hub  41 , and the orientation message “USE THIS SIDE UP,” with two reference lines labeled as “ 1 ” and “ 2 ” to show the positions of the needle hub during both stages of needle retraction.  
         [0047]      FIG. 7  is a distal end view of body  17 , illustrating release tabs  29 R and  29 L, channels  23 , and contact pads  19 R and  19 L, and air release hole  47  in the proximal end of barrel  17 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 8  is a side view of needle hub  41  illustrating the space  31 ′ for membrane  31 , transparent verification cavity  53 , winged beams  33 , catches  35 , release contacts  37  and the needle hub shaft  39  projecting between winged beams  33 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 9  is a proximal end view of needle hub  41  showing magnification surfaces  73  of verification cavity  53  that act as lenses to make the presence of blood in cavity  53  easier to determine.  
         [0050]      FIG. 10  is a longitudinal sectional view of the catheter  43  and catheter head  45 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 11  is an isolated sectional view of the membrane  31 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 12  is an isolated longitudinal sectional view of needle guard  51  illustrating guard-locking ring  49 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 13  is a proximal end view of boot  25 , and  FIG. 14  is a sectional view along line  14 - 14  of boot  25 .  
         [0054]     Assembly in several steps is required to produce the I-V catheter placement device  1 .  FIGS. 15 through 20  illustrate these steps so as to result in a finished product. With reference to  FIG. 15 , the first assembly step is accomplished by inserting needle  13 , with its bevel  57  up, into the needle hub shaft  39  of needle hub  41 . As is illustrated, this gives needle hub  41  a specific orientation, with its elemental parts having the designations shown. The membrane  31 , which may be a hydrophilic medium, is inserted into the hub  41  in the properly sized space  31 ′ provided to receive it.  
         [0055]     In the next step of the assembly process, boot  25  is inserted onto nose  3  as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . Orientation of nose  3  is determined by reference to slots  7 R and  7 L because slot  7 L is slightly longer than slot  7 R. The needle  13  and hub  41  subassembly shown in  FIG. 15  are next inserted into the proximal end of nose  3 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , by first guiding spring  15  onto needle  13 . Orientation of the hub  41  and nose  3  is accomplished by insuring that catch  35 R is mated with slot  7 R. Once properly oriented, needle  13  is then guided through passageway  9  and projected out of nose  3 , penetrating boot  25 . As winged beams  33 R and  33 L approach nose  3 , they are aligned with channel  5 , flexed inward to create a spring affect along the beam, to fit the beams into channels  5  on either side of nose  3 . With the winged beam  33 R and  33 L guided in channels  5 , the needle hub  41  is forced into the nose  3  as shown in  FIG. 17 , until needle catch  35 R pops into slots  7 R. Catch  35 R remains in slots  7 R due to spring force of the compressed winged beam  33 R and the angle of catch  35 R. This process locks needle hub  41  into nose  3 . Needle catch  35 L floats in slot  7 L.  FIG. 18  shows a proximal end view of needle hub  41  fixed into nose  3 .  
         [0056]     The next step of the assembly process is attachment of body  17  to the sub-assembly of  FIG. 17 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , body  17  is aligned with the subassembly of  FIG. 17  such that bevel  57  on needle  13  and orientation message  63 , “USE THIS SIDE UP” on the top of body  17  face in the same direction. Once orientation is accomplished, body  17  is passed over the proximal end of nose  3 , and attachment to nose  3  is accomplished by aligning and forcing slots  21  on body  17  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) over tabs  11  on the nose  3  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) until they snap into position. The barrel  17  and nose  3  are mechanically keyed with side  69 L being slightly wider than side  69 R (shown in  FIG. 4 ), so that they will only go together in the correct orientation.  
         [0057]     As is illustrated in  FIG. 20 , assembly of the I-V catheter placement device  1  is completed by placing catheter  43  over needle  13  and sliding catheter head  45  onto boot  25  at nose  3 . The catheter head  45  is held in place by light friction between the catheter head  45  and boot  25 . Once the catheter  43  is in place, needle guard  51  is locked onto nose  3  by guard-locking ring  49 , completing the assembly process.  
         [0058]     As will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, there are sequences of assembly other than those described that can be used to produce the completed assembly as shown in  FIG. 20 , producing the same I-V catheter placement device  1  ready for operation.  
         [0059]     The sequence of operation will now be described with regard to  FIGS. 21 through 27 . As can be seen in  FIG. 21 , use of I-V catheter placement device  1  is accomplished by holding the catheter placement device  1  at its symmetrical finger grips  27  in one hand such that the hand is always behind the needle tip and orientation message  63 , “USE THIS SIDE UP,” is readable by the clinician, with needle  13  pointed away from the clinician. The placement site of the patient is held with the other hand behind the needle, such that the second hand is protected from possible needlestick injury. The point  59  of needle  13 , with the catheter  43  concentric therewith, is inserted into the patient&#39;s vein  55  at the desired location. Verification of correct location of the catheter  43  is obtained by observation of blood “flash-back” into magnified, transparent verification cavity  53  at the top of body  17 . Once proper location is confirmed, release tabs  29 R and  29 L, located just in front of finger grips  27 , are simultaneously depressed.  
         [0060]     As release tabs  29 R and  29 L are simultaneously depressed, contact pads  19 R and  19 L move toward their respective needle catches  35 R and  35 L, and an audible “click” sound is produced. Because of the design geometry, contact pad  19 L moves into slot  7 L, behind catch  35 L, before pad  19 R comes into contact with push point  37 R. Continued simultaneously movement of the two release tabs causes catch  35 L to become “trapped” in slot  7 L between stop  67  and pad  19 L, before pad  19 R forces catch  35 R out of the back of slot  7 R. As pad  19 R forces catch  35 R out of slot  7 R, needle hub  41 , with needle  13  attached therewith, becomes unrestrained and begins to retract under force from spring  15  into the hollow of body  17 . Retraction continues until catch  35 L contacts pad  19 L, and retraction is stopped as shown in  FIG. 21 . In this state, push point  37 R is captured in channel  5  within nose  3 , where it can no longer affect retraction of needle hub  41  into body  21 . As is shown in  FIG. 22 , exertion of pressure on release tabs  29 R and  29 L is discontinued (although the device continues to be held by the clinician by such release tabs) by the clinician and such release tabs are allowed to return to their initial, rest positions, at which time another audible “click” sound is produced. As release tab  29 L returns to its rest position, pad  19 L releases catch  35 L. At the moment catch  35 L is released by pad  19 L, positive feedback between the two parts is used, increasing the lateral distance between the two parts, to obtain an unobstructed, smooth release of needle hub  41 . Once released, needle hub  41 , with needle  13  attached therewith, again becomes unrestrained, allowing further retraction into the hollow of body  17  under the force of spring  15 .  
         [0061]     Retraction continues until catch  35 L comes into contact with the back of slot  7 L and all movement stops. In this state, the first stage of retraction is completed, needle tip  59  is withdrawn within catheter  43  as shown in  FIG. 23 , and needle hub  41  is at the fixed reference line “ 1 ”  61 . Full insertion of the catheter  43  may now be completed.  
         [0062]     With needle tip  59  effectively blunted by catheter  43 , full insertion of the catheter into the patient&#39;s vein  55 , without risk of piercing the backside  71  of vein  55  (“blowing the vein”) is accomplished without risk to the patient, as shown in  FIG. 24 .  
         [0063]     With the catheter fully inserted into the patient&#39;s vein  55  as shown in  FIG. 25 , second stage retraction is accomplished by simultaneously depressing release tabs  29 R and  29 L a second time, which produces an audible “click” sound. When this is done, no further reaction is obtained by release tab  29 R, other than to balance the force required to depress the opposite release tab  29 L, which adds stability for one-handed operation of the device. However, as release tab  29 L moves inward, pad  19 L contacts push point  37 L. With continued force and movement, catch  37 L is dislodged from slot  7 L. When this occurs, needle hub  41 , with needle  13  attached, again becomes unrestrained and is projected along channels  5  and  23 , in nose  3  and body  17  respectively, into hollow  17  by the force of spring  15  as shown in  FIG. 25 . Needle hub  41  is then held in its retracted position at reference line “ 2 ”  65  by residual force from spring  15 . As needle tip  59  passes through boot  25 , the hole left in elastic boot  25  closes, preventing blood flow from the catheter into the hollow of body  17 . External blood flow from the catheter at nose  3  is prevented by boot  25  being in radial contact with the internal surface of catheter head  45 . With all blood flow restricted, catheter body  17  acts as a “plug” in the end of catheter head  45 , until it is removed and an I-V line set is plugged into the catheter. Exertion of pressure on release tabs  29 R and  29 L by the clinician is discontinued (although the device continues to be held by the clinician by such release tabs), and such release tabs are allowed to return to their initial, rest positions.  
         [0064]     Completion of the catheter placement process is depicted in  FIGS. 26 and 27 . First, digital pressure  75  is applied at vein  55 , where the catheter is inserted into the body. This stops blood flow from the catheter when catheter body  17  is removed. With blood flow blocked, catheter body  17  is removed and safely set aside for later disposal as shown in  FIG. 27 . Next, I-V line set  77  is inserted into catheter head  45 . Digital pressure  75  is then removed, completing the process.  
         [0065]     As can be understood by reference to  FIGS. 21 through 27 , an alternative method of needle retraction can be practiced by depressing release tabs  29 R and  29 L in a sequential fashion. For this method, release tab  29 R is first depressed and then released. When release tab  29 R is depressed, catch  35 R is dislodged from the back of slot  7 R. When this occurs, needle hub  41 , with needle  13  attached therewith, becomes unrestrained, since catch  35 L is only floating in its slot  7 L. Retraction continues until catch  35 L is stopped at the back of slot  7 L, as shown in  FIGS. 22 and 24 , effectively blunting needle point  59  within catheter  43 . Needle hub  41  is at reference line “ 1 ”  61 .  
         [0066]     For the second stage of needle retraction, release tab  29 L is depressed and released, dislodging catch  35 L from the back of slot  7 L. As catch  35 L is dislodged from slot  7 L, needle hub  41 , and the attached needle  13  are projected into hollow body  17  as previously described. Completion of the cycle occurs as previously described.  
         [0067]     A second embodiment of this invention, catheter  101 , is shown in  FIG. 39 . Catheter placement device  101  has a modified nose, which provides for a) an alternative flow restriction mechanism after the needle is retracted, and b) secondary locking of the retracted needle within the body of the catheter.  FIGS. 28 through 42  depict the second embodiment.  FIGS. 28 through 36  depict the modified parts for catheter  101 .  FIGS. 28, 29 , and  30  illustrate nose  103  modified with through hole  195  transverse to the longitudinal axis of catheter  101 .  FIG. 31  is a side view of top plug  196 ,  FIG. 32  is a side view of shuttle spring  197 ,  FIG. 33  is a side view of shuttle  198 , and  FIG. 34  presents a side view of a bottom plug  199 .  FIG. 35  is an end view of nose seal  125 , while  FIG. 36  is a sectional view of nose seal  125  along line  36 - 36 .  
         [0068]      FIGS. 37-39  depict assembly of catheter  101 . Needle hub  141  and needle  113  are assembled into nose  103  in the same manner as catheter  1 . Nose seal  125  is inserted onto nose  103 , and results in the subassembly shown in  FIG. 37 . With needle hub  141  and needle  113  fixed in nose  103  as shown in  FIG. 38 , cylindrical plug  199  is inserted into one end of through hole  195 . In the other end of through hole  195 , cylindrical shuttle  198  with tapers at each end, as illustrated in  FIG. 33 , is first inserted, followed by shuttle  198 . The assembly process is completed by compressing shuttle spring  197  and inserting plug  196  into through hole  195  in nose  103  as shown in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . The assembly process is completed by fixing body  117  to nose  103  as in the case of catheter  1 , producing catheter  101  shown in  FIG. 39 . As will be appreciated by reference to  FIG. 40 , compressed spring  197  is restrained within nose  103  by retaining plug  196  on one end and shuttle  198  at the opposite end, and applies force to one side of shuttle  198 , as shown in  FIGS. 38 and 39 . The side of shuttle  198  opposite spring  197  is restrained in one half of through hole  195  by the shaft of needle  113  in passageway  109  of nose  103  as illustrated in  FIGS. 39 and 40 .  
         [0069]     Utilization of catheter  101  is the same catheter  1 . After the catheter is properly placed into the patient and release tabs  129  have been actuated to project needle  113  into the body  117  of catheter  101  as shown in  FIG. 40 , the point  159  of needle  113  passes shuttle  198 . Once point  159  of needle  113  passes shuttle  198 , shuttle  198  becomes unrestrained and is projected into passageway  109  of nose  103  by force from shuttle spring  197 , thus blocking passageway  109  as illustrated in  FIG. 41 . The final operation is illustrated in  FIG. 43 , where the catheter  101  is removed from the catheter head  145  and an I-V line set  177  is inserted into catheter head  145  as described for catheter  1 .  
         [0070]     The alternate embodiments of this invention provide a novel I-V catheter placement apparatus that is operable by a single hand and that, upon completion of catheter injection, captures and encapsulates the needle and renders it harmless within the hollow of the body of the device. Alternative configurations, including one utilizing only one release tab, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the foregoing description, which is exemplary in nature. All such modification and variations are embraced within the scope of this invention and the following claims.