Abstract:
An I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device are disclosed which allow for the safe removal of a needle from a catheter assembly. The safety device includes a locking assembly which includes lock housing a rotatable locking member and a locking clip. The needle and the locking member are configured such that withdrawal of the needle from the catheter assembly effects rotation of the locking member. The locking clip is positioned and configured to obstruct rotation of the locking member after the needle has been retracted within the housing to obstruct re-advancement of the needle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application under 35 U.S.C. 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/347,164 filed Dec. 31, 2008, which claims priority to PCT International Application PCT/US08/77867 filed on Sep. 26, 2008 which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/995,540 filed Sep. 27, 2007, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an intravenous or I.V. catheter device. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a safety device for shielding the tip of a needle used for placement of an I.V. catheter device in the vasculature of a patient. 
     2. Background of Related Art 
     Safety devices for shielding needles of medical devices are well known in the art. Such devices minimize the risks associated with inadvertent needle stick injuries which subject doctors, nurses and medical personnel to exposure to HIV, hepatitis and other serious blood-borne pathogens. 
     Passively activated safety devices are also known in the art. Typically, such devices actuate the safety device in response to normal usage of a medical device with which the safety device is associated e.g., removal of a needle from an I.V. catheter. 
     Intravenous catheter devices are also known in the art and typically include a catheter which is dimensioned to be positioned into a patient&#39;s vasculature and a needle having a sharp tip which is provided to facilitate placement of the catheter into the patient&#39;s vasculature. In use, after placement of the catheter, the needle is separated from the catheter and disposed of safely. One problem associated with the use of I.V. catheters is the risk to medical personnel of needle stick injury during disposal of the needle after separation of the needle from the catheter. To minimize the risks to medical personnel during needle disposal, the use of spring clips which attach to the needle and shield the needle tip has become well known. Such spring clips, although somewhat effective, have been known to become disengaged from the needle, thus rendering medical personnel susceptible to needle stick injury. 
     Accordingly, a continuing need exists in the medical arts for an I.V. catheter assembly which includes structure for safely and irreversibly shielding a needle tip of a needle after the needle has been separated from the catheter. 
     SUMMARY 
     An IV catheter assembly and needle safety device are disclosed. The IV catheter assembly comprises a catheter and a catheter hub. The needle safety device comprises a lock assembly including a housing, a locking member and a stop member. The housing defines a throughbore and has a distal end configured to engage a proximal end of the catheter hub. The locking member also defines a throughbore and is rotatably supported within the housing throughbore. The stop member is positioned to engage the locking member to substantially prevent rotation of the locking member in a first direction. A needle is provided which has a distal tip. The needle is positioned through the housing throughbore, the locking member throughbore and the catheter when the needle is in an advanced position such that the distal tip of the needle projects from a distal end of the catheter. The needle is movable from the advanced position to a retracted position within the housing and has a first portion movable through the locking member throughbore. The first portion is configured to effect rotation of the locking member in a second direction during movement of the needle toward the retracted position and effect rotation of the locking member in the first direction during movement of the needle towards the advanced position. The distal tip of the needle can be sharpened to pierce tissue. 
     In one embodiment, the catheter hub is configured to releasably engage the housing of the lock assembly. One of the throughbore of the housing and the catheter hub may define an annular recess and the other of the throughbore of the housing and the catheter hub may include an annular rib configured to be releasably received within the annular recess. 
     In one embodiment, the first portion of the needle includes a non-circular portion, and the locking member throughbore has a non-circular shape which rotates about its longitudinal axis such that the locking member throughbore receives the first portion of the needle in a screw-like manner. The needle may include a pair of spaced non-circular portions. 
     In one embodiment, the lock assembly includes a locking clip and the stop member is formed on one end of the locking clip. The locking clip may be rotatably fixed within the housing throughbore. Further, the locking member may be substantially cylindrical and rotatably supported within the housing throughbore adjacent the locking clip. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a stepped portion defining a circular track having at least one cutout positioned to receive the stop member. The circular track may include a series of cutouts such that the stop member and cutouts are in ratcheting engagement. 
     A needle safety device is also disclosed which includes a housing, a locking member and a stop member. The housing and the locking member each define a throughbore and the locking member is rotatably supported within the housing throughbore. The stop member is positioned to engage the locking member to substantially prevent rotation of the locking member in a first direction. In one embodiment, the locking member throughbore has a screw-like configuration which is dimensioned to slidably receive a needle such that movement of the needle in relation to the locking member effects rotation of the locking member. 
     The safety device may also include a locking clip. The stop member may be formed on one end of the locking clip. In one embodiment, the locking clip is rotatably fixed within the housing throughbore. The locking member may be substantially cylindrical and rotatably supported within the housing throughbore adjacent the locking clip. In one embodiment, the locking member includes a stepped portion defining a circular track having at least one cutout positioned to receive the stop member. The circular track may include a series of cutouts such that the stop member and cutouts are in ratcheting engagement. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device are disclosed herein with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device with the needle tip of the needle projecting from the distal end of the catheter and the catheter inserted into a vein; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 1  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view from the distal end of the locking member of the lock assembly of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view from the proximal end of the locking member of the lock assembly of the safety device shown in  FIG. 4  with the locking clip supported thereon; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective cross-sectional view with parts separated of the lock assembly of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the locking member shown in  FIG. 3  showing the locking channel in phantom; 
         FIG. 7  is a front end elevational view of the locking member shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along section lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along section lines  9 - 9  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the housing of the locking assembly shown in  FIG. 5  with the housing throughbore shown in phantom; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the housing of the locking assembly taken along section lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the needle of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the needle of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevational view from the distal end of the needle shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 1  with the needle in its extended position; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 1  with the needle partially retracted; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  19 - 19  of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 19A  is a cross-sectional view taken along section  19 A- 19 A of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 18  with the needle fully retracted; 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 20  with the catheter assembly separated from the lock assembly; 
         FIG. 23  is a side perspective view illustrating the catheter of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device positioned within a vein; 
         FIG. 24  is a side perspective view of the needle assembly and lock assembly of the I.V. catheter and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 22  with the needle locked in its retracted position; 
         FIG. 25  is a side perspective view of another embodiment of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device with the needle tip of the needle projecting from the distal end of the catheter and the catheter inserted into a vein; 
         FIG. 26  is a side perspective view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 25  with parts separated; 
         FIG. 27  is a cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device taken along section lines  27 - 27  of  FIG. 25 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device taken along section lines  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 28A  is a cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device taken along section lines  28 A- 28 A of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 28B  is a cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device taken along section lines  28 B- 28 B of  FIG. 28A ; 
         FIG. 29  is a side cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 25  with the needle partially retracted; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  30 - 30  of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 25  with the needle fully retracted; 
         FIG. 32  is cross-sectional view of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 31  taken through the hub and the lock housing; 
         FIG. 33  is a side cross-sectional view of the I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 31  with the catheter and catheter hub separated from the lock housing; 
         FIG. 34  is a side perspective view of the catheter of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly shown in  FIG. 31  positioned within a vein; and 
         FIG. 35  is a side perspective view of the needle assembly and lock assembly of the I.V. catheter and needle safety device shown in  FIG. 31  with the needle locked in its retracted position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. In this description, the term proximally is generally used to indicate relative nearness of a referenced item to a user of the device and the term distal is used to indicate relative remoteness of a referenced item to a user of the device. 
       FIGS. 1-22  illustrate one embodiment of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device (“the device”) shown generally as  10 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device  10  includes a catheter assembly  12  including a catheter  14  and a catheter hub  16 , a safety device or lock assembly  18  including a rotatable locking member  20 , a locking clip  22  and lock housing  24 , and a needle assembly  26  including an elongated needle  28  and a needle hub  30 . As will be described in further detail below, needle  28  is positioned through lock assembly  18  and catheter assembly  12  such that in its extended position, a sharpened, tapered tip  28   a  of needle  28  extends from the distal end of catheter  14 . As is known in the art, sharpened tip  28   a  facilitates insertion of needle  28  and catheter  14  into the vasculature, e.g., vein  32  ( FIG. 1 ), of a patient. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  10  and  11 , lock housing  24  defines a stepped bore  34  having a substantially cylindrical distal portion  36 , a substantially cylindrical central portion  38  and a proximal portion  40 . Distal portion  36  is dimensioned to receive the proximal end of catheter hub  16 . In one embodiment, an annular rib  42  is formed about an inner wall of housing  24  in distal portion  36  and functions to releasably engage catheter hub  16  as will be described in further detail below. A first shoulder portion or step  44  is positioned between distal portion  36  and central portion  38  of stepped bore  34 . Step  44  engages the proximal end of catheter hub  16  when catheter assembly  12  is secured to housing  24  ( FIG. 16 ). Central portion  38  of stepped bore  34  is dimensioned to rotatably receive locking member  20  of lock assembly  18 . A second shoulder portion or step  46  is positioned between central portion  38  and proximal portion  40  of stepped bore  34 . Step  46  engages the proximal end of locking member  20  when member  20  is positioned in central portion  38  of bore  34 . Proximal portion  40  includes a throughbore  48 . At least a portion  48   a  of throughbore  48  has a non-circular shape, e.g., truncated oval shape. The proximal end of throughbore  48  also includes an inwardly extending flange  48   b  of reduced diameter which will be discussed in further detail below. Non-circular portion  48   a  functions to prevent rotation of needle  28  in relation to housing  24  and to lock needle  28  in a retracted position in relation to housing  24  as will be described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2-9 , locking member  20  has a substantially cylindrical body  50  defining a non-circular throughbore  52 , e.g., truncated oval shape, which is rotated or twisted along its longitudinal axis, e.g. partial helix. See  FIGS. 6-9 . A distal end  50   a  of locking member  20  includes a channeling surface  54  which will be discussed in further detail below. A proximal end  50   b  of locking member  20  includes a stepped portion  56  with a series of cutouts  56   a  formed along a circular track  58  formed about stepped portion  56 . An inner wall  60  defining central portion  38  of stepped bore  34  includes a cutout  62 . Locking clip  22  includes a substantially circular member formed of a spring material including a first end having an outwardly extending finger  64  and a second end having an inwardly angled stop member  66 . Finger  64  is configured and dimensioned to be received within cutout  62  to rotatably fix locking clip  22  about proximal end  50   b  of locking member  20 . When finger  64  is positioned within cutout  62 , clip  22  is non-rotatably secured to housing  24  and stop member  66  is positioned to ride over circular track  58  of stepped portion  56  of locking member  20  as locking member  20  rotates within central portion  38  of stepped bore  34 . As locking member  20  rotates in relation to clip  22  and housing  24 , stop member  66  ratchets into and out of cutouts  56   a . Because of the angled faces defining cutouts  56   a  and the angle of stop member  66 , locking clip  22  will permit rotation of locking member  20  in a first direction but prevent rotation of locking member  20  in the opposite direction. 
     Referring to FIGS.  2  and  12 - 15 , as discussed above, needle assembly  26  includes a needle hub  30  and a needle  28  having a sharpened tip  28   a . Sharpened tip  28   a  defines a beveled surface configured to pierce body tissue to access vasculature of a patient. Needle  30  further includes first and second non-circular portions  70  and  72  which are configured and dimensioned to be slidably received within throughbore  52  of locking member  20  and within non-circular portion  48   a  of throughbore  48  of housing  24 . Needle hub  30  is secured to the proximal end of needle  28  and provides a gripping surface to facilitate removal of needle  28  from catheter assembly  12 . Needle hub  30  can be secured to needle  28  using any known fastening technique including adhesion, crimping, press-fitting. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , when device  10  is assembled, needle  28  is positioned through stepped bore  34  of housing  24 , through throughbore  52  of locking member  20 , and through catheter  14  of catheter assembly  12 . Non-circular portion  72  of needle  28  is positioned within throughbore  52  of locking member  20  and locking member  20  is rotatably supported within central portion  38  of bore  34  of housing  24 . Needle hub  30  is positioned adjacent a proximal end of housing  24 . As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , stop member  66  of locking clip  22  is positioned on circular track  58 . As discussed above, locking clip  22  is formed of a spring material such that stop member  66  is urged against circular track  58 . Further, catheter hub  16  is positioned within distal portion  36  of stepped bore  34  such that annular rib  42  is positioned within an annular recess  76  formed in catheter hub  16  to releasably secure catheter hub  16  to housing  24 . The distal end of housing  24  is formed of a material, e.g., plastic, having a degree of resiliency to facilitate disengagement of catheter hub  16  from housing  24 . The distal end of catheter hub  16  may include a grasping surface configured to further facilitate disengagement of catheter hub  16  from housing  24 . Alternatively, catheter hub  16  and housing  24  may contain other releasably securing structures such as bayonet, press-fit, or any other suitable engagement structure for releasably securing catheter hub  16  to housing  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 18 ,  19  and  19   a , when hub  30  is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow “A” in  FIG. 18 , needle  28  is withdrawn through cannula  14  and first non-circular portion  72  and then non-circular portion  70  pass through throughbore  52  of locking member  20 . Since throughbore  52  has a non-circular bore which twists or rotates about the longitudinal axis to define a screw-like channel, as needle  28  is pulled proximally, locking member  20  is forced to rotate about the longitudinal axis in the direction indicated by arrow “B”. As locking member  20  rotates, stop member  66  on locking clip  22  moves along circular track  58  and ratchets into and out of cutouts  56   a  ( FIG. 19   a ). As discussed above, sloped surface  66   a  of stop member  66  allows rotation of locking member  20  in the direction indicated by arrow “B” but prevents rotation of locking member  20  in an opposite direction. It is noted that when non-circular portion  72  of needle  28  enters non-circular throughbore  48 , needle  28  is prevented from rotating in relation to housing  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , when needle  28  is retracted to the point non-circular portion  72  engages flange  48   b , needle  28  is prevented from further proximal movement. Further, if an attempt is made to advance needle  28 , tip  66   b  of stop member  66  of locking clip  22 , if not already engaged in a cutout  56   a , moves into engagement with a cutout  56   a , to prevent rotation of locking member  20  ( FIG. 21 ). When this occurs, advancement of needle  28  is prevented because of the screw-like configuration of throughbore  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 22 , as illustrated, when needle  28  is in its locked, retracted position, sharpened tip  28   a  of needle  28  is safely confined within distal portion  36  of stepped bore  34 . As discussed above, flange  48   b  prevents proximal movement of needle  28  in relation to housing  24  of lock assembly  18  and since locking member  20  is prevented from rotating by locking clip  22 , needle  28  cannot be moved distally in relation to housing  24 . Thus, distal end  28   a  of needle  28  is safely confined within distal portion  36  of stepped bore  34  of housing  24 . 
     At this time, housing  24  with needle  28  locked therein ( FIG. 24 ) can be separated from catheter assembly  12  ( FIG. 23 ) by pulling catheter assembly  12  apart from housing  24  in the direction indicated by arrow “C” to disengage annular rib  42  of housing  24  from annular recess  76  of catheter hub  16 . Lock assembly  18  and needle assembly  26  can now be safely disposed of by medical personnel. 
       FIGS. 25-35  illustrate another embodiment of the presently disclosed I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device shown generally as  100 . I.V. catheter assembly and needle safety device  100  includes a catheter assembly  112 , a safety device or lock assembly  118  and a needle assembly  126 . Catheter assembly  112  includes a catheter  114  and a catheter hub  116  supported on a proximal end of catheter  114 . Safety device or lock assembly  118  includes a rotatable locking member  120 , a locking clip  122  and a lock housing  124 . Needle assembly  126  includes an elongated needle  128  and a needle hub  130 . As will be discussed in further detail below, needle  128  is positioned through lock assembly  118  and catheter assembly  112  such that in its extended position, a sharpened tip  128   a  of needle  128  extends from the distal end of catheter  114 . As is known in the art, sharpened tip  128   a  facilitates insertion of needle  128  and catheter  114  into vasculature, e.g., vein  132  ( FIG. 25 ), of a patient. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26 and 27 , lock housing  124  defines a stepped bore  134  having a substantially cylindrical distal portion  136 , a substantially cylindrical central portion  138  and a proximal portion  140 . Distal portion  136  is dimensioned to receive the proximal end of catheter hub  116 . A first shoulder portion or step  144  is positioned between distal portion  136  and central portion  138  of stepped bore  134 . Step  144  includes a pair of cutouts  142  which are configured to receive projections or ears  116   a  formed on the proximal end of catheter hub  116  when catheter assembly  112  is secured to housing  124  ( FIG. 16 ). The receipt of projections  116   a  in cutouts  142  prevents rotation of hub  116  in relation to lock housing  124  as will be discussed in further detail below. Central portion  138  of stepped bore  134  is dimensioned to rotatably receive locking member  120  of lock assembly  118  and defines a longitudinal channel  141 . A second shoulder portion or step  146  is positioned between central portion  138  and proximal portion  140  of stepped bore  134 . Step  146  engages the proximal end of locking member  120  when member  120  is positioned in central portion  138  of bore  134 . Proximal portion  140  includes a throughbore  148 . At least a portion  148   a  of throughbore  148  has a non-circular shape, e.g., truncated oval shape. The proximal end of throughbore  148  also includes an inwardly extending flange  148   b  of reduced diameter which will be discussed in further detail below. Non-circular portion  148   a  functions to prevent rotation of needle  128  in relation to housing  124  and to lock needle  128  in a retracted position in relation to housing  124  as will be described in detail below. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 26-28 , locking member  120  has a substantially cylindrical body  150  defining a non-circular throughbore  152 , e.g., truncated oval shape, which is rotated or twisted along its longitudinal axis, e.g. partial helix, in the manner described above with respect to throughbore  52  of locking member  20 . A distal end  150   a  of locking member  120  includes a channeling surface  154  which will be discussed in further detail below. A longitudinally extending channel  156  is formed along an outer surface of rotatable locking member  120 . Locking clip  22  is supported within channel  156  and includes a base portion  122   a , an angled resilient portion  122   b  which extends outwardly from base portion  122   a , and a retaining portion  122   c  which extends downwardly from resilient portion  122   b . As illustrated, base portion  122   a  is secured within channel  156  with at least one screw  166  such that angled resilient portion  122   b  extends outwardly of channel  156  in its undeformed state. When rotatable lock member  120  is positioned within central portion  138  of stepped bore  134 , angled resilient portion  122   h  of locking clip  122  is urged to a deformed state by an inner wall of lock housing  124 . In the deformed state, locking clip  122  is positioned within channel  156  of rotatable locking member  120  such that locking member  120  can freely rotate within central portion  138  of stepped bore  134 . See  FIG. 28 . When locking member  120  is rotated to a position in which locking clip  122  is aligned with longitudinal channel  141  of lock housing  124 , angled resilient portion  122   b  will return to its non-deformed state and move into longitudinal channel  141  and obstruct further rotation of locking member  120  within central portion  138  of stepped bore  134 . See  FIG. 32 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 27 , when locking clip  122  is in the deformed state within channel  156 , retaining portion  122   c  engages a top surface of a proximal rim  157  of hub  116  to releasably retain catheter assembly  112  within distal portion  136  of stepped bore  134 . When locking clip  122  rotates to a position aligned with longitudinal channel  141  and returns to the non-deformed state, angled resilient portion  122   b  springs outwardly to disengage retaining portion  122   c  from rim  157  of hub  116  to release catheter assembly  112  from within distal portion  136  of stepped bore  134 . See  FIG. 31 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 25-27 , as discussed above, needle assembly  126  includes a needle hub  130  and a needle  128  having a sharpened tip  128   a . Sharpened tip  28   a  defines a beveled surface configured to pierce body tissue to access vasculature of a patient. Needle  130  further includes first and second non-circular portions  170  and  172  which are configured and dimensioned to be slidably received within throughbore  152  of locking member  120  and within non-circular portion  148   a  of throughbore  148  of housing  124 . Needle hub  130  is secured to the proximal end of needle  128  and provides a gripping surface to facilitate removal of needle  128  from catheter assembly  112 . Needle hub  130  can be secured to needle  128  using any known fastening technique including adhesion, crimping, press-fitting. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 27-28   a , when device  110  is assembled, needle  128  is positioned through stepped bore  134  of housing  124 , through throughbore  152  of locking member  120 , and through catheter  114  of catheter assembly  112 . Non-circular portion  172  of needle  128  is positioned within throughbore  152  of locking member  120  and locking member  120  is rotatably supported within central portion  138  of bore  134  of housing  124 . Needle hub  130  is positioned adjacent a proximal end of housing  124 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 27 and 28 , locking clip  122  is positioned within channel  156  of rotatable member  120  such that retaining portion  122   c  is engaged with rim  157  of catheter assembly  112  to releasably secure catheter assembly  112  within distal portion  136  of lock housing  124 . As discussed above, locking clip  22  is formed of a spring material such that angled resilient portion  122   c  is urged outwardly against an inner wall of housing  124 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 29 and 30 , when hub  130  is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow “D” in  FIG. 29 , needle  128  is withdrawn through cannula  114  such that first non-circular portion  172  and then second non-circular portion  170  pass through throughbore  152  of locking member  120 . Since throughbore  152  has a non-circular bore which twists or rotates about the longitudinal axis to define a screw-like channel, as needle  128  is pulled proximally, locking member  120  is forced to rotate about the longitudinal axis in the direction indicated by arrow “E”. As locking member  120  rotates, locking clip  122  moves in the direction indicated by arrow “F” from a position angularly offset, e.g. 90°, from longitudinal channel  141  of lock housing  124  towards a position aligned with longitudinal channel  141 . Engagement between projections  116   a  and cutouts  142  prevent hub assembly from rotating with locking member  120 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 31 and 32 , when needle assembly  126  is retracted to a position to rotate rotatable locking member  120  to a position in which locking clip  122  is aligned with longitudinal channel  141 , angled resilient portion  122   b  springs outwardly into longitudinal channel  141 . When this occurs, retaining portion  122   c  disengages from rim  157  of catheter assembly  112  to release catheter assembly  112  from distal portion  136  of lock housing  124 . See  FIG. 33 . In this position, sharpened tip  128   a  of needle  128  is positioned within distal portion  136  of lock housing  124 . Further, since locking clip  122  is positioned within longitudinal channel  141  of lock housing  124 , rotatable locking member  120  is prevented from rotating. Thus, needle  128  cannot be advanced or retracted in relation to lock housing  124  because of screw-like configuration of throughbore  152  and sharpened tip  128   a  of needle  128  is safely retained within lock housing  124 . Needle  128  also cannot be retracted from lock housing  124  because flange  148   b  obstructs movement of non-circular portion  172  of needle  128 . 
     At this time, housing  124  with needle  128  locked therein ( FIG. 33 ) can be separated from catheter assembly  112  ( FIG. 34 ) by pulling housing  124  apart from catheter assembly  112  in the direction indicated by arrow “G” in  FIG. 33 . Lock assembly  118  and needle assembly  126  can now be safely disposed of by medical personnel. 
     It will be understood that various modifications may be made to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.