Patent Publication Number: US-2021187251-A1

Title: Intravenous catheter assembly with safety clip

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/481,166, filed Apr. 6, 2017, and entitled INTRAVENOUS CATHETER ASSEMBLY WITH SAFETY CLIP, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Intravenous (IV) catheter assemblies are among the various types of vascular access devices. Over-the-needle peripheral IV catheters are a common IV catheter configuration. As its name implies, an over-the-needle catheter may be mounted over an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip. The needle may be a hypodermic needle coupled to a needle assembly to help guide the needle and to facilitate its cooperation with the catheter. At least the inner surface of the distal portion of the catheter tightly may engage an outer surface of the needle to prevent peel back of the catheter and, thereby, facilitate insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. The catheter and the needle may be assembled so that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter. Moreover, the catheter and the needle may be assembled so that, during insertion, the bevel of the needle faces up, away from skin of a patient. The catheter and needle may be inserted at a shallow angle through the skin into a blood vessel. 
     In order to verify proper placement of the needle and/or catheter in the blood vessel, the user may confirm that there is “flashback” of blood into a flashback chamber associated with the needle assembly. Flashback generally entails the appearance of a small amount of blood, which is visible within the needle assembly or between the needle and the catheter. Once proper placement of the distal tip of the catheter into the blood vessel is confirmed, the user may apply pressure to the blood vessel by pressing down on the skin over the blood vessel, distal to the needle and the catheter. This finger pressure may momentarily occlude the vessel, reducing further blood flow through the needle and the catheter. 
     The user may then withdraw the needle from the catheter, and in some instances, the needle assembly may be separated from catheter portions of the catheter assembly. The separation of the needle assembly from catheter portions of the catheter assembly presents numerous potential hazards to the users and others in the area. There may be a risk of accidental needle sticks if the distal tip is not secured properly. Additionally, because the needle has been in contact with blood in vasculature of the patient, blood may be present on an exterior of the needle as well as inside a lumen of the needle. As the needle is withdrawn from the catheter, there is a risk that the blood will drip from the distal tip or come into contact with other surfaces to expose people and equipment to blood. 
     Additionally, it has been observed that withdrawing the needle from a catheter assembly may impart energy to parts of the needle assembly. For instance, during withdrawal of the introducer, bending forces can be applied (either unintentionally or intentionally) to the needle. The bending forces on the needle may cause blood to splatter or spray from the needle when the needle vibrates and shakes as it becomes free from the catheter assembly and releases stored energy. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for devices, systems, and methods that provide catheter assemblies with increased needle safety. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates generally to an IV catheter assembly and associated devices, systems, and methods. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may be used for infusion and/or blood collection. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a catheter, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include an inner wall forming a lumen. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the catheter may be coupled with the catheter adapter. 
     In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a needle, which may include one or more of the following: an elongated shaft, a sharp distal tip, and a notch. In some embodiments, the notch may improve first stick success and allow observation of blood flashback. In some embodiments, the needle may be disposed within the catheter when the needle is in a ready position. In some embodiments, the needle may be movable between the ready position in which the distal tip is outside of the catheter adapter and a retracted position in which the distal tip is disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter. 
     In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a needle guard, which may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, the needle guard may include a proximal end wall. In some embodiments, the proximal end wall may include an opening for receiving the needle there through. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include one or more resilient portions, which may be coupled with the proximal end wall. In some embodiments, each of the resilient portions may be urged by the elongated shaft into retaining contact with the inner wall of the catheter adapter when the needle is in the ready position and/or during movement of the needle between the ready position and the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, when the needle is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft may no longer bias each of the resilient portions outwardly such that the retaining contact between each of the resilient portions and the catheter adapter are released. In these embodiments, the housing and the needle guard may be removable from the catheter adapter when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner wall of the catheter adapter may include one or more retaining means, such as, for example, a groove. In some embodiments, a particular retaining means may receive a particular resilient portion when the needle is in the ready position and the particular resilient portion and the catheter adapter are in retaining contact. For example, the particular retaining means may receive a curved portion of the particular resilient portion when the needle is in the ready position and the particular resilient portion and the catheter adapter are in retaining contact. 
     In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include one or more distal walls, which may each extend from the resilient portions. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls may include a lip, which may engage the elongated shaft of the needle when the needle is in the ready position. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls may be movable within the lumen of the catheter hub to blocking positions distal of the distal tip. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls may be in their respective blocking positions when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distal walls may contact and/or overlap one another and form a distal barrier to the needle when the distal walls are in their respective blocking positions. 
     In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a housing, which may be coupled to the needle guard and/or disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the housing and the needle guard may enclose the distal tip and/or the notch when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the housing may include multiple shield elements, which may be spaced apart. For example, the housing may include a first shield element and a second shield element opposite the first shield element. In some embodiments, the first and second shield elements may be spaced apart by a gap. In some embodiments, one or more particular resilient portions may be urged outwardly by the elongated shaft through the gap when the needle is in the ready position. 
     In some embodiments, the housing may include one or more snap features configured to secure the needle guard within the housing when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, an inner surface and/or an inner edge of the first shield element may include one or more snap features. Additionally, in some embodiments, the inner surface and/or an inner edge of the second shield element may include one or more snap features. In some embodiments, the snap features may contact an outer surface of a particular resilient portion of the needle guard when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the first snap feature may extend more inwardly than the second snap feature such that the particular resilient portion passes the second snap feature before the first snap feature when the needle moves from the ready position to the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, an inner surface of the housing may include one or more distal features and/or one or more proximal features. In some embodiments, each of the distal features may be configured to contact a proximal surface of a particular distal wall of the needle guard to prevent the needle guard from sliding proximally with respect to the housing. In some embodiments, each of the proximal features may be configured to contact a distal surface of the proximal end wall to prevent the needle guard from sliding distally with respect to the housing. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the housing may include or correspond to an inner surface of one or more particular shield elements. 
     In some embodiments, the resilient portions may include elongated resilient arms. In particular, in some embodiments, the resilient portions may include a first and second resilient arm. In some embodiments, the first and second resilient arms may include first and second curved portions, respectively. In some embodiments, the first and second curved portions may be urged by the elongated shaft into retaining contact with the inner wall of the catheter adapter when the needle is in the ready position and/or during movement of the needle between the ready position and the retracted position. In some embodiments, when the needle is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft may no longer exert a force on the first and second resilient arms such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released. In some embodiments, the needle guard may include first and second distal walls, which may contact and/or overlap one another and form a distal barrier to the needle when the needle is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the first and second resilient arms may extend between the first and second distal walls, respectively, and the proximal end wall. 
     In some embodiments, when the needle is in the ready position, the first resilient arm may be entirely disposed on a first side of the needle and the second resilient arm may be entirely disposed on a second side of the needle opposite the first side of the needle. In some embodiments, the first distal wall and the second distal wall may include first and second lips, respectively, which may engage the elongated shaft of the needle when the needle is in the ready position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES 
       In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description of the cannula capture mechanism briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended Figures. Understanding that these Figures depict only typical embodiments and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying Figures in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is an upper perspective view of a prior art needle assembly; 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlarged upper perspective view of a portion of the needle assembly of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional view of an example catheter assembly, illustrating an example needle in a ready position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of  FIG. 2A , illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of  FIG. 2A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of  FIG. 2A , illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view of an example needle assembly of the catheter assembly of  FIG. 2A , illustrating the needle in the ready position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle between the ready position and the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5C  is a distal view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 3A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6A  is a cross-sectional view of another example needle assembly, illustrating the needle in a partially retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6B  is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 6A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6C  is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 6A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6D  is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 6A , illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6E  is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 6A , illustrating an example stabilizer element, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 6F  is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of  FIG. 6A , illustrating an example platform, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood by reference to  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6  in the present disclosure, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the catheter assembly, and associated devices, systems, and methods, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of some embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 1A  illustrates a needle assembly  10  commonly used in the medical field. The needle assembly  10  may include a needle hub  12 , a needle  14  extending distally from the needle hub, and a spring clip  16 . The spring clip  16  is enlarged in  FIG. 1B . The needle assembly  10  may be part of an IV catheter assembly (not illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B ) and may provide several functions. For example, when a needle  14  of the needle assembly  10  is in a ready position for insertion into a vein of a patient, flexible arms of the spring clip  16  may be urged outward and may interfere with a retention feature on an inner surface of a catheter adapter of the IV catheter assembly, holding the spring clip  16  in place until the needle  14  is withdrawn. In response to placement of an IV catheter of the catheter assembly into the vein of the patient, the needle may be retracted or withdrawn proximally. When the needle  14  is withdrawn proximally beyond a distal end of the spring clip  16 , the flexible arms may move inwardly, which may first release the interference between the spring clip  16  and the retention feature of the catheter adapter, and then provide a distal barrier for the needle  14 , preventing a needle stick injury. Release of the interference between the spring clip  16  and the retention feature may allow removal of the needle assembly  10  from the catheter adapter. 
     The needle assembly  10  and spring clip  16  may pose several hazards. The spring clip  16  may be constructed of metal and/or may include one or more sharp edges, which may increase a risk that the patient or a clinician may be cut or scratched by the spring clip  16 , particularly when the needle assembly  10  is removed from the catheter adapter. In some instances, the sharp edges of the spring clip  16  may be exposed to blood of the patient, and if the clinician contacts the sharp edges, this could lead to infection by one or more blood borne pathogens. Also, the sharp edges of the spring clip  16  may get caught on clothing, bedding, or another material, which may cause the clip to open, allowing a sharp distal tip of the needle to become exposed. Furthermore, an interior lumen of the needle  14  and/or a notch of the needle  14  may be filled with blood, and the blood may spatter or be ejected from the needle  14  when the needle assembly  10  is removed from the catheter adapter. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A-2C , a catheter assembly  20  may overcome disadvantages of the prior art, as will be explained later in further detail. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly  20  may include a catheter  24 , which may include a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly  20  may include a catheter adapter  26 , which may include an inner wall  28  forming a lumen  30 . In some embodiments, the proximal end of the catheter  24  may be coupled with the catheter adapter  26  via a wedge  32  or another mechanism. In some embodiments, a needle  22  of the catheter assembly  20  may include one or more of the following: an elongated shaft  34 , a sharp distal tip  36 , a notch  38 , and a bump or feature  54 . In some embodiments, the notch  38  may improve first stick success and allow observation of blood flashback. 
     In some embodiments, the needle  22  may be disposed within the catheter  24  when the needle  22  is in a ready position for insertion into the vein of the patient. The ready position is illustrated in  FIG. 2A , according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the needle  22  may be movable between the ready position in which the distal tip  36  is outside of the catheter adapter  26  and a retracted position in which the distal tip  36  is disposed within the lumen  30  of the catheter adapter  26 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the needle  22  partially withdrawn and between the ready position and the retracted position, according to some embodiments. The retracted position is illustrated in  FIG. 2C , according to some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the catheter assembly  20  may include a needle guard  33 , which may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, the needle guard  33  may include a spring clip. In some embodiments, the needle guard  33  may be constructed of a resilient metal, such as, for example, stainless steel. In some embodiments, the needle guard  33  may include one or more resilient arms  40 , which may include one or more features for selective coupling of the arms  40  to the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26  or to another component of a catheter device. In some embodiments, the other component may include any suitable component of the catheter device, including, for example, a septum activator, a septum, or a septum canister. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2C , in some embodiments, the needle guard  33  may include first and second resilient arms  40   a,b  (which may be referred to herein as “resilient arms  40 ”). In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the ready position, the first resilient arm  40   a  may be entirely disposed on a first side of the needle  22  and the second resilient arm  40   b  may be entirely disposed on a second side of the needle  22  opposite the first side of the needle  22 . In some embodiments, each of the arms  40  may include one or more curved portions  42  or one or more other suitable features for selective coupling of the arms  40  to the other component or to the inner wall  28 , such as, for example, one or more protrusions. In some embodiments, the curved portions  42  may each include a bend. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B , in some embodiments, the curved portions  42  or the other suitable features may be urged by the elongated shaft  34  into retaining contact with the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26  or with the other component when the needle  22  is in the ready position and/or during movement of the needle  22  between the ready position and the retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26  or the other component may include one or more retaining means  44 , such as, for example, grooves, bumps, features, or another suitable means that may each receive or interfere with one or more arms  40  in retaining contact. In further detail, in some embodiments, a particular retaining means  44  may receive or interfere with a curved portion  42  of a particular arm  40  and another particular retaining means  44  may receive or interfere with a curved portion  42  of another particular arm  40 . In some embodiments, a particular retaining means  44  may receive or interfere with the curved portions of both the particular arms  40 . In some embodiments, the retaining means  44  may be annular. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2C , in some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft  34  may no longer bias or flex the arms  40  outwardly such that the retaining contact between the curved portions  42  and the catheter adapter  26  is released. In some embodiments, a needle assembly  43 , which may include one or more of the following: the needle guard  33 , the needle  22 , a needle hub  46 , and a housing  50 , may be removed from the catheter adapter  26  in response to the retaining contact between the curved portions  42  and the catheter adapter  26  being released. In some embodiments, the needle hub  46  may include a flash chamber.  FIG. 2D  illustrates one or more retaining means  44  that each include a bump or protrusion, according to some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the needle guard  33  may include one or more distal walls  48 , which may form a distal barrier to the needle  22  when the needle  22  is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distal walls  48  may contact and/or overlap one another. For example, the needle guard  33  may include first and second distal walls  48   a,b  that contact and overlap each other, as illustrated in  FIG. 2C . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A-3B , in some embodiments, a particular distal wall  48  may extend from and be continuous with a particular arm  40 , which may extend between the particular distal wall  48  and a proximal end wall  52  of the needle guard  33 . In some embodiments, the proximal end wall  52  may include an opening for receiving the needle  22  there through. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft  34  of the needle  22  may include a feature  54 , which may have a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening in the proximal end wall  52 , preventing the distal tip  36  from exiting proximally through the opening in the proximal end wall  52 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the distal walls  48  may include a lip  56 , which may engage the elongated shaft  34  of the needle  22  when the needle  22  is in the ready position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3A . In some embodiments, each of the distal walls  48  may be movable within the lumen  30  of the catheter adapter  26  to blocking positions distal of the distal tip  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3B . In some embodiments, each of the distal walls  48  may be in their respective blocking positions when the needle  22  is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distal walls  48  may contact and/or overlap one another to form a distal barrier to the needle  22  when the distal walls  48  are in their respective blocking positions. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  50  may cover any sharp edges of the needle guard  33 , preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example, when the needle  33  is in the retracted position, at least edges of the arms  40 , the distal walls  48 , and the proximal end wall  52  may be disposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing  50 . In some embodiments, the housing  50  and the needle guard  33  may together enclose the distal tip  36  when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, which may prevent exposure to the distal tip  36  and any blood that may be released from the distal tip  36  and/or the notch  38 . In some embodiments, the housing  50  may be unitary or integrally formed. 
     In some embodiments, an inner surface  62  of the housing  50  may include one or more distal features  58  and/or one or more proximal features  60 , which may prevent separation of the housing  50  from the needle guard  33 . In some embodiments, each of the distal features  58  may be configured to contact a proximal surface of a particular distal wall  48  of the needle guard  33  to prevent the needle guard  33  from sliding proximally with respect to the housing  50 . In some embodiments, each of the proximal features  60  may be configured to contact a distal surface of the proximal end wall  52  to prevent the needle guard  33  from sliding distally with respect to the housing  59 . 
     In some embodiments, the distal features  58  and/or the proximal features  60  may include protrusions, which may extend inwardly from the inner surface  62  of the housing  50 . In some embodiments, the inner surface  62  may include a tubular structure, which may include a wall  64  forming a lumen  66  extending through the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the needle  33  may extend through the lumen  66  of the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the distal features  58  and/or the proximal features  60  may extend from the wall  64  and/or be unitary or integrally formed with the wall  64 , which may be unitary or integrally formed with the inner surface  62 . In some embodiments, the distal walls  48  may cover a distal opening  67  of the tubular structure such that the distal walls  48  and the housing  50  enclose the distal tip  36  and/or the notch  38 . 
     In some embodiments, an outer surface of the wall  64  may include an angled portion  66 , which may correspond to an angled portion  68  of a particular arm  40 . In some embodiments, the angled portion  66  may inhibit proximal movement of the needle guard  33  with respect to the housing  50 . In some embodiments, the housing  50  may include one or more snap features  70  configured to secure the needle guard  33  within the housing  50  when the needle  33  is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces  62  and/or inner edges  63  of the shield elements  72  may include the snap features  70 . In some embodiments, opposing snap features  70  disposed on opposing shield elements  72  may contact an outer surface of a particular arm  40  when the needle  33  is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  50  may include multiple elongated shield elements  72 , which may shield a user from one or more edges of the needle guard  33  that may otherwise scratch or cut the user. Referring now to  FIGS. 4A-4B , for example, the housing may include a first shield element  72   a  and a second shield element  72   b  (which may referred to in the present disclosure as “shield elements  72 ”), which may be disposed opposite of each other. In some embodiments, the shield elements  72  may be spaced apart. In some embodiments, the shield elements  72  may be spaced apart by a gap  61  between inner edges  63  of the shield elements  72 . In some embodiments, the arms  40  may be urged outwardly by the elongated shaft  34  through the gap  61  when the needle  33  is in the ready position and/or in between the ready position and the retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4A . In some embodiments, one or more of the following may extend between inner surfaces of the shield elements  72 : the distal features  58 , the proximal features  60 , and the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the inner surface  62  of the housing  50  may correspond to an inner surface of one or more particular shield elements  72 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5B , in some embodiments, the first shield element  72   a  may be connected to the second shield element  72   b  at a joiner wall  74 , which may cover all or a portion of the proximal end wall  52 . In some embodiments, the needle  33  may extend through a hole in the joiner wall  74 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5C , in some embodiments, the arms  40  may snap past the snap features  70  in response to the needle  33  moving from the ready position to the retracted position. In further detail, in some embodiments, the snap features  70  may be resilient and may easily deform to allow the arms  40  to pass, thereafter resuming their original conformation. 
     The snap features  70  may have various locations and sizes that facilitate rocking or tilting of the resilient arms  40  and movement of the resilient arms  40  to a locked position beneath the snap features  70  and towards a central axis of the housing  50  and/or the needle guard  33 . In some embodiments, a first snap feature  70   a  and a second snap feature  70   b  may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing  50 . In some embodiments, the first snap feature  70   a  may be aligned with or oppose the second snap feature  70   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C . In some embodiments, the first snap feature  70   a  and second snap feature  70   b  may be not be aligned with or oppose each other. In some embodiments, the first snap feature  70   a  and the second snap feature  70   b  may be a same or similar shape but different sizes. In these and other embodiments, the first snap feature  70   a  may extend more inwardly than the second snap feature  70   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 5C , such that a particular resilient arm  40  may pass the second snap feature  70   b  before the first snap feature  70   a  when the needle moves from the ready position to the retracted position, which may result in rocking or tilting the particular resilient arm  40  and facilitating movement of the particular resilient arm  40  to a locked position beneath the first snap feature  70   a  and second snap feature  70   b . In some embodiments, the particular resilient arm  40  may contact the first snap feature  70   a  prior to the second snap feature  70   b , which may also result in the rocking or tilting of the particular resilient arm  40 . 
     In some embodiments, the housing  50  may include one or more additional snap features  70 . In some embodiments, the housing  50  may include third and fourth snap features  70   c ,  70   d , which may be positioned and/or sized with respect to each other similarly to first snap feature  70   a  and second snap feature  70   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A-6B , in some embodiments, the needle assembly  43  may include a housing  76  and/or a needle guard  78 . In some embodiments, the needle guard  78  may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, the needle guard  78  may include a spring clip. In some embodiments, the needle guard  78  may be constructed of a resilient metal, such as, for example, stainless steel. 
     In some embodiments, the needle guard  78  may include an upper arm  80  and a lower arm  82 . In some embodiments, the lower arm  82  may include a curved portion  84  or one or more other suitable features, such as, for example, one or more protrusions, for selective coupling of the lower arm  82  to the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26  or to another component of a catheter device. In some embodiments, the other component may include any suitable component of the catheter device, including, for example, a septum activator, a septum, or a septum canister. 
     In some embodiments, the upper arm  80  may be coupled to the housing  76 . In some embodiments, the upper arm  80  may be coupled to the housing  76  along all or a portion of a length of the upper arm  80 . In some embodiments, the upper arm  80  may be permanently coupled to the housing  76 . 
     In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the ready position or partially retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A , the curved portion  84  or the other suitable features may be urged by the needle  22  into retaining contact with the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26  or with the other component. In these and other embodiments, the curved portion  84  may extend through a distal aperture  86  in the housing  76  of the needle assembly  43 , the distal aperture  86  being aligned with the retaining means  44  of the inner wall  28  of the catheter adapter  26 . The retaining means  44  may include a groove or aperture or another suitable means that may each receive or interfere with the lower arm  82  in retaining contact. In further detail, in some embodiments, a particular retaining means  44  may receive or interfere with the curved portion  84 . 
     In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is retracted, the needle  22  may no longer bias the lower arm  82  outwardly such that the retaining contact between the lower arm  82  and the catheter adapter  26  is released and the lower arm  82  resiliently moves inwardly. In these embodiments, the housing  76  and the needle guard  78  may be removable from the catheter adapter  26 . 
     In some embodiments, the distal wall  48  may include a lip  56 , which may engage the needle  22  when the needle  22  is in the ready position and/or the partially retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6A . In some embodiments, the lower arm  82  may include a distal wall  48 , which may form a distal barrier to the needle  22  when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . In some embodiments, the distal wall  48  of the lower arm  82  may prevent the needle  22  from exiting a distal opening  89  in the distal end of the housing  76 , when the needle  22  is in the retracted position. 
     In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, the distal wall  48  and/or the lip  56  may contact a shelf  90  of the housing  76 . In some embodiments, the shelf  90  may support the lower arm  82  and/or separate at least a portion of the upper arm  80  from the lower arm  82 . In some embodiments, the shelf  90  may extend from a distal end and/or side of the housing  76 . 
     In some embodiments, the proximal end of the housing  76  may include a proximal opening  88  for receiving the needle  22  and/or the needle guard  78  there through. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft  34  of the needle  22  may include a feature  54 , which may prevent the distal tip  36  from exiting proximally through a proximal opening in a proximal end wall  52  of the needle guard  78 . 
     In some embodiments, the housing  76  may cover any sharp edges of the needle guard  33 , preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example, when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, at least edges of the lower arm  82 , upper arm  80 , the distal wall  48 , and the proximal end wall  52  may be disposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing  76 . In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, an entirety of the needle guard  78  may be disposed within the outer edge or perimeter of the housing  76 . In some embodiments, the housing  76  and the needle guard  78  may together enclose the distal tip  36  when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, which may prevent exposure to the distal tip  36  and any blood that may be released from the distal tip  36  and/or the notch  38 . In some embodiments, the housing  76  may be unitary or integrally formed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6C , in some embodiments, the housing  76  may be generally tubular. Referring now to  FIG. 6D , in some embodiments, the proximal opening  88  may be blocked by the proximal end wall  52  of the needle guard  78  that connects the upper arm  80  and the lower arm  82 . In some embodiments, the housing  76  may be continuous apart from one or more of the following: the distal opening  89 , the distal aperture  86 , and the proximal opening  88 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6E , in some embodiments, the needle assembly  43  may include a stabilizer element  94 , which may be integrally formed with the housing  76 . In some embodiments, the stabilizer element  94  may be disposed within the needle guard  78  and/or may include a channel through which the needle  22  may extend. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6F , in some embodiments, the distal wall  48  and/or the lip  56  may be configured to contact a distal end of the shelf  90 . In some embodiments, when the needle  22  is in the retracted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6F , the distal wall  48  and/or the lip  56  may be disposed distal to the distal end of the shelf  90  and above an inner surface of the shelf  90 . In these and other embodiments, the distal wall  48  and/or the lip  56  may contact the distal end of the shelf  90 . In these and other embodiments, the distal tip  36  of the needle  22  may not be coerced to contact the lip or an edge of the lip  56  in contact with the distal end of the shelf  90 , which may increase a robustness of the needle assembly  43  in preventing needle stick injury. In some embodiments, the distal end of the shelf  90  may act as a stop to prevent the needle guard  78  from exiting the proximal opening  88  of the housing  76  and/or sliding proximally with respect to the housing  76 . 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. For example, it is understood that the housing  50  may have various configurations and shapes designed to cover one or more sharp edges of the needle guard  33  and/or enclose the distal tip  36  and/or the notch  38 . The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.