Patent ID: 8273056

Claim:
An IV catheter assembly comprising: a catheter hub comprising a hollow body having a proximal end and a distal end, the hollow body defining an interior space; a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the catheter coupled to the proximal end of the catheter hub; a needle having a needle shaft and a distal tip, the needle moveable between a ready position and a retracted position, in the ready position the distal tip of the needle extending distally from the distal end of the catheter, in the retracted position the distal tip of the needle residing in a position proximal to the proximal end of the catheter, the needle shaft having a change in profile; and a needle guard comprising at least one arm that extends distally from a base having an aperture formed therein, the needle guard slideably mounted on the needle shaft with the needle shaft passing through the aperture formed in the base, the aperture sized to engage with the change in profile of the needle shaft to limit the proximal movement of the needle with respect to the needle guard, the at least one arm comprising a resilient material and having a proximal section, a mid-section and a distal section, the distal section having a distal-most end, the distal section of the at least one arm resides and is urged against a side of the needle shaft when the needle is in the ready position, the needle guard further comprising an elongate member having a through passage extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member extending distally from a position at or near the base and slideable along the needle shaft as the needle is moved between the ready position and the retracted position, the elongate member having a length such that substantially coincident with the change in profile engaging the aperture in the base the entirety of the distal tip of the needle is positioned to reside within the through passage of the elongate member and the distal section of the at least one arm disengages with the needle shaft to move radially inward to at least partially cover the distal end of the elongate member, the elongate member residing entirely between the base and the distal-most end of the distal section of the at least one arm, the elongate member being sufficiently rigid to restrict longitudinal movement of the needle with respect to the needle guard when the distal section of the at least one arm at least partially covers the distal end of the elongate member.