Patent ID: 8333735

Claim:
A catheter insertion device comprising: a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity, an opening at a proximal end, and a catheter tube attached thereto and extending from a distal end; a needle having a needle shaft defining a needle axis projecting distally of an end of a needle hub, said needle projecting through the catheter tube and comprising a needle tip; a valve configured to obstruct fluid flow comprising a wall surface comprising a slit positioned inside the interior cavity of the catheter hub; said valve remaining inside the interior cavity when the needle is removed from the catheter tube and the catheter hub; a valve actuating element slidingly disposed in the catheter hub configured to actuate the valve, the valve actuating element comprising a nose section having a tapered end for pushing the valve to open the slit of the valve and at least two plunger elements extending proximally of the nose section and having a gap therebetween to permit fluid flow to flow therethrough; the two plunger elements configured to transfer a distally directed force to the nose section to push the valve to open the slit; a needle protective device spaced from the needle tip in a ready position and movable relative to the needle tip to a protective position, at least in part, distally of the needle tip to prevent unintended needle sticks.