Patent ID: 8337461

Claim:
An intravenous catheter device, comprising: a catheter adapter having a proximal portion located opposite a catheter; a needle hub having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end being removably coupled to the proximal portion of the catheter adapter, the needle hub including a fixedly attached needle extending outwardly therefrom; a first gripping surface disposed on a first side of the needle hub; a second gripping surface disposed on a second side of the needle hub opposite the first side; a first guard feature protruding outwardly from a distal end of first gripping surface, the first guard feature being shaped and sized to providing a physical barrier between a first digit on the first gripping surface and the catheter adapter; a second guard feature protruding outwardly from a distal end of second gripping surface, the second guard feature being shaped and sized to providing a physical barrier between a second digit on the second gripping surface and the catheter adapter; a securement platform extending laterally outward from a first side of the catheter adapter to provide a leading edge, the securement platform having a planar surface in a first plane, wherein the first plane is generally perpendicular to the gripping surface of the needle hub; and a paddle grip extending outwardly from a portion of the distal end of the needle hub, the paddle grip being positioned adjacent to the catheter adapter and opposite the securement platform, the paddle grip having a leading edge and further having a planar surface in a second plane that is generally parallel to the first plane.