Patent ID: 7524306

Claim:
A medical device, comprising a hollow housing; a needle having a sharpened tip operable between an extended position extending forwardly from the housing and a retracted position in which the sharpened tip of the needle is enclosed within the housing; a catheter mounted on the needle; wherein the catheter comprises a catheter hub; a biasing element biasing the needle toward the retracted position; and a needle retainer fixedly connected with the insertion needle and releasably retaining the insertion needle in the extended position, comprising a radially deflecting elongated arm which directly engages the catheter hub; wherein the needle retainer releases the needle upon disengagement of the catheter hub from the elongated arm allowing the elongated arm to deflect inwardly towards the inside of the housing and allowing the biasing element to propel the needle rearward; and wherein when the needle is in the retracted position, the needle retainer is retracted inside the housing.