Patent ID: 7625360

Claim:
An IV catheter assembly comprising: a first hub comprising an exterior surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; a catheter hub comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity; wherein the interior surface comprises a groove formed by positioning a first inside diameter adjacent a second larger inside diameter and wherein the groove is positioned distally of the first hub when in a ready to use position; a catheter tube defining a lumen attached to and extending distally away from the catheter hub; a needle defining a needle shaft comprising a needle tip extending distally away from the distal end of the first hub and projecting through both the catheter hub and the catheter tube in the ready to use position; wherein the distal end of the first hub projects into the interior cavity of the catheter hub when in the ready to use position; a tip protector positioned on the needle shaft comprising a proximal wall comprising wall surfaces, which comprise a proximally facing wall surface and a distally facing wall surface, comprising a perimeter defining an opening and at least one arm connected to and extending distally of the proximal wall comprising a distal wall for blocking the needle tip; wherein the tip protector engages the groove to releasably retain the tip protector within the interior cavity of the catheter hub during retraction of the needle from the catheter tube; and wherein the tip protector further comprises a second arm, and wherein the at least one arm and the second arm converge to a point as viewed perpendicularly to the needle shaft when in the ready to use position.