Patent ID: 8529515

Claim:
An IV-catheter insertion device, comprising: a catheter hub at a proximal end of a tubular catheter, a rigid protective barrel formed by moulding releasably joined to the catheter hub in a ready position; a needle hub with an attached hollow needle having a needle tip, the hollow needle extending through the catheter hub and the tubular catheter in the ready position such that the needle tip projects distally of a distal end of the tubular catheter, wherein the hollow needle is displaceable in a protective barrel; and a needle guard element having a proximal rear wall held at a distal end area of the protective barrel by one or more holding members; wherein the protective barrel and the catheter hub are held by the needle guard element in the ready position, and the needle guard element is released from the catheter hub in a protected position in which the needle guard element covers the needle tip.