Patent ID: 7160269

Claim:
An IV catheter assembly comprising: (a) a first hub comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface defining an interior cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end; (b) a second hub comprising an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior cavity positioned substantially distally of the first hub and the distal end of the first hub contacts the interior cavity of the second hub when in a ready to use position; (c) a catheter tube defining a lumen connected to and extending distally away from the second hub; (d) 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 second hub and the catheter tube when in the ready to use position; (e) a tip protector positioned on the needle shaft comprising a proximal wall comprising a perimeter defining an opening surrounding the needle shaft, a movable leg extending distally of the proximal wall, and a tip blocking wall member extending at an end thereof; (f) wherein a wall surface on the proximal wall is orientated at a first angle to the shaft when the tip protector is in the ready to use position and is configured to self-orientate to a second angle to the shaft when the tip protector is in a protective position; and (g) wherein the opening of the proximal wall is configured to contact the needle shaft at two diametrically opposed locations along the perimeter of the opening and the tip blocking member is configured to move to a blocking position distal of the needle tip when the tip protector is in the protective position.