Patent ID: 7344516

Claim:
A needle introducer assembly comprising: a barrel defining a lumen and having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end defining a distal wall with an opening extending therethrough; a needle having a sharp distal tip and a proximal end; a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end affixed to the proximal end of the needle, the needle hub disposed in the barrel lumen such that the sharp distal tip of the needle initially extends distally of the distal wall of the barrel through the opening; a spring cooperating with the needle hub to urge the needle hub toward the proximal end of the barrel; a latch operably engaged with the barrel to initially contact and hold the needle hub adjacent to the distal end of the barrel and to be movable to a position away from contact with the needle hub; a latch actuator with a proximal end and a distal end slidably mounted with respect to the barrel whereby movement of the latch actuator causes the latch to release the needle hub from its position adjacent to the distal end of the barrel; and a plurality of spaced collapsible tines located on the needle hub, said tines cushioning the proximal end of the needle hub when the needle hub is retracted against the proximal end of the barrel.