Catheter introducer assembly having safety shielded needle

摘要

An intravenous catheter introducer assembly having a safety feature to prevent accidental needle sticks. The introducer assembly includes a needle assembly having an elongated hollow tubular needle with a proximal end attached to a catheter hub and a distal end extending therefrom. The needle has a groove disposed on its outer surface The introducer includes a protector made of a hollow member having an open distal end and a inwardly disposed resilient flange disposed thereon. The protector is coaxially slidably disposed around the needle with the flange abutting the outer surface of the needle. The introducer also includes a catheter assembly having an elongated hollow tubular catheter with a proximal end attached to a catheter hub and a distal end extending therefrom. The catheter is coaxially disposed about the needle. The catheter hub has a retainer for keeping the protector within the catheter hub until the catheter assembly and needle assembly are separated wherein the flange engages the groove and secures the protector to the needle such that the open distal end of the protector is distal to the distal end of the needle. <IMAGE>