Intravascular catheter assembly incorporating needle tip shielding cap

摘要

Disclosed is an "over-the-needle" type catheter assembly which incorporates a shield operative to prevent inadvertant needle trauma after the needle has been withdrawn from the surrounding catheter sheath. The device of the invention comprises a tubular catheter sheath having an elongate piercing member (e.g. a needle) initially disposed in an "assembled" position within the lumen of the tubular sheath. The elongate piercing member is subsequently withdrawable to a "retracted" position outside the lumen of the tubular sheath. A shield is incorporated into the catheter assembly and is operative to attach to and shield the tip of the elongate piercing member when it is withdrawn from its initial "assembled" position within the tubular sheath. Such shield thereby serves to prevent the elongate piercing member from causing inadvertant puncture wounds and the like.