CATHETER PLACEMENT SYSTEM PROVIDING RETRACTION OF THE SHARP UPON DISENGAGEMENT OF THE CATHETER FROM THE HANDLE

摘要

A trocar (26) and catheter (24) assembly for automatically disarming the trocar after placement of the catheter into a patient's blood vessel includes a spring (46) urging retraction of the trocar and a releasable retainer mechanism (30) for maintaining the trocar in an extended position during insertion of the catheter into the blood vessel. The catheter is removably mounted to a handle (22) which defines an internal passage. Disengaging the handle from the catheter after placement of the catheter into the blood vessel actuates the releasable retainer mechanism for allowing the trocar to be drawn into the handle passage under the influence of a spring, to enclose the sharpened end (28) of the trocar after use.