Safety catheter system and method

摘要

A catheter integral with a valved needle-free connector provides a safety catheter device configured to receive a blunt cannula and sharp needle forming an insertion mechanism. The sharp needle is mounted within a needle tube and a control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of and into the protective needle tube. When the insertion mechanism is mounted to the connector and the control handle is used to slide the sharp needle out of the tube, a blunt cannula first moves into contact with and enters the bore of the valve mechanism of the connector opening it and protecting it from damage that may be caused by the sharp needle. The sharp needle is then extended through the connector and extends out the distal end of the catheter so that a venipuncture procedure may be performed to properly locate the catheter in the patient's circulatory system. Once located, the needle may be retracted into the insertion mechanism, the insertion mechanism disconnected from the connector, and discarded.

主权项

1. An insertion mechanism comprising:
a needle tube having a distal end and a proximal end and comprising a locking slot, the needle tube configured to removably couple to a needleless connector having a flexible catheter; a cannula control tube slidably disposed within the needle tube, the cannula control tube comprising a distal position and a fixedly attached blunt cannula at a distal end and a locking tab configured to move outward and engage the locking slot when the cannula control tube is in the distal position; and a sharp needle movably disposed within the cannula control tube, such that the needle is axially slidable relative to the cannula control tube, and comprising a distal tip and configured to urge the cannula control tube toward the distal position as the needle is moved toward the distal end of the needle tube; wherein the locking tab of the cannula control tube and the needle are configured to allow the distal tip of the needle to extend beyond the distal end of the needle tube and into the flexible catheter of a coupled needleless connector only after the locking tab is engaged in the locking slot of the needle tube.