Self-retracting IV catheter introducer

摘要

A self-retracting IV catheter introducer (10) automatically retracts the catheter needle (60) safely within a housing when the connector (24) attached to the cannula (22) is separated from the housing after the cannula has been inserted into a patient. In one embodiment the housing comprises a retraction tube (14) enclosing a retraction body (56) having a rear portion (72) mounted within the retraction tube and a front portion (58) carrying a needle (60) and extending through an opening in the front of the retraction body. A connection surface (66) on the exposed front of the retraction body is frictionally engaged with a corresponding connection surface (34) on the connector. Abutting surfaces (84,86) between the connector retraction tube serve as stops. Releasable frictional engagement of the connection surfaces prevents retraction. In a second embodiment, the retraction tube front portion extends forwardly configured as springing arms (96) having a protrusion (100) engaging a depression (110) in the outer surface of the retraction body extending front portion. <IMAGE>