IV protector

摘要

The IV protector of the present invention is a device designed to prevent spattering of blood from the tip of a peripheral IV catheter during removal and disposal of the catheter and IV tubing. The IV protector is a flexible plastic cylinder about three inches in length and about 1.5 cm in diameter. At one end it has a projection and a mating groove clasp fastener in order to seal the end of the cylinder by pinching the projection into the groove. At the other end the cylinder has internal threads adapted to lock the IV protector in a retracted position circumferentially about the IV tubing when the catheter is inserted in the venipuncture site, and adapted to lock the IV protector in an extended position circumferentially enclosing the catheter for disposal. A pair of resilient threaded washer shaped adaptors which snap fit on the IV tubing, or tubular adaptors having a hub adapted for connection to the catheter hub at one end and adapted for connection to the needle adaptor of the IV tubing at the other end are used to dispose the IV protector between the IV tubing and the catheter.