An improved catheter placement device (92), comprising a needle (94), a catheter (106) concentric to the needle, and self-propelling means (146) for moving said catheter (106) to an advanced position upon penetration of the wall (89) of a blood vessel (88). The self-propelling means may be actuated manually or may include means for sensing penetration of a blood vessel and for automatically advancing the catheter in response to such penetration.
