Needle and catheter assembly

摘要

A disposable needle assembly (10) includes a hub (16) for connecting the assembly (10) to a fluid conduit, the hub (16) including a passageway (24) extending therethrough. A hollow needle portion (28) is in fluid communication with the passageway (24). A cap (34) has a neutral position along the needle portion (28) proximate to the hub (16) for exposing a length of the needle portion (28) and an extended position for capping the distal tip (32) of the needle (28). The cap (34) is reversibly seated in engagement with a catheter assembly as the needle portion (28) is disposed within a passageway of the catheter assembly whereby removal of the needle portion (28) from the passageway of the catheter assembly moves the cap (34) to the extended position capping the distal tip (32) as the cap (34) is unseated from the catheter assembly. The invention further provides a method of catherizing a patient using a disposable needle assembly (10).