Low profile passive protector for an I.V. catheter

A method of assembling a low-profile universal passive protector for an over-the-needle catheter, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spring into a connector having a tubular body and a pair of arms each being pivotally connected to the tubular body, the spring being inserted into the tubular body of the connector;
• positioning a sliding assembly in alignment with the connector, the sliding assembly including a slider and a hypodermic needle connected to the slider, the slider including a flashback chamber therein, and the hypodermic needle being in fluid communication with the flashback chamber;
• and
• connecting an elongate sheath to the sliding assembly and the tubular body such that the spring extends from the pair of arms to the elongate sheath, the slider being slidably coupled to the elongate sheath, and the elongate sheath being connected to the connector via snap engagement.

A method of assembling a low-profile universal passive protector for an over-the-needle catheter, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a spring into a connector having a pair of pivoting arms;
• positioning a sliding assembly adjacent the connector, the sliding assembly including a slider and a hypodermic needle connected to the slider, the slider including a flashback chamber therein, and the hypodermic needle being in fluid communication with the flashback chamber;
• and
• connecting an elongate sheath to the connector and the sliding assembly, the elongate sheath being connected to the connector to compress the spring from the elongate sheath to at least one arm of the pair of pivoting arms, the elongate sheath being slidably connected to the sliding assembly.