Catheter devices with needle guards and related methods

A method of manufacturing a needle device comprising:

• forming a needle hub with a needle with a needle tip extending in a distal direction;
• forming a catheter hub comprising an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally of a distal end of the catheter hub and placing the catheter hub distal of the needle hub;
• forming a guard housing with a movable arm and placing the guard housing at least in part between the catheter hub and the needle hub;
• placing a release element at least partially inside the guard housing and in mechanical communication with the movable arm;
• wherein the needle projects through the guard housing, the catheter hub, and the catheter tube and out a distal end of the catheter tube in a ready to use position;
• and
• wherein part of the arm on the guard housing engages an exterior of the catheter hub and the arm is deflectable by action of the release element, which is movable by action of the needle to release the engagement between the part of the arm and the exterior of the catheter hub.