# US 2016/0354539 A1 · Catheter devices with needle guards and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0354539 A1 - Document ID: US20160354539A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/733,649 - Filed: 2015-06-08 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-06-08 - Assignees: B. Braun Melsungen AG - Applicants: B. Braun Melsungen AG - Inventors: Aik Aun Tan; Mohd Zairizal bin Zakaria; E-Jen Teh; Wen Jenn Lim; Chee Mun Phang; Boon Ping Neoh; Hui Kuun Teoh; Mohamad Yasin bin Abdulla - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160354539A1 ## CPC - A61M 5/1626: {Needle protectors therefor (in combination with syringes A61M5/3202; protectors for sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61M 5/158: Needles {for infusions; Accessories therefor, e.g. for inserting infusion needles, or for holding them on the body} - A61M 5/3273: {freely sliding on needle shaft without connection to syringe or needle} - A61M 5/3275: {being connected to the needle hub or syringe by radially deflectable members, e.g. longitudinal slats, cords or bands} - A61M 25/0097: {characterised by the hub (tube connectors or tube couplings A61M39/10)} - A61M 25/06: Body-piercing guide needles or the like - A61M 25/0618: {having means for protecting only the distal tip of the needle, e.g. a needle guard} - A61M 25/0631: {having means for fully covering the needle after its withdrawal, e.g. needle being withdrawn inside the handle or a cover being advanced over the needle} - A61M 25/065: {Guide needles} - A61M 25/0606: {"Over-the-needle" catheter assemblies, e.g. I.V. catheters} - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract Needle devices are described. The needle devices can have a catheter hub, a needle hub, a housing located between the catheter hub and the needle hub. The housing can have an engagement mechanism to removably attach the housing to the catheter hub. The housing can further include a release element to release the engagement mechanism from the catheter hub to disengage the housing from the catheter hub. A flow regulator can be positioned inside the catheter hub. The flow regulator can include a stem and a sleeve. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A needle device comprising: a needle hub with a needle with a needle tip extending in a distal direction; a catheter hub distal of the needle hub and comprising an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally of a distal end of the catheter hub; a guard housing located at least in part between the catheter hub and the needle hub and having a movable arm; a release element located 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 aim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the arm is movable by a camming motion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a needle guard comprising a proximal wall having a perimeter defining a proximal opening located in the guard housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a flow regulator located in the interior cavity of the catheter hub. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the arm comprises a latch with a projection that engages the catheter hub. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The device of claim 4, wherein the flow regulator comprises an elongated stem and a compressible sleeve surrounding the elongated stem. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the release element comprises at least one lifter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the release element has a proximal wall with a perimeter defining an opening, a short leg, and a long leg, which is longer in length than the short leg. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the long leg comprises two lifters and wherein the two lifters are tapered relative to a lengthwise axis of the needle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the guard housing has a proximal elongated extension projecting into the needle hub. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the needle hub has two spaced apart wall panels for receiving the proximal elongated extension. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated stem comprises a base fitted against an interior surface of the catheter hub. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated stem has a blunt end and a flow path. ### Claim 14 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated stem comprises a conical projection having a flow path. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the elongated stem is attached to a flange. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the compressible sleeve comprises a septum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the needle guard comprises two arms that intersect one another along a side view in both the ready to use position and in a protective position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the compressible sleeve has a proximal end surface that is flushed with a proximal end of the catheter hub. ### Claim 19 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the elongated stem is configured to push through a septum on the compressible sleeve. ### Claim 20 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the projection engages exterior threads formed on an exterior of the catheter hub. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a plug attached to a proximal end of the needle hub. ### Claim 22 (depends on 6) The device of claim 6, wherein the compressible sleeve comprises a plurality of folds when compressed by a male medical implement. ### Claim 23 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the arm is located externally of the long leg. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein retainers extend from the long leg and wrap, at least in part, around the arm. ### Claim 25 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. ### Claim 26 A needle device comprising a needle hub with a needle, a catheter hub with a catheter tube, a guard housing removably secured to the catheter hub, and wherein the needle projects through the guard housing, the catheter hub, and the catheter tube.