Infusion needle

Abstract

A venipunture or similar infusion device comprises a blunt-ended catheter telescopically received in a sharp-tipped hollow needle, the catheter and needle being connected respectively to associated hubs which are spring-biased toward each other. In passive condition, with the hubs substantially in contact, the blunt end of the catheter protrudes from the sharp tip of the needle. For insertion of the device into a vein or other tissue, a wedge attached to one of the hubs is manipulated to wedge the hubs, and the catheter and needle attached thereto, a sufficient distance apart to cause the sharp tip of the needle to protrude beyond the blunt end of the catheter. After insertion, release of the wedge permits the spring to return the hubs to passive condition, with the blunt end of the catheter protruding from the sharp tip of the needle. Thus, during the indwelling period, the sharp tip of the needle is effectively covered and can do no damage to a vein or other tissue in which it is inserted.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.