Needle and catheter assembly

A disposable needle assembly (10) comprising:

• a catheter assembly including a passageway therethrough;
• first hub means (16) defining proximal and distal ends thereof for connecting said needle assembly (10) to a fluid conduit, said first hub means (16) including a passageway (24) extending therethrough;
• a hollow needle portion (28) in fluid communication with said passageway (24) and including a distal tip (32) which is distal relative to said first hub means (16);
• cap means (34), including tether means (50,50',50") for connecting said cap means (34) to said first hub means (16) and limiting the extent that said cap means (34) can be extended from said first hub means (16), and locking means for locking said cap means (34) over said distal tip (32) when said tether means (50,50',50") is completely extended, said cap means having a neutral position along said needle portion (28) proximate to said first hub means (16) for exposing a length of said needle portion (28) and an extended position for capping said distal tip (32), said assembly characterized by said cap means (34) including releasable securing means for positively securing said cap means (34) with said catheter assembly as said needle portion (28) is disposed within said passageway of said catheter assembly and releasing said cap means (34) from said catheter assembly when said cap means are moved to said extended position whereby removal of said needle portion (28) from said passageway of the catheter assembly moves said cap means (34) relative to said needle portion to said extended position capping said distal tip (32) as said cap means (34) is unseated from said catheter assembly.