US 5,176,650 A · Intravenous catheter and insertion device

Abstract

To protect against accidental needle prick a catheter and insertion device are provided wherein the needle is retractable within the device after insertion of the catheter. The device comprises a hollow barrel or tube of semi-rigid plastic material into which the needle can be retracted after use. The insertion needle is mounted on a carrier with the sharp end oriented toward an open insertion end of the barrel with the catheter snugly fit about the needle. A sliding tab is mounted to the carrier by an outwardly biased flexible member and extends through a longitudinal slot in the barrel. Near either end of the slot V notches are provided in the internal wall of the barrel to engage locking hubs on the sliding tab to releasably lock the carrier in either the exposed or retracted position. A flat catheter locking surface is provided at the insertion of the barrel with a reverse slope to allow the catheter flange to slide onto the flat surface and allow easy retraction of the needle without disturbing the inserted catheter.

Claims3

Dependent claims

An intravenous catheter insertion device comprising:

(a) a hollow cylindrical barrel of semi-rigid plastic material having an insertion end and a distal end;
(b) a catheter insertion needle carrier slidably mounted within said barrel;
(c) a catheter insertion needle fixedly attached to said needle carrier and oriented toward said insertion end;
(d) an intravenous catheter removably secured about said needle, said intravenous catheter comprising a rigid hollow conical base and a flexible hollow tube extending from the narrow end of said base, said base having a circumferential flange extending about the wide end;
(e) sliding means mounted on said needle carrier extending exterior of said barrel for sliding said needle carrier with said needle and said catheter within said barrel to expose or retract said needle with said catheter;
(f) a locking surface at said insertion end having an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of said circumferential flange to prevent retraction of said catheter after exposure;
and
(g) a removable cap adapted to be secured over said insertion end when said insertion needle is retracted within said barrel.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Intravenous catheter and insertion device

Life of this patent

Intravenous catheter and insertion device

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims3