Catheter apparatus and method

A method of inserting a catheter in a patient's vein comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a catheter apparatus comprising:
• a hollow needle having a first end and a sharpened tip at a second end;
• a needle hub attached to the needle at the first end;
• a catheter having a blunt end, the catheter telescopically received in the needle;
• a catheter hub attached to the catheter and spaced from the blunt end;
• the catheter hub disposed adjacent the needle hub in an elastomeric housing, the housing biasing the hubs, needle, and catheter in a rest position in which the catheter protrudes from the tip of the needle;
• wherein applying sufficient pressure to the housing displaces the catheter hub relative to the needle hub, causing the tip of the needle to protrude beyond the blunt end of the catheter;
• and
• releasing the housing allows the assembly to return to the rest position;
• (b) squeezing the housing to displace the catheter hub relative to the needle hub, and causing the tip of the needle to protrude beyond the blunt end of the catheter;
• (c) inserting the needle and catheter in the patient's vein;
• and
• (d) releasing the housing to allow the catheter assembly to return to the rest position.