Protected peelable U-wing introducer

Abstract

A protected peelable introducer for insertion into an anatomical passageway such as a vein or artery. The introducer comprises a needle assembly having a U-wing member and a stylet in fluid communication with the U-wing member that defines a sharpened distal tip. Additionally, the introducer includes a protective sheath cooperatively engaged to the U-wing member of the needle assembly. The sheath is movable relative to the U-wing member from a non-operative position whereat the distal tip is exposed to an operative position whereat the distal tip is covered by the sheath. Furthermore, the sheath is separable into two halves such that when the needle assembly is divided into two halves, the sheath covers the sharpened distal tips of the separated stylet. Therefore, upon separation of the needle assembly, the sheath protects health care workers from inadvertent needle sticks caused by the sharpened distal tip of the stylet.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.