Dividable introducer catheter and positive-lock needle guard combination

An introducer catheter assembly comprising:

• a catheter having a tube portion with a first end and a second end, the first end being adapted for insertion into a body;
• a connector on the second end of the tube portion for connecting to a needle guard assembly, the connector having a first half and second half;
• means for holding the first half and the second half together;
• and
• means for dividing the tube portion and connector into two halves.

A method of introducing a line into a body, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing an introducer catheter having a connector and tube portion that can be separated into two halves and a needle guard assembly secured to the connector of the catheter, the needle guard assembly having a slidable needle contained therein;
• sliding said slidable needle in the needle guard assembly to an extended position wherein a sharp end of the needle projects outwardly from the tube portion of the catheter;
• inserting the sharp end of the needle and the tube portion of the catheter into a body;
• sliding the needle to a retracted position wherein the needle is withdrawn from said body and the catheter and is completely contained within the needle guard assembly;
• detaching the needle guard assembly from the catheter;
• inserting a line into the catheter and into the body;
• and
• dividing the tube portion and connector of the catheter into two halves and removing the catheter from said body.