Guidewire extension system for a catheter placement device

An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient, comprising:

• a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed;
• an at least partially hollow needle distally extending from the housing, at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle;
• a guidewire including a proximal end secured to a portion of the insertion tool, a distal end of the guidewire pre-disposed within the needle, and an intermediate portion substantially defining a U-shaped bend;
• an advancement assembly designed to selectively advance the distal end of the guidewire out a distal opening of the needle without moving the secured proximal end of the guidewire;
• and
• a needle safety component for shielding the distal end of the needle.

An insertion tool for inserting a catheter into a body of a patient, comprising:

• a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed;
• an at least partially hollow needle distally extending from the housing, at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle;
• a guidewire including a proximal end secured to a portion of the insertion tool and a distal end;
• an advancement assembly for selectively advancing the distal end of the guidewire out from the housing;
• and
• a needle safety component for shielding a distal end of the needle, the needle safety component including at least one binding element and at least one friction element that causes the at least one binding element to engage a portion of the needle and prevent relative movement therewith, the at least one friction element including an elastomeric element that is wrapped about at least a portion of the needle and the at least one binding element.