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Publication Number
US-10905857-B2
Publication Date
2021-02-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to an intravenous catheter apparatus comprising a catheter hub arranged at a proximal end of a catheter tube, the catheter hub having an inner surface defining a chamber; a needle having a needle tip at its distal end and extending through the chamber and the catheter tube when in a ready position; and a needle guard slidably arranged on the needle and received in the chamber when the needle is in its ready position, wherein the needle guard is configured to guard the needle tip upon withdrawal of the needle from the catheter hub.
Core Innovation
An intravenous catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter tube with a catheter hub chamber at a proximal end, and an elongated needle with a tipped distal end slidably disposed in the catheter tube and defining an axial direction. A plastic needle guard is slidably connected to the needle and includes a base portion, a first arm with a narrowed portion and an undercut distal end portion, and a second arm disposed opposite the first arm. The undercut distal end portion overlaps with the second arm so the tipped distal end is caught when the needle is withdrawn into the needle guard in a used position.
The assembly further includes a retainer for holding the needle guard in the catheter hub chamber when the first arm is outwardly deflected. The retainer includes an annular depression formed in the catheter hub chamber, a first retaining protrusion extending from the first arm and matingly engageable with the annular depression to resist premature removal, and a second retaining protrusion extending from the second arm and matingly engageable with the annular depression when the needle is in a ready position. The first arm is deflected radially outward from the needle against an oppositely directed restoring force in the ready position.
A metallic stopping member engages the needle to prevent proximal motion while allowing distal motion when the needle extends between the first arm and the second arm. The metallic stopping member is received in the catheter hub chamber when the needle occupies the ready position and prevents the needle guard from sliding off the needle. The restoring force is generated from elastic properties of the first arm or a tensioning member acting upon the first arm, and the metallic stopping member has a disk-like shape with material different from the base portion in a parallel-arm configuration.
Claims Coverage
The provided material contains two independent claims. Across these claims, the inventive features center on a plastic needle guard with a first arm, a second arm, and an undercut distal end portion configured to catch the tipped distal end, a hub-chamber retainer with an annular depression and first and second retaining protrusions for ready and used retention, and a metallic stopping member in the hub chamber that allows only distal motion and prevents the needle guard from sliding off the needle.
Undercut distal end portion catching the tipped distal end
A first arm with an undercut distal end portion for catching the tipped distal end when the needle is in a used position, wherein the undercut distal end portion overlaps with the second arm and the tipped distal end engages the undercut distal portion when withdrawn into the needle guard.
Annular depression retainer with first and second retaining protrusions
A retainer including an annular depression formed in the catheter hub chamber, a first retaining protrusion extending from the first arm and matingly engageable with the annular depression to resist premature removal, and a second retaining protrusion extending from the second arm and matingly engageable with the annular depression when the needle is in a ready position.
Metallic stopping member preventing proximal motion while allowing distal motion
A metallic stopping member for engaging the needle to prevent proximal motion while allowing distal motion when the needle extends between the first arm and the second arm, wherein the metallic stopping member is received in the catheter hub chamber when the needle occupies the ready position and prevents the needle guard from sliding off the needle.
First-arm deflection against restoring force in the ready position
The first arm deflected radially outward against an oppositely directed restoring force in the ready position, wherein the restoring force is generated by elastic properties of the first arm or a tensioning member acting upon the first arm.
Disk-like metallic stopping member
A metallic needle-engaging stopping member having a disk-like shape of a material different from the base portion in a parallel-arm configuration.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage combines a two-arm plastic needle guard with an undercut distal portion to catch the needle tip upon withdrawal, a retainer using an annular depression with first and second retaining protrusions to hold the ready and used positions, and a metallic stopping member received in the hub chamber that enables distal motion while preventing proximal motion and prevents the needle guard from sliding off the needle.
Stated Advantages
Resist premature removal of the needle guard from the catheter hub chamber.
Prevent proximal motion while allowing distal motion when the needle extends between the first arm and the second arm.
Prevent the needle guard from sliding off the needle.
Catch the tipped distal end when the needle is in a used position.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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