Control forward/flashback forward one hand introducer needle and catheter assembly

Abstract

The catheter includes a catheter hub at its proximal end having a radially extending wing. The needle is connected at its proximal end to a needle hub. The needle may have at least one notch therein. The needle hub defines a radially extending fin thereon. When the introducer needle is inserted through the catheter such that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, the fin on the needle hub extends beyond the distal end of the wing on the catheter hub. This arrangement allows the distal tip of the needle to be retracted into the catheter with a simple proximal motion by the healthcare worker.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A catheter and introducer needle assembly, comprising: 
 a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;    a catheter hub in fluid communication with the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter, the catheter hub including a radially extending wing and a side port in fluid communication with the catheter hub;    an elastomeric plug affixed to the catheter hub and located proximal of the side port;    an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end disposed inside the catheter; and    a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of needle, the needle hub defining a radially extending fin.    
     
     
         2 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 1    further comprising an extension tube extending from the side port.  
     
     
         3 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 1    wherein the needle defines at least one notch therein.  
     
     
         4 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 2    wherein at least one notch is located adjacent to the side port.  
     
     
         5 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 1    wherein the needle has a pair of notches, one notch being positioned adjacent to the distal tip of the needle and the other notch being positioned adjacent to the side port.  
     
     
         6 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 1    wherein when the distal end of the needle extends beyond the distal end of the catheter the fin extends beyond the wing.  
     
     
         7 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 1    wherein the elastomeric plug is filled with gel.  
     
     
         8 . A catheter and introducer needle assembly, comprising: 
 a catheter having a proximal end and a distal end;    a catheter hub in fluid communication with the catheter and having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the catheter and a side port in fluid communication with the catheter hub;    a plug affixed to the catheter hub and located proximal of the side port;    an introducer needle having a proximal end and a distal end disposed inside the catheter; and    a needle hub having a proximal end and a distal end connected to the proximal end of the needle.    
     
     
         9 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 8    further comprising an extension tube extending from the side port.  
     
     
         10 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 8    wherein the needle defines at least one notch therein.  
     
     
         11 . The catheter and introducer needle assembly of    claim 10    wherein the needle has a pair of notches, one notch being positioned adjacent to the distal tip of the needle and the other notch being positioned adjacent to the side port.