Safety needle apparatus and method

Abstract

Disclosed is a safety catheter that automatically sheaths the needle upon withdrawal of the needle from a patient. The catheter can include a plunger for drawing a vacuum to draw blood or alternatively may delete the plunger and use nearly identical components with the addition of a blocking plug. The catheter also includes a cap/re-cap device that provides additional sheathing of the needle during assembly, shipping, and use of the needle. It also includes raised indicia that serves as a trademark as well as a friction gripping surface. The catheter includes improved catheter hub mounting structure as well as strengthened ribbed areas for grasping during use of the catheter.

1 . An improved needle apparatus comprising in combination: 
 a. a first housing having a first end;    b. a needle secured to said first housing, extending beyond said first end, and having a point which can be injected into a patient;    c. a second housing movably captured with respect to said first housing, said second housing having a first end and an opposite end, wherein said first housing and needle are manually movable, with respect to said second housing, between a needle exposing position at which said needle point is outside said second housing, and a needle sheathing position at which said point is withdrawn into said second housing after said needle is fully withdrawn from a patient to prevent an accidental needle stick; and    d. a one-piece removable cap having a first end adapted for engaging said first housing to provide a sheath for said needle, and also having a second end adapted for engaging said second housing to provide a sheath for said needle.    
     
     
         2 . The needle apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said needle has an axially extending internal passage, and said second housing includes a generally cylindrical internal wall defining a chamber communicating with said internal passage.  
     
     
         3 . The needle apparatus of    claim 2   , further comprising a plunger disposed within said generally cylindrical internal wall and slidably engaging said generally cylindrical internal wall to define a piston.  
     
     
         4 . The needle apparatus of    claim 3   , further comprising a plunger rod having a first portion secured to said plunger and a second portion accessible to a user for sliding said plunger within said generally cylindrical internal wall.  
     
     
         5 . The needle apparatus of    claim 1   , further comprising a catheter, wherein said needle is inserted through said catheter when in said needle exposing position and removed from said catheter when in said needle sheathing position.  
     
     
         6 . The needle apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein the opposite end of said second housing is disposed within at least a portion of said first housing.  
     
     
         7 . The needle apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein at least one of said first and second housings has an exterior portion accessible for grasping and provided with a grip.  
     
     
         8 . The needle apparatus of    claim 1   , wherein said grip is formed by raised indicia on said exterior portion.