Catheter insertion device with retractable needle

Abstract

A non-reusable needle-bearing safety medical device is provided. The device is operable for inserting an intravenous catheter into a patient. The device includes a needle for piercing the patient's skin and guiding the catheter into the vein of the patient. The needle is operable in two positions, an extended position, in which the needle projects forwardly from a housing, and a retracted position, in which the needle is retracted into the barrel so that the needle is enclosed by the barrel to prevent inadvertent contact with the needle after use. A needle retainer releasably retains the needle in the projecting position against the bias of a spring that biases the needle rearwardly toward the retracted position. After use, the operator displaces an actuator to release the needle. The spring then propels the needle rearwardly into the retracted position. In this way, the device is non-reusable and the needle is shielded to prevent contact with the sharpened tip of the contaminated needle.

1 . A medical device for inserting a catheter, comprising: 
 a housing having a gripping portion configured to grasp the device during use;    a needle having a sharpened tip operable between a projecting position in which the sharpened tip is exposed for use and a retracted position in which the sharpened tip is shielded against inadvertent contact;    a biasing element biasing the needle toward the retracted position; and    an actuator for causing retraction of the needle by the biasing element, wherein the actuator has an exposed actuation surface disposed within the gripping portion so that the actuator can be readily operated while the device is grasped by the gripping portion.    
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the gripping portion comprises a curved portion configured to cooperated with a finger or thumb of a person using the device.  
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the gripping portion comprises a plurality of spaced apart ridges.  
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises a radially displaceable arm.  
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises a pivotable arm having a latch.  
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1  wherein the housing is a hollow housing having a tip and at least a portion of the biasing element is disposed within the tip.  
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6  wherein the tip is configured to receive the catheter.