Constant force hold tip protector for a safety catheter

Abstract

A tip protector for a safety catheter includes an outer member releasably engaged with the interior cavity of the catheter hub. The outer member includes a generally fixed radially outwardly projecting portion to provide a holding force, and an inner member axially shiftably received within the outer member. A needle cannula received in the inner and outer members is operable to axially shift the inner member between a distal position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector, and a proximal position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member. The holding force of the outer member to the interior wall of the catheter hub remains substantially constant irrespective of the position of the inner member between the distal and proximal positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A safety catheter, comprising:
 a catheter hub defining an interior cavity and a catheter tube extending distally of the catheter hub;   a needle hub and a needle cannula extending distally thereof, the needle cannula having a distal tip; and   a tip protector for shielding the distal tip comprising an outer member releasably engaged with the interior cavity of the catheter hub to provide a holding force of the tip protector to the catheter hub, wherein the outer member includes a generally fixed radially outwardly projecting portion to provide the holding force, and an inner member axially received within the outer member, the needle cannula being received in the inner and outer members, the inner member configured to be axially shiftable relative to the outer member between a distal position wherein the distal tip extends distally of the tip protector, and a proximal position wherein the distal tip is within the outer member, wherein the holding force of the outer member to the interior cavity of the catheter hub remains substantially constant irrespective of the position of the inner member between the distal and proximal positions.