Needle cover retention

Abstract

A catheter assembly may include a catheter adapter, which may include a body and a nose extending distally from the body. The nose may be generally cylindrical. A strain relief rib may be disposed on the nose. The strain relief rib may be constructed of a flexible material. The catheter assembly may also include a needle secured within the catheter adapter and extending distally beyond the nose. The catheter assembly may further include a needle cover, which may be removably coupled to the nose of the catheter adapter. An inner surface of the needle cover may be smooth and may contact the strain relief rib.

1 . A catheter assembly, comprising:
 a catheter adapter comprising a nose, wherein a distal end of the nose comprises a strain relief element constructed of a flexible material, wherein a proximal end of the strain relief element comprises an outer circumference;   a strain relief rib extending proximally from the outer circumference of the strain relief element and having a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter, wherein the strain relief rib is constructed of the flexible material or another flexible material;   a catheter secured within the catheter adapter and extending distally beyond the distal end of the catheter adapter;   a needle extending through the catheter and distally beyond the distal end of the catheter adapter, wherein the strain relief element surrounds the needle and the catheter; and   a needle cover removably coupled to the catheter adapter, wherein an inner surface of the needle cover is in contact with the strain relief rib.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the nose is constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the strain relief element is disposed on a distalmost surface of the nose. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the catheter adapter includes a securement platform. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the securement platform comprises a first wing and a second wing. 
     
     
         8 . A catheter assembly, comprising:
 a catheter adapter comprising a body and a nose extending distally from the body, wherein the nose is generally cylindrical, wherein a distal end of the nose comprises a strain relief element constructed of a flexible material;   a needle secured within the catheter adapter and extending distally beyond the nose; and   a needle cover configured to be removably coupled to the nose of the catheter adapter, wherein an inner surface of the needle cover comprises three internal lobes contacting the strain relief element.   
     
     
         9 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the three internal lobes are evenly spaced around the inner surface of the needle cover. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible material comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         12 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the strain relief element surrounds the needle. 
     
     
         13 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the needle cover is removably coupled to the distal end of the catheter adapter via a friction fit. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the needle cover is generally cylindrical having an open proximal end. 
     
     
         15 . A catheter assembly, comprising:
 a catheter adapter comprising a body and a nose extending distally from the body, wherein the nose is generally cylindrical;   a strain relief rib disposed on a bottom of the nose, wherein the strain relief rib is constructed of a flexible material;   a needle secured within the catheter adapter and extending distally beyond the nose, wherein the needle comprises a bevel pointing upward opposite the bottom; and   a needle cover configured to be removably coupled to the nose of the catheter adapter, wherein an inner surface of the needle cover is smooth and is configured to contact the strain relief rib.   
     
     
         16 . The catheter assembly of  claim 15 , wherein a distal end of the nose comprises a strain relief element constructed of the flexible material or another flexible material, wherein a proximal end of the strain relief element comprises an outer circumference, wherein the strain relief rib extends proximally from the outer circumference of the strain relief element and has a longitudinal axis aligned with a longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter 
     
     
         17 . The catheter assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible material comprises an elastomer. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible material comprises a thermoplastic elastomer. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the strain relief rib is generally aligned with a longitudinal axis of the catheter adapter. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the catheter adapter further comprises a stop configured to prevent proximal movement of the needle cover beyond the stop, wherein the stop is disposed proximate and proximal to the nose, wherein the strain relief rib extends to the stop.