Becton, Dickinson and Company
CATHETER SYSTEM TO PROVIDE NEEDLE SAFETY AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract:

A catheter system to protect against needle stick injuries and environmental contamination from exposure to residual blood. The catheter system may include a catheter assembly, a needle assembly, and a housing. The needle assembly may be coupled to the catheter assembly and include a needle hub and an introducer needle. The housing may be secured within a lumen of the catheter adapter and may include a distal end, a proximal end, and a cavity. The introducer needle may extend through the housing. A safety clip within the cavity may include an elongated arm portion and a barrier feature. The introducer needle may bias the barrier feature outwardly away from a longitudinal axis of the introducer needle. In response to proximal retraction of the introducer needle, the barrier feature may be configured to move toward the longitudinal axis of the needle and shield the sharp distal tip.