Critikon, Inc

Ethicon, Gmbh

Mark A Panzera

Joseph J Chang

William Egolf

Michael O'Neil

Dennis M Bialecki

Joseph Jawshin Chang

Gerald J Kovalic

Cathy J Myers

A positive engagement/disengagement catheter sleeve to reduce risks of needle sticks. The sleeve has a base and a body which define a pair of grooves. The grooves define a deformable region of the sleeve therebetween. At least one detent is provided inside the base within the deformable region. A mechanism is provided to cause the detent to disengage when the mechanism is actuated.

Positive engagement-disengagement catheter sleeve

A new catheter stick protector is described having a metal flap clip which snaps down into place to prevent return of the needle through the protector device once withdrawn. The device is small and received over the needle to provide an interface between the needle hub and the hub of a catheter like product. A sleeve of hydrophobic or fluid impermeable material is provided and attached at one end to the needle hub and at a second end to the tip protector. The length of the material is selected to hold the tip protector in a position just extending beyond the tip of the needle of a catheter inserter.

Catheter with stick protection

An over-the-needle catheter assembly in which a restriction of the inner diameter of the catheter tube is formed in the proximity of the needle hub. The restriction is formed by heating a portion of the catheter tube to the softening point of the catheter material, stretching the catheter tube to cause the heated portion of the catheter tube to tighten about an inner needle or mandrel, then releasing the stretching force to allow the stretched portion to relax, leaving a small gap between the inner wall of the catheter tube and the outer diameter of the insertion needle. The small gap is preferably sized to be on the order of the size of the diameter of blood cells to restrict the flow of liquids past the restriction and into the catheter hub.

Method of forming a catheter with backflow restriction

An over-the-needle catheter assembly is provided in which a restriction of the inner diameter of the catheter tube is formed in the proximity of the needle hub. The restriction is formed by heating a portion of the catheter tube to the softening point of the catheter material, stretching the catheter tube to cause the heated portion of the catheter tube to tighten about an inner needle or mandril, then releasing the stretching force to allow the stretched portion to relax, leaving a small gap between the inner wall of the catheter tube and the outer diameter of the insertion needle. The small gap is preferably sized to be on the order of the size of the diameter of blood cells to restrict the flow of liquids past the restriction and into the catheter hub.

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Bristol, CT, United States of America

Mark A Panzera