The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 23, 1999
Filed:
May. 26, 1998
Thomas J Shaw, Little Elm, TX (US);
Kathryn Duesman, Pilot Point, TX (US);
Retractable Technologies Inc., Little Elm, TX (US);
Abstract
A self-retracting IV catheter introducer automatically retracts the catheter needle safely within a housing when the connector attached to the cannula is separated from the housing after the cannula has been inserted into a patient. In one embodiment the housing comprises a retraction tube enclosing a retraction body having a rear portion mounted within the retraction tube and a front portion carrying a needle and extending through an opening in the front of the retraction body. A connection surface on the exposed front of the retraction body is frictionally engaged with a corresponding connection surface on the connector. Abutting surfaces between the connector and the retraction tube serve as stops. Releasable frictional engagement of the connection surfaces prevents retraction. In a second embodiment the front portion of the retraction tube extends forwardly configured as springing arms having a protrusion which engages a depression in the outer surface of an extending front portion of the retraction body. The springing arms are forcibly pressed against the front portion of the retraction body when a connector for the cannula is forcibly slidably placed over the springing arms. When the connector is separated, the arms are free to spring open releasing the retraction body for complete retraction into the retraction tube along with the needle.