Protected needle catheter placement device having needle placement visualization features

摘要

An over-the-needle catheter placement assembly includes an elongate catheter with an open bore therethrough. The catheter has a tapered distal end and a proximal end with a hub. The assembly includes an elongate hollow handle with a distal end that has an opening therethrough and a proximal end. Included in the assembly is an elongate needle with a sharp distal point, a proximal end and an open passageway therethrough. The assembly has a substantially transparent elongate needle hub with a distal end portion with the proximal end of the needle fixedly attached therein. The needle is coaxially slidably disposed within the catheter bore with the catheter hub mounted on the distal end portion of the needle hub so that the sharp distal pointed end of the needle projects beyond the tapered distal end of the catheter. The needle hub is slidably disposed for coaxial movement within the hollow handle between a first position where the distal end portion of the hub axially projects through the distal opening in said hollow handle so that the needle is distally outside the hollow handle and within the catheter bore and a proximal position to withdraw the needle into the handle. There is an elongate flashback chamber within the needle hub also that is fluidly connected to the proximal end of the needle and extends into the distal end portion of the needle hub.