SEALABLE SAFETY CATHETER HAVING A COMBINATION NEEDLE RETRACTION CHAMBER AND NEEDLE COVER

摘要

A sealable safety catheter assembly with a needle retraction chamber doubling as a needle cover is provided. A needle hub assembly with an attached needle and associated catheter is contained within a housing of the needle retraction chamber. The needle hub assembly is at least partially accessible through a slot extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing of the needle retraction chamber. The needle hub assembly is also movable from a retracted position to an extended position with respect to the housing of the needle retraction chamber, and a mechanism for alternatively latching the needle hub assembly in a retracted or extended position is provided. Finally, a seal encloses the space within the needle retraction chamber around the needle and catheter when the needle is in the retracted position, thereby permitting the needle and catheter to be kept in a sterile environment prior to use and eliminating the need for a separate needle cover.