`
`a,
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`Europaisches Patentamt
`European Patent Office
`Office européen des brevets
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`@ Publication number: 0 352 928 B1
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`@
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`EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION
`
`Date of publication of patent specification :
`30.12.92 Bulletin 92153
`
`@ lnt. C|.5: A61M 5/14, A61 M 25/00
`
`@ Application number: 893069515
`
`@ Date of filing: 10.07.39
`
`@ Proprietor: CRITIKON, INC.
`4110 George Road
`Tampa Florida 33634 (US)
`
`@ Inventor: Lemieux, Francis P.
`2978 Glenpark Road
`Palm Harm" Haida 34683 (US)
`
`Representative : Fisher, Adrian John et al
`CARPMAELS & RANSFORD 43 Bloomsbury
`Square
`London WC1A 2RA (GB)
`
`I.V. catheter with self-locating needle guard.
`
`Priority: 11.07.88 US 217246
`
`Date of publication of application :
`31.01.90 Bulletin 90/05
`
`Publication of the grant of the patent:
`30.12.92 Bulletin 92I53
`
`Designated Contracting States:
`AT BE CH DE FR GB LI LU NL SE
`
`References cited :
`EP-A- 0 139 091
`US-A- 3 459 184
`US-A- 3 500 823
`US-A- 3 359 993
`US-A- 4 762 516
`
`
`
`Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any
`person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted.
`Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement.
`It shall not be deemed to have been
`filed until the opposition fee has been paid (Art. 99(1) European patent convention).
`
`Jouve, 18, rue Saint-Denis, 75001 PARIS
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`1
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`EP0352928B1
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`BD 1031
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`Description
`
`This invention relates to intravenous (|.V.) cathet-
`ers and, in particular, to |.V. catheters which cover the
`cannula tip after use to prevent accidental injury from
`used needles.
`Intravenous catheters for the infusion of fluids
`
`into the peripheral veins of a patient are one of the
`most common devices used in |.V. therapy. |.V. cath-
`eters may be produced in two general forms: through-
`the-needle catheters, in which a catheter is threaded
`through the needle cannula and into the vein ofa pa-
`tient, and over-the-needle catheters, in which the nee-
`dle and concentric outer catheter are inserted into the
`
`vein and the needle is withdrawn through the em-
`placed catheter.
`A typical over-the-needle |.V. catheter requires
`the user to remove and then dispose of a contaminat-
`ed needle after the needle tip and catheter are prop-
`erly located in the vein of the patient. Once the needle
`is withdrawn from the catheter, the user’s immediate
`priorities are infusion set connection and site prepa-
`ration, including the taping of the catheter to the pa-
`tient. Because of the urgency of these procedures, the
`needle is normally just dropped conveniently nearby
`and then retrieved later. Since the needle at this time
`
`is exposed and located close to where the user is
`completing work with the catheter, accidental self-
`inflicted needle injuries are not uncommon. For rea-
`sons of the desirability of protecting the user from ex-
`posure to hepatitis and AIDS, there is an increasing
`need to protect the userfrom accidental needle injury.
`A catheter design which is directed toward this
`need is shown in United States patent no.4262516.
`The catheter shown in this application includes an
`elongate body which houses a sliding needle guard.
`As the needle is withdrawn from the emplaced cath-
`eter, the user pushes the tab at the distal end of the
`needle guard, thereby sliding the needle guard out of
`the housing and along the needle, until the distal end
`of the guard covers the needle tip and the proximal
`end ofthe guard locks in the housing. The needle and
`guard may then be set aside with the needle tip fully
`protected.
`While the arrangement described in this patent
`application provides full protection against accidental
`needle injury, the requirement of a sliding needle
`guard which exceeds the length of the needle neces-
`sarily requires a rather long and bulky assembly.
`Moreover, since the user must push the guard tab
`along the full length ofthe needle before the guard will
`lock in place over the needle tip, the arrangement is
`somewhat cumbersome to operate for users with
`small hands and fingers.
`Accordingly it would be desirable for a needle to
`be securely protected by a small needle guard, and it
`would be most preferable for the needle guard to be
`moved into position over the needle tip automatically
`
`upon withdrawal of the needle from the patient, with-
`out the intervention of any special motion by the user.
`In accordance with the principles of the present
`invention, an |.V. catheter with a self-locating needle
`guard is provided. The needle guard is located about
`the needle at the jointure of the needle and needle
`hub. Prior to use of the catheter the guard, which is of
`sufficient length to cover just a distal portion of the
`needle, is located within the catheter hub. At its prox-
`imal end the tubular guard includes a split locking
`flange, which retains the guard within the interior of
`the catheter hub. The guard will remain within the
`catheter hub while the needle is withdrawn from the
`
`patient until the locking flange engages a slot located
`near the distal end of the needle. The guard will then
`lock in place over the needle tip as the needle is fully
`withdrawn from the catheter.
`
`In the drawings:
`FIGURE 1 illustrates an |.V. catheter in perspec-
`tive and constructed in accordance with the prin-
`ciples of the present invention;
`FIGURE 2 illustrates the |.V. catheter of FIGURE
`
`1 in partial cross-section without a needle guard;
`FIGURE 3 illustrates the cross-sectional view of
`
`FIGURE 2 with the needle guard in place in the
`catheter hub;
`FIGURE 4 illustrates the needle guard of FIGURE
`3 in cross-sectional detail
`
`FIGURE 5 illustrates the needle guard when posi-
`tioned at the proximal end of the needle; and
`FIGURE 6 illustrates the needle guard when
`locked at the distal end of the needle;
`FIGURE 7 illustrates in partial cross-section an
`alternate embodiment of the slotted |.V. catheter
`
`needle of the present invention; and
`FIGURE 8 illustrates in partial cross-section a
`slotted |.V. catheter needle arranged for prompt
`blood flash detection.
`
`Referring first to FIGURE 1, an |.V. catheter con-
`structed in accordance with the principles of the pres-
`ent invention is shown. The catheter 10 comprises a
`tube 15 made of fluorinated ethylene propylene or
`polyurethane material. The tube 15 is tapered at its
`distal end where it may easily slide into an opening in
`the patient’s body formed by a hollow needle 12. The
`proximal end of catheter tube 15 is concentrically af-
`fixed within the distal end of a catheter hub 16, 18.
`The dual diameter hub terminates at its proximal end
`in a tab or fitting 14, suitable for attaching the catheter
`hub to a tubing set which administers a source of in-
`travenous fluid.
`
`The catheter 10 is engaged by the hollow needle
`12, which is affixed at its proximal end to a needle hub
`20. The needle hub 20 is hollow and includes a prox-
`imally located flange 23. Molded to the flange is a hol-
`low flash chamber 26, which is made of a transparent
`or translucent polymer such as polypropylene or poly-
`carbonate. The proximal end of the needle terminates
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`in the hub 20, just short of the flash chamber.
`Inserted into the flash chamber 26 (but shown
`separated just prior to insertion in FIGURE 1) is a
`flash plug 70. The flash plug 70 is made ofa polymeric
`material and will frictionally remain in place when in-
`serted into the flash chamber. The flash plug body
`comprises a smaller diameter distal end 72 sized for
`a frictional fit in the flash chamber 26, and a some-
`what square proximal end 74 with convex sides,
`which enables the flash plug to be easily grasped and
`inserted into the flash chamber. The flash plug 70 is
`hollow with an aperture 76 extending completely
`through the flash plug body. The distal opening of the
`aperture 76 is visible in FIGURE 1. An insert made of
`a porous material is located within the aperture 76.
`The porous insert is pervious to the flow of air out of
`the flash chamber as the chamberfills with blood, but
`the pores of the insert are small enough to impede any
`blood flow therethrough.
`Referring next to FIGURE 2, the catheter 15 and
`its hub 16, 18, and the needle 12 and needle hub 20
`are shown in cross-sectional detail. The proximal end
`of the catheter 15 is secured within passageway 17 of
`the distal end 16 of the catheter hub by a sleeve 40.
`The sleeve 40 is positioned within the proximal end of
`the lumen ofthe catheter 15. By forcing sleeve 40 into
`the lumen of the catheter, the sleeve effects an expan-
`sion of the proximal end of the catheter into contact
`with the internal surface of the passageway 17, there-
`by locking the hub and catheter together to prevent
`axial movement therebetween. The sleeve 40 is out-
`
`wardly tapered at its proximal end to form a flange 42
`which acts to securely position the sleeve 40 relative
`to the passageway 17.
`The hollow needle 12 extends from its distal tip
`through the catheter 15 and sleeve 40, and into a pas-
`sageway 27 in the center of the needle hub 20. The
`proximal portion of the needle 12 is affixed by epoxy
`24 atthe distal end ofthe needle hub 20. The proximal
`end of the needle 12 extends beyond the epoxy and
`into the passageway so that the lumen of the needle
`will not become filled with epoxy during the attach-
`ment procedure.
`The distal end 28 of the needle hub 20 is ofa less-
`
`er diameter than the major portion of the needle hub.
`This lesser diameter end is dimensioned to engage
`the open proximal end of the catheter hub 18.
`In a conventional catheter and introducer needle
`
`assembly, the lesser diameterdistal end of the needle
`hub is generally elongated and tapered to substantial-
`ly occupy the proximal interior of the catheter hub. In
`the catheter assembly of the present invention, it may
`be seen that the major portion 22 of the cavity within
`the proximal end 18 of the catheter hub is unoccupied,
`with only the needle 12 extending through this region.
`The reason for reserving this space within the cathet-
`er hub is made clear with reference to FIGURE 3.
`
`In FIGURE 3 it may be seen that a needle point
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`guard 30 is located within the cavity of the catheter
`hub. FIGURE 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of
`the needle point guard 30, which resembles a flanged
`cylinder. The cylindrical distal portion 32 of the guard
`has an internal aperture with a diameter that enables
`the portion 32 to slide smoothly along the needle 12.
`The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 32 is thus
`just slightly larger than the outer diameter of the nee-
`dle. At the proximal end of the guard 30 is a circular
`locking flange 34 with a central aperture 36 that is
`concentric with that of the cylindrical portion 32. The
`diameter of the flange aperture 36 is slightly less than
`the outer diameterof the needle 12. The flange 34 and
`a proximal portion of the cylindrical portion 32 is slit
`horizontally by an expansion slot 38. The needle point
`guard 30 is made of a flexible material so that the
`flange and cylindrical portion will flex open and
`closed again as described below.
`Referring concurrently to FIGURES 3 and 5,
`when the catheter and introducer needle are assem-
`
`bled prior to use, the needle point guard is slipped
`over the point of the needle to slide to a position ad-
`jacent the distal end of the needle hub 20. Since the
`flange aperture 36 is slightly smaller than the outside
`diameter ofthe needle, the needle will spread the nee-
`dle point guard open at the expansion slot 38. The
`catheter and catheter hub are slipped over the needle
`until the hub 18 engages the distal end of the needle
`hub as shown in FIGURE 3. The needle point guard
`30 is thereby enclosed within the cavity 22 of the cath-
`eter hub. The spreading of the flange 34 causes the
`top and bottom of the flange to engage the inner wall
`of the catheter hub, as indicated at 39. The needle
`point guard is thus snugly retained within the catheter
`hub cavity 22. To ensure retention of the needle point
`guard within the cavity 22, it may further be desirable
`to form projections extending from the inner wall of the
`catheter hubjust proximal the intended location of the
`guard, as indicated at 44.
`Afterthe user has properly positioned the needle
`tip and distal end of the catheter within the artery or
`vein of a patient, as indicated bythe presence of blood
`in the flash chamber, the needle and needle hub are
`withdrawn from the catheter in preparation for attach-
`ment of a tubing set to the catheter hub. As the needle
`is initially withdrawn, the needle point guard 30 slides
`along the needle, but remains in position in the cavity
`22 due to the engagement of the flange 34 and cath-
`eter hub at 39. The needle point guard 30 slides along
`the needle as shown in FIGURE 5. Finally, the needle
`is withdrawn so that an engagement slot 50 near the
`tip of the needle 12 becomes aligned with the flange
`34. At this moment the expansion slot 38 of the guard
`springs closed as the rim of the flange about aperture
`36 is captured in engagement with the slot 50. Since
`the flange is no longer spread it is no longer retained
`within the catheter hub, but will leave the cavity 22 in
`engagement with the needle 12 and slot 50, as shown
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`in FIGURE 6. The needle may then be safely set aside
`without danger of accidental injury.
`In an |.V. catheter constructed in accordance with
`
`the principles of the present invention, it may be de-
`sirable to insure that the initial "flash" of blood result-
`
`ing from successful venipuncture be directed imme-
`diately through the needle lumen to the flash chamber
`26, without any blood leakage out the engagement
`slot 50. To provide for this performance, the engage-
`ment slot 50 may be covered by a thin membrane 52
`as shown in FIGURE 7. The membrane may partially
`or completely surround the needle 12 at the slot loca-
`tion. The membrane will seal the engagement slot to
`prevent blood leakage out of the needle at this point,
`but must be sufficiently flexible so that it will distend
`without rupturing as the guard flange 34 engages the
`slot 50. The needle point guard 30 will thus be secure-
`ly engaged in the engagement slot 50 while the mem-
`brane 52 prevents any blood leakage through the slot.
`However, for some applications it may be desir-
`able to take advantage of the open engagement slot
`50. The standard technique for venipuncture requires
`the practitioner to visualize blood in the needle hub
`flash chamber to ascertain that the needle tip and
`catheter are within the vessel. For small sizes of |.V.
`
`catheters the flash of blood is very small, and is inhib-
`ited from immediate visualization by the length of trav-
`el to the flash chamber. Moreover, there is the further
`distraction of having to avert one’s vision between the
`venipuncture site and the flash chamber at the prox-
`imal end of the catheter. Accordingly it would be de-
`sirable to provide for more rapid detection of the blood
`flash, and to obviate the need for the practitioner to
`avert his vision from the venipuncture site.
`These objectives may be met by utilizing the slot
`50 for early detection of even a small flash of blood.
`As shown in FIGURE 8, the slot 50 is located just prox-
`imal the needle tip and the tapered distal end 19 ofthe
`catheter 15. When the blood vessel is punctured the
`blood will flow up the lumen of the needle to the slot
`50, where it will fill the slot cavity as shown at 54. The
`blood will then flow through the small space between
`the needle 12 and the catheter 15 as shown at 56.
`
`When this interlumenal blood flow extends beyond
`the skin line (indicated schematically by dashed line
`60), the blood will be visible between the catheter and
`needle as shown at 58. This small flash of blood 58
`
`will thus be readily visible through the transparent or
`translucent catheter at the venipuncture site, indicat-
`ing to the practitioner that the venipuncture was suc-
`cessful.
`
`It may be appreciated that the detection of blood
`flash in this manner obviates the need for the flash
`
`chamber at the proximal end of the needle hub. Con-
`sequently, blood leakage from a vented flash plug
`may be prevented. Furthermore, it is also not neces-
`sary for blood to fill the entire needle lumen which
`may if desired be blocked or terminated proximal the
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`slot 50. Rapid detection of even a small blood flash is
`accordingly enhanced.
`From the foregoing description of the present in-
`vention, additional enhancements and modifications
`will be apparent to the user. For instance, to insure
`proper alignment between the engagement slot 50
`and the flange 34 ofthe needle point guard, it may be
`desirable to form mating slots and projections in the
`inside of the catheter hub 18 and the outer periphery
`of the distal end 28 of the needle hub 20 and the
`
`edges 39 of the needle point guard. By tracking the
`catheter components in this manner the longitudinal
`edges of the engagement slot 50 will be maintained
`in alignment with the expansion slot 38 of the guard
`for assured engagement ofthe guard flange in the en-
`gagement slot.
`
`Claims
`
`1. An intravenous (|.V.) catheter comprising:
`a catheter assembly including a catheter
`(10) attached to a hollow catheter hub (16, 18);
`and
`
`an introducer needle assembly, including a
`hollow needle (12) with a distal tip, said needle
`being affixed near its proximal end to a needle
`hub (20), the distal end of said needle hub being
`suitable for engaging said hollow catheter hub;
`characterised in that
`
`said needle includes means (50) for en-
`gaging a needle guard (30), said needle guard
`(30) being suitable for confinement within said
`hollow catheter hub (18) and including a proximal
`portion having means (34) for engaging said en-
`gaging means (50) of said needle and a distal
`portion (32) for extending over said needle tip
`when said proximal portion (34) is engaged with
`said engaging means (50) of said needle.
`
`2. The |.V. catheter of Claim 1, wherein said engag-
`ing means of said needle comprises an engage-
`ment slot (50) located near said distal tip of said
`needle.
`
`3. The |.V. catheter of Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein
`said distal portion (32) of said needle guard (30)
`comprises a cylindrical portion having an inner di-
`ameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of
`said needle.
`
`4. The |.V. catheter of Claim 3, wherein said proxi-
`mal portion of said needle guard comprises a
`flange (34) having a central aperture (36) aligned
`with said distal cylindrical portion (32), and said
`needle guard engaging means includes an axially
`aligned expansion slot (38) passing through said
`flange.
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`The |.V. catheter of Claim 4, wherein said needle
`guard (30) becomes locked in engagement with
`said needle when the rim of said flange aperture
`(36) engages said engagement slot (50) of said
`needle.
`
`The |.V. catheter of Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein
`the diameter of said flange aperture (36) is less
`than the outer diameter of said needle,
`whereby said needle spreads said flange
`(34) about said expansion slot when the full diam-
`eter of said needle passes through said flange
`aperture.
`
`to 6,
`The |.V. catheter of any one of Claims 1
`wherein said needle guard further
`includes
`means for retaining said needle guard within said
`catheter hub (18) prior to engagement of said
`needle engaging means and said needle guard
`engaging means.
`
`The |.V. catheter of Claim 7, wherein said proxi-
`mal portion of said needle guard comprises a ra-
`dially extending flange (34) having a central aper-
`ture, and said retaining means includes an axially
`aligned expansion slot passing through said
`flange,
`whereby said flange is brought into con-
`tact (39) with said catheter hub when said expan-
`sion slot opens in response to the passage of said
`needle through said central aperture.
`
`The |.V. catheter of any one of Claims 1 to 8, in
`which the hollow needle includes a slot (50) locat-
`ed in a wall thereof for passage of blood to the re-
`gion (54, 56, 58) between said hollow needle and
`said catheter,
`whereby the presence of blood may be vis-
`ually detected between said hollow needle and
`said catheter.
`
`10.
`
`11.
`
`The |.V. catheter of claim 9, wherein said catheter
`is made of a transparent or translucent material.
`
`The |.V. catheter of any one of claims 1 to 10, in
`which the needle guard (30) is self-locking, the
`needle guard (30) being located about the needle
`(12) and initially located at the distal end (28) of
`said needle hub (20).
`
`Patentanspriiche
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`eine distale Spitze aufweisenden Hohlnadel (12),
`die an ihrem proximalen Ende mit einer Nadel-
`buchse (20) verbunden ist, deren distales Ende in
`die hohle Katheterbuchse einselzbar ist;
`dadurch gekennzeichnet,
`dal3die Nadel Mittel (50) zum Einrasten eines Na-
`delschutzes (30) aufweist, der geeignet ist, in der
`hohlen Katheterbuchse (18) aufgenommen zu
`werden und dereinen proximalen Bereich mit Mit-
`teln (34) zum Einrasten in die Mittel (50) der Na-
`del aufweist, sowie einen distalen Bereich (32),
`der sich iiber die Nadelspitze erstreckt, wenn der
`proximale Bereich (34) mitden Einrastmitteln (50)
`der Nadel in Eingriff ist.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 1, dadurch ge-
`kennzeichnet, dais die Eingriffmittel der Nadel
`(12) die Form einer Kerbe (50) aufweisen, die na-
`he der distalen Spitze der Nadel angeordnet ist.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch
`gekennzeichnet, daB der distale Abschnitt (32)
`des Nadelschutzes (30) einen zylindrischen Be-
`reich aufweist, dessen innerer Durchmesser et-
`was gr61$er ist als der Au Bendurchmesserder Na-
`del.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 3, dadurch ge-
`kennzeichnet, dalB der proximale Bereich des
`Nadelschutzes einen Flansch (34) mit einer zen-
`tralen, mit dem distalen Zylinderbereich fluchten-
`den éffnung 36 aufweist, und daB die Mittel (34)
`zum Einrasten einen axial ausgerichteten Aus-
`dehnschlilz (38) umfassen, der sich iiber den
`Flansch erstreckt.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 4, dadurch ge-
`kennzeichnet, daB der Nadelschutz (30) auf der
`Nadel einrastet und verriegeltwird, wenn die Um-
`fangsflache der Flanschi‘iffnung (36) in die Kerbe
`(50) eingreift.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch
`gekennzeichnet, dais der Durchmesser der
`Flanschoffnung (36) kleiner ist als der AuBen-
`durchmesser der Nadel, wobei die Nadel den
`Flansch (34) iiber den Ausdehnschlitz (38) auf-
`spreizt, wenn der volle Durchmesser der Nadel
`durch die Flanschbffnung (36) verlauft.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach einem der Anspriiche 1 bis 6,
`dadurch gekennzeichnet, daB der Nadelschutz
`Mittel zum Halten des Nadelschutzes in der Ka-
`
`1.
`
`Intravendser (|.V.-) Katheter mit
`einer Katheter-Kombination mit einem mit
`
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`theterbuchse (18), vordem Einrasten der Einrast-
`mittel der Nadel und der Einrastmittel des Nadel-
`
`einer hohlen Katheterbuchse (16,18) verbunde-
`nen Katheter (10) ; und mit
`einer Einfiihrnadel-Kombination mit einer
`
`schutzes, aufweist.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 7, dadurch ge-
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`kennzeichnet, daE der proximale Abschnitt des
`Nadelschutzes einen radial sich erstreckenden
`
`Flansch (34) mit einer zentralen éffnung auf—
`weist, und dalL die Riickhaltemittel einen axial
`ausgerichteten Ausdehnschlitz (38) aufweisen,
`wobei der Flansch an der Katheterbuchse anliegt
`(39), wenn der Ausdehnschlitz als Folge der
`durch die Zentral6ffnung fiihrende Nadel ge6ff-
`net wird.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach einem der Anspriiche 1 bis 8,
`dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal?» die Hohlnadel ei-
`ne in der Wandung angeordnete Kerbe (50) auf—
`weist, die Blut
`in den Zwischeraum (54,56,58)
`zwischen der Hohlnadel und dem Katheter aus-
`
`treten lalLt, wodurch die Anwesenheit von Blut vi-
`suell ermittelt werden kann.
`
`10.
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`11.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach Anspruch 9, dadurch ge-
`kennzeichnet, dafl der Katheter aus einem
`durchsichtigen oder durchscheinenden Material
`besteht.
`
`|.V.-Katheter nach einem derAnsprl'iche 1 bis 10,
`dadurch gekennzeichnet, dal!» der Nadelschutz
`(30) selbstverriegelnd ist; und daB der Nadel-
`schutz (30) um die Nadel (12) herum und zu-
`nachst am distalen Ende (28) der Nadelbuchse
`(20) angeordnet ist.
`
`Revendications
`
`Cathéter intraveineux comprenant:
`un ensemble a cathéter comprenant un
`cathéter (10) attaché a une garde de cathéter
`creuse (16, 18); et
`un ensemble a aiguille d’introduction,
`comprenant une aiguille creuse (12) avec une
`pointe distale, l’aiguille étantfixée pres de son ex-
`trémité proximale a une garde d’aiguille (20), l’ex-
`trémité distale de cette garde d’aiguille permet-
`tant l’établissement d’une liaison avec la garde de
`cathéter creuse;
`caractérisé en ce que
`l’aiguille comporte un moyen (50) pour
`établir une liaison avec un capuchon protecteur
`d’aiguille (30), ce capuchon (30) pouvant étre
`confiné dans la garde de cathéter creuse (18) et
`comportant une partie proximale possédant un
`moyen (34) concu pour étre relié au moyen de liai-
`son (50) de l'aiguille et une partie distale (32) des-
`tinée a s’étendre par-dessus la pointe de l’aiguille
`lorsque ladite partie proximale (34) est reliée au
`moyen de liaison (50) de l’aiguille.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 1,
`dans lequel le moyen de liaison de I’aiguille cons-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`titué par une encoche de liaison (50) située pres
`de la pointe distale de l’aiguille.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 1 ou
`
`2, dans lequel la partie distale (32) du capuchon
`protecteur d’aiguille (30) est constituée par une
`partie cylindrique dont le diametre intérieur est un
`peu plus grand que le diametre extérieur de I’ai-
`guille.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 3,
`dans lequel Ia partie proximale du capuchon pro-
`tecteurd’aiguille est constituée par un disque (34)
`présentant un orifice central (36) aligné avec la
`partie distale cylindrique (32), et le moyen de liai-
`son du capuchon protecteur d’aiguille comporte
`une fente d’évasement (38) orientée axialement
`et traversant le disque.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 4,
`dans lequel Ie capuchon protecteurd’aiguille (30)
`est verrouillé a l’aiguille lorsque le bord de l’orifi-
`ce (36) du disque penetre dans l’encoche de liai-
`son (50) de l’aiguille.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 4 ou
`
`5, dans lequel le diametre de l’orifice (36) du dis-
`que est plus petit que le diametre extérieur de l’ai-
`guille, de sorte que l’aiguille écarte les parties du
`disque (34) situées de part et d’autre de la fente
`d’évasement lorsque l’aiguille traverse cet orifice
`du disque par tout son diametre.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon l’une quelconque
`des revendications 1 a 6, dans lequel le capuchon
`protecteur d’aiguille comporte en outre un moyen
`pour retenir ce capuchon dans la garde de cathé-
`ter (18) préalablement a l’assemblage du moyen
`de liaison de l’aiguille et du moyen de liaison du
`capuchon protecteur d’aiguille.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 7,
`dans lequel Ia partie proximale du capuchon pro-
`tecteurd’aiguille est constituée par un disque (34)
`orienté radialement et présentant un orifice cen-
`tral, et le moyen de retenue comporte une fente
`d’évasement orientée axialement et traversant le
`
`disque, I’agencement étant tel que le disque est
`amené en contact (39) avec la garde de cathéter
`lorsq ue cette fente d’évasement s’ouvre par suite
`du passage de l'aiguille a travers l'orifice central.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon l’une quelconque
`des revendications 1 a 8, dans lequel l’aiguille
`creuse comporte une encoche (50) située dans
`une paroi de l’aiguille et permettant Ie passage de
`sang vers la région (54, 56, 58) située entre I’ai-
`guille creuse et le cathéter, de sorte que la pré-
`
`

`

`11
`
`EP 0352 928 B1
`
`10.
`
`11.
`
`sence de sang peut étre détectée visuellement
`entre l’aiguille creuse et Ie cathéter.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon la revendication 9,
`dans quuel Ie cathéter est fabriqué d’un matériau
`transparent ou translucide.
`
`Cathéter intraveineux selon I’une quelconque
`des revendications 1 $3 10, dans quuel Ie capu-
`chon protecteur d’aiguille (30) est é auto-
`verrouillage, ce capuchon (30) étant disposé au-
`tour de I’aiguille (12) et étant situé initialement é
`I’extrémité distale (28) de la garde d’aiguille (20).
`
`10
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`15
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`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4o
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`

`

`EP 0 352 923 B1
`
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`EP 0 352 928 B1
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