INTRAVENOUS CATHETER WITH SELF-ADJUSTING NEEDLE PROTECTING DEVICE Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: medicine. SUBSTANCE: catheter has catheter unit coupled to hollow catheter sleeve and entry needle unit. The latter has hollow needle with distal pointed end. Needle is fixed with its proximal part to sleeve, and its distal end is adapted to be connected to catheter hollow sleeve. Needle has round outer surface of part adjacent to its distal end and out-of-round deformed outer surface disposed at predetermined distance from its distal end portion and adapted for coupling with needle protecting device. The latter has distal part with longitudinal length exceeding mentioned distance and proximal part of shape similar to that of out-of-round deformed needle part to allow out-of-round deformed needle part to pass through it, but to prevent passage of round distal needle end through it. Needle protecting device is mounted for movement relative to needle so that during withdrawal of needle from catheter to the moment, when out-of-round deformed part of needle protecting device stops round distal part of needle, distal part of needle protecting device covers and protects needle point. Out-of-round deformed outer surface of needle protecting device also orients and prevents rotation of out-of-round deformed part of needle. Needle protecting device is further provided with latch mechanism, which is brought into engagement with needle opening to prevent needle protecting device from motion in backward direction to needle proximal end, upon actuation of latch mechanism. Such construction prevents occasional punctures by needle after withdrawal of needle from patient's body. EFFECT: simplified construction and improved safety of surgical tool. 6 cl, 9 dwg