INTRAVENOUS CATHETER ASSEMBLY WITH SAFETY CLIP

Abstract

A catheter assembly may include a catheter, catheter adapter, needle, needle guard, and housing. The housing may be coupled to the needle guard and disposed within a lumen of the catheter adapter. The needle guard may include first and second resilient arms, which may include first and second curved portions, respectively. When the needle is in a ready position, the first and second curved portions may be urged by a shaft of the needle into retaining contact with an inner wall of the catheter adapter. When the needle is in the retracted position, the shaft may no longer bias the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released, and the housing and the needle guard enclose a distal tip of the needle.

Claims

1. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a catheter adapter comprising an inner wall forming a lumen, wherein the proximal end of the catheter is coupled with the catheter adapter; a needle comprising an elongated shaft and distal tip, wherein the needle is disposed within the catheter when the needle is in a ready position, wherein the needle is movable between the ready position in which the distal tip is outside of the catheter adapter and a retracted position in which the distal tip is disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter; a needle guard, comprising: first and second distal walls that overlap one another and form a distal barrier to the needle when the needle is in the retracted position; a proximal end wall comprising an opening for receiving the needle there through; and first and second resilient arms comprising first and second curved portions, respectively, wherein the first and second resilient arms extend between the first and second distal walls, respectively, and the proximal end wall, wherein the first and second curved portions are urged by the elongated shaft into retaining contact with the inner wall of the catheter adapter when the needle is in the ready position and during movement of the needle between the ready position and the retracted position, wherein when the needle is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft no longer biases the first and second resilient arms outwardly such that the retaining contact between the first and second curved portions and the catheter adapter is released; and a housing coupled to the needle guard, wherein the housing and the needle guard enclose the distal tip when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the housing is disposed within the lumen.

2. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the needle further comprises a notch, wherein the housing and the needle guard enclose the distal tip and the notch when the needle is in the retracted position.

3. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a first shield element and a second shield element opposite the first shield element, wherein the first and second shield elements are spaced apart by a gap, wherein the first and second resilient arms are urged outwardly by the elongated shaft and extend through the gap when the needle is in the ready position.

4. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 3, wherein the housing further comprises a tubular structure integrally formed with the first and second shield elements and disposed between the first and second shield elements, where the needle extends through the tubular structure.

5. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the housing comprises a distal feature and a proximal feature, wherein the distal feature is configured to contact a proximal surface of the first distal wall to prevent the needle guard from sliding proximally with respect to the housing, wherein the proximal feature is configured to contact a distal surface of the proximal wall to prevent the needle guard from sliding distally with respect to the housing.

6. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing and the needle guard are removable from the catheter adapter when the needle is in the retracted position.

7. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the first shield element comprises a snap feature, wherein the snap feature contacts an outer surface of the first resilient arm when the needle is in the retracted position.

8. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 7, wherein the snap feature is a first snap feature, wherein an inner edge of the second shield element comprises a second snap feature, wherein first snap feature extends more inwardly than the second snap feature such that the first resilient arm passes the second snap feature before the first snap feature when the needle moves from the ready position to the retracted position.

9. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the first distal wall and the second distal wall comprise first and second lips, respectively, wherein the first and second lips engage the elongated shaft of the needle when the needle is in the ready position.

10. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein when the needle is in the ready position, the first resilient arm is entirely disposed on a first side of the needle and the second resilient arm is entirely disposed on a second side of the needle opposite the first side of the needle.

11. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the catheter adapter comprises a retaining means, wherein the retaining means receives the first curved portion of the first resilient arm when the needle is in the ready position.

12. An intravenous catheter assembly, comprising: a catheter comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a catheter adapter comprising an inner wall forming a lumen, wherein the proximal end of the catheter is coupled with the catheter adapter; a needle comprising an elongated shaft and distal tip, wherein the needle is disposed within the catheter when the needle is in a ready position, wherein the needle is movable between the ready position in which the distal tip is outside of the catheter adapter and a retracted position in which the distal tip is disposed within the lumen of the catheter adapter; a needle guard, comprising: a proximal end wall comprising an opening for receiving the needle therethrough; a resilient portion coupled with the proximal end wall, wherein the resilient portion is urged by the elongated shaft into retaining contact with the inner wall of the catheter adapter when the needle is in the ready position and during movement of the needle between the ready position and the retracted position, wherein when the needle is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft no longer biases the resilient portion outwardly such that the retaining contact between the resilient portion and the catheter adapter is released; and a distal wall extending from the resilient portion, wherein the distal wall is movable within the lumen of the catheter hub to a blocking position distal of the distal tip, wherein the distal wall is in the blocking position when the needle is in the retracted position; and a housing coupled to the needle guard, wherein the housing and the needle guard enclose the distal tip when the needle is in the retracted position, wherein the housing is disposed within the lumen.

13. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 12, wherein the needle further comprises a notch, wherein the housing and the needle guard enclose the distal tip and the notch when the needle is in the retracted position.

14. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 12, wherein the housing comprises a first shield element and a second shield element opposite the first shield element, wherein the first and second shield elements are spaced apart by a gap, wherein the resilient portion is urged outwardly by the elongated shaft and extends through the gap when the needle is in the ready position.

15. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 14, wherein the housing and the needle guard are removable from the catheter adapter when the needle is in the retracted position.

16. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the housing comprises a distal feature and a proximal feature, wherein the distal feature is configured to contact a proximal surface of the distal wall to prevent the needle guard from sliding proximally with respect to the housing, wherein the proximal feature is configured to contact a distal surface of the proximal end wall to prevent the needle guard from sliding distally with respect to the housing.

17. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the first shield element comprises a first snap feature and an inner edge of the second shield element comprises a second snap feature, wherein the first and second snap features contact an outer surface of the resilient portion when the needle is in the retracted position.

18. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 17, wherein the first snap feature extends more inwardly than the second snap feature such that the resilient portion passes the second snap feature before the first snap feature when the needle moves from the ready position to the retracted position.

19. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal wall comprises a lip, wherein the lip engages the elongated shaft of the needle when the needle is in the ready position.

20. The intravenous catheter assembly of claim 1, wherein the inner wall of the catheter adapter comprises a retaining means, wherein the retaining means receives the resilient portion when the needle is in the ready position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES

[0015] In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other features and advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the cannula capture mechanism briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended Figures. Understanding that these Figures depict only typical embodiments and are not, therefore, to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying Figures in which:

[0016] FIG. 1A is an upper perspective view of a prior art needle assembly;

[0017] FIG. 1B is an enlarged upper perspective view of a portion of the needle assembly of FIG. 1A;

[0018] FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of an example catheter assembly, illustrating an example needle in a ready position, according to some embodiments;

[0019] FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the needle between the ready position and a retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an example needle assembly of the catheter assembly of FIG. 2A, illustrating the needle in the ready position, according to some embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 4A is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle between the ready position and the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 4B is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle in a retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 5A is a top view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0028] FIG. 5C is a distal view of the needle assembly of FIG. 3A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0029] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of another example needle assembly, illustrating the needle in a partially retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0030] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0031] FIG. 6C is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0032] FIG. 6D is an upper perspective view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A, illustrating the needle in the retracted position, according to some embodiments;

[0033] FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A, illustrating an example stabilizer element, according to some embodiments; and

[0034] FIG. 6F is a cross-sectional view of the needle assembly of FIG. 6A, illustrating an example platform, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The presently preferred embodiments of the described invention will be best understood by reference to FIGS. 1-6, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 in the present disclosure, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the catheter assembly, and associated devices, systems, and methods, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of some embodiments of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 1A illustrates a needle assembly 10 commonly used in the medical field. The needle assembly 10 may include a needle hub 12, a needle 14 extending distally from the needle hub, and a spring clip 16. The spring clip 16 is enlarged in FIG. 1B. The needle assembly 10 may be part of an IV catheter assembly (not illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B) and may provide several functions. For example, when a needle 14 of the needle assembly 10 is in a ready position for insertion into a vein of a patient, flexible arms of the spring clip 16 may be urged outward and may interfere with a retention feature on an inner surface of a catheter adapter of the IV catheter assembly, holding the spring clip 16 in place until the needle 14 is withdrawn. In response to placement of an IV catheter of the catheter assembly into the vein of the patient, the needle may be retracted or withdrawn proximally. When the needle 14 is withdrawn proximally beyond a distal end of the spring clip 16, the flexible arms may move inwardly, which may first release the interference between the spring clip 16 and the retention feature of the catheter adapter, and then provide a distal barrier for the needle 14, preventing a needle stick injury. Release of the interference between the spring clip 16 and the retention feature may allow removal of the needle assembly 10 from the catheter adapter.

[0037] The needle assembly 10 and spring clip 16 may pose several hazards. The spring clip 16 may be constructed of metal and/or may include one or more sharp edges, which may increase a risk that the patient or a clinician may be cut or scratched by the spring clip 16, particularly when the needle assembly 10 is removed from the catheter adapter. In some instances, the sharp edges of the spring clip 16 may be exposed to blood of the patient, and if the clinician contacts the sharp edges, this could lead to infection by one or more blood borne pathogens. Also, the sharp edges of the spring clip 16 may get caught on clothing, bedding, or another material, which may cause the clip to open, allowing a sharp distal tip of the needle to become exposed. Furthermore, an interior lumen of the needle 14 and/or a notch of the needle 14 may be filled with blood, and the blood may spatter or be ejected from the needle 14 when the needle assembly 10 is removed from the catheter adapter.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2C, a catheter assembly 20 may overcome disadvantages of the prior art, as will be explained later in further detail. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include a catheter 24, which may include a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include a catheter adapter 26, which may include an inner wall 28 forming a lumen 30. In some embodiments, the proximal end of the catheter 24 may be coupled with the catheter adapter 26 via a wedge 32 or another mechanism. In some embodiments, a needle 22 of the catheter assembly 20 may include one or more of the following: an elongated shaft 34, a sharp distal tip 36, a notch 38, and a bump or feature 54. In some embodiments, the notch 38 may improve first stick success and allow observation of blood flashback.

[0039] In some embodiments, the needle 22 may be disposed within the catheter 24 when the needle 22 is in a ready position for insertion into the vein of the patient. The ready position is illustrated in FIG. 2A, according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the needle 22 may be movable between the ready position in which the distal tip 36 is outside of the catheter adapter 26 and a retracted position in which the distal tip 36 is disposed within the lumen 30 of the catheter adapter 26. FIG. 2B illustrates the needle 22 partially withdrawn and between the ready position and the retracted position, according to some embodiments. The retracted position is illustrated in FIG. 2C, according to some embodiments.

[0040] In some embodiments, the catheter assembly 20 may include a needle guard 33, which may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may include a spring clip. In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may be constructed of a resilient metal, such as, for example, stainless steel. In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may include one or more resilient arms 40, which may include one or more features for selective coupling of the arms 40 to the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or to another component of a catheter device. In some embodiments, the other component may include any suitable component of the catheter device, including, for example, a septum activator, a septum, or a septum canister.

[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2C, in some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may include first and second resilient arms 40a,b (which may be referred to herein as resilient arms 40). In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the ready position, the first resilient arm 40a may be entirely disposed on a first side of the needle 22 and the second resilient arm 40b may be entirely disposed on a second side of the needle 22 opposite the first side of the needle 22. In some embodiments, each of the arms 40 may include one or more curved portions 42 or one or more other suitable features for selective coupling of the arms 40 to the other component or to the inner wall 28, such as, for example, one or more protrusions. In some embodiments, the curved portions 42 may each include a bend.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, in some embodiments, the curved portions 42 or the other suitable features may be urged by the elongated shaft 34 into retaining contact with the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or with the other component when the needle 22 is in the ready position and/or during movement of the needle 22 between the ready position and the retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or the other component may include one or more retaining means 44, such as, for example, grooves, bumps, features, or another suitable means that may each receive or interfere with one or more arms 40 in retaining contact. In further detail, in some embodiments, a particular retaining means 44 may receive or interfere with a curved portion 42 of a particular arm 40 and another particular retaining means 44 may receive or interfere with a curved portion 42 of another particular arm 40. In some embodiments, a particular retaining means 44 may receive or interfere with the curved portions of both the particular arms 40. In some embodiments, the retaining means 44 may be annular.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2C, in some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, the elongated shaft 34 may no longer bias or flex the arms 40 outwardly such that the retaining contact between the curved portions 42 and the catheter adapter 26 is released. In some embodiments, a needle assembly 43, which may include one or more of the following: the needle guard 33, the needle 22, a needle hub 46, and a housing 50, may be removed from the catheter adapter 26 in response to the retaining contact between the curved portions 42 and the catheter adapter 26 being released. In some embodiments, the needle hub 46 may include a flash chamber. FIG. 2D illustrates one or more retaining means 44 that each include a bump or protrusion, according to some embodiments.

[0044] In some embodiments, the needle guard 33 may include one or more distal walls 48, which may form a distal barrier to the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distal walls 48 may contact and/or overlap one another. For example, the needle guard 33 may include first and second distal walls 48a,b that contact and overlap each other, as illustrated in FIG. 2C.

[0045] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3B, in some embodiments, a particular distal wall 48 may extend from and be continuous with a particular arm 40, which may extend between the particular distal wall 48 and a proximal end wall 52 of the needle guard 33. In some embodiments, the proximal end wall 52 may include an opening for receiving the needle 22 there through. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft 34 of the needle 22 may include a feature 54, which may have a diameter larger than a diameter of the opening in the proximal end wall 52, preventing the distal tip 36 from exiting proximally through the opening in the proximal end wall 52.

[0046] In some embodiments, one or more of the distal walls 48 may include a lip 56, which may engage the elongated shaft 34 of the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in the ready position, as illustrated in FIG. 3A. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls 48 may be movable within the lumen 30 of the catheter adapter 26 to blocking positions distal of the distal tip 36, as illustrated in FIG. 3B. In some embodiments, each of the distal walls 48 may be in their respective blocking positions when the needle 22 is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the distal walls 48 may contact and/or overlap one another to form a distal barrier to the needle 22 when the distal walls 48 are in their respective blocking positions.

[0047] In some embodiments, the housing 50 may cover any sharp edges of the needle guard 33, preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example, when the needle 33 is in the retracted position, at least edges of the arms 40, the distal walls 48, and the proximal end wall 52 may be disposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing 50. In some embodiments, the housing 50 and the needle guard 33 may together enclose the distal tip 36 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, which may prevent exposure to the distal tip 36 and any blood that may be released from the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38. In some embodiments, the housing 50 may be unitary or integrally formed.

[0048] In some embodiments, an inner surface 62 of the housing 50 may include one or more distal features 58 and/or one or more proximal features 60, which may prevent separation of the housing 50 from the needle guard 33. In some embodiments, each of the distal features 58 may be configured to contact a proximal surface of a particular distal wall 48 of the needle guard 33 to prevent the needle guard 33 from sliding proximally with respect to the housing 50. In some embodiments, each of the proximal features 60 may be configured to contact a distal surface of the proximal end wall 52 to prevent the needle guard 33 from sliding distally with respect to the housing 59.

[0049] In some embodiments, the distal features 58 and/or the proximal features 60 may include protrusions, which may extend inwardly from the inner surface 62 of the housing 50. In some embodiments, the inner surface 62 may include a tubular structure, which may include a wall 64 forming a lumen 66 extending through the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the needle 33 may extend through the lumen 66 of the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the distal features 58 and/or the proximal features 60 may extend from the wall 64 and/or be unitary or integrally formed with the wall 64, which may be unitary or integrally formed with the inner surface 62. In some embodiments, the distal walls 48 may cover a distal opening 67 of the tubular structure such that the distal walls 48 and the housing 50 enclose the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38.

[0050] In some embodiments, an outer surface of the wall 64 may include an angled portion 66, which may correspond to an angled portion 68 of a particular arm 40. In some embodiments, the angled portion 66 may inhibit proximal movement of the needle guard 33 with respect to the housing 50. In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include one or more snap features 70 configured to secure the needle guard 33 within the housing 50 when the needle 33 is in the retracted position. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces 62 and/or inner edges 63 of the shield elements 72 may include the snap features 70. In some embodiments, opposing snap features 70 disposed on opposing shield elements 72 may contact an outer surface of a particular arm 40 when the needle 33 is in the retracted position.

[0051] In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include multiple elongated shield elements 72, which may shield a user from one or more edges of the needle guard 33 that may otherwise scratch or cut the user. Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4B, for example, the housing may include a first shield element 72a and a second shield element 72b (which may referred to in the present disclosure as shield elements 72), which may be disposed opposite of each other. In some embodiments, the shield elements 72 may be spaced apart. In some embodiments, the shield elements 72 may be spaced apart by a gap 61 between inner edges 63 of the shield elements 72. In some embodiments, the arms 40 may be urged outwardly by the elongated shaft 34 through the gap 61 when the needle 33 is in the ready position and/or in between the ready position and the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 4A. In some embodiments, one or more of the following may extend between inner surfaces of the shield elements 72: the distal features 58, the proximal features 60, and the tubular structure. In some embodiments, the inner surface 62 of the housing 50 may correspond to an inner surface of one or more particular shield elements 72.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 5A-5B, in some embodiments, the first shield element 72a may be connected to the second shield element 72b at a joiner wall 74, which may cover all or a portion of the proximal end wall 52. In some embodiments, the needle 33 may extend through a hole in the joiner wall 74.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5C, in some embodiments, the arms 40 may snap past the snap features 70 in response to the needle 33 moving from the ready position to the retracted position. In further detail, in some embodiments, the snap features 70 may be resilient and may easily deform to allow the arms 40 to pass, thereafter resuming their original conformation.

[0054] The snap features 70 may have various locations and sizes that facilitate rocking or tilting of the resilient arms 40 and movement of the resilient arms 40 to a locked position beneath the snap features 70 and towards a central axis of the housing 50 and/or the needle guard 33. In some embodiments, a first snap feature 70a and a second snap feature 70b may be disposed on opposite sides of the housing 50. In some embodiments, the first snap feature 70a may be aligned with or oppose the second snap feature 70b, as illustrated in FIG. 5C. In some embodiments, the first snap feature 70a and second snap feature 70b may be not be aligned with or oppose each other. In some embodiments, the first snap feature 70a and the second snap feature 70b may be a same or similar shape but different sizes. In these and other embodiments, the first snap feature 70a may extend more inwardly than the second snap feature 70b, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, such that a particular resilient arm 40 may pass the second snap feature 70b before the first snap feature 70a when the needle moves from the ready position to the retracted position, which may result in rocking or tilting the particular resilient arm 40 and facilitating movement of the particular resilient arm 40 to a locked position beneath the first snap feature 70a and second snap feature 70b. In some embodiments, the particular resilient arm 40 may contact the first snap feature 70a prior to the second snap feature 70b, which may also result in the rocking or tilting of the particular resilient arm 40.

[0055] In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include one or more additional snap features 70. In some embodiments, the housing 50 may include third and fourth snap features 70c, 70d, which may be positioned and/or sized with respect to each other similarly to first snap feature 70a and second snap feature 70b.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 6A-6B, in some embodiments, the needle assembly 43 may include a housing 76 and/or a needle guard 78. In some embodiments, the needle guard 78 may be unitary or integrally formed. In some embodiments, the needle guard 78 may include a spring clip. In some embodiments, the needle guard 78 may be constructed of a resilient metal, such as, for example, stainless steel.

[0057] In some embodiments, the needle guard 78 may include an upper arm 80 and a lower arm 82. In some embodiments, the lower arm 82 may include a curved portion 84 or one or more other suitable features, such as, for example, one or more protrusions, for selective coupling of the lower arm 82 to the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or to another component of a catheter device. In some embodiments, the other component may include any suitable component of the catheter device, including, for example, a septum activator, a septum, or a septum canister.

[0058] In some embodiments, the upper arm 80 may be coupled to the housing 76. In some embodiments, the upper arm 80 may be coupled to the housing 76 along all or a portion of a length of the upper arm 80. In some embodiments, the upper arm 80 may be permanently coupled to the housing 76.

[0059] In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the ready position or partially retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the curved portion 84 or the other suitable features may be urged by the needle 22 into retaining contact with the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26 or with the other component. In these and other embodiments, the curved portion 84 may extend through a distal aperture 86 in the housing 76 of the needle assembly 43, the distal aperture 86 being aligned with the retaining means 44 of the inner wall 28 of the catheter adapter 26. The retaining means 44 may include a groove or aperture or another suitable means that may each receive or interfere with the lower arm 82 in retaining contact. In further detail, in some embodiments, a particular retaining means 44 may receive or interfere with the curved portion 84.

[0060] In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is retracted, the needle 22 may no longer bias the lower arm 82 outwardly such that the retaining contact between the lower arm 82 and the catheter adapter 26 is released and the lower arm 82 resiliently moves inwardly. In these embodiments, the housing 76 and the needle guard 78 may be removable from the catheter adapter 26.

[0061] In some embodiments, the distal wall 48 may include a lip 56, which may engage the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in the ready position and/or the partially retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6A. In some embodiments, the lower arm 82 may include a distal wall 48, which may form a distal barrier to the needle 22 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. In some embodiments, the distal wall 48 of the lower arm 82 may prevent the needle 22 from exiting a distal opening 89 in the distal end of the housing 76, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position.

[0062] In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may contact a shelf 90 of the housing 76. In some embodiments, the shelf 90 may support the lower arm 82 and/or separate at least a portion of the upper arm 80 from the lower arm 82. In some embodiments, the shelf 90 may extend from a distal end and/or side of the housing 76.

[0063] In some embodiments, the proximal end of the housing 76 may include a proximal opening 88 for receiving the needle 22 and/or the needle guard 78 there through. In some embodiments, the elongated shaft 34 of the needle 22 may include a feature 54, which may prevent the distal tip 36 from exiting proximally through a proximal opening in a proximal end wall 52 of the needle guard 78.

[0064] In some embodiments, the housing 76 may cover any sharp edges of the needle guard 33, preventing contact with the sharp edges. For example, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, at least edges of the lower arm 82, upper arm 80, the distal wall 48, and the proximal end wall 52 may be disposed within an outer edge or perimeter of the housing 76. In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, an entirety of the needle guard 78 may be disposed within the outer edge or perimeter of the housing 76. In some embodiments, the housing 76 and the needle guard 78 may together enclose the distal tip 36 when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, which may prevent exposure to the distal tip 36 and any blood that may be released from the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38. In some embodiments, the housing 76 may be unitary or integrally formed.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 6C, in some embodiments, the housing 76 may be generally tubular. Referring now to FIG. 6D, in some embodiments, the proximal opening 88 may be blocked by the proximal end wall 52 of the needle guard 78 that connects the upper arm 80 and the lower arm 82. In some embodiments, the housing 76 may be continuous apart from one or more of the following: the distal opening 89, the distal aperture 86, and the proximal opening 88.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 6E, in some embodiments, the needle assembly 43 may include a stabilizer element 94, which may be integrally formed with the housing 76. In some embodiments, the stabilizer element 94 may be disposed within the needle guard 78 and/or may include a channel through which the needle 22 may extend.

[0067] Referring now to FIG. 6F, in some embodiments, the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may be configured to contact a distal end of the shelf 90. In some embodiments, when the needle 22 is in the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 6F, the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may be disposed distal to the distal end of the shelf 90 and above an inner surface of the shelf 90. In these and other embodiments, the distal wall 48 and/or the lip 56 may contact the distal end of the shelf 90. In these and other embodiments, the distal tip 36 of the needle 22 may not be coerced to contact the lip or an edge of the lip 56 in contact with the distal end of the shelf 90, which may increase a robustness of the needle assembly 43 in preventing needle stick injury. In some embodiments, the distal end of the shelf 90 may act as a stop to prevent the needle guard 78 from exiting the proximal opening 88 of the housing 76 and/or sliding proximally with respect to the housing 76.

[0068] The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly described herein and claimed hereinafter. For example, it is understood that the housing 50 may have various configurations and shapes designed to cover one or more sharp edges of the needle guard 33 and/or enclose the distal tip 36 and/or the notch 38. The described embodiments and examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.