Bloodless insertion catheter assembly

Claim 1

A catheter assembly comprising a catheter of flexible plastic tubing secured at one end to a catheter hub, a hollow adaptor body with a distal end for fluid tight connection to said catheter hub and in fluid communication therewith, the proximal end of said adaptor body having a self-closing elastomeric gasket valve member, an introducer needle proportioned so as the sharpened distal end thereof penetrates said gasket valve member and when in extended position extends through said hollow catheter body, hub, and catheter tubing for penetration of a patient's vein to introduce said catheter into said vein, the proximal end of said introducer needle secured in flow communication to a plastic collar having a distal and proximal end, and slidable within a hollow cylindrical container, said collar having dogs at the proximal end thereof to engage the rear wall of said cylindrical container to stop rearward movement, a sealable gasket closure at the distal end of cylindrical container to safely enclose the sharp end of said introducer needle within said cylindrical container upon withdrawal, a curved transparent plastic tube extending from the proximal end of said plastic collar for sighting blood flash back, said tube having a filter valve in the end thereof to allow passage of air, but preclude passage of liquids, and an adaptor unit connectable to said adaptor body, said adapter unit having a hollow shaft at its distal end, said hollow shaft having a sharp end, and ports on its side walls said hollow shaft proportioned to pierce said gasket valve member in said adaptor body to place said adaptor body and said adapter unit in flow communication, the proximal end of said adaptor unit adapted to be connected in flow communication with IV tubing.