Abstract: A catheter apparatus includes a hollow needle having a first end and a sharpened tip at a second end. A catheter having a blunt end is telescopically received in the needle. A catheter hub is attached to the catheter and spaced from the blunt end. The catheter hub is disposed adjacent the needle hub in an elastomeric housing. A method of inserting a catheter in a patient's vein includes a step of providing a catheter apparatus in which the elastomeric housing biases the hubs, needle, and catheter in a rest position in which the catheter protrudes from the tip of the needle. The method also includes the steps of squeezing the housing to displace the catheter hub relative to the needle hub, causing the tip of the needle to protrude beyond the blunt end of the catheter, inserting the needle and catheter in the patients's vein, and releasing the housing to allow the catheter assembly to return to the rest position.

Abstract: Disclosure of methods and apparatus providing bases for design of compact small bore medical needle retraction safety devices wherein actuators are displaced away from slender needle sheathing bodies to initiate a needle retraction cycle for safely containing a medical needle after use. Such actuation guards against inadvertent acts, such as depression of an actuator, which may result in untimely needle retraction. Four embodiments of the instant invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, needle retracting energy is stored as a medical needle is extended for use and is expended to retract the needle into safe containment. Other embodiments comprise power assist mechanisms which store energy during an initial phase of needle retraction to be used to enhance and assist needle retraction during a needle retraction completing phase.