Abstract: A catheter assembly includes a flexible catheter (22), a needle (12) having a sharp distal tip, the needle (12) disposed in the flexible catheter (22) and moving from a first position that exposes the needle (12) to a second position, an outer member (26) that is configured to engage and disengage a catheter hub (14), an inner member (28) disposed in the outer member (26), and a needle protection (30) member disposed in the inner member (28), the needle protection member (30) enclosing at least a portion of the needle (12) when the needle (12) is in the second position.