Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter assembly and method for use with a needle in one embodiment includes a catheter hub and a needle cover attachable to and releasably lockable with the catheter hub when the needle extends through the needle cover. A stop assembly is attached to the needle and to the needle cover for maintaining a tip of the needle within the needle cover. The stop assembly includes a first irrereversible locking position whereby the catheter hub cannot disengage from the needle cover, and a second locking position whereby the catheter hub can disengage from the needle cover.

Abstract: A safety intravenous catheter assembly and method for use with a needle is comprised of the following. A catheter hub has an axial bore extending through the catheter hub. A needle cover has a first end of the needle cover insertable in the axial bore and a second axial bore extending through the needle cover and co-axial with the axial bore. A continuous circumferential notch extends outwardly in the axial bore of the catheter hub. A notch clip is joined with the needle cover and is positionable to engage the notch of the catheter hub. The notch clip can engage a side of the needle and the notch and locks the catheter hub in engagement with the needle cover when the needle cover is inserted in the axial bore and the needle is inserted in the second axial bore at least adjacent or past a distal portion of the notch clip. Further, the notch clip is maintained adjacent the needle in a range of positions from being in non-forceful contact with the needle to being spaced from the needle.