US 6,981,965 B2
Universal passive protector for an IV catheter
Ronald B. Luther, Newport Beach, Calif. (US); Tuan Pham, Garden Grove, Calif. (US); and John Muri, Aliso Viejo, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Luther Research Partners LLC, Costa Mesa, Calif. (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2001, as Appl. No. 10/3,782.
Prior Publication US 2003/0083620 A1, May 01, 2003
Int. Cl. A61M 5/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 604—110 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A universal passive protector for an IV catheter, comprising:
a hypodermic needle;
an over-the-needle catheter, including a hub, disposed about the needle;
a hub trap comprising first and second arms and a locking structure;
an elongate sheath; and
a slider connected to a proximal end of the needle, the slider being movable along the sheath from a distal position to a proximal position; wherein
when the slider is in the distal position, the needle extends through and cooperates with the locking structure of the hub trap so as to retain the first and second arms in a closed position wherein the hub is trapped between the first and second arms; and
when the slider is in the proximal position, a distal tip of the needle is proximal of the locking structure and the first and second arms are in an open position wherein the hub is released from the hub trap.