Importance

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Abstract

An improved catheter assembly is set forth having a cannula having a proximal and distal end portions and longitudinal duct therethrough from said proximal to said distal end portion. A longitudinal piercing member having a distal end having a sharp insertion tip is positioned within the longitudinal duct of the cannula with the insertion tip extending beyond the distal end portion of the cannula. A hub having a passageway therethrough from its proximal to its distal end thereof has its distal end attached to the proximal end portion of the cannula with the passageway in flow communication with the duct in the cannula. A longitudinal piercing member extractor construction extends longitudinally from the longitudinal piercing member. The extractor construction extends through the duct of the cannula and through the passageway of the hub to a proximal end of the extractor construction. The improvement of the invention comprises a rigid longitudinal piercing member receiving tube having proximal and distal end portions and a longitudinal bore therethrough from the proximal to the distal end portion, the tube being adjacent to the proximal end of the hub, the extractor construction extending from the passageway through and beyond the bore of the tube. A structure is provided which retains the longitudinal piercing member such that its sharp insertion tip is enclosed in the receiving tube. A needle or stylet which is removed by an extractor construction has its sharp insertion tip entrapped within the receiving tube thereby protecting attending medical personnel from being accidentally stuck thereby. The chances of spread of communicable diseases such as AIDS is thereby significantly reduced.

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First Claim