Importance

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Abstract

Intravenous catheter apparatus includes a housing surrounding a carrier movable from a first to a second position. An elongated needle, secured at one end to the carrier, extends from the carrier through an opening in the housing so the other end of the needle with a sharp point extends away from the housing when the carrier is in the first position. Means are provided for moving with one hand the carrier from the first to the second position to retract the needle into the housing until the sharp end of the needle clears the opening and moves into the housing. Means deflect the needle laterally when the needle clears the opening so the needle moves out of alignment with the opening to prevent the needle from being moved back into the opening. Preferably, the housing is formed of two elongated, substantially symmetrical halves secured together at one end by a living hinge for ease of manufacture and assembly.

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First Claim