Guidewire extension system for a catheter placement device

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/107,781, filed May 13, 2011, and entitled “Catheter Placement Device and Method,” now U.S. Pat. No. 8,932,258, which claims the benefit of the following: 1) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,005, filed May 14, 2010, and entitled “Catheter Insertion System Including an Integrated Guidewire Dilator;” 2) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/345,022, filed May 14, 2010, and entitled “Systems and Methods for Placement of an Intermediate Dwell Catheter Including a Needle Blunting System;” 3) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/372,050, filed Aug. 9, 2010, and entitled “Catheter Insertion Tool Including Fold-out Guidewire Advancement Flaps;” and 4) U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/385,844, filed Sept. 23, 2010, and entitled “Catheter Insertion Tool Including Guidewire Advancement.” This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/771,703, filed Mar. 1, 2013, and entitled “Needle Safety and Guidewire Extension Systems for a Catheter Insertion Device.” Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Briefly summarized, embodiments of the present invention are directed to an insertion tool for inserting a catheter or other tubular medical device into a body of a patient. The insertion tool in one embodiment unifies needle insertion, guidewire advancement, and catheter insertion in a single device to provide for a simple catheter placement procedure.

[0003] In one embodiment, the insertion tool comprises a housing in which at least a portion of the catheter is initially disposed, a hollow needle distally extending from the housing with at least a portion of the catheter pre-disposed over the needle, and a guidewire pre-disposed within the needle. An advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the guidewire distally past a distal end of the needle in preparation for distal advancement of the catheter. In one embodiment a catheter advancement assembly is also included for selectively advancing the catheter into the patient. Each advancement assembly can include a slide or other actuator that enables a user to selectively advance the desired component.

[0004] In one embodiment the catheter advancement assembly further includes a handle that is initially and removably attached to a hub of the catheter within the housing. Distal movement of handle by a user in turn distally moves the catheter distally from the housing. The handle can include a needle safety component for isolating a distal tip of the needle when the needle is removed from the catheter and the distal tip received into the handle. In addition, various guidewire and catheter advancement assemblies are disclosed herein.

[0005] These and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of embodiments of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

[0048] Reference will now be made to figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and are neither limiting nor necessarily drawn to scale.

[0049] For clarity it is to be understood that the word “proximal” refers to a direction relatively closer to a clinician using the device to be described herein, while the word “distal” refers to a direction relatively further from the clinician. For example, the end of a catheter placed within the body of a patient is considered a distal end of the catheter, while the catheter end remaining outside the body is a proximal end of the catheter. Also, the words “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”

[0050] Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to a tool for assisting with the placement into a patient of a catheter or other tubular medical device. For example, catheters of various lengths are typically placed into a body of a patient so as to establish access to the patient's vasculature and enable the infusion of medicaments or aspiration of body fluids. The catheter insertion tool to be described herein facilitates such catheter placement. Note that, while the discussion below focuses on the placement of catheters of a particular type and relatively short length, catheters of a variety of types, sizes, and lengths can be inserted via the present device, including peripheral IV's intermediate or extended-dwell catheters, PICC's, central venous catheters, etc. In one embodiment, catheters having a length between about 2.5 inches and about 4.5 inches can be placed, though many other lengths are also possible. In another embodiment a catheter having a length of about 3.25 inches can be placed.

[0051] Reference is first made to FIGS. 1A-1B and 2A-2B, which depict various details regarding a catheter insertion tool (“insertion tool”), generally depicted at 10, according to one embodiment. As shown, the insertion tool 10 includes a housing 12 that in turn includes a top housing portion 12A separably mated with a bottom housing portion 12B. A needle hub 14 supporting a hollow needle 16 is interposed between the housing portions 12A and 12B. The needle 16 extends distally from the needle hub 14 so as to extend through the body of the insertion tool 10 and out a distal end of the housing 12. In another embodiment, the needle is at least partially hollow while still enabling the functionality described herein.

[0052] A notch 18 is defined through the wall of the needle 16 proximate the distal end thereof. The notch 18 enables flashback of blood to exit the lumen defined by the hollow needle 16 once access to the patient's vasculature is achieved during catheter insertion procedures. Thus, blood exiting the notch 18 can be viewed by a clinician to confirm proper needle placement in the vasculature, as will be explained further below.

[0053] The insertion tool 10 further includes a guidewire advancement assembly 20 for advancing a guidewire 22 through the needle 16 and into the vasculature of the patient once access by the needle has been achieved. The guidewire 22 is pre-disposed within the lumen of the needle 16, with a proximal end of the guidewire positioned proximate the proximal end of the needle hub 14, as best seen in FIGS. 1B and 2A. The guidewire advancement assembly 20 includes a guidewire lever 24 that selectively advances the guidewire in a distal direction during use of the insertion tool 10 such that the distal portion of the guidewire extends beyond the distal end of the needle 16. The guidewire lever 24 includes a lever tab 26 that engages the proximal end of the guidewire 22 so to push the guidewire through the lumen of the needle 16.

[0054] The guidewire advancement assembly 20 further includes a slide 28 that is slidably attached to the top housing portion 12A. Two tabs 24A of the guidewire lever 24 operably attach to the slide 28 so that selective movement by a user of the slide results in corresponding movement of the lever 24, and by extension, the guidewire 22. Engagement of the lever tabs 24A to the slide 28 also maintains attachment of the slide to the housing 12. Of course, other engagement schemes to translate user input to guidewire movement could also be employed. Suitable tracks are included in the top housing portion 12A to enable sliding movement of the slide 28 and the lever 24, including a track 34 extending to the distal end of the housing 12.

[0055] The slide 28 includes two arms 30 that wrap partially about rails 32 defined by the housing 12. In particular, during initial distal advancement of the slide 28, the arms 30 slide on a bottom housing rail 32A, best seen in FIG. 5B. During further distal advancement of the slide 28, the arms 30 slide past the bottom housing rail 32A and on to a top housing rail 32B, best seen in FIGS. 2A and 3A. With the arms 30 of the slide 28 no longer engaged with the bottom housing rail 32A, the two housing portions 12A and 12B are able to separate, as will be described further below.

[0056] The guidewire lever 24 includes a locking arm 36 resiliently disposed so as to spring up and engage an extension 36A defined in the interior of the top housing portion 12A when the slide 28 has been fully slid distally. This prevents inadvertent retraction of the guidewire 22 once distally extended, which could otherwise cause unintended severing of a distal portion of the guidewire by the distal tip of the needle 16 during insertion procedures. Note that engagement of the locking arm 36 with the extension 36A can provide tactile and/or audible feedback to the user in one embodiment so as to indicate full distal extension of the guidewire 22.

[0057] The insertion tool 10 further includes a catheter advancement assembly 40 for selectively advancing in a distal direction a catheter 42, pre-disposed in the housing 12, and including a catheter tube 44 and a hub 46 at a proximal end thereof. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the catheter 42 is partially and initially pre-disposed within a volume defined by the housing 12 such that the lumen of the catheter tube 44 is disposed over the needle 16, which in turn is disposed over the guidewire 22, as mentioned.

[0058] In particular, the catheter advancement assembly 40 includes a handle 48 that defines a base 48A and two arms 50 extending from the handle base. Each arm 50 defines a grip surface 50A, finger grabs 50B, and one of two teeth 50C. The grip surfaces 50A and finger grabs 50B enable the handle to be grasped or contacted by a user in order to selectively advance the catheter 42 in a distal direction during use of the insertion tool 10 to insert the catheter into the body of the patient. The teeth 50C engage corresponding raised surfaces on the hub 46 so as to removably connect the handle 48 to the catheter 42.

[0059] Additional components are included in relation to the handle 48 of the catheter advancement assembly 40. A plug, or valve 52, is interposed between the handle base 48A and the catheter hub 46 to prevent blood spillage when the catheter is first introduced into the patient vasculature. A safety housing 54, including a needle safety component 56 therein, is removably attached to the handle 48 between the arms 50. Specifically, protrusions 60 included on the inner surfaces of the handle arms 50 engage with corresponding recesses 62 (FIG. 10A) defined in the safety housing 54 to removably secure the safety housing to the handle 48. A cap 56 supports the needle safety component 56 and covers the end of the safety housing 54. As shown in FIG. 1B, the needle 16 initially extends through the aforementioned components in the order as shown in FIG. 2B. Further details regarding the operation of these components are given below.

[0060] Note that in one embodiment the outer diameters of the needle 16 and the catheter tube 44 are lubricated with silicone or other suitable lubricant to enhance sliding of the catheter tube with respect to the needle and for aiding in the insertion of the catheter into the body of the patient.

[0061] The insertion tool 10 further includes a support structure 70 for stabilizing the needle 16 proximate its point of exit from the housing 12. In the present embodiment, the support structure 70 includes an interface 72 of the top housing portion 12A and bottom housing 12B that is shaped to closely match the round shape of the needle 16 and catheter tube 44. The interface 72 stabilizes the needle 16 so as to prevent excessive “play” in the needle, thus improving user accuracy when initially accessing the vasculature of the patient.

[0062] As best seen in FIG. 2A, the top housing 12A, the needle hub 14, and the bottom housing 12B include engagement features 68 to maintain attachment of the proximal end of the housing 12 even when more distal portions of the housing are separated, discussed below. Note, however, that various types, sizes, and numbers of engagement features can be employed to achieve this desired functionality.

[0063] FIGS. 3A-9 depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 10 in placing the catheter 42 in the vasculature of a patient. For clarity, the various stages are depicted without actual insertion into a patient being shown. With the insertion tool 10 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1A, a user grasping the insertion tool 10 first guides the distal portion of the needle 16 through the skin at a suitable insertion site and accesses a subcutaneous vessel. Confirmation of proper vessel access having been achieved is evident via blood flash, i.e., the presence of blood between the outer diameter of the needle 16 and the inner diameter of the catheter tube 44 due to blood passing out the notch 18 from the hollow interior of the needle. Note that in one embodiment, the presence of blood in the safety housing 54, which in one embodiment is a translucent housing, can serve as a secondary blood flash indicator due to blood entering the housing from the needle 16 when the vessel is accessed.

[0064] After needle access to the vessel is confirmed, the guidewire advancement assembly 20 is actuated, wherein the slide 28 is advanced by the finger of the user to distally advance the guidewire 22 (FIGS. 3A and 3B), initially disposed within the hollow needle 16. Note that the guidewire is distally advanced by the lever 24, which is operably attached to the slide 28. Note also that during distal advancement of the slide 28, the slide arms 30 thereof travel along the rails 32 on either side of the housing 12: first the bottom housing rails 32A, then the top housing rails 32B.

[0065] Distal guidewire advancement continues until the slide 28 has been distally slid its full travel length, resulting in a predetermined length of the guidewire 22 extending past the distal end of the needle 16, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In one embodiment, further distal advancement of the slide 28 is prevented by contact of the lever tab 26 with a distal portion of the needle hub 14, as shown in FIG. 4B. FIGS. 5A and 5B show that, upon full distal advancement of the slide 28, the slide arms 30 thereof are no longer engaged with the bottom housing rails 32A, but rather with only the top housing rails 32B. This in turn enables the housing portions 12A and 12B to separate, as seen further below.

[0066] As seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, once the guidewire 22 has been fully extended within the vessel of the patient (FIGS. 4A and 4B), the catheter advancement assembly 40 is actuated, wherein the handle 48 is distally advanced by the user to cause the catheter tube 44 to slide over distal portions of the needle 16 and guidewire 22 and into the patient's vasculature via the insertion site. FIGS. 6A and 6B show that, as the catheter is advanced via the handle 48, the housing portions 12A and 12B are easily separated so as to enable the catheter hub 46 to exit the distal end of the housing 12 and for the catheter to be inserted into the patient vasculature to a suitable degree.

[0067] Note that, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, during removal of the catheter from within the housing 12 of the insertion tool 10, the catheter slides distally along the needle 16 until the distal needle tip is received into the safety housing 54 and engaged with the needle safety component 56. FIG. 8 shows that the insertion tool 10 can then be separated from the catheter 42, leaving the handle 48 still attached to the catheter hub 46. As mentioned, the handle 48 includes the valve 52 interposed between the catheter hub 46 and the handle 48. Upon removal of the needle 16 and safety housing 54 from the catheter 42, the valve 52 occludes the catheter lumen so as to prevent inadvertent blood spillage from the catheter hub 46. As shown in FIG. 9, the handle 48 be removed from engagement with the catheter hub 46 via pulling, twisting, etc., so as to disengage the teeth 50C of the handle from the hub. An extension leg can be attached to the catheter hub and the catheter 42 dressed down, per standard procedures. Then housing 12 and handle 48 of the insertion tool 10 can be discarded.

[0068] FIGS. 10A-10C give further details regarding the safety housing 54, as well as the needle safety component 56 and its interaction with the needle 16 in isolating the distal end thereof. As shown, the safety housing 54 is configured to enable the needle 16 to pass therethrough during use of the insertion tool 10, as has been described, exiting the housing via the extension 74 on the distal end of the housing. The cap 58 is placed into the proximal end of the safety housing 54 and is configured to support the needle safety component 56 such that he needle 16 initially passes through the safety housing, the cap, and the needle safety component. Note that the extension 74 of the safety housing 54 in the present embodiment extends into the valve 52 so as to open the valve during use of the insertion tool 10, which eliminates undesired friction between the valve and the needle.

[0069] FIG. 10C shows that the needle safety component 56 includes a bent body, or binding element 80 through which the needle initially extends, and a friction element 82. As seen in FIG. 10A, when the needle 16 is withdrawn from the catheter 42 (FIG. 8), the distal tip of the needle is withdrawn proximally through the extension 74 and past the distal portion of the needle safety component such that the needle is no longer in contact therewith. This enables the friction element 82 to cause the binding element 80 to cant slightly, thus binding the needle 16 in place and preventing its further travel with respect to the safety housing 54 and isolating the needle distal tip within the housing so as to prevent inadvertent needle sticks. In the present embodiment the friction element 82 includes a suitably sized O-ring. Suitable O-rings can be acquired from Apple Rubber Products, Lancaster, N.Y., for instance. Note that further details regarding the needle safety component, its operating principles, and similar devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,595,955, 6,796,962, 6,902,546, 7,179,244, 7,611,485, and 7,618,395, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Of course, other needle safety devices can be employed to isolate the distal end of the needle.

[0070] Reference is now made to FIGS. 11A-13B in describing a catheter insertion tool 110 according to one embodiment. Note that in this and succeeding embodiments, various features are similar to those already described in connection with the above embodiment. As such, only selected aspects of each embodiment to follow will be described.

[0071] The insertion tool 110 includes a housing 112 defined by a top housing portion 112A and a bottom housing portion 112B that together partially enclose the catheter 42. A needle hub 114 supporting a distally extending needle 116 is included for disposal within the housing 112 and positioned such that the catheter tube 44 of the catheter 42 is disposed over the needle. Note that partial enclosure of the catheter by the insertion tool in this and other embodiments enables a clinician to manipulate the insertion tool with hands that are closer to the distal end of the needle than what would otherwise be possible.

[0072] FIGS. 13A and 13B give further details regarding the needle hub 114, which is attached to the top housing portion 112A. A needle holder 126, included on a distal end of the needle hub 114, receives the proximal end of the needle 116 therein. The needle 116 is secured within the needle holder 126 via adhesive, welding, or other suitable manner. Extensions 128 are included on opposite sides of the needle holder 126 and are configured to be slidably received within corresponding slots 130 defined on the sides of the bottom housing portion 112B. Such engagement enables the bottom housing portion 112B to slide distally with respect to the top housing portion 112A.

[0073] A top rail 132 is included on the needle hub 114 and is configured to engage a corresponding slot 134 defined in the proximal portion of the top housing portion 112A so as to secure the needle hub to the top housing portion. A lock out arm 136 is also included with the needle hub 114 and positioned to engage the back plate 124 when the bottom housing portion 112B is slid distally to extend the guidewire from the needle 116, thus preventing its retraction. Note that the guidewire 122 initially distally extends from the back plate 124 and through the needle holder 126 and needle 116, as best seen in FIG. 11D.

[0074] A guidewire advancement assembly 120 is included to selectively advance a guidewire 122, initially disposed within the lumen of the needle, distally past the distal end of the needle 116. The guidewire advancement assembly 120 includes the bottom housing portion 112B to which the guidewire 122 is attached at a proximal back plate 124 thereof. As will be seen, the bottom housing portion 112B is distally slidable with respect to the top housing portion 112A to enable selective distal advancement of the guidewire 122.

[0075] The insertion tool 110 further includes a catheter advancement assembly 140 for selectively advancing the catheter 42 over the needle 116. The advancement assembly 140 includes a handle 146 initially and slidably disposed between the top and bottom housings 112A and 112B and removably attached to the hub 46 of the catheter 42. As best seen in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the handle 146 includes two arms 150 for allowing a user to selectively slide the handle in order to advance the catheter 42. The handle 146 further includes a recess 152 in which is placed a needle safety component 156 for isolating the distal tip of the needle 116 when the needle is withdrawn from the catheter 42. Further details regarding the needle safety component are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,595,955, 6,796,962, 6,902,546, 7,179,244, 7,611,485, and 7,618,395, each incorporated by reference above.

[0076] The insertion tool 110 further includes a support structure 170 for stabilizing the needle 116 proximate the distal end of the housing 112. The support structure 170 in the present embodiment includes two flaps 172 that are hingedly connected to the distal portion of the bottom housing portion 112B. When closed as seen in FIGS. 11D and 12A, the flaps 172 serve to stabilize the needle 116 to assist the user of the insertion tool 110 in inserting the needle into the patient. When open (FIG. 14D), the flaps 172 provide an opening to enable the catheter hub 46 to be removed from the distal end of the housing 112, as will be detailed further below. Before the bottom housing portion 112B is slid with respect to the top housing portion 112A, the flaps 172 are disposed in a track 174 defined by the top housing portion. Other types and configurations of support structures can also be employed. The insertion tool 110 further includes gripping surfaces 176 on either side of the housing 112 to aid in use of the tool during catheter insertion procedures, detailed below.

[0077] FIGS. 14A-14E depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 110 in inserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 110 in the configuration shown in FIG. 14A, vascular access is achieved with the needle 116 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at an insertion site. Confirmation of vessel access can be achieved via the observation of blood flashback via a distal notch in the needle 116, as described in the previous embodiment, or in other suitable ways.

[0078] Once the distal portion of the needle 116 is disposed within a vessel of the patient, the guidewire 122 is extended past the distal end of the needle and into the vessel by distally advancing the bottom housing portion 112B. Such advancement is achieved in the present embodiment by placing a user's fingers on the folded-up flaps 172 of the bottom housing portion 112B and pushing the flaps distally, thus extending the guidewire 122. The guidewire 122 is advanced until fully extended. The lock out arm 136 of the needle hub 114 then engages the back plate 124 of the bottom housing portion 112B and prevents retraction of the guidewire 122.

[0079] At this stage, the handle 146 of the catheter advancement assembly 140 is distally advanced, by a user grasping of one or both arms 150 thereof, so as to distally advance the catheter 42 through the insertion site and into the patient vasculature. This is shown in FIG. 14C, wherein the catheter tube 44 is shown distally advancing over the needle 116 and the guidewire 122.

[0080] As shown in FIG. 14D, continued distal advancement of the catheter 42 causes the catheter hub 146 to urge the flaps 172 to open, thus providing a suitable opening through which the hub may pass from the insertion tool housing 112. Note that the flaps 172 are shaped such that contact with the catheter hub 46 urges each flap to fold outward, as seen in FIG. 14D. Note also that the flaps 172 are no longer disposed within the track 174 due to full distal advancement of the guidewire 122 via finger pressure applied to the flaps 172 as described above.

[0081] FIG. 14E shows that, with the flaps no longer engaged within the track 174, the top housing portion 112A and bottom housing portion 112B are able to separate at the distal ends thereof such that the handle 146, still attached to the catheter hub 46, can separate from the housing 112. Though not shown at this stage, the needle safety component 156 disposed in the recess 152 of the handle 146 isolates the distal end of the needle 116. The handle 146 can then be manually removed from the catheter hub 46 (FIG. 14F), and placement and dressing of the catheter 42 can be completed. The insertion tool 110, including the needle 116 isolated by the needle safety component 156 of the handle 146, can be safely discarded.

[0082] Reference is now made to FIGS. 15A-18 in describing a catheter insertion tool 210 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 210 includes a housing 212 defined by a top housing portion 212A and a bottom housing portion 212B that together partially enclose the catheter 42. A sliding needle hub 214 supporting a distally extending hollow needle 216 is slidably attached to the housing 212. In particular, the needle hub 214 includes tracks 214A that slidably engage corresponding rails 218 defined on the top and bottom housing portions 212A, 212B in a manner described further below. As shown in FIG. 15A, the needle hub 214 is positioned distally with respect to the housing 212 such that the needle 216 extends through a needle channel 224 (FIG. 18) and out a hole defined in a distal end of the top housing portion 212A so that the needle is positioned as shown in FIG. 15A.

[0083] As seen in FIG. 15A, the housing 212 of the insertion tool 210 encloses a portion of the catheter 42. An integrated guidewire/dilator 220 is included and disposed within the lumen of the catheter tube 44, as shown in FIGS. 15B and 16. The guidewire/dilator 220 includes a distal guidewire portion 220A and a proximal dilator portion 220B. So configured, the guidewire/dilator 220 can not only serve as a guidewire in directing the catheter tube 44 through the insertion site of the patient into the accessed vessel, but can dilate the insertion site in advance of catheter insertion therethrough. In other embodiment, no guidewire/dilator need be used. In one embodiment, it is appreciated that the guidewire/dilator 220 can proximally extend through the entire catheter 42 and include on a proximal end thereof a luer cap connectable to a proximal luer connector of the catheter. Note also that FIG. 15A shows a sterile bag 217 attached to the housing 212 so as to cover and isolate the proximal portion of the catheter 42. For clarity, the bag 217 is included only in FIG. 15A, but could be included with insertion tools of varying configurations so as to protect and isolate portions of the catheter.

[0084] As seen in FIGS. 17A-17C, the needle 216 includes a longitudinally extending needle slot 226 extending from a beginning point along the length of the needle to the distal end thereof. FIG. 17B shows that the slot 226 can be optionally wider in a proximal portion thereof relative to more distal slot portions. So configured, the needle slot 226 enables the guidewire/dilator 220 to be inserted into, slid relative to, and removed from the needle 216 during operation of the insertion tool 210, described below. Note that the needle slot can extend the entire length of the needle, in one embodiment.

[0085] FIG. 18 shows the manner of entry of the guidewire/dilator 220 into the slot 226 of the needle 216 according to one embodiment, wherein the guidewire/dilator extends distally along a guide channel 222 defined in the top housing portion 212A and into the hollow needle 216, which is disposed in the needle channel 224, via the needle slot. (The guide channel 222 is also seen in FIG. 15B.) In this way, the guidewire/dilator 220 can be distally slid through the hollow needle 216 so as to extend beyond the distal needle end while still being able to be removed from the needle via the slot 226 when the guidewire/dilator and needle are separated from one another, as will be seen.

[0086] FIG. 18 also shows a support structure 270 for stabilizing the needle 216, including an interface 272 defined by portions of the top housing portion 212A and the bottom housing portion 212B about the hole through which the needle extends. Of course, other support structures can be employed to provide stability to the needle to assist in inserting the needle into the patient vasculature. FIG. 19 shows details of a lockout 230 for the needle hub 214, included on the bottom housing portion 212B, for preventing further movement of the needle hub after it has been retracted, as described below.

[0087] FIGS. 19-24 depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 210 in inserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 210 in the configuration shown in FIG. 19, vascular access is achieved with the needle 216 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at an insertion site.

[0088] Once the distal portion of the needle 116 is disposed within a vessel of the patient, the guidewire/dilator 220 is manually fed through the hollow needle 216 so as to extend past the distal end of the needle and into the vessel. Such advancement is achieved in the present embodiment by distally moving the housing 212 and catheter 42 together while keeping the needle hub 214 stationary. The guidewire 122 is advanced distally a suitable distance, which in the present embodiment, includes advancement until a distal end of the housing 212 arrives at the skin insertion site.

[0089] FIGS. 20A and 20B show that after the guidewire/dilator 220 has been distally extended into the vessel, the needle 216 is retracted from the vessel by proximally sliding the needle hub 214 along rail portions 218A disposed on the top housing portion 212A. Proximal sliding of the needle hub 214 continues until the hub engages the rail portions 218B of the bottom housing portion 212B and is fully slid to the proximal end of the housing 212, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B. The needle hub 214 engages the lock out 230 (FIG. 20B) so as to prevent future distal movement of the needle hub or needle 216. In this position, the needle 216 is fully retracted into the insertion tool housing 212 such that the distal end of the needle is safely isolated from the user (FIG. 21B). Note that in one embodiment a needle safety component can be added to the insertion tool to further isolate the tip of the needle. Note that the distal portion of the guidewire/dilator 220 remains in the vessel of the patient, having been able to separate from the needle 216 during retraction thereof via the needle slot 226.

[0090] At this stage, the bottom housing portion 212B (FIG. 22) and the top housing portion 212A (FIG. 23) are removed from the catheter 42. The catheter 42 can then be inserted through the insertion site and into the vessel of the patient. Note that the guidewire/dilator 220 is still disposed within the catheter tube 44 and that the dilator portion assists the distal end of the catheter tube to enter the vessel by gradually enlarging the insertion site and the vessel entry point.

[0091] As mentioned, in one embodiment, the proximal portion of the catheter 42, including the hub 46 and connected extension leg, is covered by a sterile bag, which is attached to the housing 212. The sterile bag can be removed after the catheter is fully inserted into the patient vessel or can be removed when the housing portions 212A and 212B are removed. In FIG. 24, the guidewire/dilator 220 is then removed from the catheter 42 and the catheter dressed and finalized for use. The guidewire/dilator 220 and other portions of the insertion tool 210 are discarded.

[0092] FIGS. 25A and 25B depict details regarding a needle blunting system for isolating a distal end 316A of a hollow needle 316, according to one embodiment. As shown, the needle distal end 316A includes a bevel that is configured such that its cutting surfaces are disposed at an inner diameter 318 of the needle 316. Thus, when a suitably sized guidewire 320 is distally extended past the distal end 316A of the needle 316, the cutting surfaces of the needle are blocked by the proximity thereto of the guidewire, thus safely isolating the needle end from a user. In addition, blunting the distal end 316A of the needle 316 in this manner prevent the needle end from damaging sensitive inner walls of the vessel after the needle tip has been inserted herein. At this point, a distal end 44A of the catheter tube 44 can then be distally advanced over the needle 316 and guidewire 320. FIG. 26 depicts a needle end bevel 316A according to another embodiment, including an additional fillet component 319. Such a blunting system can be employed in one or more of the insertion tools described herein.

[0093] Reference is now made to FIG. 27 in describing a catheter insertion tool 410 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 410 includes a housing 412 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A distally extending hollow needle 416 is disposed with the housing 412 such that the needle extends out the distal end of the housing 412

[0094] A guidewire advancement assembly 420 is shown for selectively advancing a guidewire 422, including a slide 428 that slides along a track 430 defined in the housing 412. The guidewire 422 is attached to the slide 428 and extends proximally within the housing 412 until it bends, forming a guidewire bend 422A, toward the distal end of the housing and passes into the hollow needle 416 via a proximal end 416A thereof for selective distal advancement past the distal end of the needle via user actuation of the slide. Distal advancement of the guidewire 422 out the distal end of the needle 416 is stopped when the guidewire bend 422A engages the needle proximal end 416A.

[0095] A catheter advancement assembly 440 is also shown for selectively advancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 416, including a slide 448 that slides along the track 430, and a carriage 450 disposed within the housing 412 and operably connected to the slide 448. The carriage 450 is initially engaged with the catheter hub 46 such that distal sliding of the slide 448 causes the catheter to be distally advanced toward the distal housing end.

[0096] The insertion tool 410 further includes a support structure 470 for stabilizing the needle 416, including two doors 472 hingedly attached via pins to the distal end of the housing 412. The doors 472 serve to stabilize the needle 416 during insertion into the patient. Later, when the catheter tube 44 and catheter hub 46 are advanced distally by the slide 448, the doors 472 are opened, enabling the catheter 42 to pass through the doors and be separated by the user from the insertion tool 410. In the present embodiment, a wedge feature is included on the bottom surface of the slide 428, the wedge feature being configured to push the doors 472 open when the slide is slid distally, as described herein. Such a wedge or other suitable feature can be included in other embodiments described herein as well.

[0097] After separation from the insertion tool 410, the catheter 42 can then be advanced and placed as needed into the patient by the user. Note that, though none is shown, a needle safety component can be included for isolating the distal tip of the needle 416. In one embodiment, distal sliding of the guidewire slide 428 can partially open the doors 472 in preparation for catheter advancement.

[0098] FIG. 28 shows the insertion tool 410 including a support structure 480 according to another embodiment, wherein two half-conically shaped doors 482 are hingedly connected to the housing 412 (via living hinges or other suitable connective scheme) and configured to stabilize the needle 416. The carriage of the insertion tool 410 in FIG. 28 is also longer relative to that of FIG. 27. Thus, it is appreciated that various different support structures and configurations can be employed for stabilizing the needle at or near its exit point from the insertion tool housing.

[0099] Reference is now made to FIGS. 29A and 29B in describing a catheter insertion tool 510 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 510 includes a housing 512 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 516 distally extends from a needle hub 514 that caps a proximal end of the housing 512 such that the needle extends out the distal end of the housing 512.

[0100] A guidewire advancement assembly 520 is shown for selectively advancing a guidewire 522, including a slide 528 that slides along a track 530 defined in the housing 512. The guidewire 522 is attached to the slide 528 and extends proximally within the housing 512 and out through a pigtail 524, attached to the proximal end of the housing 512, via a top one of two holes 514A defined in the needle hub 514. Near the proximal end of the pigtail 524, the guidewire 522 bends to form a U-shaped guidewire bend 522A and distally extends back into the housing 512 to pass into the hollow needle 516 via a bottom one of the two needle hub holes 514A, for eventual distal advancement out the distal end of the needle when the slide 528 is selectively actuated by a user. Such distal advancement of the guidewire 522 out the distal end of the needle 416 is stopped when the guidewire bend 522A abuts the holes 514A defined in the needle hub 514.

[0101] A catheter advancement assembly 540 is also shown for selectively advancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 516, including a slide 548 that slides along the track 530, and a carriage 550 disposed within the housing 512 and operably connected to the slide. The carriage 550 can be initially engaged with the catheter hub 46 such that distal sliding of the slide 548 causes the catheter to be distally advanced toward the distal housing end. In the present embodiment a bulge 522B is included on the guidewire 522 such that, when the guidewire is distally advanced by user actuation of the (guidewire advancement) slide 528, the bulge is advanced and engages an internal portion of the (catheter advancement) slide 548. This in turn causes the slide 548 to be advanced as well, resulting in distal advancement of the catheter 42. Thus, the catheter can be advanced directly via the slide 548, or indirectly via the slide 528, in one embodiment.

[0102] The insertion tool 510 further includes a support structure 570 for stabilizing the needle 516, including a plug 572 that includes a plug hole 574 defined therein through which the needle 516 extends. The plug 572 is attached via the track 530 to the slide 528 and occludes the distal end of the housing 512, thus serving to stabilize the needle 516 that passes therethrough during needle insertion into the patient. Later, when the guidewire 522 is advanced distally by the slide 528, the plug 572 also distally advances out the housing 512, thus opening the housing distal end and enabling the catheter 42 to pass therethrough. The catheter 42 can then be separated by the user from the insertion tool 510 and advanced into final position by the user. Note that, though none is shown, a needle safety component can be included for isolating the distal tip of the needle 516. Note also that after the plug 572 is removed from its initial position in the housing 512, the catheter tube 44 and needle 516, no longer being constrained by the support structure plug hole 574, can axially relocate toward the center of the housing, in one embodiment. This holds true for the embodiments of FIGS. 30 and 31 as well.

[0103] Reference is now made to FIG. 30 in describing a catheter insertion tool 610 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 610 includes a housing 612 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 616 distally extends from a needle hub 614 that caps a proximal end of the housing 612 such that the needle extends out the distal end of the housing 612. The needle 616 includes a longitudinally extending proximal slot 616A that extends from the proximal end of the needle 616 to a distal end 616B of the slot.

[0104] A guidewire advancement assembly 620 is shown for selectively advancing a guidewire 622, including a slide 628 that slides along a track 630 defined in the housing 612. The guidewire 622 is attached to the slide 628 and extends proximally within the housing 612 until it bends, forming a U-shaped guidewire bend 622A, toward the distal end of the housing and passes into the hollow needle 616 via the proximal slot 616A thereof for selective distal advancement past the distal end of the needle via user actuation of the slide. Note that distal advancement of the slide 628 causes the slide to separate from the housing 612 while still being attached to the guidewire 622. Distal advancement of the guidewire 622 out the distal end of the needle 616 is stopped when the guidewire bend 622A engages the distal end 616B of the proximal slot 616A of the needle.

[0105] A catheter advancement assembly 640 is also shown for selectively advancing the catheter tube 44 over the needle 616, including a carriage 650 disposed within the housing 612 and operably connected to the slide 628 such that actuation of the slide distally advances both the guidewire 622 and the carriage 650. The carriage 650 is not initially engaged with the catheter hub 46, but engages the hub after an amount of distal advancement. This in turn causes the catheter 42 to be distally advanced toward the distal housing end.

[0106] The insertion tool 610 further includes a support structure 670 for stabilizing the needle 616, including a plug 672 that includes a plug hole 674 defined therein through which the needle 616 extends. The plug 672 is attached via the track 630 to the slide 628 and occludes the distal end of the housing 612, thus serving to stabilize the needle 616 that passes therethrough during needle insertion into the patient. Later, when the guidewire 622 is advanced distally by the slide 628, the plug 672 also distally advances out the housing 612, thus opening the housing distal end and enabling the catheter 42 to pass therethrough. The catheter 42 can then be separated by the user from the insertion tool 610 and advanced into final position by the user. Note that, in one embodiment, the carriage 650 can include a needle safety component for isolating the distal end of the needle 616.

[0107] Reference is now made to FIG. 31 in describing a catheter insertion tool 710 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 710 includes a housing 712 that partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 716 distally extends from a needle hub 714 that caps a proximal end of the housing 712 such that the needle extends out the distal end of the housing 712.

[0108] An advancement assembly 720 is shown for selectively advancing a guidewire 722 and catheter 42. The advancement assembly 720 includes a wheel 730, selectively rotatable by a user, that is attached via a filament 726 or other suitable component to a carriage 750. The guidewire 722 is attached to the carriage 750 and extends proximally within the housing 712 and out through a pigtail 724, attached to the proximal end of the housing 712, via a one of two holes defined in the needle hub 514 (similar to the holes 514A in the needle hub 514 of FIGS. 29A, 29B). Near the proximal end of the pigtail 724, the guidewire 722 bends to form a U-shaped guidewire bend 722A and distally extends back into the housing 712 to pass into the hollow needle 716 via the other of the two holes defined in the needle hub 714 for eventual distal advancement out the distal end of the needle when the wheel 730 is selectively actuated by a user. Such distal advancement of the guidewire 722 out the distal end of the needle 716 is stopped when the guidewire bend 722A abuts the above-mentioned holes defined in the needle hub 714.

[0109] The advancement assembly 720 selectively advances the catheter tube 44 over the needle 716 and includes the aforementioned carriage 750 disposed within the housing 712 and operably connected to the wheel 730 via the filament 726 such that rotation of the wheel distally advances the carriage 750. The guidewire 722, a proximal end of which being attached to the carriage 750, is also advanced distally through the needle, as described above. Note that in one embodiment the wheel 730, by virtue of the non-rigid filament 726 connecting the wheel to the carriage 750, ensures that the guidewire 722 is only distally advanced, and not proximally retractable.

[0110] Distal advancement of the carriage 750 causes the carriage—which is not initially engaged with the catheter hub 46—to engage the hub after an amount of distal advancement. This in turn causes the catheter 42 to be distally advanced toward the distal housing end.

[0111] The insertion tool 710 further includes a support structure 770 for stabilizing the needle 716, including a door 772 hingedly attached to the distal end of the housing 712 and including a hole 774 therein for enabling passage of the needle 716 therethrough. The door 772 serves to stabilize the needle 716 during insertion into the patient. Later, when the catheter tube 44 and catheter hub 46 are advanced distally by the wheel 730 and the carriage 750, the door 772 is pushed open by the hub, enabling the catheter 42 to be separated by the user from the insertion tool 710. The catheter 42 can then be advanced for final placement within the patient by the user. Note that, though none is shown, a needle safety component can be included for isolating the distal tip of the needle 716.

[0112] Reference is now made to FIGS. 32A-32I in describing a catheter insertion tool 810 according to one embodiment. The insertion tool 810 includes a housing 812 that at least partially encloses the catheter 42. A hollow needle 816 distally extends from a needle hub 814 included within the housing 812 such that the needle initially extends out the distal end of the housing 812. The needle 816 includes a distal slot 816A, similar to the previously described needle slot 226 (FIGS. 17A-17C), for enabling a guidewire/dilator 822, similar to the previously described guidewire/dilator 220 (FIG. 16) to be removably inserted therein. The catheter 42 is disposed over the guidewire/dilator 822.

[0113] The needle hub 814 further includes a needle retraction system 818 for selectively retracting the needle 816 into the housing 812 so as to isolate the distal tip of the needle from the user in a safe manner. The retraction system 818 includes a spring 819 or other suitable retraction device operably coupled to the needle 816 for effecting the needle retraction.

[0114] An advancement assembly 820 is shown for selectively advancing the guidewire/dilator 822 as well as the catheter 42. The advancement assembly 820 includes a slide 828 that travels in a track 830 defined in the housing 812. The slide 828 is operably attached to a ratchet bar 824 slidably disposed within the housing 812. The ratchet bar 824 includes a plurality of upper teeth 826 for selective catheter advancement, and at least one lower tooth 826A for actuating a retraction trigger 880 of the needle retraction system 818, as will be described. The hub 46 of the catheter 42 disposed within the housing 812 has removably attached thereto a cap 834 including a prong 836 for engaging the upper teeth 826 of the ratchet bar 824.

[0115] The insertion tool 810 further includes a support structure 870 for stabilizing the needle 816, including a housing hole 872 defined by the distal end of the housing 812. The housing hole 872 is sized to provide stability to the needle 816 at its point of exit from the housing.

[0116] FIGS. 32A-32I depict various stages of use of the insertion tool 810 in inserting a catheter into a patient. With the insertion tool 810 in the configuration shown in FIG. 32A, vascular access is achieved with the needle 816 via user insertion of the needle into the patient at an insertion site. Blood flashback can be observed via the distal slot 816A of the needle 816 to confirm proper positioning of the distal end of the needle within the patient's vessel. As shown in FIG. 32B, the slide 828 is slid distally to advance the guidewire/dilator 822, a distal portion of which is pre-disposed within the needle 816 via the distal slot 816A, distally out the distal end of the needle and into the vessel of the patient. As shown, the guidewire/dilator 822 is advanced indirectly by the ratchet bar 824, which is moved by the slide 828. In particular, a proximate one of the upper teeth 826 of the ratchet bar 824 engages the prong 836 of the cap 834 fitted over the catheter hub 46. Thus, when the slide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are moved distally, the catheter 42 and guidewire/dilator 822 disposed therein are also moved distally, as shown in FIG. 32B. Similar ratcheting movement occurs in the successive steps as well.

[0117] Sliding of the slide 828 in the stage shown in FIG. 32B also causes the bottom tooth 826A of the ratchet bar 824 to engage the retraction trigger 880 of the needle retraction system 818. This in turn enables the spring 819 to expand and retract the needle 816 and retraction system 818 into the housing 812 such that the distal tip of the needle is isolated from the user within the housing.

[0118] FIG. 32C shows the return of the slide 828 to its initial position, which causes the ratchet bar 824 to also return to its initial position. Because the prong 836 of the cap 834 attached to the catheter hub 46 is distally angled, however, the teeth 826 of the ratchet bar slide past without retracting the catheter 42 such that the catheter remains in position.

[0119] In FIG. 32D, the slide 828 is again distally advanced, which causes a proximate upper tooth 826 of the ratchet bar 824 to engage the cap prong 836 and further advance the guidewire/dilator 822 distally into the vessel. As it is disposed over the guidewire/dilator 822, the catheter 42 at this or a successive stage is also advanced into the vessel, depending on catheter length, distance to insertion site, etc. The slide 828 is subsequently retracted to its initial position, as shown in FIG. 32E. Note that ratchet retraction can be user activated or automatically activated by a suitable system included in the insertion tool 810.

[0120] In FIG. 32F, the slide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are again distally advanced, resulting in further distal advancement out of the housing 812 of the guidewire/dilator 822 and catheter 42. The slide 828 is subsequently retracted to its initial position, as shown in FIG. 32G. In FIG. 32H, the slide 828 and ratchet bar 824 are distally advanced a final time, resulting in near-complete distal advancement of the guidewire/dilator 822 and attached catheter 42 from the housing 812 of the insertion tool 810. At this stage, the hub 46 of the catheter 42 can be grasped and the catheter removed from the insertion tool 810, which can then be discarded. Final positioning of the catheter 43 within the vessel can then be manually performed by the user. The cap 834 is also removed from the catheter hub 46.

[0121] FIGS. 33A-33C depict details of a needle safety component for isolating the distal end 16A of the needle 16, the needle including the distal notch 18 as discussed above in connection with FIGS. 1A-10C, according to one embodiment. As shown, a safety housing 954 including a hinged door is included so as to ride over the needle 16. Two needle safety components 956 are oppositely disposed within the safety housing 954 and each also rides over the needle 16. Each needle safety component includes a base 958 defining a hole through which the needle 16 passes and a plurality of arms 960. The arms 960 extend from the base 958 and converge toward one another in conical fashion such that an end of each arm abuts the needle surface. The arms 960 are configured to engage the notch 18 defined in the distal portion of the needle 16 and prevent further movement of the needle 16 with respect to the needle safety component 956. In particular, each arm 960 compressively engages the outer surface of the needle 16 such that when one of the arms encounters the needle notch 18, the arm will descend into the notch slightly so as to lock the needle 16 in place with respect to the needle safety component 956. Two needle safety components 956 are disposed in the safety housing 954 so as to prevent further needle movement in either direction, distally or proximally. Thus, the distal end 16A of the needle 16 is safely isolated within the safety housing 954, as seen in FIGS. 33A-33C. Note that the needle safety component described here is useful for isolating a needle even when the guidewire 22 still extends therethrough, as seen in FIG. 33C, for example.

[0122] In other embodiments, only one needle safety component as described above may be used. Thus, the needle safety component described here serves as one example of a variety of needle safety components that may be employed in connection with the present disclosure.

[0123] It is appreciated that in one embodiment the insertion tool can include a sterile sheath or bag that is disposed over a distal portion of the catheter that distally extends from the insertion tool housing so as to isolate the catheter. The needle, pre-disposed within the catheter and retractable into the insertion tool housing, can extend from the bag to gain vascular access. Thereafter, the bag can be compressed toward the housing as the catheter is advanced into the vasculature, then disposed of once the catheter is fully inserted. In one embodiment, the bag can include a grip wing or other device that helps to grasp the catheter or needle through the bag during insertion. Further note that the insertion tools described herein can include a cap or other protective device that is removably attached to the insertion tool before use so as to preserve the sterility of the needle and catheter.

[0124] Reference is now made to FIG. 34, which depicts an exploded view of the catheter insertion device 10 according to one embodiment, including components similar to those that have already been described above. As such, only selected differences are discussed below.

[0125] FIG. 34 shows that in the present embodiment the guidewire 22 is looped back on itself to substantially define a U-shaped configuration. FIGS. 36A and 36B shows the manner in which the guidewire 22 is disposed within the housing 12 of the catheter insertion device 10. In particular, these figures show that a proximal end of the guidewire 22 is anchored to a portion of the device 10, namely, at an anchor point 982 on the top portion 12A of the housing 12. FIG. 37 shows that the guidewire 22 extends proximally and removably within a guide channel 984 defined on an interior surface of the top housing portion 12A. FIGS. 36A and 36B show that an intermediate portion of the guidewire 22 loops back on itself proximate the proximal end of the device 10. Guide surfaces 980 (FIG. 35) disposed near the proximal end of the guidewire lever 24 constrain the flexible guidewire 22 into the looped, substantially U-shaped configuration. The looped-back intermediate portion of the guidewire 22 then extends toward the distal end of the device 10 along a channel 986, best seen in FIG. 38, defined on an interior surface of the bottom housing portion 12B of the housing 12 before it passes into the hollow needle 16. The free distal end of the guidewire 22 initially resides within the needle 16.

[0126] So disposed as described immediately above, the guidewire 22 is positioned for selective advancement by the guidewire advancement assembly 20 such that the free distal end thereof can distally extend from the open distal tip of the needle 16. This selective advancement of the guidewire 22 is achieved in the present embodiment via distal movement of the guidewire advancement slide 28 included on the device housing 12. Distal movement of the guidewire advancement slide 28 causes corresponding distal sliding movement of the guidewire lever 24. The guide surfaces 980 of the guidewire lever 24 push the bend of the guidewire 22 distally as the lever advances. Note that the guidewire 22 is sufficiently rigid so as to be advanced by the guidewire lever 24 without buckling. Also, the guide surfaces 980 and guidewire 22 are configured to enable retraction of the guidewire 22 back into the insertion tool housing 12 when the guidewire advancement slide 28 or other suitable mechanism is slid proximally.

[0127] This pushing movement of the slidable guidewire lever 24 causes the distal end of the guidewire 22 to extend distally from the open distal tip of the needle 16. Because of its anchored proximal end at anchor point 982 and its bent or looped U-shape configuration, the guidewire 22 is distally advanced at a rate of about twice the rate of sliding of the guidewire advancement slide 28 and about twice the rate of guidewire advancement in the device configuration of FIGS. 1A-9, which results in about twice the length of guidewire extension when compared with the length of movement of the guidewire advancement slide 28. This further desirably results in a relatively longer length of guidewire extension into the vein or other patient vessel so as to more suitably guide the catheter 42 into the patient's body. As such, the guidewire and advancement assembly described here operates as a type of “reverse pulley” system for distal guidewire advancement. Note that other looping configurations of the guidewire can be included with the device 10 in addition to those shown and described herein. Also, differing ratios of guidewire extension vs. advancement assembly movement are also possible in other embodiments.

[0128] Note that the looping conduit and guidewire advancement handle are only examples of structures that can suitably perform the desired functionality described herein. Indeed, other structures can be employed to accomplish the principles described in connection with the present embodiment. Also, though shown and described above to be attached to the catheter insertion device housing, the proximal end of the guidewire can be attached to other structures within/on the device, such as the needle hub 14, for instance. The majority length of the guidewire in one embodiment includes a metal alloy of nickel and titanium commonly referred to as nitinol, which is sufficiently rigid and can be disposed in the U-shaped configuration without retaining a memory of that position when the guidewire is advanced. Note that other suitable guidewire materials can also be employed.

[0129] FIGS. 39A and 39B depict various details regarding the binding element 80, described further above, of the needle safety component 56 for shielding the distal tip of the needle 16 once catheter insertion is complete. As shown, the binding element 80 (which is also referred to herein as a binding member) includes a front plate 992 defining a hole 992A, and a forked back plate 994. A protuberance 996 extends from one of the forks of the back plate 994. A horseshoe-shaped needle pass-through element 998 is also included in a spaced-apart arrangement from the front plate 992 and defines a hole 998A in coaxial alignment with the hole 992A of the front plate.

[0130] A friction element 1000, also referred to herein as a friction member, is also included with the binding element 80 in the present embodiment, namely, an annular elastomeric element, or O-ring 1002, as seen in FIGS. 40A and 40B. As shown, the O-ring 1002 is configured to wrap around both a portion of the needle 16 and the forked back plate 994. The protuberance 996 is employed to aid in maintaining the O-ring 1002 in place as shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B. With the O-ring 1002 so positioned, a relatively constant urging force is imparted by the O-ring to the binding element 80, for use in shielding the distal tip of the needle 16, as will be described further below. Note that the elastomeric element can take forms other than an O-ring while performing the same functionality. For instance, a rod or length of elastomeric material that is wrapped about a portion of the binding element and the needle could also be employed.

[0131] FIGS. 40C and 40D show the binding element 80 disposed in the carriage 1008, which is in turn disposed within the safety housing 54. As shown, the carriage 1008 defines two constraining surfaces 1010 against which corresponding portions of the front plate 992 of the binding element initially rest when the needle 16 initially extends through the carriage and the binding element. A retaining ring 1008A through which the needle 16 slidably passes enables engagement of the needle with the carriage 1008.

[0132] The binding element 80 is initially slidably disposed with the needle 16 in the state shown in 40A-40D (showing the binding element before it has shielded the distal tip of the needle) such that relative sliding movement between the needle and the binding element is permitted. Passage of the needle 16 through the hole 998A of the needle pass-through element 998 initially limits canting movement of the binding element 80.

[0133] The needle 16 also passes through the hole 992A of the front plate 992 such that the needle is straddled by the forks of the forked back plate 994. As mentioned, the O-ring 1002 is disposed about the needle 16 and the back plate 994 so as to provide a drag force when the carriage 1008 and binding element 80 (both housed within the safety housing 54 (FIG. 34) are slid distally along the length of the needle 16 during use of the device 10. The drag force provided by the O-ring 1002 during such distal sliding in turn imparts a rotational moment on the binding element 80 (by virtue of forces provided via the contact of the binding element with the O-ring) to urge the binding element to rotate in a clockwise motion, from the perspective of the drawing shown in FIG. 40C.

[0134] Such clockwise rotation of the binding element 80 is prevented by the needle pass-through feature 998 while the needle 16 extends through the binding element. Once the safety housing 54 containing the carriage 1008 and binding element 80 has been slid distally a sufficient distance such that the needle pass-through element 998 slides past and off the distal end of the needle 16, however, the binding element is no longer constrained and the drag force imparted by the O-ring 1002 causes the binding element to cant clockwise with respect to the needle, from the perspective of the drawing shown in FIG. 40C. This canting locks movement of the binding element 80 and, by extension, the carriage 1008, with respect to the needle 16, by virtue of physical binding between the outer surface of the needle 16 with the perimeter of the front plate hole 992A, which thus acts as a binding surface. With the distal tip of the needle 16 safely disposed within the locked carriage 1008, the user is thus protected from an accidental needle stick.

[0135] As mentioned above, the O-ring 1002 imparts a relatively constant urging force for canting the binding element 80, which keeps the binding element canted (after withdrawal of the needle distal tip into the carriage as described above) so as to more securely lock the carriage 1008 over the distal tip of the needle 16. This constant urging force is beneficial, for example, in instances when the needle 16 is pushed back and forth with respect to safety housing 54/carriage 1008 after it has been locked over the needle distal tip to ensure that the binding element does not return to an orientation in which the needle pass-through feature 998 can re-engage the needle 16 and unlock the needle safety component 56. Note that the O-ring 1002 can be employed with needles and binding elements larger or smaller than those shown and described herein.

[0136] The O-ring 1002 in the above embodiments is sufficiently compliant so as to stretch over the aforementioned structures while imparting the desired force, as explained above. In one embodiment, the O-ring 1002 material includes any one or more of natural or synthetic rubber, elastomers, polymers, thermoplastics, silicones, etc. In one embodiment, the O-ring material is selected so as to provide sufficient tear resistance, ability to impart the desired friction, and chemical compatibility. The size of the O-ring can vary according to the size and configuration of the binding element and needle. In other embodiments, the O-ring can include other shapes, materials, and positional placements while still providing the intended functionality.

[0137] FIG. 41A shows that the guidewire lever 24 can include a catheter advancement feature that enables the guidewire lever to distally advance the catheter 42 in addition to advancing the guidewire 22 as described above. In the present embodiment, the catheter advancement feature includes an advancement tab 1014 disposed on the proximal portion 24A of the guidewire lever 24 and disposed so as to physically engage the cap 58 of the safety housing 54 when the guidewire lever 24 is moved distally via distal sliding by the user of the slide 28 (FIG. 34). Such engagement is shown in FIG. 41B. Further distal movement of the guidewire lever 24 results in distal advancement of the safety can 54 and the catheter 42 indirectly but operably attached thereto (FIG. 34). The slide 28 in the present embodiment can be slid to distally advance the catheter 42 a predetermined distance via the advancement tab 1014 of the guidewire lever 24. In one embodiment, the predetermined distance advances the catheter 42 until its distal end distally advances over the distal tip of the needle 16. Further distal advancement of the catheter 42 can be achieved via distal sliding of the handle 48 as needed (FIG. 34). In another embodiment, the slide 28 is configured to distally advance the catheter the full distal distance needed, via the advancement tab 1014.

[0138] The position of the advancement tab 1014 of FIG. 41A is such so as to provide staged advancement of the guidewire 22 and catheter 42. In particular, distal advancement of the guidewire lever 24 from the position shown in FIG. 41A produces immediate advancement of the guidewire 22 while the safety housing 54 and catheter 42 remain in place. Further distal advancement of the guidewire lever 24 to the position shown in FIG. 41B causes the advancement tab 1014 to engage and distally advance the safety can 54 and catheter 42, as described above, while continuing to distally advance the guidewire 22.

[0139] Thus, in addition to distally advancing the guidewire 22 out through the needle 16, the guidewire lever 24 can also advance the catheter 42 distally along the needle 16 and into a vessel of the patient, as described further above. Note that the particular shape and configuration of the advancement tab 1014, together with its manner of engagement with, and magnitude of travel imparted to, the safety housing and/or catheter can vary from what is shown and described herein.

[0140] Embodiments of the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the embodiments is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.