Method of making a needle shielding device

Abstract

Methods of manufacturing a catheter introducer or needle assembly and needle shield are disclosed. A needle shield has a blocking object (preferably a ball) which moves from an non-shielding position to a shielding position. The catheter introducer is made by placing the blocking object into the shield and inserting the proximal end of the needle into the shield while the blocking object is in the shielding position. The catheter introducer is made using extruded polymeric tubes which may have co-extruded reinforcing.

1 . A method of manufacturing a catheter introducer assembly, comprising:
 providing a needle hub and a needle;   extruding a polymeric tube;   attaching the polymeric tube to the needle hub such that it slides relative to the needle hub;   placing a catheter assembly on the needle.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of extruding a second polymeric tube and securing the needle hub to the second polymeric tube. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second polymeric tubes are concentric. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of extruding the polymeric tube comprises the step of providing reinforcing in the polymeric tube. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the polymeric tube and the reinforcing are co-extruded. 
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing a catheter introducer assembly, comprising:
 extruding a polymeric tube, the tube having a proximal end and a distal end;   slidably securing a needle hub to the distal end of the polymeric tube, the needle hub including a needle extending therefrom; and   placing a catheter assembly on the needle.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:
 extruding a second polymeric tube;   attaching the second polymeric tube so that it slides relative to the first polymeric tube.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second polymeric tubes are concentric. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the polymeric tube comprises as second, substantially parallel polymeric tube such that the polymeric tube comprises more than one lumen.