Passive safety i.v. blood collection catheter

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for a single, handheld device that provides for both insertion of a catheter and collection of a fluid. Some embodiments further include a needle that assists in the insertion of the catheter into a blood vessel, and which includes a retraction feature that protects the user from an accidental needle stick when the device is ready for disposal. Still further embodiments include a protective cover that prevents a user from accidentally being stuck by a second needle used for the introduction of the patient's blood into a collection device.

1 . An apparatus for collecting blood in a container and connecting to intravenous tubing, comprising:
 a main body including a collection cavity adapted and configured to receive therein an end of a readily separable container;   a first hollow needle supported by said main body and having a first sharp tip, said first needle being adapted and configured for insertion of the first tip into a blood vessel;   a second hollow needle attached to said main body and having a second sharp tip extending into the collection cavity; and   a catheter assembly having a body and a hollow lumen and receiving said first needle within the lumen, the first sharp tip extending from the distal end of the lumen, the catheter body having a proximal end adapted and configured for attachment to the intravenous tubing, said catheter body including a one-way valve;   wherein said first needle and said main body are readily separable from said catheter assembly, and said one-way valve prevents flow of blood through the lumen when said first needle is separated from the lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises a transparent member permitting visualization of the flow of blood to said second needle. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises a second body coupled to said second needle and providing fluid communication from said first needle to said second needle, said second body including a gas purging valve that permits the escape of gas contained in the fluid flowpath from said first needle to said second needle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said catheter body is coupled to said main body by a frictional fit. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first needle and said second needle are unitary. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first needle and said second needle are non-unitary. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for collecting blood in a container and connecting to intravenous tubing, comprising:
 a main body defining an interior including a collection cavity adapted and configured to receive therein an end of a readily separable container;   a first retractable hollow needle having a first sharp tip, said first needle being movable from a first extended position in which the first sharp tip is exterior to said main body for insertion into a blood vessel to a second retracted position in which the first sharp tip is within the interior;   a second hollow needle attached to said main body and having a second sharp tip extending into the collection cavity, said second tip not extending outside of said main body; and   a catheter assembly having a body and a hollow lumen and receiving said first needle within the lumen, the first sharp tip extending from the distal end of the lumen, the catheter body having a proximal end adapted and configured for attachment to the intravenous tubing;   wherein said first needle and said main body are readily separable from said catheter assembly, said first needle automatically retracting to the second position in response to separating said first needle from said catheter assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which further comprises means for automatically retracting said first needle. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said retraction means includes a spring. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which further comprises means for preventing automatic retraction of the first needle. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said preventing means includes a plurality of fingers each received within a corresponding flattened area, said main body including one of said fingers or said flattened areas and first needle body including the other of said fingers or said flattened areas. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said preventing means includes a frictional fit between said catheter body and said main body. 
     
     
         13 . A method for obtaining a sample of blood in a container from the circulatory system of a biological unit, comprising:
 providing a hand-held device defining an interior including a collection cavity and including first and second hollow needles in fluid communication with each other and a catheter surrounding the first needle;   inserting the first needle and the surrounding catheter into the circulatory system;   placing the container in the collection cavity and inserting the second needle into the container;   establishing fluid communication from the first needle to the container;   separating the first needle and the catheter; and   automatically retracting the first needle into the interior by said separating.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein after said separating and during said retracting the catheter remains inserted into the circulatory system. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  which further comprises blocking said retracting by said placing. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said providing includes a cover of the collection cavity, and which further comprises automatically locking the cover to prevent access to the second hollow needle. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein said locking occurs automatically by said separating and by removing the container from the collection cavity. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13  which further comprises removing the container from the cavity after said collecting. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13  which further comprises collecting blood within the container after said establishing and before said separating. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said establishing is by puncturing the container with the second needle. 
     
     
         21 .- 49 . (canceled)