| abstract |
An assembly of a hub, biased valve and catheter is provided for insertion therethrough with a hub and attached needle. The hub, valve and catheter assembly defines an exit bore which is sealed at its entrance by the valve when biased into its normally closed position. When the needle is inserted into the hub assembly, it will contact and unseat the closed, biased valve. After the needle unseats the valve, it will enter and seal the exit bore and then engage the catheter. The needle and catheter portion of the assembly are then inserted into a patient. The needle is then withdrawn and discarded, and the catheter portion of the assembly will remain in place in the patient. As the needle is withdrawn back along the exit bore, it will move out of contact with the valve. This enables the valve to be biased back into its closed position against the entrance of the exit bore, thereby sealing the hub, valve and catheter assembly against blood flashback. To administer a solution to the patient, a connection is made from a fluid line through the assembly. The fluid line and associated luer and/or hub will similarly unseat the valve and enter and seal the exit bore of the hub with minimal loss of blood. The hub, valve and catheter assembly thereby reduces the possiblity of infection from the patient's blood. |