Needle Shield

Abstract

A shield for a needle of a peripheral intravenous catheter or other IV catheter system is provided. The shield may be formed from a single piece of material, which may be bent to form a top portion, a bottom portion, a proximal portion, a top distal portion, and a bottom distal portion. The proximal portion may form a proximal needle opening, and the top or bottom distal portion may form a distal needle opening to allow the needle to extend through the shield when the shield is positioned within the lumen of a catheter adapter. When the distal tip of the needle is pulled proximally, the shield may transition from an unlocked position to a locked position in which the distal tip is retained within the shield.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] background Intravenous (IV) catheter systems are commonly used for various infusion therapies. For example, IV catheter systems may be used to infuse fluids, such as normal saline, various medications, and total parenteral nutrition, into a patient. IV catheter systems may also be used to withdraw blood from a patient.

[0002] A common type of IV catheter system is the over-the-needle peripheral intravenous ("IV") catheter ("PIVC"). As the name suggests, an over-the-needle catheter may be mounted on a needle with a sharp distal tip. The catheter and needle may be assembled so that the distal tip of the needle extends beyond the distal tip of the catheter, with the bevel of the needle pointing away from the patient's skin. The catheter and needle are generally inserted through the skin into the patient's vascular system at a shallow angle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] After the catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature, the needle is withdrawn from the catheter and catheter adapter. To prevent contact with the sharp distal tip of the needle, the needle assembly often includes a shield that isolates the distal tip as the introducer is withdrawn from the catheter adapter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any shortcomings, nor does it operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one example technology area where some implementations described herein may be practiced.

[0005] overview The present disclosure generally relates to a shield for a needle of a peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) or other IV catheter system. The shield may be formed from a single piece of material that is bent to form a top portion, a bottom portion, a proximal portion, a top distal portion, and a bottom distal portion. The proximal portion may form a proximal needle opening, and the top or bottom distal portion may form a distal needle opening to allow a needle to extend through the shield when the shield is positioned within a lumen of a catheter adapter. When the distal tip of the needle is pulled proximally, the shield may transition from an unlocked position to a locked position in which the distal tip is retained within the shield.

[0006] In some embodiments, a shield for a needle may include a top portion forming a top surface and opposing side surfaces extending downward from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom portion forming a bottom surface and opposing side surfaces extending upward from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a proximal portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions. In some embodiments, the proximal portion may form a proximal needle opening. In some embodiments, the shield may include a top terminal portion extending downward from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom terminal portion extending upward from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, when the shield is in the unlocked position, the top and bottom terminal portions may be spaced apart to expose the distal needle opening. In some embodiments, when the shield is in the locked position, the top and bottom terminal portions may not expose the distal needle opening.

[0007] In some embodiments, the top terminal portion may include one or more tabs and the bottom terminal portion may include one or more notches for receiving the one or more tabs to maintain the shield in the locked position. In some embodiments, a terminal needle opening may be formed in the top terminal portion. In some embodiments, two tabs may be positioned on opposite sides of the top terminal portion and the terminal needle opening may be formed between the two tabs. In some embodiments, two notches may be positioned on opposite sides of the bottom terminal portion.

[0008] In some embodiments, the top and bottom end portions may not overlap when the shield is in the unlocked position, while the top and bottom end portions may overlap when the shield is in the locked position. In some embodiments, the opposing side surfaces of the top portion may partially overlap with the opposing side surfaces of the bottom portion when the shield is in the unlocked position, while the opposing side surfaces of the top portion may fully overlap with the opposing side surfaces of the bottom portion when the shield is in the locked position.

[0009] In some embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces may form protrusions for retaining the shield within the catheter adapter while the needle passes through the proximal and distal needle openings, respectively. In some embodiments, the top portion, bottom portion, proximal portion, top terminal portion, and bottom terminal portion may all be formed from a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the single piece of material may be sheet metal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter system may include a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter forming a lumen and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter system may include a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub. In some embodiments, the needle assembly may be configured to couple to the catheter assembly to cause the needle to extend through the lumen of the catheter adapter and the catheter. In some embodiments, the intravenous catheter system may include a shield positioned within the lumen of the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the shield may include a top portion forming a top surface and opposing side surfaces extending downwardly from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom portion forming a bottom surface and opposing side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a proximal portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions. In some embodiments, the proximal portion may form a proximal needle opening. In some embodiments, the shield may include an apical distal portion extending downwardly from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom distal portion extending upward from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, when the needle assembly is coupled to the catheter adapter, the needle may extend through the proximal and distal needle openings of the shield, thereby maintaining the shield in an unlocked position, while when the needle assembly is withdrawn proximally from the catheter assembly, causing the distal tip of the needle to pass through the distal needle opening, the shield may transition to a locked position in which the distal tip of the needle is prevented from passing distally through the distal needle opening.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces of the shield may each form a protrusion. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter may include a slot that may receive the protrusions formed on the top and bottom surfaces when the shield is in the unlocked position. In some embodiments, the top terminal portion may include one or more tabs, and the bottom terminal portion may include one or more notches for receiving the one or more tabs, to maintain the shield in the locked position. In some embodiments, a terminal needle opening may be formed in the top terminal portion. In some embodiments, two tabs may be positioned on opposite sides of the top terminal portion, and two notches may be positioned on opposite sides of the bottom terminal portion. In some embodiments, the catheter assembly may include a septum positioned in the lumen of the catheter adapter at the distal end of the shield. In some embodiments, the needle may extend through the septum when the needle assembly is coupled to the catheter assembly. In some embodiments, the top portion, bottom portion, proximal portion, top terminal portion, and bottom terminal portion may all be formed from a single piece of material.

[0012] In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter may include a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter forming a lumen and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter may include a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub. In some embodiments, the needle assembly may be configured to couple to the catheter assembly to cause the needle to extend through the lumen of the catheter adapter and the catheter. In some embodiments, the peripheral intravenous catheter may include a shield positioned within the lumen of the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the shield may be formed from a single piece of material. In some embodiments, the shield may include a top portion forming a top surface and opposing side surfaces extending downwardly from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom portion forming a bottom surface and opposing side surfaces extending upwardly from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a proximal portion interconnecting the top and bottom portions. In some embodiments, the proximal portion may form a proximal needle opening. In some embodiments, the shield may include a top distal portion extending downward from the top surface. In some embodiments, the shield may include a bottom distal portion extending upward from the bottom surface. In some embodiments, when the needle assembly is coupled to the catheter adapter, the needle may extend through the proximal and distal needle openings of the shield, thereby maintaining the shield in an unlocked position, while when the needle assembly is withdrawn proximally from the catheter assembly, causing the distal tip of the needle to pass through the distal needle opening, the shield may transition to a locked position in which the distal tip of the needle is prevented from passing distally through the distal needle opening.

[0013] In some embodiments, the top and bottom surfaces of the shield may each form a protrusion. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter includes a slot that may receive the protrusions formed on the top and bottom surfaces when the shield is in the unlocked position. In some embodiments, the top end portion may include one or more tabs and the bottom end portion may include one or more notches for receiving the one or more tabs to maintain the shield in the locked position.

[0014] It will be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. It is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited to the arrangements and equipment shown in the drawings. It is also to be understood that embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the various embodiments of the invention, unless so claimed. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0015] A brief description of some of the figures in the drawing The illustrative embodiments will be illustrated and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings therein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A illustrates a PIVC configured in accordance with some embodiments. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B shows the needle assembly of the PIVC of FIG. 1A when removed from the catheter assembly, including how a shield configured according to some embodiments secures the distal tip of the needle. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a top perspective view of a shield configured according to some embodiments when the shield is in an unlocked position. [Figure 2B]FIG. 2B is an end view of a shield configured according to some embodiments when the shield is in an unlocked position. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a side view of a shield configured according to some embodiments when the shield is in an unlocked position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a pre-assembled view of the shield of FIGS. 2A-2C according to some embodiments. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the shield of FIGS. 2A-2C in a locked position, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a catheter adapter of the PIVC of FIG. 1A, according to some embodiments. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of a catheter adapter, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the PIVC of FIG. 1A showing the needle not yet retracted from the catheter, according to some embodiments. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the PIVC of FIG. 1A showing the needle being retracted to position the distal tip within the shield of FIGS. 2A-2C, according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Description of the embodiment FIG. 1A provides an example of a PIVC 100 configured in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The PIVC 100 may include a catheter assembly 110 and a needle assembly 120. The catheter assembly 110 may include a catheter adapter 111, from which a catheter 112 may extend distally. The needle assembly 120 may include a needle hub 121, from which a needle 122 may extend distally. The needle assembly 120 may be inserted into the proximal end 116 of the catheter adapter 111 to couple the needle assembly 120 to the catheter assembly 110, which may cause a distal tip 122a of the needle 122 to extend distally from the catheter 112. The catheter adapter 111 may include a pair of slots 115 positioned on opposite sides of the catheter adapter. In some embodiments, the catheter adapter 111 may include an extension port 113, which may allow an extension set 114 to be integrated into the PIVC 100.

[0018] 1B illustrates the needle assembly 120 after it has been withdrawn and separated from the catheter adapter 111. According to some embodiments, a shield 200 may be employed within the PIVC 100 to secure the distal tip 122a of the needle 122 as the needle assembly 120 is withdrawn. In some embodiments, the needle 122 may include a section of enlarged cross-sectional area or "bump" 122b that may prevent the needle 122 from separating from the shield 200, as described further below.

[0019] 2A-2C are top perspective, end, and side views, respectively, illustrating the separated shield 200 when the shield 200 is in an unlocked position. This unlocked position may represent the state of the shield 200 before the distal tip 122a is pulled into the shield 200. In contrast, FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating the shield 200 when the shield 200 is in a locked position. This locked position may represent the state of the shield 200 when or after the distal tip 122a is pulled into the shield 200 and the shield 200 is separated from the catheter adapter 111. FIG. 4 illustrates the shield 200 in a pre-assembled state, indicating that the shield 200 may be fabricated from a single piece of flat material (e.g., sheet metal) and then folded into the unlocked position shown in FIGS. 2A-2C.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2A-4, the shield 200 may include a top portion 210 and a bottom portion 230 connected by a proximal portion 250. The terms "top" and "bottom," used with respect to the orientation of the shield 200 in the figures, are intended only to distinguish between the two portions and should not be interpreted as requiring the top portion to be at the top during use of the PIVC. Indeed, in some embodiments, the shield 200 may be positioned within the catheter adapter 111 in either orientation, as will become apparent below. Meanwhile, the term "proximal" of the proximal portion 250 is intended to indicate that the proximal portion 250 is oriented proximally (i.e., away from the distal tip 122a) during use. The shield 200 may also include a top end portion 220 extending from the top portion 210 opposite the proximal portion 250, and a bottom end portion 240 extending from the bottom portion 230 opposite the proximal portion 250. During use of the shield 200, the top terminal portion 220 and the bottom terminal portion 240 will be oriented distally.

[0021] In some embodiments, top portion 210 may include a top surface 210a and opposing side surfaces 210b, 210c, which may extend downward from top surface 210a. In some embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4, top portion 210 may be formed by folding opposing side surfaces 210b, 210c downward relative to top surface 210a. Similarly, in some embodiments, bottom portion 230 may include a bottom surface 230a and opposing side surfaces 230b, 230c, which may extend upward from bottom surface 230a. In some embodiments, and with reference to FIG. 4, bottom portion 230 may be formed by folding opposing side surfaces 230b, 230c upward relative to bottom surface 230a.

[0022] In some embodiments, the width (W1) of the top surface 210a may be different from the width (W2) of the bottom surface 230a. For example, W1 may be less than W2, such that the side surfaces 210b, 210c are positioned inward of the side surfaces 230b, 230c when the shield 200 is assembled. Alternatively, W2 may be less than W1, such that the side surfaces 230b, 230c are positioned inward of the side surfaces 210b, 210c when the shield 200 is assembled. In some embodiments, such as that depicted in FIG. 4, the width of the base portion 250 may be tapered to match the respective widths of the top surface 210a and the bottom surface 230a. In some embodiments, the length (L1) of the top portion 210 may be different from the length (L2) of the bottom portion 230. For example, L1 may be less than L2 such that top terminal portion 220 may be positioned inside bottom terminal portion 240 when shield 200 is assembled. Alternatively, L2 may be less than L1 such that bottom terminal portion 240 may be positioned inside top terminal portion 220 when shield 200 is assembled. In some embodiments, the widths of side surfaces 210b, 210c, 230b, and 230c relative to proximal portion 250 may be configured such that side surfaces 210b, 210c overlap side surfaces 230b, 230c when shield 200 is in the locked position, as depicted in FIG. 3 . By overlapping, these side surfaces may prevent distal tip 122a from passing between the side surfaces when distal tip 122a is pulled into shield 200.

[0023] In some embodiments, protrusion 211 may be formed on top surface 210a, and protrusion 231 may be formed on bottom surface 230a. In some embodiments, protrusions 211 and 231 are aligned such that protrusion 211 may be positioned vertically above (or below) protrusion 231 when shield 200 is in a horizontal orientation. In such embodiments, opposing slots 115 of catheter adapter 111 may also be aligned to receive protrusions 211, 231 as shown in FIG. 5A . However, in other embodiments, protrusion 211 may be offset relative to protrusion 231, in which case opposing slots 115 may be correspondingly offset.

[0024] In some embodiments, the top terminal portion 220 may include one or more tabs 221 extending distally. In some embodiments, two tabs 221 may be formed on opposite sides of the top terminal portion 220. In some embodiments, each tab 221 is formed by folding a portion of the top terminal portion 220 downward such that each tab 221 may extend distally and upwardly. In some embodiments, the top terminal portion 220 may include a terminal needle opening 222 through which the needle 122 may extend when the shield 200 is in the unlocked position. In some embodiments, the terminal needle opening 222 may be positioned between the tabs 221 with clearance between the needle 122 and the terminal needle opening 222. In some embodiments, the terminal needle opening 222 may contact a surface of the needle 122, which may slide through the terminal needle opening 222 and / or may be pre-tensioned. In some embodiments, proximal portion 250 may include a proximal needle opening 251, which may be sized to allow passage of needle 122 but not ridge 122b. In some embodiments, needle 122 may experience a low pulling force in response to moving through proximal needle opening 251.

[0025] In some embodiments, bottom end portion 240 may include one or more notches 241 that correspond to one or more tabs 221 on top end portion 220. For example, in some embodiments, two notches 241 may be formed on opposite sides of bottom end portion 240 and may be aligned with two tabs 221 formed on opposite sides of top end portion 220. In some embodiments, each notch 241 may be positioned within bottom end portion 220 such that a portion of bottom end portion 220 remains positioned above the notch.

[0026] In some embodiments, the terminal needle opening 222 may be formed in the bottom terminal portion 240 rather than the top terminal portion 220. Similarly, in some embodiments, the tab 221 may be formed in the bottom terminal portion 240, while the notch 241 may be formed in the top terminal portion 220. Accordingly, embodiments of the shield 200 encompass multiple arrangements and orientations of the terminal needle opening 222, tabs 221, and notches 241 on the top and bottom terminal portions 220, 240.

[0027] In some embodiments, when the shield 200 is in the unlocked position, the distal needle opening 222 is positioned at least partially over the bottom distal portion 240 such that the needle 122 may pass through the shield 200 via the proximal needle opening 251 and the distal needle opening 222. In this unlocked position, and while the needle 122 remains in the distal needle opening 222, the needle 122 may contact the top and bottom distal portions 220, 240, preventing the shield 200 from transitioning to the locked position. However, when the distal tip 122a of the needle 122 is drawn proximally into the shield 200, the top and bottom distal portions 220, 240 may be allowed to move toward each other, causing the tab 221 to insert into the notch 241. In some embodiments, the interface between the tab 221 and the notch 241 may hold the shield 200 in the locked position. For example, tab 221 may be oriented distally and upwardly so that when tab 221 is contained in notch 241, tab 221 may contact bottom distal portion 240 and prevent top portion 210 from pivoting away from bottom portion 230. In some embodiments, top and bottom distal portions 220, 240 may be configured to overlap sufficiently when shield 200 is in the locked position such that distal needle opening 222 is covered by bottom distal portion 240. In such embodiments, when shield 200 is in the locked position, even if distal tip 122a of needle 122 is positioned within distal needle opening 222, bottom distal portion 240 will prevent distal extension of distal tip 122a from shield 200. In some embodiments, top terminal portion 220 and bottom terminal portion 240 may be at least as wide as top surface 210a and bottom surface 230a, respectively, and may abut side surfaces 210b, 210c and side surfaces 230b, 230c, respectively, to prevent terminal tip 122a from passing therebetween.

[0028] In some embodiments, the configuration of shield 200 described above may allow shield 200 to be manufactured by stamping a single piece of material. For example, a piece of sheet metal having the shape shown in FIG. 4 may be placed in a compressor where the sheet metal is stamped to form protrusions 211, 231 and tab 221. In such embodiments, once the sheet metal is stamped, it may be folded into the unlocked position.

[0029] Figure 5 is a top (or bottom) perspective view illustrating a catheter adapter 111 according to some embodiments, and Figure 5A is a corresponding cross-sectional view. As shown, the catheter adapter 111 may include a slot 115 that may form a lumen 111a and may be positioned toward the proximal end 116. As described above, the slot 115 may be positioned within the catheter adapter 111 to receive the protrusions 211 and 231. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 5 and 5A, the slot 115 may extend completely through the sidewall of the catheter adapter 111, while in other embodiments, the slot 115 may comprise an internal recess in the interior surface of the sidewall that does not extend through the exterior surface of the sidewall.

[0030] 6A and 6B are top (or bottom) cross-sectional perspective views illustrating the PIVC 100. FIG. 6A depicts the PIVC 100 when the needle assembly 120 is not retracted from the catheter assembly 110. In contrast, FIG. 6B depicts the PIVC 100 when the needle assembly 120 is retracted. In some embodiments, the septum 117 may be positioned within the lumen 111a at the end of the slot 115 to accommodate the shield 200 within the lumen 111a when the needle assembly 120 is coupled to the catheter assembly 110. In some embodiments, the needle 122 may pass through the septum 117. In some embodiments, the lumen 111a may not include the septum 117. In some embodiments, the shield 200 may be positioned such that the protrusions 211 and 231 are inserted into the slot 115 when the needle assembly 120 is coupled to the catheter assembly 110. In some embodiments, top portion 210 and bottom portion 230 may be forced apart such that protrusions 211, 231 remain within slot 115 while needle 122 extends through proximal needle opening 251. In other words, in some embodiments, proximal needle opening 251 may be configured such that the portion of needle 122 contained in proximal needle opening 251 holds top portion 210 and bottom portion 230 sufficiently apart to prevent protrusions 211, 231 from slipping out of slot 115 while needle 122 remains in proximal needle opening 251.

[0031] In some embodiments, after the catheter 112 is inserted into the patient's vasculature, the needle assembly 120 may be withdrawn proximally from the catheter assembly 110. This proximal withdrawal of the needle assembly 120 may cause the distal tip 122a of the needle 122 to pass proximally beyond the top distal portion 220. With the needle 122 no longer positioned in the distal needle opening 222, the top portion 210 and the bottom portion 230 may be free to pivot toward each other. In some embodiments, the proximal movement of the needle 122 may cause the ridge 122b to contact the proximal portion 250 as the distal tip 122a passes into the shield 200. Because the ridge 122b may have a larger cross-sectional area than the proximal needle opening 251, a continued proximal force on the needle assembly 120 may cause the shield 200 to be pulled proximally from the catheter adapter 111. In some embodiments, when shield 200 is pulled proximally, protrusions 211, 231, which may form a sloped exterior surface, may cause top portion 210 and bottom portion 230 to pivot inward toward one another. This inward pivot may cause tab 221 to insert into notch 241, thereby locking shield 200, and may cause protrusions 211, 231 to exit slot 115, thereby allowing shield 200 to be pulled from catheter adapter 111. The interface between tab 221 and notch 241 may hold shield 200 in a locked position after shield 200 is separated from catheter adapter 111.

[0032] In some embodiments, the top and bottom terminal portions 220, 240 may be configured to not contact the needle 122 while it is extending into or through the septum 117. For example, in FIG. 6A , the bottom terminal portion 240 is sized to be positioned below the center point of the septum 117 through which the needle 122 extends. As a result, the needle 122 may be maintained above the bottom terminal portion 240 while it is positioned within the septum 117. Similarly, the terminal needle opening 222 may be sized and positioned within the top terminal portion 220 so that no part of the top terminal portion 220 contacts the needle 122 until the terminal tip 122 a is withdrawn from the septum 117. In this way, the top and bottom end portions 220 and 240 may be prevented from exerting strain on the needle 122 as it is pulled through the septum 117 .

[0033] All examples and conditional statements described herein are intended for educational purposes to help the reader understand the concepts contributed by the inventors to further the invention and technology, and should not be construed as being limited to such specifically described examples and conditions. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A shield for a needle, comprising: a top portion forming a top surface and opposing side surfaces extending downwardly from said top surface; a bottom portion forming a bottom surface and opposing side surfaces extending upwardly from said bottom surface; a proximal portion interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion, the proximal portion forming a proximal needle opening; a top end portion forming a surface extending downwardly from said top surface; and a bottom terminal portion extending upwardly from said bottom surface; Equipped with When the shield is in an unlocked position, a terminal needle opening is located above the bottom terminal portion exposing a terminal needle opening in the surface of the top terminal portion, and the opposing side surfaces of the top portion partially overlap the opposing side surfaces of the bottom portion, while when the shield is in a locked position, the terminal needle opening is located inside and covered by the bottom terminal portion, the opposing side surfaces of the top portion completely overlap the opposing side surfaces of the bottom portion, and one or more tabs on the top terminal portion engage one or more notches in the bottom terminal portion to maintain the shield in the locked position.

2. 2. The shield of claim 1, wherein the one or more tabs comprise two tabs positioned on opposite sides of the surface of the top terminal portion, the terminal needle opening being formed between the two tabs.

3. The shield of claim 2 , wherein the one or more notches comprise two notches positioned on opposite sides of the bottom end portion.

4. 2. The shield of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom surfaces each form a protrusion for retaining the shield within a catheter adapter during passage of a needle through the proximal and distal needle openings.

5. 10. The shield of claim 1, wherein said top portion, said bottom portion, said base portion, said apical terminal portion and said bottom terminal portion are all formed from a single piece of material.

6. 6. The shield of claim 5, wherein said single piece of material is a single piece of sheet metal.

7. A shield as described in claim 1, wherein the one or more notches face in a distal direction, the one or more tabs are formed by folding a portion of the top terminal portion distally so that the one or more tabs extend outward and upward from the surface of the top terminal portion, and the one or more tabs of the top terminal portion extend in the distal direction through the one or more notches when the shield is in the locked position.

8. The shield of claim 7 , wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the shield each form a protrusion.

9. 8. The shield of claim 7, wherein the one or more tabs comprise two tabs positioned on opposite sides of the top end portion and the one or more notches comprise two notches positioned on opposite sides of the surface of the bottom end portion.

10. 8. The shield of claim 7, wherein said top portion, said bottom portion, said base portion, said apical terminal portion and said bottom terminal portion are all formed from a single piece of material.

11. Peripheral intravenous catheters a catheter assembly having a catheter adapter forming a lumen and a catheter extending distally from the catheter adapter; a needle assembly having a needle hub and a needle extending distally from the needle hub, the needle assembly configured to couple to the catheter assembly causing the needle to extend through the lumen of the catheter adapter and through the catheter; and a shield according to any one of claims 1 to 10 positioned within the lumen of the catheter adapter; a peripheral intravenous catheter, wherein when the needle assembly is coupled to the catheter adapter, the needle extends through the proximal needle opening and the distal needle opening of the shield, thereby maintaining the shield in an unlocked position, while when the needle assembly is withdrawn proximally from the catheter assembly, causing the distal tip of the needle to pass through the distal needle opening, the shield transitions to a locked position that prevents the distal tip of the needle from passing distally through the distal needle opening.

12. 12. The peripheral intravenous catheter of claim 11, wherein the top and bottom surfaces of the shield each define a protrusion, and the catheter adapter includes slots that receive the protrusions formed on the top and bottom surfaces when the shield is in the unlocked position.

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