Self-retracting IV catheter introducer

A self-retracting IV catheter introducer (10) automatically retracts the catheter needle (60) safely within a housing when the connector (24) attached to the cannula (22) is separated from the housing after the cannula has been inserted into a patient. In one embodiment the housing comprises a retraction tube (14) enclosing a retraction body (56) having rear portion (72) mounted within the retraction tube and a front portion (58) carrying a needle (60) and extending through an opening in the front of the retraction body. A connection surface (66) on the exposed front of the retraction body is frictionally engaged with a corresponding connection surface (34) on the connector. Abutting surfaces (84, 86) between the connector and the retraction tube serve as stops. Releasable frictional engagement of the connection surfaces prevents retraction. In a second embodiment, the retraction tube front portion extends forwardly configured as springing arms (96) having a protrusion (100) engaging a depression (110) in the outer surface of the retraction body extending front portion.