SAFETY NEEDLE ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHOD

A safety IV catheter assembly (100) comprising: a catheter hub (104) with a catheter tube (102) extending distally from the catheter hub; a needle hub (108) proximal of the catheter hub having a needle (106) extending distally from the needle hub and through the catheter hub and the catheter tube, the needle including a sharp distal tip (112) extending distally of a distal end of the catheter tube; and a tip protector assembly (116) located on the needle between the catheter hub and the needle hub or completely inside the catheter hub, the tip protector assembly including: a proximal wall (174), an opening (176) in the proximal wall accommodating the needle, first and second fingers (168, 176; 206, 208) extending distally from the proximal wall; and a retaining clip (138) extending around distal portions of the first and second fingers or a resilient member (216) extending through both the first and second fingers; wherein the first finger includes a tab (184; 210) extending radially inward and bearing against the needle to deflect the first finger radially outward against a spring restoring force of the retaining clip or the resilient member in a ready to use position; and wherein the retaining clip or the resilient member increases the spring restoring force tending to press the first and second fingers radially inward.