A catheter cartridge assembly includes a cartridge and a catheter member. The cartridge has a cartridge housing with proximal and distal ends. A pre-loaded tip and a protective sleeve associated with the pre-loaded tip are at least partially positioned within the cartridge housing. The catheter member has a proximal end configured to be advanced proximally into and through the cartridge housing to engage a distal end of the pre-loaded tip for proximal advancement out of the proximal end of the cartridge housing with the pre-loaded tip, with the protective sleeve covering at least a portion of the catheter member.
