ABSTRACT INTRAVENOUS CATHETER APPARATUS An intravenous catheter apparatus (10) comprising: a catheter tube (14) a catheter hub (12) having a distal end (22) and a proximal end (24), wherein the distal end (24) is joined to the catheter tube (14) and the proximal end (24) defines a housing (48) a needle (20) extending through the catheter hub (12) and the catheter tube (14) and defining an axial direction (A), wherein the needle (20) has opposite proximal and distal ends, the distal end forming a needle tip a needle hub (16) attached to the proximal end of the needle (20) a needle guard (26) slidably arranged on the needle (20), wherein the needle guard (26) is movably retained in the housing (48) of the catheter hub (12), when the needle (20) extends through the catheter hub (12) and the catheter tube (14), wherein the needle guard (26) is removable from the catheter hub (12) once the needle tip is received in the needle guard (26) upon withdrawal of the needle (20) from the catheter tube (14), and wherein the housing (48) defines a chamber (54) at one end thereof ensuring that a first and second arm (40, 42) of the needle guard (26) do not engage or interact with an inner surface (56) of the chamber (54) prior and during venipuncture of a patient.
